“I want to thank my wife, my partner in life — Susan Hufford — who made this possible. Not only this, but all the good things in my life since I met her. And I tell you this not only because it’s true, but because she told me to tell you. Because she said that’s what David Canary and Peter Bergman always say.”
Those were the heartfelt words of Michael Zaslow of “Guiding Light” as he accepted the Daytime Emmy Award for Best Actor in 1994. It was his third time in as many years vying for the prize for his part as Springfield’s most reviled citizen, Roger Thorpe. Zaslow had played Roger from 1971 to 1980, and resumed the role in 1989. He seemed genuinely surprised when Linda Dano (the 1993 Daytime Emmy winner for Best Actress for “Another World”) read his name. “I’m so relieved,” Zaslow confessed after reaching the stage.
It’s little wonder that Zaslow had gone to the Daytime Emmy Awards with low expectations. He had received his first bid in 1992, in the midst of a “Guiding Light” resurgence which centered largely around Roger’s mischief and mayhem. Most soap opera publications had predicted Zaslow to prevail. But in the end Daytime Emmy’s reigning Best Actor Bergman repeated for his role as Jack Abbott on “The Young and the Restless” (one of three career wins for him out of a record 24 nominations).
Zaslow was back in the race in 1993, alongside his “Guiding Light” castmate and onscreen foe Mark Derwin, who played detective A.C. Mallet. It was “Lights” out for both men, though, with Canary flying away with his fourth Emmy for tackling the dual role of Adam and Stuart Chandler on “All My Children.” (Canary would eventually receive a fifth Emmy in 2001, and a total of 16 sweet nominations.)
Which brings us back to the 1994 contest. Zaslow faced stiff competition from Bergman once again, as well as Charles Keating as Carl Hutchins on “Another World,” his “Guiding Light” co-star Peter Simon as Dr. Ed Bauer, and Robert S. Woods as Bo Buchanan on “One Life to Live.” One Emmy had previously come Woods’s way in 1983. Keating had contended as a supporting player in 1992 and 1993. And this was Simon’s first and only Emmy nom. Soap opera columnist Michael Logan of TV Guide had previously referred to Simon as the George C. Scott of the Daytime Emmys for declining to submit his name for awards consideration. (Scott famously rejected his Oscar nomination — and win — for Best Actor in 1970’s Best Picture “Patton.”) Simon was reportedly convinced by his “Guiding Light” colleagues in 1994 to put himself in the running, after a standout storyline in which Ed coped with the devastating loss of his beloved wife, Maureen (beautifully played by 1993’s Best Supporting Actress, Ellen Parker).
Many journalists were betting on Bergman to hit the jackpot once again. However, Zaslow’s reel was an absolute killer. It was dominated by scenes showing Roger sparring with his ex-wife Holly Lindsey (played by 1994 Best Supporting Actress nominee Maureen Garrett) and his current and then-pregnant spouse Jenna Bradshaw (played by 1994 Best Actress nominee Fiona Hutchison.) A drunken Roger also argued with his rival Ed and spoke tenderly with his daughter Blake (played by Liz Keifer). Zaslow was simply on fire, and the Emmy blue ribbon panelists couldn’t ignore the flames.
The audience went wild when Zaslow was declared the winner. He thanked voters for “sparing my lovely daughters Marika and Helena the task of having to once again write a consolation note for me to post on my dressing room wall.” Zaslow also made a special point of acknowledging three actors with whom he shared “a wonderful bunch of memories”: Simon, Garrett and Jerry verDorn as Ross Marler (a 1994 Best Supporting Actor nominee.) It was a gracious remark on the part of Zaslow, as all three of those actors lost that night (though verDorn would go on to earn back-to-back Supporting Actor Emmys in 1995 and 1996.)
Zaslow would be invited back as a Best Actor contestant a fourth and final time in 1995. It would be his fellow “Guiding Light” actor Justin Deas as Buzz Cooper who buzzed off with the gold. (That was one of three Emmys delivered to Deas during his tenure on “Guiding Light.” Prior to that he had nabbed one for “As the World Turns” and two more for “Santa Barbara.”)
Zaslow would be forced to leave “Guiding Light” in 1997 due to health issues. He was later diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He rejoined “One Life to Live” for a brief period in 1998 as David Renaldi, a character whom he had portrayed on the show from 1983 to 1986. Zaslow’s illness was written into David’s storyline.
Zaslow would tragically pass away in December of 1998 at the age of 56. But he will always be remembered by legions of daytime fans for his unforgettable portrayal of the evil Roger Thorpe. And thank heavens that the history books will always classify Zaslow as a Daytime Emmy champion. “Guiding Light” went off the air in 2009, but Zaslow’s dazzling work as the devilish Roger will forever shine bright.
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