This post began with the death of actress Jeanne Cooper. Upon her death, I briefly considered doing one of my R.I.P posts. Cooper obviously made a huge impact on daytime television and was remembered by many. I decided against it however for a simple reason. FH is rooted in favorites, meaning I try to post only about subjects I have some sort of connection with. Even when profiling models or photographers, part of the story I try to tell is about how the work touched or connects with me in some way.
I didn't really know Cooper's work that well. I have watched Young & Restless off an on during summer holidays from school or on sick days, but with no regularity. The biggest draw the show has for me is when actress Beth Maitland (Traci) in on. I find her an compelling actress with an authenticity in her performances beyond what we see from most actors on daytime or anywhere really. When reading some of the stories about Cooper's death however, actor Terry Lester was referenced a couple of times. I was too young to really see Lester when he was on Y & R, the only time I have actually seen Lester on screen was while watching DVD's from the original Dallas show, where he appeared briefly in the early 80's. As far as his role of Jack Abbott on Y & R though, I have certainly seen images, as well heard stories from his time on the set. These stories interested me greatly, and the more I read, the more I wanted to know and the more a connection began to form.
After arriving in Hollywood from Indiana, Lester's first big role was on a 1976 children's series called Ark II which only lasted one season. Roles in Dallas, Airport 1975 and the 1978 Kiss movie Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park followed, but Lester was still awaiting that big break.
Below: Lester with his tv sisters on Y & R
Lester's big break came in 1980 when cast as Jack Abbott on Y & R. Jack was described as a scoundrel who never met a woman (including his own father's wife) he didn't want to take to bed. Jack became so popular, the shows creator ended up writing an entirely new family to surround and support Jack on the show. Many believed it was Lester, and his portrayal of Jack, which led the show to place at #1 in the ratings.
Lester on Santa Barbara
'Terry was not afraid to step out of the box and try anything. He had his dark side and shadows, but then most creative people do. Terry was incredibly creative and sensitive, and he was a very special person. I thank God he was part of my life, even how brief it was.'
Jeanne Cooper
Problems dogged Lester throughout the his 9 years in the role. His sensitivity led an impression he was cold or stand-offish and many of co-stars, even those like Maitland who felt close with Lester, found him distant. Issues with co-stars were no the only problem, Lester was known for speaking his mind about the show and his character and famously went on record criticizing the shows creator for putting his daughter on the show and pushing her role at the expense of his and other more experienced actors in the cast.
It seems clear looking back now, that part of Lester's problems stemmed from his being in the closet. I don't think it was a major secret Lester was gay, but a 2002 LA Magazine article on former soap star Thom Bierdz confirmed this by Bierdz claim that Lester, along with Bierdz and another actor, made up a trio of gay actors who worked on The Young and the Restless in the 1980s. Being gay and closeted is difficult enough, but playing a character, pimped out as daytime's biggest ladies man, must have made that closet an even more complicated space to live in.
Lester's stand offish behavior, and drinking are not uncommon traits among people who feel the need to keep a secret. The soap world may have embraced gay storylines, but gay actors, not so much. In some ways they are behind other media in embracing gay men in major roles. In fact, I think it fairly obvious The Young and the Restless still has a trio (maybe even more) closeted actors playing straight on the soap. I am also sure this is happening on all of the daytime dramas.
After leaving his role on the CBS soap, Lester jumped back into daytime with the role of Mason Capwell on Santa Barbara. 'It takes a certain type of man to satisfy a woman.' This was the tag line introducing Lester to the NBC soap. Although he left Jack Abbott behind, Lester was still in the position, with the pressure, of playing every woman's hetero hero fantasy each and every day.
The Young & the Restless
Stories like Lester's rarely have happy endings. Keeping any secret takes it's toll, especially hiding one's sexuality. After leaving the soap world a few years later, Lester's roles dwindled to just a few guest spots in prime time. In 2003, Lester, died at home after suffering multiple heart attacks. Terry Lester was just 53. What is so sad about Terry, and others like him, is that before his death, most talked about his acting, his electric presence on screen, the raw talent that so many felt and enjoyed. I wonder, given the closet he lived in, whether he ever really got to feel that praise?
R.I.P Jeanne Cooper, and R.I.P Terry Lester.
