BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL’s Rick Has Climbed The First Rung To Success
How did a country boy fresh out of high school land the role of BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL’s young Rick Forrester, one of the most coveted parts on daytime drama? Believe it or not, $80 bought Jacob Young a ticket to success. “Luckily, someone at BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL saw it. That was the best 80 bucks I ever spent.”
Of course great looks didn’t hurt, but timing also worked in Young’s favor. B&B had just decided to age Rick from preteen to teen dream when Young’s photo appeared. A daunting audition, which included shucking his shirt for a kissing scene with Adrienne Frantz (Amber), followed. Executive Producer/Head Writer Bradley Bell was immediately impressed with the young man.
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“Jacob was willing to try anything,” Bell recalls. “I asked him to sing, and he and Adrienne performed ‘I Got You Babe’ on the sound stage where THE SONNY AND CHER SHOW was taped. He was willing to sing, he did his scenes without his shirt and he gave us all different levels. The guy is committed, and he certainly looks like a Forrester. He’s got that attitude.”
Young may have that attitude, but luckily, he’s still devoid of that Hollywood pretentiousness. His affable demeanor and attention to good, old-fashioned manners (generous doses of pleases and thank yous) are refreshing.
Credit must undoubtedly go to his upbringing. Young was raised on a cattle ranch in rural Washington State, the baby of a family that includes two sisters and one brother. It was a childhood that included horseback riding, biking, camping, chopping wood with his dad and surfing. “I was perfectly happy growing up where I did,” he smiles. “I’ve been instilled with lots of good morals and values. In a small town, you’re isolated from everything else. I’m just not used to phony people.”
Young’s interest in acting was sparked in high school, where he performed in drama and musical productions. As first tenor, he was also heavily involved in on-campus chorale groups. “I was in concert choirs, jazz ensembles — every choir activity I could be in.”
Drama and music. Hmmmm. Didn’t the jock types ride him for having an artsy agenda? Yes and no. Young also happened to be a jock — he was a nationally ranked member of the wrestling team. “I was always given a hard time about singing, but it was something I loved to do, regardless of what anyone else thought,” he notes.
It’s that kind of independent thinking that helped Young win his current job. And don’t think he isn’t aware of how lucky he is. “I’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime,” Young marvels. “Some people struggle for years trying to break into this business, and, and yet I fall right into it. I’m the luckiest person in the world.”
And since Young maintains a limited circle of “true friends,” there aren’t many people he’s concerned with impressing back home. “I kept to myself, and a lot of people thought I was stuck up,” Young admits. “I had a few friends, and we were in a tight clique and would always hang out together. But I had girl problems in high school and would always get rejections. Since I’ve been on BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL, those same girls have called my buddies, trying to get my phone number. They already know to say, ‘No way!'”
These days, Young is intent on making friends in L.A. (He’s blonde, blue-eyed and he surfs — how hard could it be?) Co-star Frantz has already proven to be an invaluable pal. “Adrienne and I are great friends,” Young enthuses. “She has a lot of energy and is fun to hang out with. Adrienne has been the biggest friend to me since I’ve been here.”
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On his first day at work, Young also received a very warm reception from on-screen dad John McCook (Eric) — not surprising, since he’s known as the show’s resident Welcome Wagon. “John is great,” declares Young. “He brought me into his dressing and sat me down so we could get to know each other. He was excited for me and it really made me feel good. I have learned so much just from watching him act.”
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Ronn Moss (Ridge) and Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) also educated the young actor about B&B history, as well as his character’s complex background. (FYI: Rick still hasn’t remembered that he tried to murder his former stepdad, Grant). Besides the historical tidbits provided by co-stars, Young admits having an invaluable source. “Soap Opera Digest has the best recaps!” he raves. “Just before I started, I read a lot of the old issues and it helped bring me up to date. It’s a great magazine. Thanks.”
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Gee, Jacob — you’re welcome.
Jacob Young indulged us by answering a few silly questions — something he should get used to when facing many reporters.
Digest: Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?
Young: “I like sweet things, especially coconut cream pie and German chocolate cake.”
Digest: Do you laugh or cry more?
Young: “I laugh a lot, but I can cry a lot, too. I have strong emotions. After watching the movie Titanic, I heard guys telling their girlfriends, ‘Oh, you’re crying, again’ and I’m wiping away my tears, too.”
Digest: Who’s your favorite host — Oprah, Rosie or Jerry?
Young: “Jerry Springer! He’s so great. Everyone’s fighting on his show. It’s like a spectator sport. You just can’t take it seriously.”
Digest: What were your best and worst subjects in school?
Young: “History was the best. The worst? Math. I didn’t have a problem; it just didn’t appeal to me. I mean, you’re not going to be figuring out that X equals whatever in many careers.”
Digest: Would you rather have dinner with the Spice Girls or Hillary Rodham Clinton?”
Young: “Is there an options of neither?”
Just The Facts:
Birthdate: September 10
Hails From: Yelm, WA
Star Student: Graduated a year early from high school
Soap Roots: Mom is a big soap fan who has watched B&B for years
Really Bugged: Drives a 1963 black and white Volkswagen bug that he restored himself
His Dream Vacation House: “I would like a cabin in Canada — somewhere on a mountaintop.”
Does He See The Brad Pitt Resemblance: Occasionally. I think I have a profile like his.”
This interview originally appeared in the February 24, 1998 issue of Soap Opera Digest
