Kim Possible

Though he’s new to the soap world, chances are you’ve seen Eric Steinberg on TV before. The seasoned actor boasts a long list of stage and nighttime guest-stint credits, including appearances on NIP/TUCK, NUMB3RS, CSI: MIAMI, CHARMED and the new show DAY BREAK. While Steinberg admits that switching to daytime has been a challenge, he’s relished the opportunity to work with heavy-hitter Peter Bergman (Jack) … but would especially love it if JiMin finally got some romance.Soap Opera Digest: How are you enjoying the show?
Eric Steinberg: I’m enjoying it a lot. It’s a new thing for me and it also came at kind of a hectic [time], so it was a little bit of a whirlwind. Everyone’s been very nice. It’s like being thrown to the wolves, but some of the producers trusted me enough to know I wouldn’t sink the ship. Peter [Bergman, Jack] has been great. I’ve had most of my scenes with him and he’s been very kind and supportive, so I’m grateful for that.Digest: What made you come to daytime after doing so many prime-time shows?
Steinberg: It was an opportunity that came up that hadn’t come before. I’d been asked to read for different soaps, but the character was never quite right. I actually came to Y&R to read for a different character, Professor Korbel, and didn’t get it. They appreciated what I did and had in mind this other storyline. It was very lucky. I’ve rarely had a regular gig as an actor, which has been great, but to be in this very structured and efficient set-up is an entirely different thing. I think it’s a little like how television might have been in the old days. It’s been amazing for me to watch and be a part of.Digest: The fans seem to be enjoying Mr. Kim. There have been many positive comments on the message boards.
Steinberg: Really? I worry that since he’s so new, you only see one dimension of him, the businessman. I’m hoping we see more sides to him so we can have some fun with the guy. He doesn’t have personal ties to these people yet. I’m hoping that will happen because then the stakes will be raised.Digest: Who would you want JiMin to have a romance with?
Steinberg: All of the women are gorgeous! I don’t want to break up any relationships on the show, but it might be interesting if he ended up with someone like Sharon. I guess I could see it happening because it would cause such dramatic tension with Jack. And Sharon Case [Sharon] is absolutely beautiful and a delight to work with. She’s great.Digest: Who else would you want to work with more?
Steinberg: I’ve worked a little with Eric Braeden [Victor] and just that tantalizing taste was great. He’s so quietly focused and powerful. Judith Chapman [Gloria] is fun to work with, too. She’s so mercurial.Digest: Would it be strange if you ended up working with Eyal Podell since he got the role of Adrian Korbel?
Steinberg: I’ve met him and he’s a wonderful guy. He’s a good actor, too. It’s funny because we were laughing about it. It turns out that at the time both of us were being cast, I was doing a play with a close friend of his, so we immediately had a bond. I’d love to work with him. I’m not sure how our stories would come together, but you never know.Digest: Did you watch Y&R before?
Steinberg: Not really. As a kid, my parents didn’t watch television and forbid my brother and me to watch. Many people I speak with have a history with soaps, and for me, that wasn’t there, so this was completely a new thing for me.Digest: Plus, you now have a more prominent role than when you were doing guest stints. Have you had many fan encounters?
Steinberg: It hasn’t happened yet.Digest: Well, you’re in for a treat because soap fans are extremely loyal.
Steinberg: That’s great. To be honest, I’ve never considered myself to be the “cover guy.” Much of my success has been in shows’ inability to pin me, racially and otherwise. That’s also been the bane of my existence. I do pilots and rarely do networks want me to be the guy on the poster. Still, they’re happy to have me come in and be the guy who shakes things up a little bit. They’re not able to pinpoint me because racially I’m ambiguous and my energy is a little darker. A lot of networks have seen me as “the other guy.” I got my start in repertory theater, so for me, it’s all about enjoying whatever comes my way. For me, people always vaguely recognize me, “Hey, you’re that guy….”Digest: Do you have a favorite role that you’ve done?
Steinberg: It’s hard to choose because I’ve had so many good experiences. I remember the firsts, so for me, rep theater was great training. That’s something I’m always going to be grateful for. The past couple of years have been good, but before that, I did literally every bad show on television that would give me a role [laughs]. I did whatever came. At least now, I don’t feel like vomiting when I watch myself [laughs].Digest: What is your heritage?
Steinberg: My mother is Korean. She was a singer, a soprano and also taught voice at George Washington University. That’s where I was introduced to art and music. My father’s background is mixed — Lithuanian, Eastern European and German. He’s a professor at Georgetown University. He’s the director of Asian Studies there. Both of them were the reason for anything good in my life. As a kid, I grew up all over. I lived in Thailand for a number of years when I was a little kid. We were in Korea and other parts of Europe, Asia … it was a pretty unique upbringing. We were never wealthy, but because my parents were good at what they did, we were afforded the opportunity to go places.Digest: Is your brother involved in the arts as well?
Steinberg: Yes, Alex is a photographer. He’s amazing. He’s my older brother and we’re pretty close. My family is amazing. Often, I feel pretty pathetic compared to them.Digest: You’ve done plenty yourself.
Steinberg: Right now, I’m just excited that I’ve been drafted to a great team. I hope I have a lot of playing time.