Eric Stuart of NBC's "Another World"
December 15, 1997
6pm PT/ 9pm ET

NBC Live:
From the NBC Live Studio at Yahoo! Chat .. you'll be able to chat with Eric Stuart of NBC's "Another World."

NBC Live:
Eric Stuart will be joining us in just a few minutes..... he's finishing up a scene. Be sure to send Eric YOUR questions!

NBC Live:
Eric Stuart is now with us!

NBC Live:
Welcome. How are you today, Eric?

Eric Stuart:
Hello to all my friends on the Earthlink chat, K-ROCKS, and to everyone else that was here last time.

NBC Live:
Congratulations on your "Soap Opera Digest" nomination for Best Scene Stealer. How does you feel?

Eric Stuart:
The word steal has such negative connotations, I almost feel bad. But, no, I'm very happy and very honored and looking forward to the event!

NBC Live:
Anything that you can share with us about this evening's shoot?

Eric Stuart:
Let's see...

Eric Stuart:
There's a new woman in the picture for Chris and Toni is possible realizing what she may have missed out on.

NBC Live:
Getting right to business......

AWSleepy:
Is Toni going to end up with Chris or Tyrone?

Eric Stuart:
Good question!

Suzeeqforever:
They must be slave drivers over there at "AW," Eric....it's 5:11

Eric Stuart:
It's an incredibly long day, but I'm lucky because I didn't have to come in until 5. So it sounds bad, but it's really pretty good.

Jstick21:
Eric, love your acting! Would you ever want to appear in a big budget action flick like STARSHIP TROOPERS?

Eric Stuart:
Oh no, not me! (much sarcasm( I would love very much to do something like that. I would love to do a movie, either a horror or action movie, they're great. Unfortunately, it seems that people with my complexion often die pretty fast in these movies.

Krista31:
Eric your scenes with Tommy are so funny, and the rape story was great stuff for you and congrats on your nomination.

Eric Stuart:
Thank you very much, I'm glad you do enjoy them, and hopefully there will be more scenes with both Tommy and I and Toni and I to come.

Immamomma:
So what is in store for Chris' love life?

Eric Stuart:
That's a good question! We just got a new head writer, so right now everything is sort of up in the air. But there are talks of lots of different things, but I don't want to give anything away just yet because it might not come true!

NBC Live:
Many people are asking... how does it feel to be a Soap Opera star?

Eric Stuart:
It's not all that it's cracked up to be, at least not in the beginning. When you've been in school for almost 8 years and have acquired as much debts as I have, you still don't feel like a Soap star until you've paid off your debts, which I still haven't done yet! But the best part is the fans- they make you feel really good.

Cbhpinoy:
Are we really talking to you or an agent?

Eric Stuart:
My agent wouldn't even know how to answer most of these questions, so it's definitely me! But if you want to test me, you can try!

Wolfgang_1:
How do you and the other cast members get along?

Eric Stuart:
We get along really well actually. I'm sure there's probably rumors, but for the most part it's like a family, and even in a family you have a tiff here and there. But we all know we have to work together, but we do our best to be professionals.

BuffyDream:
Who is the best kisser in Bay City?

Eric Stuart:
Well, if I get an opportunity to kiss a few more people I may be able to answer that a bit better, but as it is I haven't kissed very many people.

AWSleepy:
Do you remember your very first day on the set? What was it like?

Eric Stuart:
Yes, I do. My very first day I thought was going to be very relaxing because I came on the show unconscious from a car accident. But because they wanted to make it seem realistic they had me laying on a hard piece of wood while they worked on me, and that hurt! And a few weeks later they still had me unconscious which was frustrating because I wanted to work, but what're you going to do?

Pooh31_97:
Who is the new woman? Anyone already on the show or cant you say?

Eric Stuart:
No, she's not someone already on the show, and right now she's only there temporarily, but that's all I can say. She has been seen before though!

Starla7UF:
Do you watch any other soaps besides the one you are on?

Eric Stuart:
I try to watch "As the World Turns," because I have a friend on there. And I also have a friend on "Sunset Beach," so I watch that occasionally. But oddly enough, I rarely get a chance to see "Another World."

Pooh31_97:
Eric, any plans on you coming to Wisconsin any time soon?? PLEASE!!!

Eric Stuart:
I would love to come to Wisconsin. Are you a good cook? :-)

Eric Stuart:
The fan luncheon is on April 18th at the New York Hilton.

MyrtusHE:
Hi Eric! Do you ever get a crick in your neck during scenes with henry Simmons??

Eric Stuart:
After the first day of working with Henry, I decided that I would stop using my neck to look at him and just use my eyes.

Abb_14:
Who's your friend on "Sunset Beach"?

Eric Stuart:
Jason George. Jason and I went to the same graduate school- Temple University.

BuffyDream:
What do the holidays have in store for Eric Stuart and his family? Do you celebrate with a big gathering somewhere?

Eric Stuart:
Yeah, I'll be going home to Pittsburgh to spend time with my mom and brother. All of my family that are in Pittsburgh, we will spend it all together. And that will include a brand new nephew I just got last week! And I'll be back in NY for New Years, where else better to be?

NBC Live:
Any New Years' Eve Plans?

Eric Stuart:
I will be attending a party right above Times Square, right across from where the ball drops. It's incredible.

Rasja:
I'm a former Freedom Theatre student of yours and I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you.

Eric Stuart:
Well happy Kwanza to you and thank you! What are you up to now?

Gemi100:
Chris, is there a lot of pressure working with the daughter of Diana Ross? Have you met Diana?

Eric Stuart:
I met Diana once, we were both on two different sides of the room, so all she could do was wave to me. But I don't look at Rhonda as Diana Ross' daughter. I treat her like any other actor or actress and give her the same respect that I would anyone else. And I feel that she does the same for me. Besides, I've been on the show longer! :-)

BuffyDream:
Didn't Kim Rhodes also go to Temple U? Would you recommend it as a training ground for up and coming soap stars?

Eric Stuart:
Yes, Kim Rhodes did go to Temple, and we knew each other before the show. As far as recommending it for a soap school, it's definitely an acting school, but I wouldn't want to send you there expecting to get on a soap.

MyrtusHE:
Eric, any chance will get to see you do one of your sexy dances on the show?

Eric Stuart:
How many sexy dances have you seen me? Which are you talking about exactly? :-)

NBC Live:
People are asking... what's your Nephews name?

Eric Stuart:
His name is Anjay, which means Angel and I haven't seen him yet so it's like a brand new Christmas present.

BuffyDream:
Eric, at the New Years party, can you say hello to Dick Clark for me? :-)

Eric Stuart:
Sure, I'll try to say hello to him, but I'm not going to go outside to do it! It's cold out there!

AWSleepy:
Are you in touch with any actors who have left the show?

Eric Stuart:
Only Kevin and Stena Nelson. And I'll be having dinner with Kevin on Thursday and Stena Nelson and I get together sometimes and have improv parties.

AWSleepy:

Where did your wife meet you?

Eric Stuart:
I met her in Philadelphia at a theatre company

Jstick21:
So...is there any dish you can give us on either Jason George or Kim Rhodes from their wild and crazy school years?

Eric Stuart:
Both of them were in classes below me, so I don't have a lot of dish on either of them.

Jnywren:
Is there anything you are wishing for Christmas?

Eric Stuart:
That's a hard one!

Eric Stuart:
I've never been the kind of person that really asks for anything, that way everything is a surprise. So no, I guess I don't have any wishes in particular, I'm just looking forward to going home.

Krista31:
What kind of story line would you like to next?

Eric Stuart:
I think bringing another African American woman into the picture on a more permanent basis might be interesting. Either that or do something just completely in a different direction, and maybe have Chris start dating someone else in Bay City like Amanda or somebody. And I'd like to also find out more about Chris' past. We don't know a lot about who Chris is or what he did before he came to Bay City - more of the devious things or things he may regret.

Jstick21:
If you could be the writer, what would you write for your character?

Eric Stuart:
I would write for him to be rich, maybe own his own newspaper, have a much bigger and nicer apartment. I don't know, I guess one can dream can't they. But if I did all those things I'd be Jake wouldn't I! So maybe not!

Suzeeqforever:
Is there going to be a huge blowout between Chris and Tyrone because of Toni?

Eric Stuart:
I think that's what everyone is sort of expecting and almost looking forward to it. But I think why it might not happen is that they want this triangle to be different than the other triangles that are already on the show. And I don't think they hold any real animosity toward each other, so if there is one I'd be surprised, but I wouldn't mind either way.

Sslax:
What Inspired you to become an actor?

Eric Stuart:
I took an acting class in high school. I think the reason I took the acting class was that I've always loved movies and plays, but when I got to high school I saw a production of "Fiddler on the Roof" and I was so impressed that I wanted to try it out. But I never imagined it would be something I'd be doing now. I just thought it would be temporary, something I would play with.

Ziggy_12:
How did you get an audition for the show?

Eric Stuart:
My agent basically sent me.

Eric Stuart:
I know it sounds simple, but trust me, it's a lot more complicated, because getting an agent isn't necessarily the easiest thing on the planet. But I got the part when I was living in LA.

NBC Live:
Getting back to "AW".......

Suzeeqforever:
Any possibility that Chris and Jake will team up to uncover Grant's connection to the drugs and Alexander?

Eric Stuart:
Not that I know of so far, but it's a great idea! I would love for Chris and Jake to get together and do anything anymore, we haven't done anything for so long.

Rasja:
What advice do you have for a young African American like myself for making it in the entertainment industry? I know you have to have a lot of patience, but is there anything other key you've found to success?

Eric Stuart:
I'd like to answer the question in more detail. Please email your email address to nbclive@nbc.com and I will get back to you personally.

Eric Stuart:
To anyone who wants to talk to me, I do have a homepage. It's a girl named Ara's page.

Eric Stuart:
Fans can ask me questions through that page, and I will answer.

Jstick21:
Would you ever want to play a REALLY BAD character?

Eric Stuart:
Yes, I'd like to play a villain. Villains are great to play.

Eric Stuart:
I don't know if I'd want to play one on a soap opera, becasue you have to sustain it for a long period of time. And I think that's hard to do.

Jstick21:
What's the URL for ARA's Page?

Eric Stuart:
If you go to Mindy Schulman's page, she has it pasted there in her links.

Jnywren:
Do you feel sorry for Paulina and what she is going through?

Eric Stuart:
Yes, very much. I think Paulina is such a sweet character on the show for her to be going through so much -- first the drugs then the alcohol. It's just really sad. I think Judy is doing a wonderful job with all of it.

Yankeeclippers:
How long do you have to learn your lines before you shoot? Is there a lot of adlibbing?

Eric Stuart:
We usually get the script like a week in advance. I start learing my lines the night before so they stay fresh. Adlibbing differs from actor to actor.

Preciosa_calena:
Do you consider yourself a role model to the younger generation?

Eric Stuart:
I think when you start considering yourself a role model, you start to put a lot of pressure on yourself. And you also take on a lot of expectations from other people. I try to live my life the best way possible. If in hte process, I inspire or impress younger people, then that makes me very happy.

MariaEW: Araw's page is at http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/6266/eric.html

Eric Stuart:
I love to go to the movies, I watch a lot of televsion, play a lot of video and computer games, I chat whenever possible, and try to spend some quality time with my life. (Not necessarily in this order.) Oh, and I read and collect comic books.

Ziggy_12:
Were you on any other shows before another world?

Eric Stuart:
Nope, "AW" is my first.

Jstick21:
Do you have any advice for young people out there, aspiring to be actors?

Eric Stuart:
If this is something that you really want to do, then you will have to give everything to it - all your energy and a great deal of your time.

Eric Stuart:
You're going to have to stay focused, prepare yourself for rejection, expect others to not necessarily believe in you, and stay focused on what you want. Find every way possible to learn about it - take classes. Just learn - the more you know about it, the better you'll be. Just don't let anyone talk you out of it.

Eric Stuart:
Keep in mind the rewards - the rewards are worth whatever hell you go through to get to that point. Once you think you've reached your goal, set a new one and continue to do that. Well, thank you very much for joining us this evenng.

Eric Stuart:
Thank you so much for all your support; I wish that I could answer all of your questions. One of the things that I love most about this job is talking to and hearing from you. Please feel free to contact me either by writing letters to the studio, or by my homepage.

Eric Stuart:
The support that we get really does make a difference, although it may not always seem like it. The fan mail is counted, and whereas what you say may not always seem like it's being heard. Someitmes the quantity speaks louder.

Eric Stuart:
So, thanks for all the fan mail. Please continue to send. My wall in my dressing room is full of cards and postcards from fans. And that I wasn't sending picutres back to the fans before becasue I didn't have a picture that I liked.

Eric Stuart:
Now I have one. So if you'd like one, write me at "AW." 1268 E. 14th Street. Brooklyn, NY 11230 or "AW" C/O NBC TV 30 Rockefeller Plaza, NY, NY 10112. Thanks and love you all! :-)

NBC Live:
Thank you for spending time with us, and of course congratulations on your "Soap Opera Digest" nomination! Best of luck!

NBC Live:
THANK YOU for a great chat everyone! And of course, a very BIG thank you to Eric Stuart for spending their time with us this evening.