Television
The Great Grayson McCouch
By Tommy Garrett
Mar 28, 2009 - 4:38:37 PM

HOLLYWOOD — Grayson McCouch has become an international star but not overnight. The seasoned and extremely talented young actor has worked many years and received a classical education in his craft. Having received his Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree in Theatre from Hamilton College and later studied at the British American Drama Academy through the Oxford-Yale program. He spent four seasons with the Williamstown Theatre Festival where he performed in Arturo UI, The Visit, Threepenny Opera, A Midsummer's Night Dream, Inherit the Wind and The Moon Stone. While in London, the actor also performed in Electra at the Almeida Theatre and Women Beware Women at the Royal Court.

But through all the classic training what comes through in his performance on CBS’s As The World Turns is an innate skill that is mesmerizing to watch and watch we do. Famous not only in America but throughout the world, his legions of Dutch fans in The Netherlands is the envy of most superstars. His official fan club is headed up in Holland and Grayson is very grateful to his fans and knows that it’s something that he is lucky to have. “In the beginning of my career when I was on the soap Another World, I would answer each and every letter. I was always amazed that being on Television had such a positive effect on so many people and to this day, I still am in awe of it. I may not be able to answer every letter today, because of the workload, but I read my mail and I’m very appreciative of everyone who cares enough to write. So I remain appreciative of all the attention I receive.”

It was no surprise that McCouch would receive so much attention. After graduating from the British-American Drama Academy and appearing on the London stage, McCouch returned to New York and promptly landed a role on the comedy pilot Sibs in 1991. This role led to a multi year contract as Dr. Morgan Winthrop on Another World.

But it’s the role of Dusty Donovan that is getting Grayson McCouch the critical acclaim the actor has long deserved. Sitting down for a day with the handsome actor is a dream come true. After McCouch starred in Aaron Spelling’s series All Souls everyone knew it was only a matter of time before he would end up as the Lead in a series again. As The World Turns is that series. When asked what he was most surprised about when returning to the series after a short break from the role, McCouch said, “Being surprised by the variety of people I am able to work with, all the power houses on our show. Also, I am amazed by the diversity of the colors I’ve been able to portray this time around. Even including the recent masquerade scenes we had on the show. So far I can say it’s a wondrous opportunity to be back on a show that respects my work and to be able to show up to work every day is delightful for an actor.”

Delightful is how costars, crew and fans describe the amiable handsome star. McCouch in his role is able to exude not only a sex appeal to the ladies in the audience but for all of the viewers the new Dusty is a more heady guy. He’s lost his innocence, he’s lived life and life has changed him. McCouch laments, “Not for the worst. Dusty is a heavier guy now. He’s had life experiences and things happen to him during the time he was not in Oakdale, much like I had many different experiences in my own life when I was off the show. When I came back Goutman promised that Dusty would be a heavier guy, a more deep character and he and the writers have not let me down. I am really blessed and happy to be on this series with this team of writers and Goutman is a genius. Chris (Goutman) knows this show and he knows what it takes to make this show better than it’s ever been.” Though McCouch is quick to give others credit, fans and costars alike say that the role would not be the same with anyone else in it. He adds a superior style of work that hasn’t been seen since the days of Henry Fonda, William Holden and Sir Laurence Olivier were on the screen.

On the big shocking return of Dusty storyline, McCouch adds, “The exciting stage of the return was completely set by Goutman and his writers. Goutman and I had spoken and he wanted the character to come back heavier and regardless of that discussion, I had been away from the show for a year, I was able to return and share my experience with the audience.” Adding to that, Grayson said, “Going through cycles in life while living and expressing is what makes a person grow. Having a role like mine now is an opportunity for me to live out all of those experiences. The soap medium is a great medium for truth telling. It offers all kinds of dimensions that we can tell a story. I was given an opportunity and it is really great now. More than ever, I am focused on this arena, which I am really proud to be offered an opportunity to perform in.”

Perform he does. Asked about the exciting leading ladies he’s had the chance to work with in the last few months, Grayson laughs. The strikingly handsome star immediately goes into what it is like. “Sure, they are gorgeous women, Kelly, Marie, Noelle all of them are incredible women to look at. But they are more than that. These are deeply talented amazing women that I have been lucky enough to be paired with in scenes and it’s been incredible. All of the actresses even those I’ve not named are incredible talents. But in addition to talented they are also pretty tough. The rigors of daytime is a tough thing and they all maintain an impressive level of endurance. The chemistry comes from two atoms not one. So it’s not just me. However, I do wrap myself around the work I have right now.” The star certainly does that.

In 2005 McCouch who had starred in previous big budget Hollywood films like Armageddon threw himself head first into a project that he knew he wanted. “I had been a fan of the work of director James Seale, he had this wonderful skill as a director that I really loved in his work. He was similar to the greats like Hitchcock in his lighting and the way he filmed his scenes in movies. I wanted to be a part of it. So when I got cast in the role of Tom Weaver in Throttle I was on cloud nine.” McCouch said. The respect obviously was mutual. James Seale says of McCouch, “Grayson McCouch is everything a director would want in an actor. He’s cool, talented, sensitive, tireless, handsome, dedicated and full of surprises. He brings excitement and boundless energy to every moment in Throttle.”

Over the years actors have told me that they each have a way of recharging those creative batteries. Being a daytime star and one of Grayson’s caliber must be a draining experience. The actor is on the show so much and when he’s in character you see no sign of Grayson, except for the piercing blue eyes and rugged good looks. Grayson explained how he handles his down time. “I go up in the hills, walking with my dog. I love to just look at nature, look out at the vistas and views and try to just imagine how it was all created. I love to just be alone sometimes and absorb the real great opportunity I have to perform as an actor. Chris Goutman took me back at a time I wasn’t doing a lot and wasn’t busy working like I’d hoped. But this return has been an amazing ride and exciting every day since I’ve returned. I guess the best way to recharge as you call it, is to just be alone and allow your mind to be open and absorb what you see and feel. That’s how an actor is able to go on screen and it looks fresh every day.”

Knowing Grayson since his days as a young guy on Another World, it’s been an exciting experience to watch one of the up and coming stars in the nineties turn into the best actor of this generation. The only actors today that even come close are Russell Crowe and Sir Anthony Hopkins. McCouch is a member of the elite and short list of actors who proves that he can take any role and make it exciting. Luckily for McCouch he has the great Chris Goutman, who as a director, writer and producer is in the league with Hollywood’s greatest today Henry Jaglom. It’s every aspiring actors dream to work for at least one of them. I was lucky to make my big screen appearance in Jaglom’s upcoming “Queen of the Lot” starring Noah Wyle and Tanna Frederick. But Grayson McCouch is lucky in that he’s in the presence of greatness every single day in Christopher Goutman.

McCouch did offer a response to what he’d like to do next. “I started my career as you know on stage. I’d love to do some more stage work. I have been looking at what’s available and hopefully I’ll be able to find something that fits in with my schedule at As The World Turns, because that’s my priority right now. I love working on the show and being a part of such a creative and incredible ensemble of not just actors but behind the scenes geniuses as well. But I would love to do something maybe in a comedy and then later a highly dramatic turn on stage.” Stated McCouch.

Until that time, McCouch is delivering an Emmy worthy performance every day on the soap and if the Academy was able to watch his performance, they would make an exception to it being a Television show and offer him the Oscar for Best Lead in a Drama. Untouched by the fact that he’s not only the most talented but the most handsome man on daytime television, McCouch ended the interview with the class his mother taught him as a young boy. He ended, “When I’m in my solitary mood and I’m out in the woods enjoying mother nature, I am mostly grateful and appreciative of the opportunity I have been offered to paint the paintings of work I am doing with my role on As The World Turns . I am very invigorated by it all and that’s truly something I’ve learned to appreciate as an actor.”