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Vincent is now taking your questions exclusively for his website.

Submit your questions to:  AskVincent2009@yahoo.com

Please check back often for updates.

• How is Dr. David Hayward different from other characters you have played? How did you prepare for the role?

I've had the great pleasure of playing Dr David for 11 of the past 13 years.  I've played antagonists before, but Dr D has truly been the most rewarding, challenging, and stimulating of them all for me as an actor.  In part, because of the fact that I get to play him year in and out, unlike other roles that may only last for the duration of a guest spot on a night-time show, or for the average 2 hours duration of a play or film, but I would say most importantly, because of the complex way he's been written for most of those 11 years.

As for preparation, it's harder to necessarily prep for a role on Daytime when you are only given a small amount of information when you begin simply because the character will be taking shape in the coming weeks, months, and hopefully years after your first day on camera, not only for me the actor, but also for the writers and producers.  One interesting factoid, Dr. David was only slated to be on the show for 3 months.  Thankfully, the producers/writers of that time saw the long-term potential of the character, as did I.

• How far in advance do you find out what will happen to your character? Do you have any creative authority as to what happens to your character?

I only get scripts approx 5 days to a week before we put them on tape.  I may get a glimpse into the coming weeks while in discussion with producers, but that's usually the extent of my foreknowledge.  A good example of this, after I returned from staging my own death after 2 months off the show, I was extremely surprised to learn that within 3 days Dr D would be shot and put into a coma for the next 2 months as well.  That decision not only surprised me, but also challenged me for the mere reason that I wasn't sure if I agreed with that decision of the writer's of that time. 

Re: any creative authority I might have: I don't know if I'd call it authority, necessarily, but we do have input in dialogue and to some extent, story.  The dialogue is much easier to influence because the producers are very much open to our suggestions, given that we're the ones saying the lines and are very much attuned to the character's voice.  The story is more complicated due to the fact that the story is written months in advance and to change it would set off a chain reaction into other stories.  How story can be effected is by introducing story ideas before they're written to the producers/writers/network.  If they like the idea, they'll go in that direction.  This is a long shot, since most writers want to control what's being put on the canvas, but it does happen.  For example, I was the one who went to Angela Shapiro, then head of the network for Daytime, suggesting they bring on someone from my past who knew my character more than anyone could, and could also give the audience my much needed history so they could fully understand why my character is the way he is.  As a result, they brought on my mother, Vanessa, who turned out to be a psychotic sociopath who encouraged my father to commit suicide in front of my character as an 11 year old boy.  A great amount of understanding was offered to the audience by that story which really did establish him for them in the long-term.

• How did you get connected with Gladys magazine? Have you always enjoyed writing?

Andrea Patrick Forte, the Editor and Creator of the magazine, contacted me last year wanting to do a piece on me.  I let her know that I wrote an article about an experience I had as an 8 year old boy, living in NYC, which took place during the week of the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., asking if she'd be interested in publishing it in her magazine.  She very politely, although equally non-committedly, asked me to email it to her, which I did, and she would let me know.  She responded the next morning that she loved the article, was very moved by it, and wanted very much to publish it in her magazine, to which I was very happy to hear.  They apparently got a great response to that first article, and as a result, she asked if I would be interested in becoming a regular columnist for Gladys, which I gladly accepted. 

I've been writing all my life, but not consistently for a magazine, this being my first.  I've always loved writing, although my greatest challenge is balancing it with all the other activities and investments of my life.  I'm being forced to become more disciplined in my writing as a result.  Eventually, I even hope to actually meet their appointed deadlines : )

• What was your inspiration for creating Friends of Vincent Irizarry (FOVI)?

FOVI came out of the fact that throughout the many years people have offered to create a fan club for me, which I've always rejected.  Simply because I didn't want to have a group of people whose sole purpose was to exalt me.  That's more than I feel comfortable with.  Therefore, the idea for FOVI really was the brainchild of Sandy Wetzel and the other directors of FOVI who approached me and asked if I'd rather have a group whose primary purpose would be to raise awareness for charitable organizations that I'm involved with, either as a volunteer or contributor, and to help raise financial as well as volunteer support for them.  I loved the idea, feeling it was much greater in purpose than any group getting together just for me.  As a result, we've raised over $100,000.00 for charities within the past 9 or so years, and have brought together volunteers from all over the country for certain events to contribute their time and even muscle for certain events, such as Habitat for Humanity.  But, I can't emphasize this enough, the great amount of work and vision needed to continue and thrive as FOVI is placed solely in the hands of Sandy and all the other directors and volunteers, to whom I can honestly say I'm honored to be associated with them.  They truly are a blessing to me and all who have benefited by their generosity and humongous hearts

Dear Vincent,

Were you visiting the Great Wolf Lodge in the Pocono's on April 25th?

I think I saw you there enjoying family time but my husband swears that it was not you.

If it was you, I didn't want to bug you for a photo since you were with your kids.  I hope you had a great time -- I know I did with my family.

Just Wondering....

Christine

Yes, Christine, I was there during that time with my family.  It was during my younger children’s spring break from school, so I wanted to make sure we did something special with the limited amount of time I was able to get off, (which was only Friday of that week).  Thankfully, my wife, Avalon, was able to take them to San Antonio for the beginning of the week to visit their grandmother while I was slaving all week at the AMC studios in the tortured soul of Dr. David!  (Yes, I’m trying to earn your sympathies.) 

We did have a great time while there.  My son and I completed the Magic Quest scavenger hunt which took approx 5-6 hrs spread out during the trip, and the kids enjoyed the water park as well.  It was just really nice to be able to spend a few days with them and the weather was nice too.  Thanks for your sensitivity regarding our family time.  When I’m with the children, (and in a bathing suit :) ), I’m sometimes a bit more selective in taking photos.  I hope you can understand.  But, I never mind saying hello, so please, next time, feel free to introduce yourself…

I hope you and your family had a great time there too…

Thanks for stopping by my site!

***********

Vincent,

 I have never wrote a fan letter, so you can definitely blush with this one.

I just wanted you to know that you are the reason I watch AMC. It is about time that we have a "lovable, sexy villain" on AMC again. I love the chemistry between you and Krystal. It is about time that someone over 30 can have a sex scene!!! And you two are getting a lot! I can only hope that you stay around to keep us guessing. You are a great actor and entertainer.

You put a mile on my face from 11am-12pm.

My question to you is:

Do you ever laugh at the situations on the show? (Being so unbelievable and all.)

God Bless,

Tiffani Covais

Thank you, Tiffani, for all your kind words of support and encouragement.  I’m happy to know that you’re enjoying the D/K storyline and pairing.  It’s been a real pleasure working with Bobbie and I’m equally grateful to Charles Pratt for the great story.  It’s been nothing short of challenging, to say the least!  And it has often taken me by surprise as well!

I can only assume that you meant to say that I put a smile on your face rather than a “mile,” which would be difficult to interpret as a good thing.  Time does enough to challenge us physically; it would be a shame if my performance contributed in doing the same!  Very funny!!!

Hugs to you from “someone over 30!”

***************

I heard  that you can really play the piano. David in one of his rages well between Adam & Jr should really be shown playing the piano. While trying to free his mind to come up w/the right combination of being a great father to Marissa. Are you going to find out that she is your daughter soon?

Debbie

Hello Vincent,

I know you are an accomplished musician.  I love it that they put a piano in the Wildwind Mansion.  When will you have more opportunities to play during the show?  It is so great when you get to take Dr. Hayward's emotions out on the piano. 

Thanks for being such a wonderful villain!

Jeanne

 

Hi Debbie & Jean,

I’ve decided to answer your questions together since they both cover similar issues.

Now, first, in answer to a part of your question, Debbie, I guess I’m a little late in answering it, for, as you know, I’ve already learned that Marissa is my other daughter.  (SHOCKING!!!)   Yes, life has certainly thrown a few hard and fast curve balls Dr. D’s way! 

Now to the similar part of both your’s and Jeanne’s question, one thing I can say, is that sometime over the coming week or so, Dr. D goes on a drunken binge where he plays a little Chopin in an intense drunken stupor.  I can tell you right now, you’ve most likely never heard a Chopin Prelude performed quite like this!  (I’m feeling a bit tipsy just thinking ‘bout it :) 

Hope you enjoy the mellifluous sounds of Dr. D’s despair…Kind of’ like a drunken Phantom of the Opera J

Thanks for your question and comments, Debbie & Jeanne…

*************

HI

I AM A HUGE FAN OF YOUR'S VINCENT.  JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU PLAY THE PART OF HAYWARD TO A "T"...YOU HANDSOME DEVIL YOU.

JUST A BIT CURIOUS AS TO WHAT NATIONALITY YOU ARE.!!!

HUGS         JAN

Well, thank you, Jan for the “handsome devil” comment, I guess!   Just kidding.  I know you mean it in the best possible way :)

As for my nationality, I’m a real example of our American melting pot in that I’m Italian, Puerto Rican, Ukrainian, and my last name is Basque.  But, in all of it, I’m a product of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NYC.  That is where all my grandparents and both my parents met since the early part of the 20th century.  Pretty cool, really.

I hope that answers your question fully...

Hugs back at you, Jan.

Updated 12/26/2011

(Home page (new letter from Vincent) and Links  page has been updated)

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