It was a mere 43 years ago that Kin Shriner first put his stamp on the daytime world playing Scotty Baldwin. General Hospital would never be the same, as the show raced to number one in the ratings – and garnered admiration that remains today. Three years later, seemingly invincible, Kin accepted a big fat paycheck to move his talents to New York City, to head a new soap named Texas. Um, that didn’t go well. A year later, Kin sucked it up and made his way back for a dramatic return to General Hospital, where he’s mostly made his home ever since (and picked up four Daytime Emmy nominations). He’s also had several other daytime roles (and a return to NYC after being cast on As The World Turns), including The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless. But Kin is basically a General Hospital lifer, hanging in these days as we await Scotty’s next big adventure in Port Charles.
What’s the best reply you have for when fans tell you should be on General Hospital a lot more?
Kin: I just say that I keep telling the boss the same thing!
Laura, Heather, Bobbi, Lucy, Ava – which is the one who gotta way?
Kin: All of them! But it’s not too late for them to come to their senses.
Put them in the order of who you think Scotty could have gone the distance, the ’till death do us part’ part?
Kin: Well, Lucy is a little wacky – oh wait, come to think of it, all of them are!
Is there any other actress/character from GH over the years did you think you should have been paired with?
Kin: Finola Hughes and I did a movie years ago, The Crying Child. She had to play my love interest and it pained her immensely. So I know it wouldn’t be Anna.
What actors came thru the studio and on the first day you thought ’now there’s a star’?
Kin: Demi Moore, I saw it the first day she came walking down the hall. I thought holly molly. And of course, she was so charismatic.
You’ve lived in Los Angeles for so long – did you love your years spent in New York, as well?
Kin: It was a different time. I loved working in New York – at the time. Now, living there would have no appeal to me.
If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
Kin: I wish I was the more adventurous me, like I was when I was younger.
What do you miss more during COVID-19, live sporting events or going to movie theaters?
Kin: I think we know the answer to that – movie theaters. I think the last sporting event I attended was when Amos Otis invited to me to a Kansas City Royals game many years ago – Tony Geary and I threw out the first pitch, both with terrible results.
What brand names are you most loyal to?
Kin: Pepsi, Yoo-hoo, and Stouffers chip beef.
What movie should definitely have a sequel – starring you?
Kin: When I was younger I’d have loved to have done a sequel to Outlaw Josie Wells just for the chance to act with Clint Eastwood.
Who is the most famous person you’ve met?
Kin: I met Jack Nicholson in a novelty shop in Beverly Hills. I got to talk to him about his movies and then he gave me the greatest dismissal line an actor can give a fan, ‘Thanks for coming by and saying hello’.
Who makes you laugh?
Kin: Jerry Seinfeld for sure. Don Rickles always made me laugh. I’ve been watching a lot of Johnny Carson interviews lately. He’s very funny – and so is Jonathan Winters when he’s on the show.
What quality do you like most in a friend?
Kin: Good sense of humor and someone who enjoys a good cocktail – or two.
You get one phone call – who is it to?
Kin: To one of my lawyers – Perry Mason or Scotty Baldwin.
What do you think is your best quality?
Kin: My wonderful sense of humor.
Oh. Do you have another answer handy?
Kin: I’m a big tipper.
How do you hope your friends describe you to their friends who haven’t met you?
Kin: Well that certainly would depend on who is being asked! I think they should say ‘he’s a funny guy, and a nice guy – and he’ll always pick up the check’.
How does someone who doesn’t like you describe you?
Kin: A big mouth, opinionated, and never picks up the check.
Jim Warren
HollywoodHI