- A Closer Look: Katie (Soap Opera Weekly - December 22, 2009)
- Shooting Star "What performance on your show do you think was a standout this year?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 21, 2009)
- Must-See TV "What performance or storyline from another show really impressed you this year?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 21, 2009)
- Buzz Buzz: Putting On A Brave Face (Soap Opera Weekly - December 15, 2009)
- 'World' coming to end (NYPOST.com - December 9, 2009)
- Gold Star (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 7, 2009)
- Picture Perfect (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 7, 2009)
- Up-Close & Personal - All Mixed Up (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 7, 2009)
- Round Up "What's the meanest thing a fan ever said to you?" (Soap Opera Digest - November 24, 2009)
- Buzz Barometer (Soap Opera Digest - November 10, 2009)
- Death Becomes Her (CBS Soaps In Depth - November 9, 2009)
- Deep Soap: Terri Colombino On Austin Peck's Departure and As The World Turns' Future (Deep Soap - September 8, 2009)
- Interview with Terri Colombino: Star of upcoming DVD release imurders (Our Prattville, A News Magazine - September 5, 2009)
- Katie's Baby Drama Continues! (CBS Soaps In Depth - August 17, 2009)
- No Looking Back (CBS Soaps In Depth - July 20, 2009)
- On The Town (CBS Soaps In Depth - June 22, 2009)
- Face Time (CBS Soaps In Depth - June 8, 2009)
- Star Talk "What bands were you obsessed with as a teenager?"(CBS Soaps In Depth - June 8, 2009)
- Star Talk "Which of your co-stars would you choose to drive cross-country with, and why? (CBS Soaps In Depth - May 25, 2009)
- An interview with Robbie Bryan, the director of iMurders (May 24, 2009)
- Click! (Soap Opera Digest - May 12, 2009)
- The Right Time (CBS Soaps In Depth - May 11, 2009)
- "What actor on your show do your friends or family want to meet?" (Soap Opera Digest - April 28, 2009)
- Personally Speaking "What fashion trends are currently catching your eye?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - April 27, 2009)
- Star Talk: "What's your signature dish in the kitchen?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - April 13, 2009)
- Star Talk: "What's the nicest compliment anyone's ever paid you?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - March 30, 2009)
- Personally Speaking (CBS Soaps In Depth - March 16, 2009)
- Where Are They Now? (Soap Opera Digest - March 10, 2009)
- Picture Perfect (CBS Soaps In Depth - March 2, 2009)
- A Conversation with the Bold and Beautiful Star of CBS's As The World Turns... Terri Colombino (COMMERCE - www.cianj.org - March 2009)
- Baby Stories (Soap Opera Weekly - February 17, 2009)
- My Funny Valentine (CBS Soaps In Depth - February 16, 2009)
- The Next Generation (CBS Soaps In Depth - February 16, 2009)
- Star Talk 'What game show would you like to go on?' (CBS Soaps In Depth - February 16, 2009)
- Wow Wow! (Soap Opera Weekly - February 10, 2009)
- Hill and Bill Redux! (Soap Opera Digest - February 10, 2009)
- Water Worker (Soap Opera Digest - January 27, 2009)
- Star Talk "Who on your cast would you like to team up with for THE AMAZING RACE?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - January 19, 2009)
- Picture-Perfect Presidents (Soap Opera Digest online - January 2009)
- First Impressions (CBS Watch! - January 2009)
- Stocking Stumpers "What should Katie get for Christmas?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - January 5, 2009)
- Sick and Tired (CBS Soaps In Depth - January 5, 2009)
A Closer Look: Katie (Soap Opera Weekly - December 22, 2009) Katie's present - okay, her dead husband, Brad - continues to haunt her this week, as she spends time with past love Simon. Terri Colombino talks about Skatie's history and Katie's evolution.
WEEKLY: What was it like to have Paul Leyden back as Simon in this story arc?
COLOMBINO: It was kind of weird at first, because it's been a while, and the last time he was [on the show, in 2006], I didn't really get to interact with him or work with him very much. So we really did just hop right back into it. Our first day, our scenes were up at the end of the day - the Katie and Brad house set is usually the end of the day set, because that's just the way we go [at ATWT]. So there we were, having to rush to finish before the break at the end of the day, and he was right back in it. He's such a pro. He hasn't been doing [soap] for a long time, so that was really impressive.
WEEKLY: Was it just effortless, sliding back into Katie and Simon's history?
COLOMBINO: I always say that the wonderful thing about working on a soap opera, especially for so long, is that you really do have those real memories. Simon's a real character to me, and my Katie has gone through real things with him. So there's a real connection, and that's really fun to be able to do instead of just making it up in your head - like if you're doing a show where you've never met these people before, but you're supposed to have known them for 20 years or something. Well, I really have known him for years (laughs).
WEEKLY: Simon and Katie were a very popular couple, and they still are. But it in no way does a disservice or betrays what she has with Brad, right? That's a completely separate love story.
COLOMBINO: Absolutely. That was a different Katie, a different time. [She and Brad were] just more mature, like a true, true love. Her relationship with Simon was pretty immature, but it was also new and real and innocent.
WEEKLY: And we really can't revisit them as adults, because Paul's back for such a limited time, right?
COLOMBINO: I know; it's too bad!
WEEKLY: But there's always hope, because that's the great thing about soaps: He can always come back!
COLOMBINO: Right, because if you put in your loyalty, you get it back when those storylines come back around again. It's like, "Oh, I was there! I remember watching when they first met, however many years ago!" And that's what I love about this genre; there really isn't anything like it.
WEEKLY: I love what we're seeing Katie go through - not the fact that we're seeing her grieve, but the metamorphosis of her character over all these years.
COLOMBINO: Yeah, it's been fun. It's amazing. It's like she's a real person to me (laughs). That's what has been so amazing about playing this storyline, because I feel sorry for her like she's a friend. And when I was doing all of that really emotional stuff [during Brad's death], I was just really thinking, "This is my girl. Look what she's going through." And it really made it hit home, because I feel like she's a person I know, and I wouldn't want any of my friends going through that.
WEEKLY: I feel the same way about Katie. No matter what she goes through, I feel like I know her.
COLOMBINO: And, yes, she's done these horrible things and made all these mistakes, but who hasn't? Hopefully she's learned from them and become a better person. I do wish she would have taken a little more responsibility for going to Ralph - I mean, nobody asked her to do that. Henry didn't really get her involved. But you need someone to blame when something that horrific happens.
WEEKLY: And you have to have that kind of conflict on a soap - especially with Henry and Katie, who love each other so deeply!
COLOMBINO: He's like your friend who you can just totally be a bitch to, because you know that they love you enough, and they know you enough, to forgive you.
WEEKLY: Speaking of forgiveness, Christmas is coming up. I hear things will get pretty emotional for Katie, GhostBrad and their loved ones.
COLOMBINO: The whole show is going to be pretty [heartwrenching], but in a hopeful way.
Shooting Star "What performance on your show do you think was a standout this year?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 21, 2009) Terri Colombino (Katie): "Well, Maura [West, Carly] knocked it out of the park with the alcoholism storyline. That one kind of came out of nowhere, because they had to [write] her out for her pregnancy. But she just really made it so believable. And those around her supporting her were all great."
Must-See TV "What performance or storyline from another show really impressed you this year?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 21, 2009) Terri Colombino (Katie): "On Y&R, Sharon getting pregnant, wondering whose it is, bringing her back together with Nick... And I love those actors. What I love is that I like them all together. I like Phyllis with both [Nick and Jack], and I like Sharon with both of the guys! I can't decide who I like better! That's a true triangle... or quadrangle. When it's so apparent who they're supposed to be with, it's not as interesting."
Buzz Buzz: Putting On A Brave Face (Soap Opera Weekly - December 15, 2009) As AS THE WORLD TURNS' Katie struggles with new motherhood and the loss of Brad, she has been sans makeup and in shapeless clothes. The lack of glamour was a deliberate choice, and one Terri Colombino appreciates. "We didn't want it to be one of those 'Oh, now she's all better!' things," notes the actress. "That's one of the things that drives me most insane about soap operas and why I think we don't get as much respect as some of the other mediums. Because people are in a hospital bed in full hair and makeup! It takes me out of it when I'm [watching a show], like, 'Aaagh! Nobody wakes up looking like that.'"
Keeping Katie's post-pregnancy look authentic was important, as well. "This was a big thing for me, especially after having a baby myself - knowing that the big bump goes away, but you still have like a big load of flab there," points out Colombino. "You don't just go back to wearing skinny jeans. So I wore the beginning-stage pregnancy pad for a while, because [otherwise], it takes you out of [the story]."
'World' coming to end (NYPOST.com - December 9, 2009) "The World" has just nine more months to turn.
CBS dropped the ax on one of TV's longest-running soaps yesterday, notifying the cast and crew that it's canning "As The World Turns" after 54 years on the air. The final episode of the Brooklyn-based show will air in September. "It's been really somber," said Terri Colombino, an 11-year veteran of the soap, describing the mood on the set. "I can't say I was super surprised. There have been rumors for a long time, but to actually hear the news is just a punch in the gut... Everyone kept saying, 'I thought we had at least one more year.' "
The cancellation of the show sticks yet another fork in the dying soap-opera genre, which is attracting fewer and fewer daytime viewers. CBS's other big soap, "Guiding Light," aired its final episode last September after more than 70 years on TV and radio. "It's just a shock -- it's like mother and daddy got divorced or died or something," said Eileen Fulton, who plays the oft-married Lisa Grimaldi on "ATWT" and will mark her 50th year on the show in June.
"It's money. It's always money," Colombino said. "If they can put a talk show or game show or reality show in that time slot, even if they get half the ratings, it benefits their bottom line."
Since "All My Children" moved to LA this month, the only daytime drama that will be left in New York is "One Life to Live." Between cast and crew, an estimated 200 local workers will be out of a job when "ATWT" finishes its run and pulls out of JC Studios in Midwood, where it's been based for more than a decade.
"I'm auditioning all the time," Colombino said. "I'd like to stay here. I love New York. But maybe this is God telling me, 'OK, it's time.' " Fulton predicted that everybody will land on their feet. "We're all very good at what we do, and we'll all be working again," she said. "ATWT" broke ground in the late '80s when it became the first daytime drama to include a gay male character, Hank Eliot, played by Brian Starcher. It was also the jumping off point for stars including Meg Ryan, Julianne Moore, Martin Sheen and James Earl Jones -- who all appeared on the soap before making the leap to the big screen.
Gold Star (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 7, 2009) Terri Colombino (Katie) is this issue's outstanding performer
Throughout her years on AS THE WORLD TURNS, Terri Colombino has had the opportunity to showcase her dramatic chops before, but never in such powerful fashion. The grief she portrayed as Katie mourned the loss of her husband came from her very soul and touched anyone lucky enough to be watching.
SAYING GOODBYE
As the day of Brad's funeral arrived, the widow was still deep in the throes of denial, and Colombino played up her character's anger as Katie conveniently unloaded onto Henry when he stopped by the house. But, reminded that she couldn't ignore her son, Katie finally went back to the hospital where she tenderly held the infant in her arms and opened her heart.
Colombino let the emotions flow freely as Katie tearfully apologized to her son for not being there more and admitted it was because he looked so much like his father. And later, at the church, Katie managed to pull herself together long enough to read from Brad's junior high-school notebook and reveal that he'd wanted to name their son Jacob, after his brother, Jack.
Wearing no makeup, Colombino's appearance was as raw as her performance, and it was almost uncomfortable to watch - the emotions on display were simply that real.
HOPELESS
Later in the week, when Katie went to pick up Jacob at the hospital, she was clearly still a raw nerve, looking as though she could break down and lose it all over again at any second. Hesitant to bring her son into a fatherless home, Katie couldn't even bring herself to put the key in the front door.
Running into Henry again helped Katie redirect her energies as Colombino focused her alter ego's grief back into anger again. But when Henry's attempted to convince her that he was in contact with Brad's spirit, the actress allowed the briefest glimpse of hope to pass over her face before blasting him for making such a cruel joke.
Distracted by her anger, Katie managed to bring Jacob home finally. Then, she turned suddenly, as though she could see Brad standing before her. But even as he spoke to her, Colombino's eyes darted around the room, clearly not seeing her husband's spirit standing right in front of her.
The hope faded away to again be replaced by sadness as the grief once more threatened to overwhelm her. It's going to be a long, hard road for Katie to get over Brad's death, but with Colombino delivering such powerful performances day after day, it's going to be a pleasure to watch!
Picture Perfect (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 7, 2009) AS THE WORLD TURNS' Terri Colombino (Katie) glams it up at a Soaps In Depth photo shoot!
Over on AS THE WORLD TURNS, Katie was looking a little rough around the edges, what with giving birth in a warehouse and grieving her husband's death. But for a photo shoot, portrayer Terri Colombino looked beyond fabulous and had a great time. As a matter of fact, when the session wrapped, the actress happily declared, "This is my favorite photo shoot ever!"
SNAPSHOTS
Time: September 22 at 10 a.m.
Place: Photographer Luciana Pampalone's downtown Manhattan studio.
Snacks: Delicious gourmet sandwiches from a local SoHo bakery.
Music: Lots of lively dance music like Madonna's "Hung Up" and "Vogue" and dance remixes of Cristina Aguilera's "Hurt", Smokey Robinson's "Tears Of A Clown" and Chaka Khan's "Diamonds Are Forever."
Click on the following picture to read more of this article.
Up-Close & Personal - All Mixed Up (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 7, 2009) Back in the day, soaps taped an episode each day, but nowadays, AS THE WORLD TURNS and its ilk are shooting segments out of order, which can make things more than a little confusing for the actors. "You used to just do your scenes all in a row," explains Terri Colombino (Katie). "Because we used to just be in one set per episode. But now we're in, like, four sets within one episode. We've been shooting one episode over... months actually." So it's not only important for performers to learn their lines, but to be able to link the scenes in their head in the correct order so they know how to play them. "Because it changes what you thought you wanted to accomplish with an earlier scene if you've already done the following scenes," she says. "You have to go back and say, 'Well, I can't really play it that way because it doesn't make sense for later.' So, in some ways it's kind of like a little gift. In other ways, it's a pain in the butt!"
Caption: Colombino has to keep things straight constantly.
Round Up "What's the meanest thing a fan ever said to you?" (Soap Opera Digest - November 24, 2009) Terri Colombino: "I've got a couple. 'Oh, I thought you were pregnant because on the show it looks like you've gained a little weight.' People also say, 'You look so much taller on TV,' or 'You're so much prettier in person!' To them it's not an insult and I'm aware of that, so I don't take it personally - unless I'm already feeling like, 'Oh yeah, I have gained some weight' ... but I'm not pregnant!"
Buzz Barometer (Soap Opera Digest - November 10, 2009) Team Trend: Terri Colombino (Katie)
Best new fall show is ... VAMPIRE DIARIES. I'm very proud of our Zach Roerig [ex-Casey].
My favorite snack is ... Pizza. I guess that really isn't a snack.
Paris, Perez or hotel: My Fave Hilton is ... Hotel
Best Patrick Swayze movie is ... Ghost
My Starbucks/Coffee Bean order is ... Tall soy latte
Harry Potter or Twilight? Oh! They really don't compare. I've read [both], so ... tie!
Favorite celebrity I follow on Twitter ... I don't Twitter and I still don't really know what it is [laughs].
Death Becomes Her (CBS Soaps In Depth - November 9, 2009) Katie may be in hell, but Terri Colombino is in heaven!
Katie might find herself in some dangerous situations on AS THE WORLD TURNS, but that's nothing compared to what Terri Colombino's character went through in the independent thriller iMurders! The film was recently released on DVD, and she is thrilled everyone can finally enjoy the fruits of her labors.
"I was working my little tushie off for about a month," she says of doing double duty on the film and at the soap. "There were a couple of times where I shot all night and then came straight to the studio. Although I could not do that for very long, it was really exhilarating at the time."
TRAPPED IN A WEB
iMurders also stars Charles Durning, Gabrielle Anwar and Billy Dee Williams, though Colombino didn't get to shoot with them, as their scenes were done in Los Angeles. Still, the daytime actress found herself with a decided advantage over her castmates. "We didn't get a lot of takes," she reveals. "They're like, 'Okay, can we get this in one?' And I saw the dailies of the L.A. stuff, and there were like, eight, nine takes, and I'm like, 'Wait a second! I only get one or two?'"
The actress laughs at the memory, then adds seriously, "It was definitely an education in independent filmmaking, though. From the politics to just how much everything costs to what you spend your money on. It's an art in itself to get anything like that made."
The plot revolves around a group of online friends who are each murdered one by one, possibly by another member of their chat room, and Colombino marvels at how timely the story is, even though it was shot over two years ago. "It was a bit ahead of its time," she says. "The bigger the Internet gets, and the crazy things that can happen, the Craigslist Killer... it's all very relevant and very scary. That's what I like about this movie. It comments on how people are interacting now and the dangers of it."
ALL FOR ONE
Colombino may be proud of her work in iMurders, but that's nothing compared to the way she feels about her ATWT storyline currently exploding with Katie simultaneously experiencing her life's greatest triumph at the same time as her greatest tragedy. "It's some of the best writing we've had in years," she declares. "If it plays out as good as it felt doing it, it's gonna be really moving to people.
"I've been more excited about this storyline than I've been about anything in years," she continues. "I feel very proud of the work that I did. We all just kind of helped each other, and that's when it's at its best. You know, we're basically just kids on a playground pretending, but when we really get into something that everybody's excited about and we all agree to really delve deep together, it can go there, and it can be some incredible work."
SO HARD TO SAY GOOD-BYE
The actress had no trouble tapping into Katie's feelings of loss as she will soon be losing Austin Peck (Brad) as a co-star. "It really lends to the story," Colombino confides. "I've really gotten to a depth in my work that I've always wanted to get to, but I think I was just kind of afraid to, maybe. I'm going through kind of a transition in my life, a sadness, a loss... and then the loss of working with Austin and then the loss of Brad to Katie... it's all very close, but it worked together. I just let it go and it was the most amazing experience I've ever had as an actor."
Unfortunately, with news of Peck's departure breaking months ago, fans immediately started digging up details of Brad's exit. "The story leaked, so people are going to be expecting it," Colombino sighs of the emotional tale. "Which drives me crazy. If you know already that something's going to happen, it just takes away. At least, as in iMurders, there's these twists. And that's what you watch stories for. You want to be surprised."
Of course, in this age of the Information Superhighway, that's easier said than done. "I think a lot of times, that's what's been wrong with daytime," Colombino muses. "The audience just knows too much. It's too accessible. There's no mystery in it anymore. So if we can get back to that, I think we have a shot."
FYI
Birthday: January 28.
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
In Good Company: Colombino isn't the only soap star in iMurders. The film co-stars daytime alums Margaret Colin (ex-Margo, ATWT), Justin Deas (Buzz, Guiding Light) and Frank Grillo (Hart, GL).
The Right Move: Despite the falling ratings for daytime soaps, the actress is hopeful for ALL MY CHILDREN, given its move to Los Angeles. "They're not going to spend all that money to move them over there if they're gonna get cancelled in the next couple years. It's going to take awhile to make that money back." she says.
... ON PLAYING A TECHNOLOGICAL GENIUS IN iMURDERS "I was so clueless!" Colombino says, laughing. "Because they had me explaining it, and I'm like, 'I have no idea what I'm talking about!'"
... ON FAN FAVES LIKE MIKE AND SIMON RETURNING: "I like this idea that they're bringing back all these people back," she smiles. "I know for the fans, it's like little gifts. And they deserve it!"
... ON WORKING OPPOSITE FRANK GRILLO (HART, GL): "He's really creative and passionate about what he does. He's such a good actor, and was amazing to work with."
... ON THE SUBJECT OF KATIE'S WRATH: "She's focusing all her rage and anger and blame on Henry," Colombino previews with a chuckle, "That's some Katie reasoning!"
Deep Soap: Terri Colombino On Austin Peck's Departure and As The World Turns' Future (Deep Soap - September 8, 2009) Terri Colombino has played Katie on As The World Turns for the past dozen years. She has played everything from wacky stories about being stuck on an island to realistic plotlines about divorce and infertility. Colombino phoned me from co-star Michael Park's (Jack) house, where their kids were having a playdate. The actress spoke candidly about As The World Turns' uncertain future, the impending departure of co-star Austin Peck (Brad), the return of Paul Leyden (Simon) and her brand new horror movie.
There are a lot of rumors about Brad being written off ATWT. Are they true? How do you feel about his departure?
Terri: He is being written out. I'm upset of course because I think he's such an asset to the show. The story that comes out of it, however, is really one of the best stories that we've had in years, I think. It affects so many characters throughout the show and really gives them something to work with.
The rumor is that Jack will kill Brad.
Terri: I don't know where that came from. I guess there are grains of truth in everything but that's not exactly [it]. It doesn't even matter what people are saying because the way it unfolds is going to be so amazing to watch. I wish that no spoilers ever came out. Remember "who shot J.R.?" If you knew that he was going to be shot, but didn't know who did it, how fun is that? You'd be like, "well we still don't know who did it." It takes away from the experience. I think that may be one of the reasons that soaps aren't doing so well anymore. You know too much. You should just watch it and experience it.
This is a scary time for everyone who works in daytime. In a few months, after All My Children moves to L.A, ATWT and One Life To Live will be the only New York soaps. Does that feel weird?
Terri: Yeah. Within a year it went from four to two. It used to be New York was the place for daytime shows. Now it's slowly dwindled down. I think that's really sad. New York is so expensive but I can't imagine that it's not going to be extremely expensive to move an entire production to the West Coast.
When CBS executive Nina Tassler publicly stated to the Television Critics Association that As The World Turns' future was uncertain, did that scare everyone who works on the show?
Terri: We've been hearing for years the rumors but when you hear it being said in a venue like that, it's like, "Maybe it's not just a rumor." We are aware of it. We've been picked up through next September. They used to do five years at a time and then two and now it's just one. So we're all kind of just looking at it as out last year, go out with a bang. Maybe that will save it and we'll get another couple years. At least we have a warning. They all called us down the day that Guiding Light was canceled before anyone knew. They said, "Will everyone please come to the studio floor." Everyone was like, "Oh my God. We're getting canceled." People started crying, freaking out. We get down there and they said, "We have some good news and bad news. The bad news is Guiding Light got canceled. The good news is we still have another year. So take that opportunity and do something with it and just be thankful that I'm not telling you right now that we're the ones being canceled." At least we have a year. At least we know we can do this for one more year.
The show was going through a rough patch, where most of the fans online were unhappy with it. Then over the past month, suddenly it's much better.
Terri: I think that's what did it. The stories that are coming out are just really back to basics, just good storytelling: families, tragedy, love. All of that good stuff that [makes] people come back for more. I think they got too far into trying something new and trying to reinvent the wheel. These shows have been on forever. Just do what you've always done. People will keep coming.
That's what the fans have been saying all along. ATWT has also brought in a lot of new characters in the past year. Some of them are great. But the fans want to see Kim.
Terri: I know. That's the tough part. Actually Mary Clay Boland our casting director just won an Emmy which I think is really well deserved because she has brought in some really great actors. I'm one for sticking with the core characters but every now and then bringing in some nut job like Henry's mother is great. They work so well together. It's fun.
One of the big news stories of the Emmys is that Tom Pelphrey is joining As The World Turns. Is his character going to be interacting with Katie?
Terri: I have no idea. He hasn't started yet. I don't know who he's playing or who he's going to be working with. I was shocked when I found out.
Have you heard any rumblings of other Guiding Light actors or characters joining ATWT?
Terri: I haven't heard anything and I've been asking because I was wondering. They did that with Another World, brought on some characters to try to get that audience. I'm like, "Do we get a little Zimmer?"
Katie has had a lot of different careers. Which one was your favorite?
Terri: The detective agency, the Early Bird Surveillance, with Henry was pretty fun because we got to do comedy and mystery at the same time and I love working with Trent [Dawson.] Of course I love Oakdale Now. That's always fun because they did a whole thing where they were bringing on celebrities for one day to do the show. We had Sandra Lee doing a cooking segment. Football player Phil Finn came on for a day. The workout thing, not so much.
Katie and Henry have one of the most entertaining friendships on television. What makes you and Trent Dawson click together so well on camera?
Terri: We just love each other and respect each other so much. We just had a scene the other day and it got really intense. He just hugged me and said, "I trust you more than anyone to work with." That was the best compliment ever because he is so deeply talented. It always looks like it comes so easy to him but it doesn't. He really works on it and he appreciates it when you work with him and just let it go and have fun and be open. I trust him implicitly, too. The best gift you have as an actor is to have someone you can trust. Then great things happen. It's difficult to be in that vulnerable place. He really, really taught me how to trust myself with the comedic stuff. Ever since then we've been able to do both and mix the two. He always puts in so many layers. He always played that he was in love with Katie even though they hadn't written that at the beginning. Then they ended up writing it because you could just feel it with him and that made it so interesting.
It's hard to believe that Katie has been in Oakdale for 12 years. It seems like just yesterday she was losing her virginity to Simon in the backseat of a car.
Terri: I know! And I love Paul Leyden. He's coming back for a little while.
He is? When is that going to happen?
Terri: He's filming in the next month and we're about two months ahead so it's not going to probably air until around Christmas. There's a horror film he wrote that's coming out [in January] that's called The Factory. It stars John Cusack.
Wow. That sounds like a major movie.
Terri: Yeah. Joel Silver produced it.
You also have a new movie coming out, on DVD.
Terri: It's the iMurders. I shot it about a year and a half ago. We're very happy that it has found its home.
What is the movie about? Who are you playing?
Terri: I play Sandra Wilson who is one of five people who communicate through a chat room. It examines the relationships that happen on-line. These people can be some of your closet friends, but you've never met in person or had any contact or experiences together other than on-line and how you may not really know people as well as you think you do and you're really not as anonymous as you think you are either. So, horror ensues. Be careful who you think you know.
Who is scarier: the villain in IMurders or Henry's mother, Audrey?
Terri: Definitely the villains in our movie, although she would fit in just perfectly.
So many As The World Turns alumnae have become movie stars, including Meg Ryan and Julianne Moore. If the worst happens with the show, are you considering moving to Hollywood to pursue a film career?
Terri: That's always been my focus. I probably wouldn't move there because my family's here now and I love New York. There's good work here, too. My dream is to be bicoastal.
Any fun Emmy memories from this year?
Terri: It was a very odd Emmys. Seeing Big Bird walk right past me was pretty cool. It was kind of sad. It felt kind of like the last hurrah, though I hope that we have a resurgence.
Interview with Terri Colombino: Star of upcoming DVD release imurders (Our Prattville, A News Magazine - September 5, 2009) Born in Bloomington, Indiana, on January 28, 1975, Terri Colombino was the only child of an Air Force father and grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after previously living in Dayton, Ohio, Montgomery, Alabama, and Abilene, Texas as a small child.
Colombino followed her acting dreams after college and landed roles on several television shows before joining the long-running CBS daytime drama, As The World Turns in 1998 as Katie Peretti, a role originally created for her.
The actress stars in imurders, a horror thriller, to be released on DVD October 13. The film also stars William Forsythe, Gabrielle Anwar, Charles Durning, and Billy Dee Williams, and revolves around eight members of an Internet chat room who are being gruesomely murdered in the privacy of their own homes.
HorrorSociety.com called imurders "a must-own film for those who like the suspense mystery flavor of horror movies!"
Colombino and musician husband Arthur "Artie," have a five-year-old daughter named Julia Catherine.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Hi Terri, thanks for talking with me today. First, I realized from your bio that we share a city.
Teri Colombino: Oh, we do? Memphis, maybe?
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): No, Montgomery, Alabama.
Terri Colombino: Oh, really?
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Yeah. But, you probably don't remember much about the city. You were a little girl when you lived there weren't you?
Terri Colombino: That's so cool. Yes, I was probably about 3-5 years old when we lived there.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): So, you probably don't have fond memories of the town, huh?
Teri Colombino: (laughs) No, I just don't remember it at all.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): You grew up in Albuquerque and you went to the prom with Neil Patrick Harris who was starring in Doogie Howser, M. D. at the time. What was that like?
Terri Colombino: Well, he was just Neil to me. He was part of our school half of the year and the other half he was shooting in L.A.
Of course, everybody knew what he did, but it was really important for him to just be a regular kid. You know, he could have gotten a tutor and not gone back to school and stayed in L. A., but it was really important to him to have that experience.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): He just acted like a regular guy?
Terri Colombino: Yep, he was always so talented, though.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): He's still so talented today. How I Met Your Mother is a great show.
Terri Colombino: That's my favorite show and he's so good in it.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Well, imurders looks like a scary film. Tell us about it.
Terri Colombino: It's more of a psychological thriller, which I prefer to the gore and blood of some horror films.
I actually was a fan of horror films as a child... and now they scare me so much that it's hard for me to watch. But, this one was fun to be a part of because, you know, you get to see the behind the scenes stuff... but when you're in it, you're still in it. It's still scary!
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): How did you get involved in the film?
Terri Colombino: One of the producers, Ken Del Vecchio, was familiar with my work on As the World Turns and that was the last role that they hadn't cast yet. They were starting the next week so he basically just offered it to me, called my agent, and I read the script. And, also, some of the other actors in the film are with my agency, so I think he trusted in them about me (laughs).
It was kind of a big task because I was like, oh gosh, I'd better not let him down, but it ended up working very well with the show (As the World Turns), too. They were cool about it. I was doing a lot of double duty for a while which was a little bit exhausting, but also pretty exhilarating too, just to be able to play another character and to delve into something completely different.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville). You play a character called Sandra Wilson. Is she a heroine?
Terri Colombino: We don't really know... which is so fun (laughs). She's very complex and a little bit sad. She's a sad character that's kind of lost a little bit. So you don't know really where that's going. Could she be a serial killer or could she just be in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): It seems to be a very relevant movie especially for today when everyone is on MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. Are you on any of those?
Terri Colombino: I only have a Facebook.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): So you haven't tweeted?
Terri Colombino: No, I still don't understand it and you know what's so funny about this is when we did this movie it was a year and a half ago when we shot it... and I didn't even know what any of those were yet. And I had to use a Blackberry... my character is very technologically advanced and I had no idea how to do any of the stuff.
I felt really behind the times, but I'm always one step behind in technology, so it was fun being able to learn alongside everybody else. But, she had to know what she was doing, so I was kind of forced to learn.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): William Forsythe, a co-star in the film, usually plays the villain...
Terri Colombino: Well, there are a lot of different twists and turns that you're not expecting at all and that's what I love most about it.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Gabrielle Anwar, co-star of Burn Notice, is also in the film.
Terri Colombino: Yes, she's great. There are so many good actors in the film. Unfortunately, some of us barely got to work together because we were so separated but that's just part of the film... being separated and being friends with all of these good people that you've never met before, and you've never seen them... and you never will see them...
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Is the film in limited release?
Terri Colombino: It's an independent film and was just bought by Anchor Bay. It's being released on October 13, I think in Wal-Mart first. And then to all of the other major venues.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Your husband was one of the musical artists for the film. Is he in a band?
Terri Colombino: Yes, one of his songs is in the background of a murder which is pretty cool. He has a band called the Arthur Colombino band. He's on MySpace and everywhere... his music is amazing and really perfect for film. It is kind of a mix between U2 and maybe more R&B like Maxwell.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Now, turning our attention to As the World Turns. Katie has been through a lot, hasn't she?
Terri Colombino: Yes, and she's about to go through a whole lot more. The stuff that is coming up in the next couple of months is heartbreaking.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Anything you can tell us about?
Terri Colombino: Well, I can say that something tragic is coming up that affects a lot of people.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Perhaps concerning Austin Peck who is leaving?
Terri Colombino: It might be, yeah. It airs at the end of October, I think. But, be on the lookout for that. There are some really amazing performances.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Possibly a new love interest for Katie?
Terri Colombino: I don't think so, not just yet... although she does usually go from one to the other, doesn't she?
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Yes she does. Someone told me that I had to ask you where Snickers the rabbit is.
Terri Colombino: Oh I know, I have been asking that recently also. Wherever I used to live they would always have the little cage and the stuffed rabbit sitting there and then if they ever needed him for a scene, they'd bring in the real one.
But, I don't think they can afford Snickers anymore so we just don't talk about him. I think Snickers costs about $500 a day... but, he'd also be pretty old by now. I think I found him about 9 years ago.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): A character on The Young and the Restless carried around a stuffed cat for a while. Actually, many thought it was real and was stuffed after it died.
Terri Colombino: Oh, is that what it was... because some actress brought a stuffed cat purse to the Emmys. Was that it?
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Yep, that was it. I think they are saying that the cat wasn't previously alive... it was just a fake cat that was stuffed. I just recently interviewed Cady McClain. You two don't have many scenes together, do you?
Terri Colombino: No... actually more recently we had a couple of scenes together, but nothing really juicy. She is really fantastic.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Yes she is. What do you think of the future of daytime TV now that Guiding Light is almost over?
Terri Colombino: We're all wondering the same thing. It's hard to say. I definitely think that due to these economic times they are difficult to afford. The budgets keep getting cut and it just becomes more and more difficult to create a quality piece when you have to cut so many corners.
There are so many reality/talk/judge shows that are so inexpensive to produce that businesswise it just doesn't make sense. Unfortunately, though, you're letting go of something that people really want and would definitely miss if it's gone.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Any rumors on the set of As the World Turns?
Terri Colombino: No... I mean we've heard it ever since I've been on the show. Oh, there are five more years left... two more years left... one more year left. But, until we have that "big" meeting we'll just keep truckin' on. I think that what saved us is we didn't completely change our format like Guiding Light did. I mean, we dabbled in it, but...
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Yes, a cousin of mine did not like the new camera work on Guiding Light.
Terri Colombino: I don't think that helped them at all.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): What do you think about All My Children moving to the west coast?
Terri Colombino: I know, I can't believe it. But, that's a good sign that they're going to spend the money to move that entire production, so they are probably pretty confident that it's going to be on for quite a while.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Of course, it would be hard to replace some key players like Susan Lucci if she doesn't move from New York.
Terri Colombino: Yeah, you can't even try to replace her.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): You have a five-year old little girl. What do the three of you do as a family?
Terri Colombino: We go to the zoo and she's really into swimming this summer. Julia just learned how to swim without her swimmies. We've just been enjoying the summer.
She loves movies and she came with me to the studio the other day and she really likes to be on camera so that's a little scary (laughs). So, I'm a little worried about that!
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): What do you like to do when you're not working?
Terri Colombino: I love to get massages (laughs). I like to go to the movies, too, and watch other actors to learn from them and to get engrossed in a story.
I'm thinking about taking a class to learn to speak Italian. I took it in college and spent a semester in Florence, but I never really kept up with it so that's something I'd like to do.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Have you ever tried Broadway theatre?
Terri Colombino: I have never tried that. I have a major fear of it that I'd like to conquer at some point, but right now it's just tough to get anything.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Is that a fear of being in front of a live audience?
Terri Colombino: Yes. I basically started in TV and film and that's where I'm most comfortable to stay, but someday I'll do it just to conquer that fear. There is just not a lot of work out there right now.
Melissa Parker (Our Prattville): Well, I hope imurders is successful with the DVD release.
Terri Colombino: Me too. It's a great movie and it definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat... you just can't figure it out until the end.
Katie's Baby Drama Continues! (CBS Soaps In Depth - August 17, 2009) For years, life let AS THE WORLD TURNS' Katie down in one way or another. But now, she's got a great husband in Brad and a miracle baby on the way... so what was the secret to turning everything around? "I think it's one of those cases where once you give up and let go of the stress and the expectation, it happens," muses Terri Colombino of her alter ego's life in general and pregnancy in particular. But seeing as Katie found herself pregnant right after Vienna lost her child, it's natural to wonder if things might be tense between the gals. "They have a special bond," the actress says of the relationship between the women. "I just want Katie to be able to appreciate what Vienna was going to do for her. Katie is a little selfish. She gets caught up in her own stuff. But that's what keeps me in my job... if Katie was perfect, I wouldn't have one!"
No Looking Back (CBS Soaps In Depth - July 20, 2009) When Jon Prescott was cast as the new Mike Kasnoff, many fans assumed he would lure Katie away from new love Brad, but Terri Colombino (Katie) doesn't mind that the triangle never truly came to pass. "I loved Jon," she says. "I think he did such a great job. And it was a tough thing to come into, because I don't think they knew what to do with him. Because it wasn't Mark [Collier, ex-Mike], I didn't really feel like revisiting it, anyway. And I thought it was time for Katie to not waffle back and forth." So, for the first time, Katie wasn't actually tempted to see if the grass was greener on the other side! "I liked that," Colombino smiles. "That was a big change in Katie's maturity. She stuck with her man, and I'm proud of her for that."
On The Town (CBS Soaps In Depth - June 22, 2009) What gets Terri Colombino's (Katie) approval during a break in taping AS THE WORLD TURNS? Katie's comedic/dramatic relationship with Brad. "I love that they write us that way," she says.
Face Time (CBS Soaps In Depth - June 8, 2009) Fans get up-close and personal with the stars of AS THE WORLD TURNS
| "They tapped me to host this year because Michael [Park, Jack] wasn't available," revealed Trent Dawson (Henry), who was able to convince pal Terri Colombino (Katie) to cohost. "Oh, he just had to ask," she laughed. "I love doing anything with Trent." |  |
MARTINIS WITH HENRY
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| Schulenburg, Williams, Hagner and Colombino all tagged along to their co-star's party at Latitude Bar And Lounge. | Colombino joined Dawson at his annual "Martinis With Henry" event for some drinks, snacks and, obviously, photo ops. |
Star Talk "What bands were you obsessed with as a teenager?"(CBS Soaps In Depth - June 8, 2009) Terri Colombino: "Metallica and Nirvana. Oh, and Guns N' Roses. I was a total hesher - like a metalhead, kind of. Even though I didn't look like it, that's what I was into."
Trent Dawson (Henry, ATWT): "Well, I feel like Terri [Colombino, Katie] would be the most fun and we'd never have a fight, and we'd always get along. But I feel like if anything went wrong, Michael Park (Jack) could fix it. I mean, whenever you need anything, Michael Park just seems to [be like], 'Oh, yeah, I'll make a phone call!' It would be a toss-up between those two."
Ewa da Cruz (Vienna, ATWT): "Terri [Colombino, Katie], because she is so easygoing, and I think she would be very easy to do a trip like that with. You can't do a trip like that with just anyone. And she's always positive, good energy... she's just happy and she goes with the flow. That's what I like in people: Go with the flow."
An interview with Robbie Bryan, the director of iMurders (May 24, 2009)
Terri Colombino plays the lead, Sandra Wilson, in your new film iMurders. The film is a murder mystery and Terri plays a member of an online chatroom group whose members are being mysteriously and gruesomely killed.
What can you tell us about Sandra Wilson, the character that Terri plays?
Robbie Bryan: "Sandra Wilson" is a complicated character. She is involved in a tragic incident that foreshadows the whole movie and her character walks a fine line between being an in-the-wrong-place-at-the wrong-time victim or psychotic killer. She has to be beautiful, vulnerable, sexy and a bit on the edge.
Why was Terri right for this role and how did she come to audition for you?
Robbie Bryan: Terri's role was actually the very last character cast. We had talked to a bunch of people through the years in terms of people who might be playing that character. Because the shooting schedule changed a bunch of times, we never could lock anyone in. When we finally got financed fully, we struggled with who was going to play it and who was available. Terri was brought to me late in the game. In fact, the movie had already started shooting. I was FREAKING out, to not have my lead actress cast. Her agent pitched her, I watched some tape and was sold on her, and she DEFINITELY did not let me down.
How difficult was it to film around her As The World Turns schedule?
Robbie Bryan: We worked around her schedule for sure, but I actually think there was only one day that was a real conflict and we rescheduled. All involved worked closely to make it happen, as Terri's character worked the most days on the film.
Terri's husband Artie is also in this film, do they share any scenes together?
Robbie Bryan: Actually, her husband Artie is only in one scene and it is, indeed, with Terri. It was created late in the game, by our Producer, to add another dynamic to the film.
Are there any interesting off-screen filming stories with Terri that you can share?
Robbie Bryan: Terri was very collaborative with me during shooting. She always came up with little tweaks in her character that definitely paid off. The other interesting aspect was that she has two of the three love scenes in the movie, so it was always intriguing in trying to make those work and be respectful to her, but then again, her background doing soaps made her MUCH more comfortable doing them, then I was directing them.
Also want to let all her fans know that the movie should be out in stores in October, but please keep checking in to this Myspace site (http://www.myspace.com/imurdersmovie) to find out for sure!
Click! (Soap Opera Digest - May 12, 2009) Oakdale viewers converged on New York City in April for ATWT's annual fan club luncheon, held at the Marriott Marquis, and related events hosted by individual actors.
Trent Dawson (Henry) co-hosted the luncheon with Terri Colombino (Katie) and also held a "Martinis With Henry" meet-and-greet with fans at Latitude Bar. "It's all off the cuff," he said of his hosting style. "I have nothing planned!' Beamed Colombino, "It's raucous! It's a great party."
The Right Time (CBS Soaps In Depth - May 11, 2009) Since giving birth to her daughter, Julia, nearly five years ago, Terri Colombino (Katie) is constantly asked when she plans on having another child. In fact, that's a question her daughter wants answered, too! "I haven't heard her, but she's asked [my husband] Artie about that," confides the mom. "I'm still just waiting for that moment like I had with Julia where one day it was like, 'Oh, maybe I'll get pregnant,' and the next day I was like, 'I have to get pregnant. I have to have a baby.' And that hasn't happened yet. Maybe it's because I'm an only child, and I had a great childhood. So to me, it's not weird. I'm not going to just hurry up and get pregnant so Julia can have a sibling because it's the 'right' thing to do," she shares. "I'm just not feeling it yet."
"What actor on your show do your friends or family want to meet?" (Soap Opera Digest - April 28, 2009) Austin Peck (Brad, ATWT): "Terri Colombino [Katie]. That's who they want to meet."
Personally Speaking "What fashion trends are currently catching your eye?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - April 27, 2009) Terri Colombino: "I haven't really been paying much attention because I have no money to spend on clothes right now because we're redoing our kitchen," she says with a laugh. "So, I'm trying not to pay attention to that so I don't spend money on that. It's not much different this year, I don't think, than last year, really."
Star Talk: "What's your signature dish in the kitchen?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - April 13, 2009) Terri Colombino: "Guacamole. I'm not much of a cook, but I will rival any guacamole out there. I challenge anyone!"
Star Talk: "What's the nicest compliment anyone's ever paid you?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - March 30, 2009) Terri Colombino: "I guess my mom telling me that I'm a good mom. I think she was excellent at the job, so for her to say that I'm doing a good job makes me feel very proud."
Personally Speaking (CBS Soaps In Depth - March 16, 2009) Is there an outfit that your character wore on the show that you'd love to have in your own closet? Terri Colombino (Katie, As The World Turns): "I don't really dress the way Katie does. So it's fun to be able to wear a completely different type of wardrobe than you normally would. But I'll leave Katie's clothes in her closet," she laughs.
Where Are They Now? (Soap Opera Digest - March 10, 2009) Kristina Sisco Romero (ex-Abigail, ATWT, 1999-2002) After leaving Oakdale in 2002, Kristina Sisco Romero completed her bachelor's degree in psychology from Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey, then earned her master's at the University of Southern California's Master of Professional Writing Program. Recently, she returned to ATWT, where it all began, this time as a director...
...Romero went to New York and crashed with pal Terri Colombino (Katie) and her hubby, Artie. "Chris was nice enough to give me scenes to direct and I directed Jon Hensley [Holden], who played my dad, Michael Park [Jack] and Noelle Beck [Lily]. It ended up going really well, so Chris invited me back to do my own show." That episode aired on January 15 and Romero did her homework. "I had Terri and Artie act out the scenes before I went in to direct," Romero recalls. "I took them in their family room and had them act it out and Terri was like, 'I feel static here, like I need to move,' and I was like, 'Okay, we'll write a move in there!'"
Picture Perfect (CBS Soaps In Depth - March 2, 2009) ATWT stars re-enact classic presidential moments for Watch magazine
 Colombino and Austin Peck (Brad) became the Washingtons. "That's supposed to be Martha and George, and it's kind of like a candid, in-between shot," Peck said. "It looks like a painting." |
 At a bash celebrating the issue, the foursome proved they could party and be presidential at the same time! |
A Conversation with the Bold and Beautiful Star of CBS's As The World Turns... Terri Colombino (COMMERCE - www.cianj.org - March 2009) DAYTIME TV FANS KNOW HER AS KATIE Peretti Frasier Coleman Kasnoff Snyder Snyder. At home, she is Terri Colombino, the actress who has portrayed Katie through five marriages and numerous bumps of soap opera life on CBS's super-long-running As the World Turns. The show has been on for an astonishing 52 years; Terri joined it 11 years ago and is still having fun with the tangled, sometimes zany, affairs of her screen persona.
The rapport between Katie and her latest husband, Brad Snyder (They were married twice, for those keeping track...), paid off in a surprising way for Terri and her co-star, Austin Peck, when their characters were named the "Sexiest Couple Alive" in a 2008 TV Guide survey.
In real life, Terri is married to actor/producer/musician Arthur Colombino, who hails from Belleville, New Jersey. The couple lives in Bergen County with their daughter, Julia, whose birth was part of the TLC series A Baby Story. Both Terri and her husband are in the recent theatrical film iMurders, which was shot primarily in Hoboken. Off-screen, they often do benefits for worthy causes, particularly those involving children.
Terri's father is a retired U.S. Air Force officer, so the family moved several times before settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico.Terri was a communications major at the University of San Diego, but a semester spent in Florence, Italy, reinforced her dream of an acting career.
In addition to her role on ATWT, Terri was a regular in the series Breaker High and has guest starred in The Young and the Restless, Step by Step, Brotherly Love, Profiler, Malibu Shores, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Living It Up!With Ali & Jack. Her feature film credits include Spitfire, Hong Kong '97 and Assumption. She has performed in regional theater productions of Night, Mother and Of Mice and Men.
In 2001, Terri received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination as Outstanding Younger Actress and was nominated for a Soap Opera Digest Award as Outstanding Supporting Actress.
In this interview with COMMERCE, Terri Colombino talks about her life as a career woman, a wife and a mother, and gives a sneak peek into Katie and Brad's future dilemmas on As the World Turns.
COMMERCE: How did your latest film, iMurders, wind up being filmed in New Jersey, and what was it like working with your husband in the same movie?
TERRI COLOMBINO: Kenneth Del Vecchio, the producer of iMurders, runs the Hoboken Film Festival. He is very involved in bringing work and film production to New Jersey and, specifically, Hoboken. And iMurders wasn't the first film in which my husband and I worked together. He produced a movie in 2002, called Long Story Short. There were five short stories; he wrote one and starred in it. I starred in one of the other stories. I think it's good for a relationship when both people understand the other's passion and share in it. I've been in other relationships where my partner wasn't in the business. I think actors are very passionate people, and if you don't understand that, sometimes people feel left out.
Q.How do you handle a two-career show business household?
A. We have a daughter, so it's not always easy to figure out the different schedules. My husband built a recording studio in our basement, so he can work mostly out of the house. That's been great for our daughter because she's been able to spend so much time with him. I work an average of three days a week, so I get to spend a lot of time with her, too. There may be times when we are working and she doesn't get to see us a lot, but those are rare.
Q.You gave birth to your daughter in 2004, an experience you shared with the public via the TLC series A Baby Story. Why did you choose to share it in that way?
A. They contacted us because several other actresses on ATWT had been a part of A Baby Story. Those are really popular episodes. The audience loves to see people they know from their favorite TV shows, and see them in real life with their real husbands, experiencing something so beautiful. I was a little apprehensive but my husband said what a beautiful thing it would be to give to our child when she got older; to be able to see our anticipation before she arrived, and see how happy she made everybody - and that convinced me. We showed it to her recently and she was just in awe. Giving birth is such a personal thing. I can't believe I went around showing this to everybody but, at the time, you're so proud of the whole experience.
Q.You said in an interview that becoming a mother changed your life. How?
A. In so many ways. Most of all, you just don't know how much you can love; you can't believe that you can love even more than you already love your husband or your family. But to have your own child, to have her so dependent on you and have her unconditional love is such an amazing feeling and responsibility.
Q.Your father was a U.S. Air Force officer. Did you move a lot as a child?
A. Yes, I think we moved five times before I was nine. Then, we settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was nice. I had the moving-around lifestyle when I was younger and when it's easier to make friends. Then, I had the stability of staying in one place for a long time. I appreciate that. I talk to a lot of casting directors and they say there's a common theme to the military-brat-turned- actor phenomenon. If there is a correlation, maybe it's because you have to learn to become a different person every time you get to a new place. You have to figure out how to fit in and what the rules are.
Q.What influenced you to become an actress?
A. It was always sort of in me. I am an only child, so I was around adults a lot and I think just having to entertain myself was part of it. I believe that what you were passionate about as a child is usually your true calling and what truly makes you happy. I recently found an old book my parents had gotten me when I was little. It's called The Book About Me, and you fill out things about yourself. One of the blanks was "When I grow up I want to be..." and I put "an actress." It was such a cool moment to see that I had been so passionate about it even back then. In college, I spent a semester in Florence, Italy, and that's when it hit me that acting was really what I wanted to do.
Q.Your role on ATWT was created especially for you. What do you like about working in daytime TV? How is it different from working in films?
A. Originally, I had tested for another role and they really liked me, but they did not feel I was right for that role. That night, my agent called me saying, "You didn't get the part, but they want to create a role for you, put you on hold, and give you a contract." Sure enough, the next week they called and said they would figure out how to write me in. They didn't exactly create the role for me because the character had already been on the show as a little girl, so they decided to bring her back and give me that role. It's been an unbelievable ride - 10 years this past September. Working in daytime TV is a lot quicker than working in films. We do about 70 pages [of script] a day, where a big-budget film may do one or two pages a day. There's not a lot of time to rehearse and find those little nuances. But there is a freedom about that, too, because you really have to be in the moment, really listen to your co-star, and react naturally. I think this has helped me to become a natural actor. When I do have more time to delve into the character, I really appreciate having the luxury to do that and still have that spontaneity and naturalism daytime TV affords you.
Q.What did you think when you and ATWT co-star Austin Peck were named the "Sexiest Couple Alive?"
A. It was a big surprise. It's not something that I've ever wished for myself, so we were very flattered. I think our characters have such a sweet relationship and truly love each other. I think the sexiness comes out of that. We have a lot of fun working together. I've always been lucky with my five "husbands" on the show.
Q.Can you tell us what will be happening with Katie and Brad in the near future?
A. We never know what we will be doing in the future - that's what keeps it interesting. I can tell you that Brad and Katie finally decide to start a family, which Katie has wanted for a long time. She finally has the right guy, so they are beginning that journey and are, unfortunately, going to hit some roadblocks with it. This sometimes happens to people, so it will touch a lot of people and reach their hearts.
Q.As an actress, what would you like to do that you haven't done?
A. Katie's stories can get a little zany, so I've learned that I have a talent for comedy. I've been pursuing sitcoms as my next step, or maybe a drama with comedy. I wouldn't mind being at ATWT forever, but I don't know that it will be there forever. The way the business is now, there is no sure thing. It used to be that once you got on a daytime show and became really popular, you could be there for the rest of your life, but that's not the case anymore.
Q.Have you ever used your acting skills for something other than acting?
A. I used to read stories to pre-school kids through a literacy program of the Screen Actors Guild. I've gone to Julia's school to read a few times. I guess being an actor helps in that sense.
Q.Outside of your work, what other interests do you pursue?
A. Whenever we have the chance, my husband and I are involved in trying to benefit places such as the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Westchester, New York. Michael Parks, who plays Jack in ATWT - his wife works at the hospital doing music therapy for the children. She and my husband did a CD of children's songs to benefit the hospital. They do an event together every year. I lend my services or appearance to events, usually having to do with children. We do a benefit for autism every year, and we have appeared for the Children's Miracle Network in Pennsylvania and for muscular dystrophy with different sports people. If I can do something that brings people there, that's great.
Baby Stories (Soap Opera Weekly - February 17, 2009) As The World Turns' Katie tried the reality show route during her quest to get pregnant, something her portrayer Terri Colombino is an old hand at, since she did TLC's A Baby Story in 2004 when she was pregnant with daughter Julia. "It's funny, because I cannot believe I did that in front of millions of people," marvels Colombino. "But at the time I was showing it to everyone - all my friends and coworkers. I was like, 'Do you want to see me giving birth?' It didn't seem to be so intrusive at the time, because it was so natural and beautiful and part of our lives. But now I realize how personal it was, so I go back and forth between embarrassment and pride."
My Funny Valentine (CBS Soaps In Depth - February 16, 2009) Terri Colombino (Katie, ATWT) and her husband Arthur
February 14 is a day when husbands typically make grand, romantic gestures to their wives, but ATWT's Terri Colombino (Katie) says that her husband, Arthur, doesn't let himself get tied down to just one day out of the year! "He's always trying to do nice little things for me," she reveals. "It's not a specific day that he would do something. He does things out of the blue, which is the most romantic, I think. He'll just bring me flowers one day. It's not a special day, he's just like, 'I just thought you could use some beautiful flowers.'" And the actress also appreciates her hubby's more affectionate side. "He's definitely romantic," Colombino smiles. "He loves to think he's romantic, too, which is nice. Most men get embarrassed, I think, about being romantic!"
The Next Generation (CBS Soaps In Depth - February 16, 2009) When Terri Colombino (Katie) dressed her 4-year-old daughter, Julia, up for Halloween as Ariel from Disney's The Little Mermaid, she realized she had a born performer on her hands. "I was videotaping her on my phone singing the The Little Mermaid song, and she really got into it," she says with a chuckle. "She was really just belting it out and performing every line. I was like, 'Oh God, I'm in real trouble here!' With a musician for a dad and an actress for a mom, it's in her blood." She's still not sure if it's nature or nurture that's turning her baby girl into a potential superstar, but whichever way Julia decides to go, Mom will be behind her every step of the way. "She definitely has that natural love of performing," Colombino beams. "It made me happy my whole life, so if it can do that for her, too, then fine. If not, then whatever she does, we'll focus on."
Star Talk 'What game show would you like to go on?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - February 16, 2009) Terri Colombino (Katie): "Oh, FAMILY FEUD. I always thought, 'I want to be on a soap opera so I can be on the FAMILY FEUD version when they do the soap opera families.' They never ask us to do that. It's always other shows. But how fun would that be? To be like, 'The Snyders against The Spauldings?' That would be so fun! So let's put that out there."
Wow Wow! (Soap Opera Weekly - February 10, 2009) ATWT's Dylan Bruce (ex-Chris), Ewa da Cruz (Vienna), Terri Colombino (Katie) and Austin Peck (Brad) celebrated their presidents-and-their-wives-themed photo spread in the January issue of CBS Watch! magazine at the Capital Grille in New York. "It was so fun and it happened so quickly. Oh, everything we got to wear was incredible," raved Colombino, who brought her real-life first gentleman, Artie, while Peck, who squired first lady Tara, cracked, "Favorite thing about the photo shoot? That I was in it."
Hill and Bill Redux! (Soap Opera Digest - February 10, 2009) AS THE WORLD TURNS stars Terri Colombino (Katie), Ewa da Cruz (Vienna), Austin Peck (Brad) and Dylan Bruce (ex-Chris) re-created images of presidential inaugurations past during a photo shoot for CBS Watch magazine at the famed Willard InterContinental Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C. Digest caught up with the comely quartet at a soiree celebrating the publication of their spread in New York City.
"This is definitely the biggest photo shoot I've ever done," Terri Colombino marvelled, adding that the timing could not have been better. "With the historical inauguration this year, it's fun to be a part of it. Kind of, sort of, in my own way," she laughed. One of the funniest moments during the shoot occurred while snapping the picture she's standing next to: "Austin is totally pulling off the Bill Clinton smirk on his face. That was pretty funny - we were totally cracking up. I think I am about to laugh in that picture," Colombino explained. "We were trying to work it."
Water Worker (Soap Opera Digest - January 27, 2009)
Is there a movie or a book that is guaranteed to bring you to tears?
Terri Colombino: "Yes, a book and a movie, The Notebook. My grandmother has Alzheimer's, so it touches me in that way, but also the love story is so heartbreaking. And The Bridges of Madison County, both the book and movie."
Katie's relationship with Simon was an emotional roller coaster. Do any of those crying scenes stand out for you?
Terri Colombino: "When Simon left the second time. We were on the boat dock; there was a chain-link fence between us. He was on the other side and Katie was begging him not to leave. Paul [Leyden, ex-Simon] was leaving, too, so there was an aspect of it that was real for me. I was really in tune with Katie at that time and just sad for her, and it was easy and amazing. I almost felt like I wasn't there. When it was over, I was like, 'Oh, my God, did that just happen?'"
Who is your pick for the best crier in daytime?
Terri Colombino: "Martha Byrne [ex-Lily]. She's not on the show anymore, but she is the master. She didn't do it every day; she would choose the moment where it meant the most. Guaranteed, every time Martha Byrne cried in a scene, I was crying right along with her. That is the testament to a true crier [laughs]."
Are you ever worried that you won't be able to sob when a script calls for it?
Terri Colombino: "Every time. Especially if I am not totally connected with the material. Most of the time, I am reading it and I start crying reading it, just because I am connected to it and I see it happening. But if I am not connected with it and I see that, my heart drops and I am just like, 'Oh, no, they are going to expect it.' It's really hard to know, 'Oh, here comes that line, it's coming, it's coming. Tears aren't coming, oh no!' That's a lot of pressure. I've had to learn to just let it go. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't."
Caption; Sob Sister: Katie's wacky love life has caused a fair share of tears.
Star Talk "Who on your cast would you like to team up with for THE AMAZING RACE?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - January 19, 2009) Austin Peck (Brad, ATWT): "I think if I was going on THE AMAZING RACE and I wanted to win, probably Grayson McCouch (Dusty). He seems pretty outdoorsy and adventurous. Probably somebody who I would have the most drama and conflict with and would [make for] great TV would be Michael Park (Jack). The person I would probably have the most fun with would be Terri Colombino (Katie)."
Picture-Perfect Presidents (Soap Opera Digest online - January 2009) AS THE WORLD TURNS's Dylan Bruce (ex-Chris), Terri Colombino (Katie), Ewa da Cruz (Vienna) and Austin Peck (Brad) got to play some very different roles in the January issue of CBS Watch! magazine: that of U.S. presidents and their first ladies! When the foursome were gathered in New York City on Jan. 16 at the appropriately named Capital Grille to celebrate the photo shoot, Soap Opera Weekly and Soap Opera Digest were there! Surrounded by poster-size copies of their gorgeous pics, the actors answered some not-so pointed questions about the experience.
Weekly: What's your favorite memory from the shoot?
Dylan Bruce: Probably the crew of the shoot and the editor of CBS Watch!, Jeremy Murphy. I had such a blast with them going out to dinner and hanging out after hours.
Terri Colombino: Everything we got to wear was incredible, these high-fashion couture dresses and beautiful jewelry by Chas Schwartz. I kept talking about pearls and how I loved pearls and I've always wanted pearls, and they gave me the pearls I was wearing. It was so unbelievable; nothing like that's ever happened to me. So that's a good memory, but just being with my buddies was such a good time.
Ewa da Cruz: There were a lot of favorite parts about the shoot, but I would say the photo on the staircase, for me and Dylan, something about the moment, stepping down the stairs...when I saw the picture, I was like, "We're getting this; this is going to be good." But I would say working with everybody - Dylan, Terri, Austin, the whole crew, everybody - it was just fun. You come to work and you laugh, and you leave laughing. It's a good vibe.
Austin Peck: The production value that was put into it, the time and energy, the location, basically everything. Everybody was excited and full of passion and trying to make the best of it and taking something as seemingly artistically mundane as presidential moments, and bringing fashion and art and creativity to it.
Weekly: Okay, let's talk about the photos themselves! Dish.
Bruce: [They] look close to real. I kind of look like [John F. Kennedy], and I don't want to sound like a cocky jerk for saying that, because I know JFK is like American royalty, but Ewa! She's the spitting image of Jackie O. It's very cool; I love the shots.
Colombino: The one [of George and Martha Washington] looks like a painting to me; I love it. It was actually a happy accident. We're not even posing; it's in between shots. [The photographer] was setting up the lighting. We all saw the picture on the computer and were like, "That's the one!" This is Martha and George Washington reimagined (laughs). They had a really good night.
Da Cruz: When I was told I was going to be [Jackie Kennedy], I was like, "Yeah! I wonder what they're going to put me in?" So when I saw the dresses, I saw that they were going, "We're re-creating the picture, but still giving it a very modern twist." Because when you look at Terri and Austin [as the Washingtons]...(laughs). I don't know about that. Maybe in their dreams? So the moment I saw that they were willing to take it a little further, I was very happy. Because if you look at the white dress shot, I'm pulling it up and it's a lot of cleavage. I don't think I've seen one picture with Jackie showing her cleavage like that.
Peck: Honestly, I will say that the George and Martha photo is my favorite, and it stands out from all of them. But you can't match the beauty of Ewa and Dylan; if we had presidents who look that good, they would probably announce them [as] king and queen for life. I was just thinking, "I got some cool clothes; I got a beautiful woman," and that's as deep as I went (laughs).
Weekly: Do you have a favorite president, or one that just fascinates you?
Bruce: I am a big fan of Harry Truman; I just read Truman, the David McCullough book. Don Hastings (Dr. Bob) recommended it. Kathy Hays (Kim) loves [Dwight D.] Eisenhower and Hastings loves Truman, and we're in the car one day and they're like, "Read Truman and read Ike (by Michael Korda) for Eisenhower." So I read that book and I absolutely fell in love with Harry Truman. He's not even a college-educated man; he's a farmer from Missouri. He pretty much lived the American dream that anyone could be president. And obviously, [I love] Barack Obama; it's pretty awesome that he could be president.
Colombino: Ronald Reagan. He's like the first president where I remember knowing what the president was and what he did - and of course, with him being an actor to begin with, he had such a charismatic way of relating to people. Of course, I was a child, so I didn't understand it well, but I learned more about him throughout the years, and his love for his wife. Also, my grandmother passed away of Alzheimer's, so I have an interest in him. He's always been my favorite.
Peck: Teddy Roosevelt. A president like Teddy Roosevelt - speak softly, carry a big stick - that would go after the big corporations, and a president that was environmentally conscious, economically conscious, globally conscious...he really embodied those things, and I think he was incredibly eccentric, so he could relate to people in strange ways. I would like to see that type of president again.
Weekly: Who on WORLD TURNS would make a good politician?
Colombino: Oh, gosh...Liz Hubbard (Lucinda). She's unbelievably intelligent. She knows everything about everything and she's just so passionate about issues. She's always talking about something, and she would make a good first [female] president.
First Impressions (CBS Watch! - January 2009) To celebrate the inauguration of the nation's 44th President, Watch! Magazine has torn a page from the history books, re-creating iconic images of celebrations past.
Stocking Stumpers "What should Katie get for Christmas?" (CBS Soaps In Depth - January 5, 2009) Terri Colombino (Katie): A vacation. But not a cruise, because Simon will show up again!
Sick and Tired (CBS Soaps In Depth - January 5, 2009) When normal folks feel under the weather, they can call in sick to work. But when you're starring on AS THE WORLD TURNS, a sick day forces a rescheduling of the entire production, which is why so many actors are forced to come in anyway. "I went in sick on Wednesday," recalls Terri Colombino (Katie) of her recent bout with the flu, "and then Thursday morning I woke up and I was like, 'This is ridiculous! If I had any other job, I'd be calling in sick right now." And then halfway through the day, I was like, 'Okay, I'm going to the doctor. I have a 103-degree fever.'" The actress asked her physician to call the studio and explain why she couldn't return because she wasn't sure she'd be able to get through her afternoon scenes. "My whole body was so sore, and I was walking like I was 100 years old," Colombino confesses with a chuckle. "But that's the first time in 10 years that I've ever had to do that. And we don't get anything for perfect attendance!"
Caption: "I'm definitely happy that's over!" Colombino says of her recent cold.
