«I was just doing "A Martinez" thirty years before he did !»
By Dawn Mazzurco, Soap Opera Update, 1990	Home   Cette page en Français

Character actor. The term conjures up certain images in one's mind. The most common is that of a constantly working actor who can mold himself into 100 different people, given the need that a certain role presents. It is that "everyman" quality that makes them so tempting to cast. But when you talk to Santa Barbara's resident character actor Henry Darrow, you realize that the term takes on a much greater meaning. Although fitting the earlier description of being a talented actor, one also finds that this is a man with such a vibrant personality, which obviously stems from Darrows's own priceless character.

Henry Darrow is an acting veteran, having worked in the industry for well over 30 years, both in Puerto Rico and the United States. It was the 60's TV western High Chaparral and his character of Manolito that first brought the actor to public attention. Darrow explains: "My favorite scenes were the scenes I had with a gentleman named Frank Silvera who played my father. Those scenes always had to do with the father saying, "You're just a rogue," and me throwing back at him, "If I am, it's because I'm like you Papa." Boy, we'd go at each other tooth and nail. It also had some comedic elements. But of course there was always love."

Nearly 25 years later, it is that same mix of humor, tension and love that makes the relationship between Santa Barbara's Castillos - Rafael and his son Cruz - so endearing to viewers. But the amazing similarities don't stop there, for as Henry tells it, "I've worked with A Martinez before, playing his father. We'd done something for NBC years ago. A was playing the young stud warrior and I was playing the chicken con artist, a scam artist, doing sleight of hand." This new twist to the father / son relationship is something both actors apparently enjoy. "I've just been having a ball," Henry offers. "I think A gets a kick out of it too, because his character is really a straight hero, lead-type guy, and whenever he can loosen up, it's great."

It's also great for the viewers. For years, Santa Barbara's concentration was on the Capwell family and its affect on Cruz and Eden's relationship. The introduction of Cruz's brother Ric (played by Peter Love) and the re-emergence of his mother Carmen (played by Carmen Zapata), paved the way for what was scheduled to be a major investigation into the roots and problems of the Castillo family.

Henry's preparation for the role took on a familiar ring. "I did a lot of homework having to do with getting back together with the family," he tells. "Previously, about a week or two before my audition, I had just got back together with my daughter, who I had not seen in three years. We had a split for whatever personal reasons, and we had just got back together, and boy, in that particular sense, when it came out and I said to Ric, "I just wanted to see you again," it was almost like..." Henry pauses for a moment, then continues, "I thought, I just did this with my daughter a week and a half ago."

Unfortunately, all of the expected struggles of the Castillo brothers dealing with the father who abandoned their family years ago never emerged on Santa Barbara. As Henry tells it, "They never explored it. And I think what happened was a very talented actor named Roscoe Born came on, and all of a sudden the rectangular house became a triangular house. I think that just took over. Hopefully they'll get back to the family situation." Or at the very least, Henry is hoping for some sort of resolution to the relationship of Rafael and his estranged wife Carmen. "Even if it's a total break-up, at least they're dealing with each other."

Since that story direction doesn't seem to be on the immediate horizon, the conversation begins to turn to other possible romantic entanglements for Rafael. Although their scenes together were few, there was a definite appeal to the pairing of Rafael and Nikki - even if it was only on a working basis. "They ticked my fancy with Nikki," Darrow confesses. "I was saying, "My God, I have kids who are ten years older than she is," and there I was with my grey hair and my face like a road map with lines, and there was this charming beautiful young thing. There was one scene where A turned to me and said, "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were hooked on her," and I said, "You're damn right, I'm not some stone !""

Real-life finds Henry Darrow happily married to actress Lauren Levian. The two met when they were working together on a production of The Rainmaker 13 years ago. "There's this circle in my life - I'm not oriented in a psychic kind of way, but I do see a circle theme reappearing in my life. I came out here in 1954 to study at the Pasadena Playhouse, and I now find myself living four miles away from there." This circle comes into play in many areas of Darrow's life : the reoccurring casting of A Martinez as his son throughout his career; the fact that the casting director who cast him as Rafael in Santa Barbara was the same person who cast him in his first soap role on General Hospital almost 25 years ago; the striking parallel between his own separation with his daughter and his on-screen children. Whatever the underlying reason, it seems as if Henry Darrow's life is full of these mysterious coincidences.

Henry relates this exchange with his wife Lauren : "My wife once asked, "What is all this stuff about your past, this character of Manolito being a sexpot and whatever ?" And I said, "Well I was just doing "A Martinez" thirty years before he did.""