Ever since Cameron Mathison rode off into the sunset and out of the role of Ryan Lavery on ABC’s daytime sudser All My Children, fans have been clamoring for him to ride back into Pine Valley. It was revealed with much excitement and enthusiasm that Ryan would be returning, once again being played by Cameron. I recently had the opportunity to talk with Cameron about his return to AMC, what he did during his hiatus from the show, fatherhood and which Pine Valley beauty Ryan will sweep off their feet.

“ It was the toughest decision I ever made,” says Cameron in regards to choosing to leave the ABC daytime drama All My Children.  “ There were some things in my career that I made sure that I tried to do, I had never been out to LA for pilot season, so I thought I would go out and give it a shot and see what was available… I just wanted to try some other things, which I did. I was able to book roles on CSI, JAG, Drew Carey and What I love about you.

For months, after he left the show fans held out every glimmer of hope that Ryan would ride back into town to sweep Kendall off her feet once again. This hope began to gain momentum when Ryan’s onscreen father Chris Stamp was murdered.  To soap fans delight, it was soon revealed that Cameron Mathison would be back in the role he created of Ryan Lavery and his first airdate was August 7^th.

So after a move to Los Angeles, what brought Cameron back to the East Coast, daytime and All My Children???  “There is no way that I was going to go back on daytime on any other show, but All My Children.. I really enjoyed my time on the show (the first time around) and the stability it offers. I also began to realize my priorities in life, especially now that I am a husband and a father.. Another big factor is that Megan McTavish is back as head writer and she created my character and I knew she would take care of me and that was a BIG deciding factor for me to comeback to All My Children.”

With all of the darkness and destruction, Michael Cambias has unleashed on Pine Valley recently, and fans seeing Ryan interact with Michael’s father Alexander Cambias, they are left wondering and scratching their heads trying to figure out just what, if any connection exists between Ryan and the Cambias family??  “There is no connection at all, it's pure chance that I stumbled across this guy (Alexander Cambias) in the desert stranded in a limo and I help him out and stay with him when he gets sick, it is through this friendship that Ryan comes back to Pine Valley.” Rumors are floating around that Ryan will be bringing back someone to Pine Valley that will shock all of its citizens “ I have not heard that and at this point in time, I don’t think I will be bringing anyone back” says Mathison.

Of course with any return of a popular and sexy soap hunk, not only is there a juicy story in the works, but a romance as well. AMC fans have seen Ryan paired with a bevy of Pine Valley beauties such as Gillian, Liza, Kendall, Mia, Greenlee and at one point even a brief flirtation with Hayley. So who will be the lucky lady that will win Ryan’s heart this time around???  “ It has been hinted to me that there might be a triangle between Greenlee/Kendall and Ryan.”  So who would Mathison like to see Ryan choose (laughing) “ OH man, that’s too tough to answer, I honestly don’t know? Wow, honestly do not know.”

So with a potential Ryan/Kendall/Greenlee triangle on the horizon, will Ryan and Kendall’s past be mentioned?  “ I would be surprised if it wasn’t mentioned, I think Ryan might have some feelings still for Kendall, but nothing has been written, so I honestly do not know the answer.” 

Cameron is the envy of everyone male out there working opposite the gorgeous Alicia Minshew and Rebecca Budig who play Kendall and Greenlee. “ It is phenomenal working with them. We are good friends off camera as well and I think that friendship will help produce some stories that will be fun to watch.”

Cameron also speaks fondly of another co-star Esta Terblanche who played his onscreen wife Gillian Andrassy Lavery.  “ Esta and I were good friends on and off camera, so I think that made it easy for us to portray Ryan and Gillian.” Does he wish that the Ryan and Gillian love story would have ended with the two of them leaving town together, rather than Gillian being killed off. “ I do think that there were a lot of missed opportunities for potential storylines for Ryan and Gillian. Gillian’s death scenes were very demanding work and gave me the opportunity to be nominated for an Emmy.”

Recently, Mathison signed on to another front burner role and that is of a father. Cameron and wife Vanessa welcomed their son Lucas to the world this past spring, and in talking with him about this role it is obvious to this columnist that he has ventured into the BEST role of his life so far.  “ It is soooo exciting, it’s so incredibly exciting, I love every minute of it, I love being with him and when I am not with him wish I was… it is so fun.”  Little Lucas is already getting a taste of the daily rigors of being on a soap “ We live near the studio so Vanessa and Lucas are always over here.”

Now that Ryan is back in Pine Valley what can we expect of him.  “ He is coming back with a little bit more power and everyone wants that power… he will also have his edge back, which I am excited about.” As for any family for Ryan down the line, Mathison says, “ Who knows, I am here for a while, so who knows, it would be something I would like to see explored.” So in closing Mathison wants everyone to know this “ I am VERY excited to be back and it feels like coming home again.”

I would like to say thank you to Cameron Mathison for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk with us here at SoapTown USA. You can read all about Cameron and what is new and join his fan club at his official website:

The Official Website for Cameron Mathison and his friends

   August 15, 2003
Interviewed by: Amanada