Q & A with Cameron Mathison
(Ryan Lavery, All My Children)

Most folks think God rested on the seventh day, but soap fans know that that's when God must have created Cameron Mathison, a perfect physical specimen who is melting hearts and acting up a storm (who knew?) as roguish Ryan Lavery on All My Children. Wait — it gets better (or is that worse?): Mathison is one of the most sincere, down-to-Earth soap hunks you're ever going to meet, and he even has a sense of humor! Is this guy a living doll, or what? — Jonathan Reiner

Actually, it's been nice. I haven't had one single fan ever say that they thought that Ryan did it. The rape has caused a lot of fans to sort of protect Ryan. They say, "We know you didn't do it." They're not too sure who really did it, but they really feel strongly that Ryan didn't, which is nice.

It's odd that the character is now the underdog, considering he came to town as a cocky manipulator.

It is funny, and it's an interesting twist. As an actor, I used his personality as an excuse: the cocky, smart-talking guy was all a big front. Ryan has had all these childhood troubles, and deep down he's pretty vulnerable.

You and Esta [Terblanche, who plays Gillian] must be having a ball — some of your dialogue is just so hilariously cruel!

Yeah, it's getting a little harsh. It's tough for me to be so cruel toward her sometimes, but I think things will be turning around soon and Ryan and Gillian will be getting along better in the near future.

Do you have any free time at all these days, between the show, personal appearances and other obligations?

Very little, but I have to admit I like it that way. Well, I shouldn't say I like the fact that I don't have any free time; it's just that I love to be very busy with work. I love to be in a front-burner storyline, and I've got enough time to spend with my girlfriend and to do the things that I like to do, like go to the gym. But other than that, I try to focus on work. Too much free time and I get a little stir crazy.

How much time do you spend at the gym each day?

I don't really have to spend any time at the gym, but I like to make it to the gym five days a week — not necessarily to lift weights, but I play in a really competitive basketball league, also.

I'm sure that some fans are upset because you haven't done any shirtless scenes in a while.

Yeah, and there aren't going to be any for a little while longer.

How do you feel about the phenomenon of people wanting to see your body?

It's very bizarre, and I don't fully understand it. I don't think that my body is a whole lot different from anybody else's. It's all just a little tough to get used to. But I'm flattered by it, and I appreciate all the enthusiasm about it. It's just tough for me to understand.

If you ever want to eat a piece of cake, do you ask yourself, "Oh, no, can I eat this?"

I go through a couple of weeks where I'll be very careful of what I eat, and then I'll go for a period of time where I'm not as careful. Otherwise I'll go nuts! I can't be good all the time, and I can't really do things in moderation. I can't just have a balanced meal and then have a little snack of dessert. For some reason, it's all or nothing. Either I'll have a cheeseburger with a big piece of cheesecake, or I'll have a grilled-chicken salad with a side of vegetables. It's one or the other for me.

I go through cycles, and when I eat badly I make sure I lift a lot of weights. I've found that I can't be so strict all the time.

Were you always like that?

I've always been very active, but I hadn't watched my diet as much as I have since I've been acting. Remember, even before the soap, when I did 54 and some other stuff, I was shirtless.

Speaking of which, what's the response been to your role in 54?

For me it's been very positive. I'm not sure how the movie did, though. For my first feature, I think I had a decent-sized role. Luckily I was left in, because they certainly did a lot of editing. A lot of the other bartenders who had roles weren't in the film after the editing process, so I was very lucky.

Besides Esta, who else do you like to work with? I think you and Kelly [Ripa, who plays Hayley] have great chemistry.

I really enjoy working with Kelly. She's fantastic! I like working with Mark [Consuelos, who plays Mateo], too. Our characters go at it, and there is a lot of tension between us, but he's a good guy. I love working with Michael E. Knight (Tad), too. From my second day on the set, I learned a lot from him. He's a guy who has been on the show for 12 years off and on, and he still comes to work prepared and he goes to acting class. I've learned more about being a professional and about working on the craft from him than I did from anybody else. He's a great role model.

A lot of mainstream actors probably think soap actors have it easy, but we know better!

I don't think Michael does all of it just for his work. I think he does it because he wants to keep learning and growing as an actor. It's not necessarily to be a better Tad Martin.... Well, I guess indirectly it is, but I think it's important if you have your sights set on something else, eventually. I would love, at some point in time, to do other work. I'd love to make myself as well-rounded an actor as possible.

You're great at comedy, but have you ever considered doing heavier material, like tragedy?

I have, and I think this rape story has been as traumatic as anything I've had to do. It's been a good challenge for me. I'd love to take it a step further and do something else with it, as well.

In the short time you've been on the show, there's hardly anything that Ryan hasn't done. The only thing left for you to do is be happy with Gillian.

That's true! When it happens, I'll let you know, but I have no idea when that's going to be.

Do you ever worry about the writers running out of things for you to do?

Yeah, I do, but I don't really think they will. They know what they're doing. But you can't help wondering what will happen next. I'm always anxious to find out what's going to happen next with Ryan.

What would your reaction be if Mattel wanted to manufacture a Ryan Lavery doll to go along with the Erica Kane doll?

I would first be in shock! I would be ecstatic!

It would be interesting, because they'd hardly have to put any clothes on him.