Larry Poindexter : «So much fun to know that people still remember us !»
By Nicolas, exclusively for Santa Barbara : le site Francais, August 2011	Home   Cette page en Français

The beginnings before Santa Barbara

At first, can you tell us a little about you : how old are you today ? Where do you live ? Do you live in couple or have children ?

Well, I'll never say my age - I'm an actor ! LOL ! I live in Los Angeles, married for ten years with twin 5 years old boys.

How did you start your acting career ?

My family was in the biz, but I didn't start till I was 19 - I did summerstock theatre (musicals) in the chorus, then moved on to working straight plays and then television and movies. My first on camera job was a TV movie called Thursday's Child - I played Rob Lowe's brother.

The time of Santa Barbara

In 1986, you played Justin Moore in Santa Barbara. How did you start in this show ? Do you remember how Justin was presented to you at first ?

I got a call for an audition, tested the next day and was on set the following. I remember the stage manager had known my father... At the time soap operas would interview you on camera after the screen test (I tested with Robin Wright... who is also from Texas and a lovely woman). As far as Justin; they'd had an off camera voice going for awhile so he was a much anticipated character...

You were on a regular status in Santa Barbara since your arrival. What were the reasons of your sudden departure after a few months ?

The part had been written for another actor Justin Deas who had become unavailable - thus why I had the rapid audition and casting... He became available, so they phased me out ! Although my girlfriend at the time started working on the show the day I was let go - Jane Sibbett.

Justin was a very pleasant character, always funny and thoughtful with Kelly. In your opinion, what may have helped him to stay longer in the show ?

Well... I guess Justin Deas not being available ! And I think people at the network just didn't think I "clicked" with Robin - though we had a great time working together...

What are your best remembrances from the show, on a relational and on a professional level ?

Met Jon Lindstrom, worked with my girlfriend, had a steady paycheck... LOL !

These 24 last years after Santa Barbara and now

After Santa Barbara, you continued your acting career in tens of TV series and movies, until recently the part of Rick Berger in The Hard Times of RJ Berger, which has unfortunately just been cancelled by MTV. Can you come back on the following years of your career after Santa Barbara ?

After Santa Barbara I did lot's of stuff : most notably recurring roles on JAG, Blade : the series, Hope and Gloria, Too Something... tons of stuff. Also "guest" stars on all the CSI's and most recently on Drop Dead Diva and Rizzoli & Isles. I went back to soaps for a short gig a few summers ago on General Hospital when Jill Phelps (producer on Santa Barbara) asked me to come in. I played the very evil Dr. Asher - bad bad murdering psychologist. Great fun. Did lot's of movies; produced a few as well (White Raven) and started a theatre company that continues to this day, The troubadour theatre company (Look us up ! We're on Facebook). Biggest movie's have been S.W.A.T. and 17 Again. I'm also producing a musical biography of Cher for Broadway in 2012 and wrote a musical, The Devil You Know, that's being looked at for commercial production next season...

Last year, I had the chance to contact Jon Lindstrom, who talked to me about your common band, The High Lonesome. Can you tell me more about this great adventure ? Is it going to continue ?

Gosh I hope so, but we'd all have to be on the same coast I think ! Jeb and Jon are in New York City, I'm in Los Angeles with Gig, and Phil. I've been writing and may propose that we do what we did for the recent compilation album; record and use the internet to exchange our stuff...

Is there something you'd like to say to all the Santa Barbara fans all over the world who didn't forget you as Justin?

I'm amazed at the popularity and praise heaped on our little show - so much fun to know that people still remember us ! Much thanks ! And thank you for the interview ! Or rather : "Merci beaucoup !"