Exclusive Interview with Michael Storm
 by Lucy, The Llanview Banner - March 26, 2003

“Storm of Change” 

Storm: “I think the very first days of my life on One Life to Live (1969) were the most magical...”

Having joined the cast in January 1969, Michael Storm (Dr. Larry Wolek, Llanview Hospital’s Chief of Staff) has been with “One Life to Live” longer than any other cast member. 

However, Michael seems to have gotten lost in the new OLTL regime’s “Storm of Change,” and his growing absence from the show has a lot of loyal fans wondering what happened to the good doctor, who has touched our lives, and our hearts for so many years.  

The Llanview Banner recently caught up with Michael – and he talks about his “One Life to Live” experiences (past, and present), and offers some other surprising recollections as well.

LLANVIEW BANNER: We've seen the return of several characters/actors since Josh Griffith (head writer) and Michael Malone (creative consultant) were rehired in October 2002, yet we haven’t seen Dr. Larry’s presence in Llanview since that time.  What does the change in writers mean for you and Dr. Larry?

MICHAEL STORM: Writers, producers and even actors are constantly changing in the Soap Opera world.  Josh Griffith and Michael Malone are both highly qualified and extremely competent writers, with proven track records.  The show can only benefit from their presence.  Unfortunately, “Doctor Larry’s” function on the show has been reduced of late and all the cases and situations he once was called in to cover are now being done by “Troy”.   I am sure that Dr. Larry will be called in at some time in the future, but to what extent he’ll be used, that’s anyone’s guess.  One thing I must keep in mind: “Nothing is forever”.  Dr. Larry’s situation could change at any moment … and I confess to hoping just that.

BANNER:  If you could write the script, what direction would you would you take your character or storyline?

STORM: This is a very complicated question.  Dr. Larry and Viki are the only original characters left on the show.  (Disregard the strange reincarnation of Victor Lord … rather a bizarre and unfathomable appearance, which strained the viewers’ imaginations!)  What seems to have been forgotten is that, because of Larry’s position in Llanview (for the last 35 years) he DOES have connections to all the other characters in the show.  Therefore, I’d like to see his involvement more often in the day-to-day lives of all those characters.  (It is unimaginable to me that he was nowhere to be seen when Victor Lord reappeared, given that one of the very first story lines on “One Life” was the on-going conflict between Larry and Victor concerning Larry’s first love, Meredith Lord, (Victor’s daughter))  The stumbling block to my “involving Larry more concept” is that I am not under contract and therefore not used in the same way contracted actors are used.

A story line I had actually submitted some years ago (during Viki’s marital troubles with Clint) was to have Viki turn to her brother-in-law (Larry) for comfort and friendship and support during her crises.  This relationship would – gradually – turn into a romantic one and eventually Larry and Viki would marry.  Of course, then Clint would come back “reformed” and a three-way conflict would develop.  I still think this would be successful – I know a lot of my older fans would enjoy seeing Larry and Viki stumble through this situation.  (Note: I am Erika Slezak’s biggest fan and I would LOVE to work with her in that situation!) 

I think that there is also a ripe situation to be investigated between Larry (the Old Doctor, oh my God!) and Troy, the young upstart.  Again, without a contract, Larry cannot be involved in any long-term story line.

BANNER:  Have you kept up with the storylines on One Life to Live during your sabbatical from the show?

STORM: It’s very painful for me to watch the show without being involved in it more.  Sally, my wonderful wife, does watch the show and, on occasion, I will watch it with her; but I keep seeing situations in which Larry could be doing something, and he’s not … this is very frustrating.

BANNER:  What is your best memory of your time at One Life to Live?

STORM: I think the very first days of my life on One Life to Live (1969) were the most magical.  I had been “imported” from California, very “wet behind the ears” as an actor.  I was dropped into a cast of absolutely first rate, New York actors and was accepted as one of them.  I immediately started to really learn my craft, thanks to the invaluable help from such talents as Tony Ponzini (Vinnie Wolek, my brother), Dorris Bellack (Anna, my sister), Lee Patterson (Joe Riley), Gillian Spencer (the original Viki), Alan Miller, Patricia Rose, Ellen Holly, Ernie Graves … the list goes on.  I learned more in that first year than I ever thought possible. 

The next period of “magic” was many years later, during the “Karen-Larry” era.  The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.  I loved working with Judith Light and all the other actors on the show at that time.

BANNER:  Have you ever played any other soap role, or entertained the notion of pursuing a different Soap Opera?

STORM: The only other soap I’ve done was a couple of days on “All my Children” when it was first introduced to the country.  The network (ABC) had a few actors from each show, interchanged to help with the inauguration of AMC.  I have chosen not to pursue another soap opera mainly because, after 35 years, I’m pretty much associated with One Life to Live, and proud of it!  Also, if I did join another show, I’d end up burning my bridges to the show I love most.  I don’t want to do that … and there’s always a chance that Dr. Larry will be brought back. (Keeping fingers crossed!)

BANNER: What's new in your personal life?

STORM:  At the moment, my personal life has never been better!  Last September, my daughter, Maggie, was married to a wonderful young man, Trey Gardner, and they are now expecting their first child – AND SALLY’S AND MY FIRST GRANDCHILD – in October of this year!  Can Life get any better than that?  I am also very involved in ceramics and glass blowing.  I have my own studio in which I spend most of my days now … extremely happily!

BANNER:  Many OLTL fans may be surprised that your "show biz" career actually began as a musician

STORM: Yes ... my "show biz" career began with singing and playing a guitar.  Actually, it REALLY began when I was a 16 year old kid in England (where my family moved and lived for two years ... that's another story, tho).  There I came across an old 5-string banjo and, with a couple of buddies who played guitar and bass, we formed a loose trio and played in pubs throughout the south of England!  Made no money but always had beer to drink!  I had takend piano lessons all my childhood so I occasionally tickled the ivories in school concerts and other non-paying venues.

When we moved back to the US, folk music was all the rage.  So I traded in my banjo for a guitar.  I would sing and play in coffee houses throughout the southern part of California.  I met a guy who had a group whose guitar player was being drafted into the War in Vietnam ... I filled in for him and our group became a "local legend" in the San Diego area.

However, I moved up to Los Angeles to attend UCLA and would drive down to San Diego on weekends to perform and earn a few dollars.  Eventually, my partner, Tom Drake, and I set off on our own and formed a duo called "The Other Singers". Tom moved to Los Angeles and together we worked all the old folk hangouts and cafes.  It was at the Troubadour in LA that some people from the Andy Williams Show saw us and asked us to form a group of 10 kids to replace the New Christy Minstrels who had left Andy's show after one season.  Tom and I then got our friends together and formed the Good Time Singers ... we performed on the Andy Williams Show for 3 seasons and, when the studio was dark, we traveled around the country, working state fair dates and college concerts and nightclubs from New York to Washington State.

I was with the Good Time singers for about 5 years then was offered a job on a local dance show (on TV), which was a bit like American Bandstand.  This was great fun and a nice paycheck and then, as these things happen, the show was canceled.  (It was called "The New Lloyd Thaxton Show" and had weekly guest performers like Simon and Garfunkle, the Beach Boys, the Mamas and Papas, Rolling Stones, and other big names of the time).

After that, I worked on "Swinging Country" which was a precursor of "Hee Haw" and there I met and worked with Roy Clark.  He seems to have done pretty well for himself!  A truly great guy, and magnificent talent.  

Then, one day, my brother called from New York.  He was working on "One Life to Live" as Doctor Larry!  He was not a happy camper and wanted to leave the show and travel, so he mentioned my name to the producer ... she contacted my agent and after a quick audition, I was hired, replacing Jim (my brother) and beginning a 35-year long run on that show.

I still play the guitar and piano, but hardly ever in public.  I'm afraid I'm very rusty these days ... I don't practice enough ... but I have many different interests to keep me busy.

Thanks again, Lucy ... this has really been fun for me -- reminiscing like this.  Oh ... Tom and I made several albums as "The Other Singers" and a couple with the Good Time Singers.  These are real collectors' items ... and very primitive, technically, compared with the new forms of recording these days!

Want to see more of Dr. Larry (Michael Storm)  on One Life to Live?  

Voice your feelings by writing to:

OLTL Stars:
One Life to Live
c/o ABC-TV
56 West 66th St.
New York, NY 10023

OLTL Execs:

OLTL Head Writer: Josh Griffith

OLTL Executive Producer:  Frank Valentini

ABC Daytime President:  Brian Frons

One Life to Live
c/o ABC-TV
77 West 66th St.
New York, NY 10023

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