274: Kevin Spirtas – Navigating Fame, Love, Loss, and Hollywood

He may be an actor, broadway star, and producer, but that doesn't
mean he is immune from the every day challenges of love, fame, and
loss. In this candid interview, Kevin Spirtas shares insights of
being a gay man in limelight and how he learned to unhide himself.
About Kevin KEVIN SPIRTAS has become one of
Hollywood's most watched talents. From Broadway Star, to TV
Heartthrob… From his humble beginnings on Broadway at age 18 in A
Chorus Line, to ‘standby’ for Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz—
Spirtas is most recognized around the world for his eight year
stint as Dr. Craig Wesley from NBC/peacock Daytime Drama: Days of
Our Lives, as well as the cult classic film sequels: Friday the
13th – Part VII: The New Blood, and Wes Craven’s: The Hills Have
Eyes – Part II. Before departing the soap in 2000, Spirtas had
great fun playing his DAYS character opposite Matt LeBlanc’s ‘Dr.
Drake Ramory’ on FRIENDS: The One That Could Have Been- Part 1. In
2008 the 30-year acting veteran produced the NY Shakespeare
Festival reading-presentation of Don Cummings’: A Good Smoke,
starring Academy Award winning actress, Meryl Streep, and directed
by Tony Award winning director, Pam McKinnon. Shortly thereafter in
2009, Spirtas made his debut as a Broadway producer on the
critically acclaimed revival of Finian’s Rainbow, and in 2012 he
co-produced the hit Broadway musical: Priscilla…Queen of the
Desert. As Spirtas’ success as a Broadway producer blossomed, and
grew, his passion for acting, never stopped. In 2014, after running
into Days Of Our Lives alum, Michael Slade in a New York gym, the
two set out to create the critically acclaimed 6 x Emmy Award
Winning Digital Drama Series: AFTER FOREVER… A story about love,
loss, and new beginnings. In 2019, AFTER FOREVER– Season 1 made
history by becoming the first LGBTQ-themed drama series to win six
Emmy awards across any platform. Spirtas received an Emmy for
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Drama, along with 3 additional
Emmys that he shares with Slade for Outstanding Digital Drama
Series 2019 and Outstanding Writing Team for a Digital Drama 2019
and 2020. No matter how many Emmys Spirtas has, it’s pretty safe to
bet that AFTER FOREVER just might have been the very inspiration
for Days of Our Lives Writers to have his character, Dr. Craig
Wesley return to Salem to ‘come out’ of the closet. A full circle
moment for the soap opera character… And Spirtas for sure. AFTER
FOREVER Season 3 - The Final Season, Begins streaming on Amazon
prime late spring 2024. For more information about Spirtas’ career
highlights, and AFTER FOREVER and season three the final season,
you can go to: https://afterforevertheseries.com/ or Kevin Spritas
Connect With Kevin Website - After Forever The Series Website -
Kevin Spirtas Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps
struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling
yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s
time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay
Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at
5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Break free of fears. Make bold moves.
Live life without apologies