On Beverly Hills 90210, we sporadically saw the parents of Brian Austin Green’s David.
Mel Silver was played by Matthew Laurance and Shelia Silver was played by Caroline Lagerfelt.
Know where else we’ve seen ’em?
Laurance appeared on two episodes of One Tree Hill in season 2 as a doctor–though I feel like we saw him more than that. I’m also pretty sure he had an uncredited appearance on Gossip Girl.
Lagerfelt plays CeCe on Gossip Girl, Lily’s mom.
Wonder where they’ll pop up next…
Famous family aside, Randy Spelling made his own name for himself by playing not one but two (!) characters on Beverly Hills 90210.
In our exclusive interview, Randy reflects on growing up in the public eye and how acting remains in his heart, even after a career change.
TeenDramaWhore: On Beverly Hills 90210, you started off with a bit part in the season 3 summer episodes. You then transitioned to the character of Ryan, brother to Ian Ziering’s Steve. Who’s idea was it to change and expand role?
Randy Spelling: I started in 90210 playing Kenny, the assistant to Henry [James Pickens Jr.] at the Beverly Hills Beach Club. My dad [Aaron Spelling] and sister [Tori Spelling] thought it would be fun for me to see if I liked acting or not. Being 13 years old and in 8th grade, I got onto set and when I realized there was so much waiting around in between shots, I was so bored!! I just wanted to be a kid and play, not wait around all day to say one line! When I was actually serious about acting and had already been on another show for NBC called “Malibu Shores,” a part came up that was my age for Steve’s brother. It was a natural fit and people weren’t too worried about anyone remembering me as Kenny, the geeky beach club assistant.
TDW: You appeared in less than 20 episodes but had some weighty storylines: dropping out of college, teen sex, family relationships, etc. One of the most memorable for me was the episode where your character got alcohol poisoning after drinking too much (Episode 6.26, Smashed). Do you have a favorite storyline or episode?
Spelling: I did have some weighty story lines in 90210. That is what I loved about the show, because even though it was a soap-style primetime serial, 90210 really tried to address lots of issues that were and still are relevant to what kids go through. I grew up watching 90120 and I learned some very important things from it. I could never master the coolness of Dylan McKay [Luke Perry] though! My favorite story line that I did was the one where I came home from school to visit Steve and Janet [Lindsay Price] and lied to them about how school was and what was really going on [ed. note: Episode 10.19, I Will Be Your Father Figure] . I thought that in order to fit in and be accepted, I needed to do what was expected of me. Ryan let the pressure get to him and he rebelled until, with Steve’s support, he went back to school [ed. note: Episode 10.20, Ever Hear The One About The Exploding Father?]. It was fun to transition from the little brother who always got told what to do into more of a man where I rebelled and made my own decisions. It was also fun yelling at Ian!
TDW: You had very few scenes with your real-life sister, Tori. Was this done purposefully?
Spelling: It wasn’t on purpose that my character didn’t have many scenes with my sister’s character, our story lines just didn’t cross that much. It was really comfortable though when we were in scenes together.
TDW: You and Tori essentially grew up on the show, as it lasted for 10 years. What is it like having that kind of record of your life?
Spelling: We did grow up for 10 years on the show, more for Tori than for me. It is funny to have that record of your life on film. But it is just like a song that you hear on the radio and it brings you back to a certain situation you were in. When I think back to one of those episodes, it brings me back to where I was at the time.
TDW: Do you keep in touch with any of the cast?
Spelling: I do not keep in touch with any of the cast. I was good friends with [Brian Austin Green, David]. We talk every once in a while; that is about it.
TDW: How do you think being on 90210 prepared you for your leading role on Sunset Beach?
Spelling: 90210 prepared me for my role on Sunset Beach only by watching the cast and their professionalism. Working on a primetime series is so very different from daytime. One is shot on film, one is shot on tape. When I got used to doing daytime where we shot one episode, about 70 pages a day, it felt so slow to go back on 90210 where we did 7 pages a day!
TDW: Do you watch the new 90210? What do you think your dad would say about it?
Spelling: I do not watch the new 90210. I watched the first couple of episodes. I liked it and I saw a lot of similarities to the old one, but much racier and current. My dad would have liked it but I think he would be shocked at first about how much further they could take certain story lines and relationships then they did back in the first one.
TDW: What do you think is 90210’s legacy in the world of television and/or teen dramas?
Spelling: I think 90210 really paved the way for what a teen high school drama show is all about. From high school, into college and then after, 90210 showed what it was like growing up and what a rite of passage was all about. I was shocked when I heard they were remaking it. I thought it was pretty remarkable considering BH 90210 just went of the air in 2000. That is impressive and shows how popular it really was.
TDW: You made a massive career change. How did that come about and why? Can you explain what exactly you do now?
Spelling: I now currently work as a life coach. I grew up in an entertainment family and from early on, I figured that was all I could ever do. I have always loved spirituality, psychology and the way that people work and function. After my dad passed away, I looked around and realized that I wasn’t being fulfilled spiritually as much as I wanted to be. Someone suggested life coaching. I took a seminar to see if it was something I was interested in. I figured, I will sign up for 2-year schooling, [and] even if I don’t become a life coach, the skills would be amazing to possess. It is a rigorous self-exploration process as well. In the midst of working with people, I realized how much I love working with other people, facilitating them to find happiness, peace and purpose as well as helping them shift certain things that were holding them back. To be a part of someone else’s journey in this way and to reflect their light back unto them is what I am passionate about! I help empower people to find what it is that is in their heart. If there are blocks or things holding them back, we identify them and move through them so they can be their full potential. My coaching can help with relationships, career, life purpose, spirituality, feeling stuck, addiction, etc… You can find out more at www.randyspelling.com.
TDW: Would you ever go back to acting?
Spelling: Acting is something that is in my heart and such a fun, creative outlet. I will never close the door on acting because it is fun for me. There is a possibility of seeing me on screen again, as long as it is something I am passionate about. My philosophy is this: If I feel passionate about something or if it sounds fun, then that is where I will gravitate towards. These two things are my compass that guides me in life.
Come back this Tuesday at noon for a special exclusive, an interview with 90210’s newest cast member.
And don’t forget: 90210’s second season premieres Tuesday at 8pm eastern. I’ll be live-blogging it!
They may have been young when they first entered the teen drama world, but many of the actors had careers in the industry already.
This week I’ll go show-by-show to highlight what some of them were on before they were teen drama stars.
TODAY: Beverly Hills 90210
JASON PRIESTLEY (Brandon)
Seven episodes of Sister Kate.
SHANNEN DOHERTY (Brenda)
Starring role on Little House on the Prairie and Our House.
IAN ZIERING (Steve)
Had a recurring role from 1986-1988 on one of my favorite non-teen drama shows, Guiding Light.
LUKE PERRY (Dylan)
Was in several episodes of Loving and Another World.
BRIAN AUSTIN GREEN (David)
Appeared on seven episodes of Knots Landing.
Was in one episode of Good Morning Miss Bliss, AKA Saved by the Bell: The Junior High Years (pre-Tiffani Amber Thiessen).
GABRIELLE CARTERIS (Andrea)
Several episodes of Another World.
Was in CBS and ABC “after school specials.”
TIFFANI AMBER THIESSEN (Valerie)
Kelly on Saved by the Bell. Duh!
KATHLEEN ROBERTSON (CLARE)
Starring role on Maniac Mansion.
LINDSAY PRICE (Janet)
Recurring roles on Days of Our Lives, All My Children and The Bold & The Beautiful.
DANIEL COSGROVE (Matt)
Recurring role on All My Children.
VANESSA MARCIL (Gina)
Starring role on General Hospital.
Come back tomorrow for part 2!
Michael Cudlitz had a recurring role as Tony Miller during the first few seasons of Beverly Hills 90210. Since his days of jock straps and proms with Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty), Cudlitz has appeared in a number of programs including Band of Brothers, Prison Break, 24 and CSI. Cudlitz now stars alongside Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan, The O.C.) on the NBC cop drama Southland.
Cudlitz was generous enough to answer a few questions via e-mail about his teen drama experiences.
TeenDramaWhore: You starred in 11 episodes of 90210, and your character is perhaps best-remembered for taking Brenda (Shannen Doherty) to the prom. Do you have a favorite 90210 scene or memory from your time on the show?
Michael Cudlitz: I think it was 14 episodes… but I could be mistaken. [ed. note: IMDB says 11] At the time, I was also the construction coordinator on the show. So my good memories, go beyond just acting in the show. My favorite memory would have to be the first prom [ed. note: episode 1.20, Spring Dance], before I was cast on the show. We were working at the Universal Hilton and the cast was being housed in the hotel. Let’s just say, the hot tubs were full and the bathing suits were scant.
TDW: You were last seen in the premiere of season 4. Was there a possibility of continuing on or, at least, interest on your part to do so?
Cudlitz: At the time I was starring with Ben Affleck in my own series “Against the Grain.” So leaving the show was a very logical progression.
TDW: Are you still in touch with any of the 90210 cast members?
Cudlitz: Yes. I’m very close with Luke Perry [Dylan]. I bump into Brian [Austin Green, David], Jason [Priestley, Brandon] & [Gabrielle Carteris, Andrea] periodically. And I share mutual friends with Mrs. [Jennie] Garth [Kelly].
TDW: Are you still recognized for your role?
Cudlitz: Absolutely…….. Up until “Band of Brothers” I thought my tombstone would read “Here lies Michael Cudlitz. Yes, he took Brenda to the prom.”
TDW: What do you think is 90210’s role in television/teen drama history?
Cudlitz: That’s a great question. When the show first started it was nothing more than a teen soap opera. When [Charles] Rosen was brought on as the head writer/show runner, I think he saw an opportunity to deal with actual issues that were affecting teens at the time. Not just just your typical high school teen age “hormonal” crap. He took important issues that teens were facing in all socioeconomic classes, and dealt with them in a very realistic head-on fashion. Trying to explore all sides of the issues and not always having an answer. Because of this, I think it was one of the first shows to realistically deal with what teens actually go through.
TDW: Did you keep up with the show even after your time on it? Did you expect the show to have such longevity–10 years of original episodes, plus countless airings in syndication. Do you watch reruns of the show?
Cudlitz: No, I didn’t keep up with the show. For as good as the show was, eventually the teens grew up, and the show ran it’s course.
TDW: When you were cast on Southland with Ben McKenzie, were you familiar with his role on The O.C.?
Cudlitz: I never saw the O.C. I think I was 40 at the time…. ( not the demographic FOX was looking for….LOL)
TDW: Do you think your respective teen drama experiences give you and Mr. McKenzie something extra in common?
Cudlitz: Sure… that kind of “celebrity” is reserved for rock stars and young people. It is a very humbling, surreal experience. I’m sure for Ben much more than me.
TDW: What can we expect from your character next season on Southland?
Cudlitz: More bad-ass television….( If I told ya. I’d have to kill ya.)
TDW: What other projects are you working on?
Cudlitz: Southland is consuming all my time right now. But, I have some projects that are coming out soon. “Surrogates,” a sci-fi thriller starring Bruce Willis is coming out in September. And I also have completed two indies: “Tenure” starring Luke Wilson, and “Stolen Lives” staring Jon Hamm and Josh Lucas.
Be sure to check out Southland’s season 2 premiere on Friday, September 25.
RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!
Is 90210 ever going to have a summer season like the original did? — Karen
MICKEY: Not this summer. But Season 2’s premiere episode (which is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8th) will reintroduce us to the Beverly Hills Beach Club. As for the boys of summer, there will be plenty come fall. In addition to Teddy, both Annie and Naomi will have summer flings with which to deal, by which I mean “drop them like third-period French.” Their hastiness won’t be good for either of them.
I am super-excited (pun intended) about Brian Austin Green appearing on Smallville! Is there is any chance he will be on for more than two episodes? — Gabriela
MATT: At this juncture, BAG has been tagged for only the first two episodes of Season 9. But your query allows me to share this scooplet about Metallo’s small-screen origin tale: The producers tell me that soon after mild-mannered John Corben begins his “Daily Planet” gig, “his fate takes a horrific twist that will change his destiny forever.” Hmm, would that be Prof. Emmett Vale’s cue?
Are Gossip Girl‘s Serena and Nate going to hook up anytime soon? — Jennifer
MICKEY: Methinks someone — cough, Jennifer, cough — is getting a bit stalkery with this question. At least initially, the answer is (still) no, as Serena and Nate will both be getting BIZ-AY with new love interests in the fall: S. will be courted by a prince among men, while Nate will be busy wooing this lady. (In case you were wondering, JoAnna Garcia will be busy asking herself, “I got canceled for this?”)
RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!
Can we assume that Gossip Girl‘s Serena won’t be attending Brown now that she’s off chasing Daddy Dearest? — Becky
MICKEY: Here’s what Blake Lively told us about Serena’s plans in the wake of being slapped with that paternal jaw-dropper. “She’s thrown for this huge loop,” she says. “There are a lot of things she’s going to find out about her mother and about her background.” In other words, Serena will not be heading to Providence in the fall… but she might not be in New York either.
Do you know if One Tree Hill plans to cast an African-American or other minority in any of the roles being added? — Dee Bee
MATT: Thus far, you’re 0-for-2 on that wish, seeing as Robert Buckley and Shantel VanSanten have been cast as Nathan’s agent and Haley’s sister, Quinn, respectively. As for “Alex” (the supermodel fronting Brooke’s new clothing line), Tree Hill is looking at “all ethnicities,” so there’s some hope there. For what’s it worth, I can offer up this concrete piece of guest casting: NFL legend Jerry Rice will appear as himself in the Sept. 14 season opener.
Is there a shot for the CW to pick up Body Politic as a midseason replacement? From the sneak peeks I’ve seen, it looks like it’s got lots of promise, and I really need a weekly Jason Dohring fix! — Gina
MICKEY: I’m with you, Gina! Body reminds me of the heady mid-’90s, when I actually called Washington, D.C., home (in large part because of the movie St. Elmo’s Fire). My CW mole tells me that the Beltway drama is still in the running for a midseason slot, but that it’s up against the Gossip Girl spin-off, which has a few high-ranking fans in the building.
**Note: Brian Austin Green (David, Beverly Hills 90210) also stars in Body Politic.
TeenDramaWhore 