From December 17, 2002 Soap Opera Digest
JUST THE FACTS
Not many actors revel in ego-busting unemployment. Call BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL's
Michael Dietz (Mark) the exception: During his two-plus-year dry spell
between PORT CHARLES (ex-Joe) and his new B&B gig, the East Coast native
adopted a positive attitude. "For most actors, [unemployment] may kill them,
but to me, it was like school," he smiles. "I learned so much, and more of
my life changed than ever before. I don't think that would have happened had
I stayed on PC."
An original cast member of the soap, Dietz sensed it was time to go before
the ax fell in 1999. "I don't think I would have renewed my contract," he
says. "I went right from GUIDING LIGHT [as the third adult Alan-Michael] to
PC, and I needed a break from daytime. What I missed the most was going
somewhere and seeing my [PC] friends. We had a really good camaraderie there.
All of our dressing rooms were on the third floor, and it was like a college
fraternity."
As proof that there were no hard feelings, Dietz still dropped by his old
stomping grounds - even after his role went to David Gail. "I would show up,
and they would still let me on-set," laughs Dietz. "I'd go right up to Jay's
[Pickett, Frank] dressing room and hang out; it was like I never left. I
don't think the producers were fond of it - that's why I stopped going."
In between occasional guest-star work (CHARMED, THE DREW CAREY SHOW and a
never-aired episode of the defunct WASTELAND), Dietz used his downtime for
some much-needed introspection. "When you're an actor who is not working,
you can do one of two things," he explains. "You can sit around and agonize
about the next audition, or you can realize that you're not just an actor, in
the sense that that's not all you are. So, I started to ask myself, 'What
else am I? What do I have to offer?' I've read more books than I ever read in
my life. I feel like I matured and learned more in those couple of years than
I ever had. I think that's when everything good happened to me."
Including meeting actress Paige Rowland (ex-Kit, ALL MY CHILDREN). Despite
their similar employment situations - or perhaps because of them - their
relationship flourished. "We spent the first year-and-a-half with neither
one of us working," Dietz chuckles. "We were together 24/7 and never really
argued. In the beginning, we went through a lot of challenges - finances,
living together, unemployment - and we dealt with them beautifully. Luckily,
I had an Oil of Olay commercial running, so we survived off of that. I don't
know any couple who has spent more time with each other. We're the best of
friends."
The couple married last April on her family's Southern estate, a plunge that
bowled over the actor's friends. "A lot of my friends thought I was the kind
of guy who would never settle down, but I couldn't wait," he laughs. "Being
single to me was being in limbo. I enjoyed my single life; I mean, you might
as well make the best of it. I have no regrets with anything I've done in the
past. I feel that I went through all the experiences I did to meet the person
I'm supposed to spend the rest of my life with, and that's Paige."
Paige and, now, Madison Michaela - the newlyweds became parents in September.
"Being a father is still in the surreal stage," he chuckles. "It hasn't
quite sunk in. The big joke between Paige and me is that we're just
babysitting and waiting for the parents to come pick her up. There are times
when I walk around the house, stop and go 'Oh, my God! That's our daughter!'
Fatherhood is fantastic. It's like a time-release capsule of happiness.
First, you're amazed at the birth; then, you bring them home; then, they
start looking at you and smiling; then, they're talking and walking; then,
before you know it comes the ballet recital. It's the greatest gift in the
world."
He appreciates his job on B&B, too (even if it comes with a sense of deja vu
- see "Doctor, Doctor"). "I couldn't have put together a better job," smiles
Dietz. "I appreciate daytime more now than ever. The people are great here,
and I live only 15 minutes from the studio. PC didn't air in [my hometown of]
Pittsburgh, but B&B does. Now, all my family and friends can watch me.
Everything has fallen in place, and I've never been happier."
Doctor, Doctor
As Dr. Joe...
As Dr. Mark...
----------------------------
Additionally, from SOD Online...
The Right Environment
"The Bold and the Beautiful's" Michael Dietz (Mark MacClaine) discusses his
other career.
Michael Dietz's dad Frank lives in Antigua, but father and son are keeping
close on an important project: a children's animated series about ecological
awareness for television. "My dad created these cartoon characters that I'm
trying to help him launch into a show," the younger Dietz explains. "They're
called the Eco-Squad, and there's nothing like them for kids out there. I
think it's brilliant. There's H20 the detective, and he can go into water and
ice looking for clues, and LitterBit is a big garbage bag with eyes. The bad
guys are Enviro-Menace, he's this big steel drum oozing with poisonous
waste and there's Toxi, a big blob with a trenchcoat and a hat that just
glides around. We hope this can become not only a cartoon show but
environmental stamps, toys and dolls."
Back to Articles.
Birthday: February 10
Hails From: Pittsburgh, PA
All In A Name: Stanley (middle); Dieto, Dieter, Dieterbrauken (nicknames
courtesy of friend Antonio)
Junk Food Faves: Tombstone pizzas, Diet Coke and chocolate peanut butter
Haagen-Dazs ice cream
Most Interesting Non-Acting Job: Marketing director for a dating service
For Added Flavor: "I put hot sauce on everything. My dad sends me this sauce
from Antigua that I can't find anywhere else. It's hotter than hell, and I'm
addicted to it. Zantac usually follows."
Strings Attached: "I've played guitar for 15 years now. I have a little
studio in my house, and a friend and I write music."
"It's my third time playing a doctor," chuckles Michael Dietz, who first
portrayed one as Greg on BEVERLY HILLS, 90210. "I even played a paramedic on
THE DREW CAREY SHOW. I'm starting to think that maybe I was supposed to be
working in the medical field." At least wardrobe is a cinch: Dietz looks
great in a white coat and scrubs.
His next tour of duty was on PC as Joe (1997-99). "I still get comments from
people about the first episode, when he drilled into somebody's skull with a
power tool," Dietz laughs.
"On my first episode, Mark had to perform an emergency tracheotomy," says
Dietz, as B&B's Dr. MacClaine. "They threw me into the action, but it was a
great introduction for the character. I really like him."