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