Don’t hate Daniel Goddard because he’s beautiful.
It’s not his fault.
As the full-blooded Cane Ashby on daytime-TV’s No. 1 soap opera, The Young and the Restless, Goddard’s breakout performance has made him one of the biggest new stars in the soap’s recent history.
As gorgeous as Goddard is, the Australian is just as talented, which has inflated his currency in the industry. Plus, his sexy accent doesn’t hurt, either.
Simply put, Goddard possesses the visual and soulful panache needed to seduce viewers into submission on a daily basis with his richly imagined performance. Yes, even when his oftentimes-frustrating character, Cane is making the dumbest of choices.
However, the honourable, hilarious, super-loyal and charming bloke is also enthusiastically proud to be a part of Y&R’s superior acting company and rich legacy. So much so, that’s he’s unofficially appointed himself the show’s biggest cheerleader. Sorry Hollywood, Goddard considers Y&R the greenest of pastures. Apparently, he’s got taste, too.
Born in Sydney, Australia, the 38-year-old Leo’s road to soap stardom was almost interrupted when he nearly completed a finance degree. Listening to his heart’s desire, Goddard transferred to the Ensemble Actors Studio at the last minute. And just like that, there was no turning back. His fate had been sealed.
After graduating, Goddard almost immediately booked Australian soap opera, Home and Away, as Eric Phillips.
With his soap stint behind him, Goddard jumped off the proverbial cliff and packed his things for the bright lights and brighter dreams of Hollywood.
He worked as a model for such respected designers as Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana before landing the lead role of Dar on Beast Master.
TVGuide.ca spoke with one of our favourite actors in the business about his impossibly dreamy looks, impressive acting chops, whether he wears boxers or briefs, and, of course, what’s in store for Cane and Lily.
TVG: Congratulations on your new arrival! Were you in the delivery room when Ford (now 2) and your newborn, Sebastian, made their debuts?
Daniel Goddard: Boy, was I ever. I took the most awesome pictures, man. Rachael had a C-section. I put on a prime lens on my camera and I shot 36 rolls of film during the birth. I got every picture — from her walking into the hospital, to the doctor with a scalpel in her stomach, to the baby’s head in her lap! [Laughs] I wasn’t allowed to look into her intestines or ovaries or anything like that, though.
TVG: Thank God.
DG: [Laughs] They asked me if I wanted to see her ovaries and insides, but I declined because that image would have killed my sex drive.
TVG: And we wouldn’t want that. How did Rachael feel about that?
DG: She didn’t want a camera near her insides.
TVG: Smart woman. I have to say you heterosexual people are weird! [Laughs] Are you planning to unveil a photography exhibit titled “Inside My Wife” in the near future?
DG: I could, but won’t. However, you know my passion is photography and I’ve travelled all over the world shooting homeless people. So yeah, one day I would love to display my work in a gallery.
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TVG: Where did you meet your wife, Rachael?
DG: I like to say I met her at a gun club. No, I’m only kidding. I met Rach at this L.A. restaurant I was working at. Moments before she walked into the restaurant, I was remarking to one of the waiters that there were no girls in L.A. that make you go “wow,” and then she walked in. I pointed to Rachael and said, “Women like that.” She was doing a PR event at the restaurant for this jazz musician at the time. She later admitted she positioned herself in my section, so we could meet. Of course, I asked her out. The rest is history. It’s been all rock ‘n’ roll ever since. We’ve been together for almost 10 years.
TVG: Any more kids?
DG: I think we’re done now. But who knows?
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TVG: Especially with Chloe hanging around! When did you fall in love with photography?DG: You know how actors want to be musicians, and vice versa? Well, if I couldn’t be an actor I would be a photojournalist. I got my first camera when I was 13. I learned how everything worked, and most important, understood the dynamics of the camera from the shutter to the f-stop. I just bought a phenomenal camera, so I’m in heaven right now. I think I’m a better photographer than I am an actor.
TVG: Well, then you must be a really crappy photographer! [Laughs] Sorry, you walked into that one, mister…
DG: [Laughs] You bastard!
TVG: Is your house a homage to your photography?
DG: It’s full of portraits of people I’ve taken throughout my worldly travels, but Rachael doesn’t want our home to be full of homeless people, because it kind of gets depressing. I also have a lot of Iraqi pictures up, too. But my best work is up, yeah. We instituted a family picture wall to balance it all out.
TVG: Why are you so passionate and concerned about homelessness? [Click on the pictures above to see more photos from Daniel.]
DG: When I first moved to L.A. there were so many homeless people, and that really blew my mind. To understand what it’s like to literally have nothing — no home or safe haven to go to; no memories to hold on to… well, it’s incredibly sad. From there, I became fascinated with how homeless people cope. There were some parallels, not as extreme, mind you, when I arrived in the country. It’s bizarre, really. To be homeless is socially unacceptable. And my work reflects that. In New York City, you could be homeless in the middle of the sidewalk and people will just walk all over you as if you don’t exist. And this is America!
TVG: Cane’s cousin, Mackenzie Browning, was homeless at one point. You visit Toronto a lot; you’re practically an honoree citizen. How was your last visit here?
DG: Canadians are fun. It was a kick-ass experience. I always do a Q&A when I’m there because I like to hear the fans’ viewpoints. I almost missed my flight back to L.A. the last time I visited because I wouldn’t leave until every fan received a picture and an autograph. I’m coming back in May, so stay tuned.
TVG: Are Canadian Y&R fans different than American viewers?
DG: There is a difference, especially in the demographics. Y&R fans in Canada are much younger. In America, Y&R fans have been watching the show all their lives. Americans [inherit] their soap habits from their families. Conversely, in Canada you hear a lot of, “I just started watching Y&R a couple of years ago on my own.”
TVG: I’ve seen a resurgence in Y&R appearances in Canada in the past year despite the audience dwindling in America.
DG: Our show is really well written. There is a solid intertwining of storylines that give birth to new stories. And people are responding. Cane and Chloe’s storyline may frustrate viewers because she got him drunk and lied to him about having his baby. However, when Cane finds out the baby’s not his, not only does he lose the family he sacrificed everything for; but he also loses his brother. As actors, we’re all really excited to play all the beats and ramifications down the road. These days, there’s always payoff. I’m grateful. Life is good. Really good.
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TVG: What’s it like working with that wildcat Billy Miller [Billy]?
DG: Thanks to Billy, I have one more to person to play off of, which is very rewarding as an actor. Cane has a different dynamic with Lily, Chloe, Billy, and his family, so there is lots to play with as an actor. I love working with Billy. We’ve become really good friends, but we’re also really competitive in our scenes. [Laughs] We both try to one-up each other and that makes for a more dynamic scene. I adore his work ethic and commitment. He’s awesome.
TVG: Is Billy the beast, and Cane the master?
DG: I don’t know if I’d put it that way, but Cane and Billy’s rivalry is a carefully constructed battle to the death! I love it.
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TVG: Are fans warming up to Cane and Chloe’s “love” story?
DG: I have to be honest, wherever I go, 95 per cent of the audience wants Cane with Lily.
TVG: So Cane and Lily are the end game?
DG: If I was a betting man, I would say yes. I say that because of the way Y&R is writing our storyline currently. The way it looks from a mathematical perspective, Cane and Lily will probably reunite. Let’s face it: the fans are crazy about them. |
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TVG: Is the cast and crew happy these days, thanks to Ave Maria’s leadership?
DG: Man, we’re smiling from ear to ear. Having the Bells back at the helm has infused new life in to the show. Listen, 80 per cent of our cast worked with Bill Bell Sr. We’ve returned to our roots, and by doing so, success was imminent.
TVG: You’re the only good thing former head writer Lynn Marie Latham ever did on Y&R.
DG: Thank you. My biggest problem is I think and analyze every scene and word of dialogue to death. When a writer creates a story and builds a scene, I take my job seriously to respect the sanctity of the character. I try to find the conflict in each scene. I love the show so much that I read our entire scripts cover to cover. You never know what juicy morsel you may find to work with in other people’s storylines. What I love about soaps, as opposed to film work, is that it’s like life. You’re flying by the seat of your pants. [In life, there are no rehearsals.] You have no idea where you are headed as a character or actor. In film, there’s a beginning, middle and end. In soaps, anything is possible. That’s exciting as an actor. And if you knew how many of our unforgettable performances are done in just one take, well, man you’d be shocked. You know what? There is solid acting in soaps. I’m very proud to be working in this genre.
TVG: Does your family watch Y&R Down Under? Genoa City is very popular in Australia.
DG: Before Y&R, my mum and dad never watched a soap opera in their life. After I was cast, they started watching and said: “I suppose you could say we’re hooked.”
TVG: They better be hooked.
DG: My mum can’t watch the love scenes, though.
TVG: Me neither! Do you like taping sex scenes?
DG: I don’t love or hate them. For me, it’s all about how any scene applies to the character and their inner life. One could argue a breakup scene is more challenging as an actor, but then again, the way a character makes love to their love interest can also say a lot about their relationship. Actions sometimes speak louder than words. Cane would break up with a girl the same way he makes love to her. That’s how analytical I am!
TVG: Let’s test how well you know Cane. Does the former Aussie bar back hang to the right or left?
DG: To the left — long and low. [Laughs]
TVG: Our readers need to know: do you wear boxers or briefs?
DG: Neither. I’m commando, dude, all the way.
TVG: Good answer. I know you never watched Y&R before, but you know your Genoa City history backwards and forwards.
DG: I think it’s important to immerse yourself in your character’s history, as well as the show’s. As my character became more entrenched in the canvas, I learned everything I could about the Chancellors, etc. You need to know who the players are.
TVG: Do you think Cane was qualified to act as CEO of Jabot?
DG: I think he was and still is — and I’ll tell you why. Cane’s a smart cookie. Yes, he’s been practically [raped] twice by two women [Amber and Chloe], but most people, who are survivors and capable of making it through life on their own without their parents, are smart humans. Cane’s a survivor. Also, growing up with his Uncle Langley taught him how to deal with the Victors and Jacks of the world. He’s loyal to his family, but anyone else, [screw] you.
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TVG: Cane has done a better job at telling his mother, Jill, to back off when he was CEO than his mother has done with Katherine.
DG: That was difficult for me because I didn’t want Cane to look like he was being disrespectful to his mother. At the end of the day, however, either Jill trusts Cane or she doesn’t. As you can imagine, trust is a serious topic with Cane.
TVG: I’m still dying to find out Cane’s back story.
DG: It’s nice that there’s still some mystery attached to Cane’s life. As an actor, it’s comforting to know that there’s still a lot more story to tell with Cane. I’m dying to find out if Cane knows that Katherine inadvertently killed his father, Phillip. I’m not sure if Cane knows that. When Cane learns that the woman who gave him away as a baby, also killed his father… well, it’s going to be awesome to watch play out. I thought when Cane screamed, “What about me? What about me?” at Jill and Katherine earlier last year that the writers were going to reveal that juicy tidbit, but they didn’t. That fact of life would make Cane a very angry man.
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TVG: No one should drive in Genoa City because it always ends in death. Phillip, Phillip Jr., Sabrina and Marge… I wouldn’t mind Lily finding herself behind the wheel of a car soon, though. [Laughs]DG: Be nice! [Laughs] Your support for the Cane-Lily romance has been inspiring. [Sarcastically] Really, it has. We appreciate it!
TVG: [cringes] Let’s talk about Jeanne Cooper. Winning the Emmy this past summer was the best thing to ever happen to her. She’s doing the work of her career right now. How impressed are you guys with her recent performances? She’s kicking major ass-ola.
DG: I know — you predicted she’d win this year. I was shocked to find out Jeanne was Emmy-less before that night. She’s been there 36 years and she’s an iconic actor, so I was shocked. There are times when I thought, “Oh, Jeanne’s forgotten her lines,” but I quickly realized that she takes her time with the material to pull her co-star into the moment organically. Then, Jeanne unleashes the kicker in the scene — and she gets you. Every time. She’s sooo good.
TVG: Speaking of the Emmys, CBS got a lot of flack for “hijacking” ABC’s telecast by repeatedly mentioning Y&R as the No. 1 show in daytime. Did you receive any flack because you were one of the actors who shamelessly cheered on your show?
DG: We are No. 1. It’s a fact. We’re all proud of what we at Y&R have accomplished. It wasn’t said out of spite. It was said out of pride. This is a team sport. There are no stars on this show because everyone’s a star on this soap.
TVG: Some brighter and more beautiful than others.
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Nelson Branco is a Toronto freelance entertainment journalist, who regularly contributes to Hello! Canada, The National Post, The Los Angeles Times' theenvelope.com, TV Guide USA, tvguide.com, Inside Entertainment, OUT, and fab magazine, along with spearheading the soap coverage for TVGuide.ca's popular daytime TV hub. After graduating from Ryerson University in 1997, he moved from Toronto to New York in 1998 to take on the roles as senior news editor at Soap Opera Update. Branco first freelanced for Soap Opera Weekly as an intern in 1994, and after leaving Soap Update to help create and launch Bauer Publishing's In Touch Weekly in 2003, Branco continued to freelance occasionally for its sister publication, Soaps In Depth. Most recently, he helped create and launch Canada's first celebrity magazine, Weekly Scoop in 2005 as its news and entertainment director. Branco is also a contributor to a new TV show titled Planet Soap to air in Canada and America.
