Person
Michael Zaslow
Acting · 1942–1998 · Inglewood, California, USA
Biography
Michael Zaslow was born on November 1, 1942 in Inglewood, California and was an actor and writer, best known for his work in daytime dramas, or soap operas. He was married twice, to Joanne Dorian and Susan Hufford, by whom he had two daughters, Helena and Marika. He died on December 6, 1998 in New York City, succumbing to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a nerve-cell disorder better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Michael's Broadway credits included Fiddler on the Roof, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Boccaccio, and Onward Victoria, while he appeared in the films You Light Up My Life, Meteor, and Seven Minutes in Heaven, and guested on numerous primetime series, from Star Trek (1966) to Law and Order (1990). He acted in several soap operas, namely CBS's Search for Tomorrow (1951) and Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (1967), and ABC's One Life to Live (1968), and wrote for NBC's Another World (1964). But he was best known for portraying the manipulative businessman Roger Thorpe on the CBS daytime drama Guiding Light, the longest running dramatic series of any genre, beginning January 25, 1937 on radio, and playing from June 30, 1952 to September 18, 2009 on television. Michael received four Emmy nominations playing the villainous Roger Thorpe from 1971 to 1980, and again from 1989 to 1997, and garnered a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1994 for the role. He was a favorite of both critics and fans.
Known for

Law & Order
Ben Hollings

Star Trek
Darnell

The Love Boat
Jim Pickett

Falcon Crest
Michael West

Lou Grant
1977

Star Trek: First Contact
Eddie (uncredited)

The Comedy Factory
Phil

Breakfast at Tiffany's
Party Guest (uncredited)
The Long, Hot Summer
Shad Taney

Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
Dr. Peter Chernak
Filmography
- 1996Star Trek: First ContactEddie (uncredited)
- 1993Woman on the LedgeTed
- 1990Law & OrderBen Hollings
- 1986Seven Minutes in HeavenBob Becker
- 1985The Comedy FactoryPhil
- 1982King's CrossingJonathan Hadary
- 1981Falcon CrestMichael West
- 1979MeteorSam Mason
- 1977The Love BoatJim Pickett
- 1977Lou Grant
- 1977You Light Up My LifeChris Nolan
- 1967Love Is a Many Splendored ThingDr. Peter Chernak
- 1966Star TrekDarnell
- 1965The Long, Hot SummerShad Taney
- 1965The Silent CrisisJack (voice)
- 1961Breakfast at Tiffany'sParty Guest (uncredited)
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