CHARACTERS STUDY: Actors Offer Insight Into Their Alter Egos

John McCook (Eric, B&B)

- Tom Stacy

After 35 years, what do you like the most about playing Eric?

“I like that he’s a sensitive man, that he is sensitive to the needs of those around him — and not just the women in his life but the men in his life, as well. He is sensitive to other people’s feelings and needs. I like that.”

What do you not like about Eric?

“Well, there is not much I don’t like. I like him even when he makes poor decisions, which he has, and I still like him. There’s nothing about him I don’t like, except maybe those plaid jackets or the country club pocket squares.”

What would you say is his greatest strength and greatest weakness?

“His greatest strength is his sense of duty to both his business and his family. His greatest weakness is love and tenderness with a woman. It’s not about beauty because he deals with beautiful clothes and beautiful models all the time. That doesn’t lead him astray, but he loves tenderness and sweetness and that has a big effect on him. That is a weakness that gets him in trouble.”

Which family member is Eric closest to?

“I’d say Ridge. He’s close to Brooke. He loves her and supports her. He has great history with her and he considers her family, of course, since they do have children together. But I think he is closest of all with Ridge, and they write those scenes for us, and that’s good.”

Besides Eric, of course, who do you think has done the best job of running Forrester Creations?