A Real Hero

Daytime Loses One of Its Most Popular Stars With the Departure of A Martinez

by Kim Bertolett, 1992

Thanks to Anne in Australia!

As one of the soap world's leading men, fans will sorely miss the suave and handsome A.  Not to fret, because you'll be able to catch him every week in his new role on L.A. Law.

    Daytime will lose one of its real stars to prime-time when perennial favorite A Martinez (Cruz) joins the cast of the critically acclaimed L.A. Law.  To say that A is a gentleman in every sense of the word would be an understatement.  He's an actor who gives more of himself both on-screen and off than most.  A is not only a gifted actor, but an incredibly generous human being.  While Santa Barbara fans and press alike were devastated at A's decision to depart the fledging soap, there wasn't one person who begrudged him the opportunity he so rightly deserved.  That, in and of itself, says a whole lot about the man.  "This show has meant more to me than anything in my career and I count it as a major event in my life.  Santa Barbara has changed and nurtured me in a really wonderful way.  I can't even imagine where I'm supposed to put the feelings that come with leaving," he says with sincere sadness.

    With the addition of Pam Long as SB's head-writer, A has enjoyed a new recommitment to his character, making his choice to leave even tougher.  "I'm enjoying myself immensely here right now.  The show has really come back to life in a major way.  It's a gas to get to do Pam Long's stuff every day.  It's more fun than I can remember it being in quite a while."

    The role of Cruz Castillo became one of the most popular and unforgettable heroes in the history of daytime, thanks to A's superb acting ability.  He also became one-half of the most memorable super couple since General Hospital's Luke and Laura (Tony Geary and Genie Francis), with co-star Marcy Walker (ex-Eden).  The unyielding magic the two created whenever they shared the screen was a gift to all who tuned in.  Though he's recently shared some steamy scenes with Eileen Davidson (Kelly), long-time fans will always remember the special chemistry he shared with Marcy.  "It was certainly a challenge to get back to having any magic.  That's what you seek, especially after you've been able to taste as much of it as I got to taste working with Marcy," admits A.

Weren't those scenes heartbreaking when Cruz saw Suzanne (Marcy Walker) for the first time?  A has the ability to make you feel the emotion along with the character.  He is one of the best there is.

    Before joining the cast in 1984, A had serious doubts about becoming a member of a daytime drama, but couldn't feel more blessed that he did.  "I had to be talked into doing this.  I was ignorant of the possibilities completely.  Thank God there were people around me that were smarter than I was," he recalls without trepidation.  A will be the first to tell you that it was no picnic at the beginning, due to the volume of material a daytime drama pumps out.  However, once they threw him into a scene with Marcy Walker, he began to breathe a sigh of relief and really enjoy himself.  He considers some of his early work with Marcy among his most memorable work on the show.  "The first thing that struck me was the first time I genuinely laughed in front of the camera, thanks to the ease I felt working with Marcy and some of the beautiful things she surprised me with in the middle of a scene," he remembers with affection.  "I was actually able to experience a genuine moment of delight while the cameras were rolling, as opposed to going through the technical rituals of seeming to laugh."

There was no one like the duo of A and Marcy Walker (ex-Eden).  They had a chemistry that no other couple on daytime ever had!

    A leaves the show on a positive note with his third Emmy nomination and the many awards he's won.  He joins the cast of one of nighttime's most critically acclaimed award winning shows in L.A. Law, A is no stranger to the show, he once played a convicted felon who died in a gas chamber.  It's no wonder the producers of the show called on him once more, after his prior heart wrenching performance.  However, this time he'll be on the right side of the law in a role he knows almost nothing about, so you'll just have to tune in this fall.  If he has any expectations, it's simply that, "I think the writing will be great.  The level they strive to reach is so high and the amount of energy that is expended in the pursuit of it is phenomenal -- truly inspiring."

    A will be sorely missed, not just on the show, but in the daytime arena.  While it's tough imagining SB without Cruz, it's hard for A as well.  "I can't imagine any place ever feeling as much like home as this place," he smiles with a cracking voice.  He then continues, "I don't know where to begin to tell you how I feel about this.  It's a bittersweet feeling and the sweetness is very sweet (laughing), but the bitterness is very tough, too."

A and wife Leslie have been happily married for several years.  Their kids keep them hopping, which is probably why their plates are full, they need the energy to keep up!

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