Excerpts from a Letter from Marilyn, 2001

Marilyn and A at a restaurant in Burbank.  He had just coached/managed Cody's baseball game.  March 1999.

    I'm a friend of A Martinez....I do correspond with A and send letters of support for him. I am baffled, disheartened and angered by the lack of storyline for Roy. And now, too, for Melissa. They are so lucky to have A and Jensen, and it's maddening that they don't seem to realize that.

    I had dinner with A shortly before he had decided to go back to daytime. I mentioned that I was worried that it might not be as fabulous an experience as he had had on Santa Barbara. He said it wouldn't matter, but it really matters to me. I started watching GH when A joined the cast and if A leaves, that will be the day I leave. When A left SB I was sorry but it was tempered by the fact that he was going to L. A. Law, a show he loved. And I didn't leave SB because I so loved that show. I think it was the perfect soap opera - GH doesn't compare.

    I first met A in L.A. at the first SB dinner. What an experience! A totally captivated me. Cody had very recently been born and A was ecstatic. For those of you who have not had the great privilege and pleasure of meeting A, he is everything you could have wished for and much much more. He is a true gentleman. He is warm and friendly and caring. He makes sure he doesn't leave a gathering until everyone who wants to meet him has had the chance. And since that is everyone, he is always the last to leave.

    Eventually I attended two more SB dinners, one of which A did not attend as he was away making Powwow Highway, a great movie.

    Soon after that I attended a fundraiser in N.Y. for the Starlight Foundation. Although there were many soap actors there, A was the featured attraction. Fans were there from all over the country and the love and respect accorded A was palpable.

    A preEmmy show (hosted by the Dobsons- originators of SB) in Central Park, followed by a party at Tattoo's for all Emmy participants, was my next occasion to talk with A. A showed a blooper's tape from SB, and afterwards I sat with him for some time while we watched other performers. A highlight of this trip was meeting Melissa B., editor of the Cruz and Eden Connection Newsletter. We've since become dear friends.

    The musical, Bandido!, at the Mark Taper Forum in L.A. was an extra special treat. It was my first time to see A, who was the lead, sing and dance on stage. He was terrific! A had left a ticket for me at the box office, which, in itself, was thrilling to me. After the theater had emptied, he took me out on stage and we took pictures. It was such fun. I attended with A's assistant, Sandy, who has become a great friend.

    The last meeting was several months before A joined GH. A joined Sandy and me for dinner at a restaurant in Burbank. He had just finished coaching Cody's baseball game. A is a vegetarian and had chicken salad and ice tea. We talked for hours and then he drove me to Pasadena where I was staying. He is so thoughtful and giving. It was very late and he still had to drive Sandy to Hollywood. Needless to say this was a highlight of my life!!   

    To anyone who has not gone on A's website recently because it continues to read - "last update on 9/4" - disregard that and click on messages. A wrote a beautiful essay on the New York disaster. Of all the many. many talents A has, the one most dear to my heart is his writing. This is an exceptional example.  I've printed out so many copies to friends and family. I always urge A to write more.  As a former English teacher I give A an A+ on this message. His intelligence and compassion are so beautifully shown, along with a remarkable use of descriptive imagery.  His choice of words always fascinates me.

    I'm going to share a message A wrote on a picture he gave me during this occasion because it is so dear to me. "Marilyn - It was wonderful to see you again. Your care means so much to me. I send you always my respect and affection. Be well. Love, A".  He is one of the finest people I've ever met. I have such love and respect for him.

A and Marilyn backstage after the play Bandido at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.  His beard is for the role.  August 1994.

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