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Soap’s ‘black sheep’ grazes new pastures

By Daily Bruin Staff

Nov. 27, 1994 9:00 p.m.

Soap’s ‘black sheep’ grazes new pastures

Kanan brings out passion, insecurity in soap opera role

By Jessie Yoo

Sean Kanan describes A.J. Quartermaine, one of the main
characters on ABC’s daytime drama "General Hospital," as a "white
collar black sheep."

"He’s a recovering alcoholic and a rebel who comes from a
wealthy family," explains Kanan.

He can’t explain what’s happening with his character nowadays,
though. "With such a large cast, you’re not always in the prime
storyline."

"He’s been through a lot, though ­ his mother’s breast
cancer, a murder trial," Kanan says, "But he’s a pretty decent guy.
He’s a very reactive character; very shrewd, smart, ambitious, and
passionate, but he’s also insecure. It’s his insecurities that come
out every now and then that allow us to like him. He’s also very
devious but he cares about people; he’s an unlikely likeable
character."

In comparison to his character, Kanan says, "I’m also passionate
and insecure. Everybody has insecurities. That’s what draws
people."

Although he’s been a part of "General Hospital" for only two
years, he’s not new to acting. Debuting as Ralph Macchio’s nemesis
on The Karate Kid III, he dabbled in various television work until
"General Hospital."

Kanan enjoys playing villains, because "there’s nothing that the
audience won’t let you get away with. People like looking for
someone with a Simon Legere mustache."

His acting success is connected with his personal philosophy
­ "I will do whatever it takes to ‘win’ a scene," Kanan says.
"I mean, I will do pretty much whatever it takes to win my beat.
It’s not a negative thing. I may rehearse with the other actor one
way, but when we’re up on stage, I may do it another way."

While Kanan may not be aware of what’s happening with his
character on "General Hospital," it leaves him time to work on
other projects, including an anti-capital punishment film entitled
Oasis Cafe.

The plot centers around a young writer who enters "a Twilight
Zone limbo." Concerning the politics of the film, Kanan says, "It’s
not an anti-capital punishment film, but it’s very skewed towards
the anti-capital punishment viewpoint; it doesn’t make an actual
definitive statement."

This film mirrors his own political viewpoint. "I was very
pro-death penalty initially, but I later researched the subject and
learned that the death penalty is not a psychological deterrent
against crime and the appeals process for it is much more expensive
than actual incarceration for life," Kanan says.

"What we’re left with is ­ if it’s illogical to do this,
then why is it being done? The answer that I can come up with is
that it’s society’s way of acting revenge upon its criminals ­
that justice is predicated through revenge."

The short film, which he wrote, produced and stars in, will be
exhibited in festivals across the country.

Kanan is also involved in stand-up comedy, a passion he started
at a young age. "I did it when I was 15 to get in and get drinks,"
he says. "The difference with comedy is that you’re up there by
yourself ­ sink or swim."

He’s currently continuing his comedic career in a variety of
clubs, including the Funny Bone, the Ice House, Dangerfield’s, and
Catch a Rising Star.

With so many projects, Kanan doesn’t think that he will be in
soaps for long. He does, however, credit soaps with giving him an
"ongoing, wonderful opportunity to be seen on TV."

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