Newly crowned Outstanding Younger Actor Emmy winner Jordi Vilasuso (Tony Santos) has announced that he will be leaving Guiding Light when his contract expires later this year.
Guiding Light fans had already been preparing for the possibility that the actor would be leaving -- but there appeared to be some hope when his primetime pilot was not picked up for the fall season. Vilasuso announced in March that if No Place Like Home was picked up for FOX's fall season that he would be forced to leave Guiding Light; the primetime series would have been filmed in California and Guiding Light tapes in New York. When FOX announced their fall schedule in early May, No Place Like Home was not on the programming lineup. The series does, however, remain a viable candidate for the midseason.
"The experience of being on Guiding Light for a young actor like myself is priceless," Vilasuso said. However, the daily routine can't afford Vilasuso the different opportunities that he is seeking as a performer. "I don't want to be in a very comfortable position right now. I want to take risks."
Vilasuso joined the cast of Guiding Light in August 2000, originating the role of Tony Santos. Vilasuso confirmed that show execs are already planning to recast the role and a successor is already being courted. Vilasuso did not mention the name of his potential replacement.
Already Internet gossip has claimed that two ABC soap stars are being considered for the part. Recently deposed General Hospital star, Coltin Scott (ex-Nikolas Cassadine) is said to be a frontrunner in some inside circles. However, other chatter has One Life to Live's David Fumero (Cristian Vega) heading to Guiding Light. Fumero is already based in New York, where Guiding Light is taped, while Scott resides in California.
ABC and CBS declined to comment on the casting rumors.
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