Rhode Island native Rob Gorrie is one of the hot younger cast members on the longtime award-winning soap One Life to Live, and our bet is that this won’t be the last time we hear from him. Rob took a moment to stop and chat with us about his experiences coming up in the industry, what it’s like being on a soap set, and his aspirations for the future.
YOUNG ADULT: When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in acting?
Rob Gorrie: I started doing school plays in sixth grade. One of my first roles was as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. That was when I fell in love with performing and joined the drama club. I never knew it could be a potential career until my sophomore year in high school. I was on my way back home from school and heard an advertisement on the radio about a showcase in Boston. After convincing my parents to drive me almost two hours on a Sunday, I got my first contract with a management company!
YA: What was the process like?
RG: Shortly after signing that contract, I relocated to LA for about a year to audition for TV and film roles. My school allowed me to continue my studies while I was out there so that I could ultimately graduate with my class. My time out there was foundational to what I have now. I made a lot of connections and learned firsthand what it was like to do this professionally. I eventually went back to Rhode Island to graduate and ended up going to NYU for college. I’ve been working here in New York since. I love it here.
YA: What’s your favorite part of the job?
RG: Probably that it doesn’t feel like a job. I genuinely have fun when I’m working.
YA: Tell us a bit about your character, Matthew and his story line on One Life to Live.
RG: I play Matthew Buchanan. He’s the 21-year-old son to Bo and Nora and he’s moved out of their house and started to establish himself as a man. He’s living with his friends Jeffrey (Corbin Bleu) and Dani (Kelley Missal). One of the main issues he’s struggling with right now is how to deal with the unplanned pregnancy and birth of his son, Drew. After waking up from a coma he suffered after a car accident, he was informed that his best friend, Destiny, was pregnant with his son after a one-night stand they had. Matthew feels betrayed by his parents for convincing her to keep the baby and angry at Destiny. I’m not sure he knows why his anger is directed towards her but he knows he’s not ready to be a Dad. He’s a genuinely good guy who cares a lot about his friends. But he also just wants to experience life and have the freedom he’s never had. He’s slowly learning that being a man means taking care of your responsibilities.
YA: In the Soaps, the ‘hot guy’ always has a tendency to take off his shirt. How often do they make you take yours off, and what’s your comfort level?
RG: Haha. Oh I’ve probably lost my shirt about a dozen times so far. It’s cool though. I really don’t mind. I remember being nervous before the peanut butter scene. I mean, there were at least 30 crew members watching me make a complete fool out of myself. After doing something like that, there’s not too much that could bother me.
YA: What are some funny outtakes to happen off camera?
RG: I remember laughing hysterically during one of the outtakes in the Snoop Lion episode. He started rapping about the jellybeans that were on our kitchen counter and Corbin jumped in and started freestylin’ with him. That was great. I also remember completely whacking my forehead on the bench press bar during the Dani kissing fantasy. Really embarrassing…
YA: What are you most looking forward to? What else do you have coming your way?
RG: I’m most looking forward to resuming taping One Life in September. The first 40 episodes we’ve already shot lead to a huge cliffhanger and I can’t wait to get back to work to finish the story. Between now and then I’ll be enjoying my summer and auditioning for other projects I can do in the meantime.
YA: You had the opportunity to work with the talented Julianna Margulies and Matt Czuchry on The Good Wife, what was that like?
RG: It was an honor working with them during their first season. They are both extremely talented and very down-to-earth. I remember taking the ride up to the set with Matt. Really nice guy. I wish them continued success with their show.
YA: What can you tell others pursuing the same career?
RG: An acting teacher of mine used to say, “If you can think of something else you’d rather do, you should probably do it.” He’s right. It takes a lot of hard work and “stick-to-it-ness” (another one of his phrases). You never know when your time will come. It’s about being able to remain positive amongst the negativity and believing in yourself. It’s an extremely rewarding profession when you get to do it and it’s a blessing if you can do it continuously.
YA: Which actor would you most like to work with in the future?
RG: Robert De Niro.
YA: If you were to put yourself in any show or movie throughout time, which character would you play?
RG: Bond! Or maybe Maverick from Top Gun.
YA: Thanks so much for making this happen and good luck with everything.
RG: I truly appreciate it!