How a West Side Story performer became a daytime television icon

History · Published 6 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From a chance discovery by Jack Warner to decades of soap opera dominance, John McCook’s career is a masterclass in longevity. Discover how this American actor transitioned from musical theatre to winning a Daytime Emmy after decades of playing a single, iconic character.

John Thomas McCook's path to stardom began unexpectedly while he was performing in a production of West Side Story. His talent caught the eye of Jack Warner, leading to a contract with Universal Studios. However, his trajectory was briefly interrupted by a two-year stint in the US Army before he established himself on the American television landscape. Following his time in the military, he entered a period of marriage to the dancer and actress Juliet Prowse, which lasted from 1972 until 1979.

McCook first achieved prominence in the mid-1970s. From October 1975 to February 1980, he played Lance Prentiss on The Young and the Restless, departing the series when it transitioned to an hour-long format. In March 1987, he began a much longer tenure as Eric Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful, a role that would define his career. His departure from the show's earlier format coincided with a period of significant change for the production. He also notably played the father of actor Ronn Moss, despite being only eight years older than him.

His longevity on The Bold and the Beautiful is remarkable. Alongside Katherine Kelly Lang, McCook is one of the show's two longest-serving actors, having both appeared in the very first episode. His influence extends beyond the screen; co-star Winsor Harmon recalled seeing McCook's global popularity firsthand while filming in Mexico for the series Acapulco H.E.A.T. His personal life has been centered in the Greater Los Angeles Area. He has been married to Laurette Spang since 1980, and they share three children: Jake Thomas, Rebecca Jeanne, and Molly.

While McCook received Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in 2001, 2012, and 2018, his greatest industry recognition arrived in 2022. After earning four nominations for playing Eric Forrester, he secured the 2022 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. His daughter Molly has also pursued a career as an actress. This victory concluded a period of significant recognition for his work in the drama series category.

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