When originally cast as "Todd Manning" on
One Life to Live (1968), he was only supposed to play a minor, supporting character in the infamous
fraternity gang rape storyline. The character was supposed to be written out at the conclusion of that storyline. However, his portrayal quickly won over fans, who wrote to the producers asking that his character be kept on the show, permanently. As a result, he was offered a longterm contract and the character of "Todd Manning" became one of the series' major arch villains.