| Walt Willey | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 26, 1951 Ottawa, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1983–present |
Walt Willey (born January 26, 1951) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Jackson Montgomery on the soap opera All My Children from 1987 to 2011.
Willey was born in Ottawa, Illinois and was a member of the class of 1968 at Ottawa Township High School. He attended Southern Illinois University, where he majored in sculpture. While in college, he played baseball against Drake Hogestyn, another future soap opera actor. In 1981, he left Illinois for New York City. His first soap opera role was that of Joe Novak on Ryan's Hope. After numerous Off-Broadway productions, including Dust Off with Dan Lauria, and stints on Another World and Ryan's Hope, Willey joined the cast of All My Children.
Willey branched out into stand-up comedy in 1989, entertaining across the country. He headlined at famous comedy clubs such as Caroline's in Manhattan and the Comedy Store in California.
He was a People's Choice Award nominee in 1992, and was named All My Children's 'Most Valuable Player' by Soap Opera Update's Reader's Poll. He was again awarded this honor in 1993.
Willey regularly hosts charity fundraisers, and developed the 'Willey World Endowment Fund', benefiting children's charities.
He and his third wife, Marie, married since 1994, own and operate Crystal Mesa Farm Guest Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Willey splits his time between his ranch and Los Angeles, where All My Children tapes. He and Marie have two children.
When Susan Lucci hosted "Saturday Night Live," Phil Hartman parodied Willey as Jack Montgomery.
In 2009, Willey starred in a live theater performance of "The Odd Couple" with fellow "All My Children" star Jill Larson at Ottawa Township High School in Ottawa, Illinois. He played Felix Unger in three performances on July 24–26. Walt will play Oscar in the upcoming production of the same show at Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven NJ (October 21 to Nov 1). Willey hopes to reprise community theater in his hometown of Ottawa, Illinois.