Anthony Herrera's "World" Still Wide Open
As the World Turns star Anthony Herrera (James Stenbeck) chatted with his native Mississippi's ClarionLedger.com about his career and battle with mantle cell lymphoma. There was a point after his diagnoses when he had to decide whether he wanted to live or die. Fortunately for us, he fought like hell to survive. During the interview, he parallels his character with his real life, both of which appear to be very intertwined.
In reality, he has shown the resiliency of the character for which he is known. Stenbeck has been killed five times on As The World Turns. He fell out of a cargo plane, was shot twice, went down in a helicopter crash and tumbled off a lighthouse. But, somehow, he always returned.
After his graduation from The University of Mississippi, Herrera headed to New Orleans to get a feel for big city life. Once he got adjusted, he set off for New York and studied acting under Stella Adler while waiting tables. ATWT came calling in 1980 and the rest is history. Herrera, however doesn't see James Stenbeck as a villain,
He is a European aristocrat. I've known some of those guys. You think laws mean anything to them? James looked at most people as though they were real stupid. If he wanted something they had, he took it. But he also felt justified ... that he was right in his heart, soul and mind.
When the success came, so did the disease. He has been in remission since 1999 and credits his brother's immune system for keeping him alive. His medical case brought him to the forefront of stem cell research and in 2005 he testified about the importance of it on behalf of Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. His book, The Cancer War, can be read online for free at TheCancerWar.com.
Will James reappear in Oakdale before next September? Herrera hopes so and if I have to be honest, so do I.
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Comments
9 September 2009
31 weeks 3 days
I sure hope to see him soon, James is not dead he's has more lives then a cat.
6 December 2009
1 hour 53 min
I loved his character and I actually remember before James got so written in corner, when he truly love Barbara. I have always wished Babs & James would be reunited, so Paul could see a different side of his parents. They had awesome chemistry (still do just always now vile). It will be really hard to bring back Anthony when Mick is now James.
9 October 2007
1 week 3 days
I really like this guy and I admire how he took control of his life. I enjoyed reading this article. I hope he sticks around a long time.
25 February 2009
6 weeks 4 days
Too bad As the World Turns will end next year. James Stenbeck is one of those perennial villains who just keeps coming back from the dead. Helena, Stefano, Sheila, keep living on. That's what I love about soap villains.
25 February 2009
6 weeks 4 days
I forgot to mention Mitch Laurence!
10 February 2009
1 hour 55 min
It is uncanny how much Tom Pelphry in the role of Mick looks like a young Anthony Herrera in the role of James Stenbeck. Kudos to the casting department. I hope Mick is another spawn of James and not James himself. I would really hate if Mick werer James.
27 November 2009
9 weeks 3 days
@Nathang!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I love my Soap-Villains! All of them and rejoice every resurrection from the dead! They make my soaps and I am waiting patiently for the REAL JAMES to return!