Walt Willey

Born in Ottawa, Illinois, Walt Willey attended Southern Illinois University, where he majored in Fine Arts. In 1981, Walt left Illinois for New York to break into acting professionally. After numerous Off-Broadway production, including Dust Off with Dan Lauria, and stints on Another World as James LaRusso and Joe Novak on ABC's Ryan's Hope, Walt joined the cast of ABC's All My Children in 1987, originating the role of lawyer Jackson Montgomery, who's devotion to Erica Kane and his niece Bianca Montgomery has proven to be a source of strength and unconditional support time and again. Walt celebrates his fifteenth year on this popular daytime drama.

Walt branched out into stand-up comedy in 1989, entertaining across the country, headlining at famous comedy clubs such as Caroline's in New York, Zanie's in Chicago, and the Comedy Store in California. He continues to tour nationally, and recently friend and fellow comic, The View' s Joy Behar, proposed him for the membership into the famous Friars Club. Walt joined the likes of Milton Berle, Sid Ceasar, and Billy Crystal when he was inducted into this prestigious entertainment fraternity in January, 2001.

Walt co-hosted the 20th Anniversary Daytime Emmy Awards, with Susan Lucci. He also co-hosted the 1992 Ford Supermodel of the World, with Beverly Johnson, and again in 1993 with Rachel Hunter. Willey was co-host of ABC Sports coverage of the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1994, 1995, and again in 1997. Walt also hosted Disney's A Magical Time in a Magical Place.
A published satirist and cartoonist, Walt has been a regular columnist and cartoonist for Soap Opera Update and Soap Opera Weekly. His lithograph, Soaperman, hangs in Chicago's Underground Comics Hall of Fame while his collection of drawings, The Arthurian Legend: A Re-telling of the Christ Myth garnered popular and critical raves during its gallery tour.

Walt has been in attendance at every one of the "Super Soap Weekend," both at Disney/MGM in Orlando and at Disney's California Adventure, hosting some of the most popular venues.

His "Pop Culture Achievements," as he calls them, include appearing as himself, in comic-book form, in Valiant Comics' The Second Life of Dr. Mirage, Phil Hartman's portrayal of him on Saturday Night Live and being a celebrity panelist on The Match Game and To Tell the Truth.

Walt was a "People's Choice" 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.

Walt regularly hosts charity fundraisers, and developed the Willey World Endowment Fund, benefiting children's charities.