Photography: Harald Krichel
No, he’s not the guy from Guardians Of The Galaxy, he’s Scott Clifton, one of the sexiest men on TV.
DNA: For those unfamiliar with The Bold And The Beautiful, can you explain a bit about your character?
Scott Clifton: Liam is supposed to be a very liberal vegan, yoga, tree-hugging granola-eating guy, while his father is a take-no-prisoners corporate raider, free-market capitalist, son of a bitch! Our writer, Brad Bell said, you’re going to butt heads a lot. And there’s been a love triangle between Liam, Hope and Steffy for almost 15 years.
Where is Liam heading?
He’s currently between stories, and it’s exciting because I have no idea what Brad is cooking up. Liam has been emotionally needy. He cannot be without some woman at any given time and now has no one. He’s lost both women in the love triangle to other men, and he’s been forced to self-reflect on his choices, behaviour and how he treats people – and I love it! I’ve been begging for the character to lose. I didn’t want him to be the knight in shining armour. I want him to hit rock bottom and learn a lesson, and we’re currently circling that.
The love triangle sounds very Archie, Betty and Veronica!
[Laughs] Yeah, except with weirder love scenes! Even though there are years of love triangles back and forth on this show, the love story I’ve enjoyed playing is the one between Bill and his son Liam. Some of my favourite moments have been in developing that relationship. But love triangles are Brad Bell’s bread and butter. Wow, try saying that ten times fast.
In 2017 you came to Australia to film some episodes. What was that like?
Yes, when Liam got married in Sydney! That was very cool. Actually, “cool” is a misnomer. It was very hot. I wasn’t used to the fact that your winter is our summer and vice versa but, my God, the people! Everyone was so kind, and especially kind about my deranged attempt at an Australian accent. I love accents and doing voices but my Australian was terrible. Everybody told me I was doing great, but they were lying! [Laughs]
Are you familiar with the iconic Australian soap opera Neighbours?
Oh, my God, yes! Ashleigh Brewer who plays Ivy Forrester on our show and was once a love interest for Liam came from Neighbours. She’s one of my favourite people. But I knew about Neighbours before I met Ashleigh.
Including its original star, Kylie Minogue?
Kylie is huge here in the States. When I was around 15, everything was Kylie. I’m forty now and she’s getting even hotter.
Do you have a music diva?
I enjoy Adele and love her writing. Oh My God and Can I Get It from the album 30 are brilliant!
You must be aware that The Bold And The Beautiful has a lot of gay fans.
That’s cool. We could use more gay storylines on the show. The story doesn’t have to be about them being gay, but it would be nice to have characters that happened to be gay. There could be more in daytime soap operas.
Have you ever played a gay role?
I’ve played plenty in acting classes, but that’s not the same as playing a gay character on camera. But I would be so into that. As an actor, one of the hardest things is to put yourself into something opposite of how you’d normally slice it. I’d love to play somebody who’s racist because that would be a challenge, as I don’t feel I’m racist. I’m also quite heterosexual, so it would be great to play a character that’s not just gay, but in love, including the courtship, intimacy and vulnerability. Just kill off my character and write in his identical twin. Make him gay. Problem solved!
Speaking of identical twins. Let’s discuss Chris Pratt…
Oh, yeah, I get that a lot. Outside the studio, there’s a farmer’s market where we go for lunch and the guys at the Argentinian grill stand call me Chris Pratt all the time. They don’t believe that I’m not him. I’ve even taken my phone out and googled an image to show us side-by-side but, hey, it’s a compliment.
Well, it’s a compliment to him!
Thank you. You are too kind.
Tell us about fun times hanging with your gay mates.
When I was on General Hospital, I hit it off with one of the writers, Michael. He was a wonderful writer and became my best friend. He lived in West Hollywood and we would go out to dinner and, even though I wasn’t into clubbing and dancing, he was, so I’d go along. I knew all his friends and I enjoyed that time and relationship.
As a non-clubber, what song gets you onto the dance floor?
If you play Can’t Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers, I’m there! But the one that will always make me want to shake my ass is Superstition by Stevie Wonder.
Who’s had an influence on your career?
When I first started on soap operas it was Anthony Geary and Jane Elliot who played Luke and Laura on General Hospital. Now it would be Don Diamont on The Bold And Beautiful who not only plays my father but acts like my father. He’s caring and looks out for me. I’ve cultivated a relationship with him that has influenced me on camera and in life, especially since I became a father myself.
Have you had any on-set wardrobe disasters?
A thing that plagues me is when production gets in designer pants or jeans. The pocket on the inside creates a distraction so they remove it and sew it up. But I’m a guy who sticks his hands in his pockets all the time. You’ll see me on camera trying to do this and it looks like I’m wiping food on my lap.
On that note, boxers, briefs or commando?
I wear boxers or boxer briefs. If I’m working it’s boxer briefs. I don’t want them bunching up and on show underneath the costume. But at night I sleep in boxers and wear them casually around the house in my sweats.
Watch The Bold And The Beautiful on 10 and 10 Play.
Follow Scott on Instagram @cliftoncam
________________________________________________________________________
Photography: Harald Krichel.
