Soapdom, 11/12/04
Inside The Bubble - GL's David Andrew Macdonald
by Mark Edward Wilows

Up Close and Personal

David Andrew Macdonald literally refers to his current gig as a "Prince of a job." And he couldn't be closer to the truth. For the last five years Macdonald has been portraying Prince Edmund Winslow, the younger brother of San Cristobel's monarch, on Guiding Light and is enjoying every minute of his reign.
"I really enjoy playing this role. Sometimes because of Edmund's past it's terrifying but it's always a joy to portray him," Macdonald said. "Let's face it...in real life I don't have a country or a six million dollar bank account."
Macdonald said that Edmund has been a lot of different things, making it hard to explain, but underneath the surface he really is kind of a nice guy.
"Edmund is a versatile character. He was damaged as a child, he is flawed, and his past will always be there," Macdonald said. "He's been through a lot over the years. He has mellowed but still you never know. I like to say, look out."
Macdonald admitted that he many times been approached by other actors, even actors from other shows, telling him that they would love to play a character like Edmund.


Macdonald joined Guiding Light in the role of Edmund after the cancellation of Another World, where he played a dual role of 200-year old time traveler Jordan Stark and his alter-ego, David Halliday. He also appeared in One Life to Live and Loving.
The actor got his training by attending the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, and appeared on stage in Happy End, The Cherry Orchard and The Seagull, to name a few. He attended the American University Academy for the Performing Arts in Colorado, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama.
He appeared in the Broadway production of Two Shakespearean Actors and has done numerous regional theater productions, including A Christmas Carol and I Hate Hamlet. He also appeared in the national tour of An Inspector Calls and starred in Othello at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and The Importance of Being Earnest at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. His prime time television credits include Law and Order, Sex and The City, and the Deception, a CBS movie of the week, and American Movie Classics' Paramour.
Macdonald was born in Washington, DC, and said that acting has been in his blood since a ninth grade play. "I remember when a teacher told my mom that 'if that boy is not on stage, it would be a crime.' Acting is just so much a part of me."
Soapdom wants to know. You have done so much in your life in terms of acting, what is your preference?"Oh, without a doubt, that's an easy question. It's by far the stage. Nothing beats the stage," Macdonald said. "But, then again...TV is great because of the fans, and there is no doubt that the fans are the greatest."
Macdonald enjoys meeting the fans, adding "that it's great to go out and meet the people that are a part of our lives and we are a part of their life."
Portraying Edmund on Guiding Light has been a very rewarding experience for Macdonald. Not only because of the steady work and paycheck, but the wonderful people at the show.
"I cannot tell you the joy it is to work and be around these folks. Everyone is so professional," Macdonald said. "It's just a pleasant atmosphere to be in, and that's what makes the show the success that it is."
When Macdonald is away from Springfield and the set of Guiding Light he is at home along with his wife, Nicolette, being dad to their two children, Ian Andrew Nicola and Elena Caroline Nicola.
"Being a dad is a non-stop job but it is the most important job in the world, Macdonald explained. "My wife and I are very busy people. My wife has a web design business, and with Guiding Light, we are on the run, but the kids are always first."
Macdonald's plans for the future include doing a few feature films. "Yeah, the next Tom Cruise. Yeah, right!" he jokingly said. "But, in all honesty, I would like to explore and do more movies."