Brian of All My Children

From LoveToKnow Soap-Operas

In 1990, Brian of All My Children made his first appearance played by actor Gregory Gordon. Gordon’s role as Brian was short term and he was soon replaced by actor Matt Borlenghi who would be most associated with the role of Brian Bodine for the character’s duration in Pine Valley.

Matt Borlenghi is one of three actors to play Brian Bodine on All My Children.

What about Brian of All My Children?

Borlenghi would be the most recognizable actor in the role of Brian Bodine. During his five year stay in Pine Valley, Brian was romantically linked to Kelly Ripa’s Hayley Vaughn Santos and later with Dixie Cooney Martin. Brian and Dixie's relationship included a short-lived marriage in an attempt to provide Adam Chandler Junior with a stable home environment despite Adam’s interference and Tad’s ‘death’. Tad’s subsequent return to Pine Valley spelled a certain end to the unpopular relationship between Dixie and Brian.

Brian’s most successful romantic pairing remained with Hayley. The two were high school sweethearts but numerous misunderstandings and other men interfered with their relationship. Brian unsuccessfully tried to woo Hayley away from Charlie Brent and later from Hayley’s future husband Mateo Santos.

Borlenghi received a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Younger Leading Actor in 1993. He received a nomination in the same category for the Daytime Emmys in 1993, but did not win. He was also nominated for Hottest Male Star. After 1993, Borlenghi and Brian’s popularity began to wane.

Family Connections

Daytime soap operas are predicated on family connections. Characters can be played by multiple actors (Tom on As the World Turns, for example, has been portrayed by nearly a dozen actors over the years) provided they maintain strong family ties to the core of the show. Characters without strong family ties can quickly become isolated on the storyline canvas and written out.

Brian Bodine is one such character. The Bodines were never a presence in Pine Valley. The character’s family made little to no impact. Brian’s strongest tie was to his high school sweetheart Hayley Vaughn, when that relationship stumbled and failed Brian was left with little to no ties. His other relationships, particularly to the one with Dixie Cooney Martin, felt shoe-horned and forced. Brian was left playing the sour man out of Hayley’s relationships. With his storyline going nowhere fast, the character exited the canvas.

Now Playing the Role of Brian Bodine

Three actors played Brian of All My Children.

Gregory Gordon (1990 – 1991)
Matt Borlenghi (1991 – 1996)
Brian L. Greene (1993 – 1994)

When Kelly Ripa’s Hayley left the canvas in the early part of the 21st century, so did any likelihood of Brian returning. Most of the characters that Brian Bodine interacted with or was involved with are no longer a part of the All My Children canvas.

Matt Borlenghi

Primary Brian Bodine actor Matt Borlenghi appeared on Days of Our Lives as Mayor Anthony Marino and The Bold and the Beautiful as Ziggy Deadmarsh. He has also played numerous guest spots on episodic television including episodes of Without a Trace, Life and Dexter.

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