Nathan Fillion in ‘One Live to Live’ and in 2024.Photo:Ann Limongello/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Daniel Knighton/Getty

Nathan Fillion plays Joey Buchanan on Walt Disney Television Daytime’s “One Life to Live”. “One Life to Live” airs Monday-Friday, 2-3 p.m., ET, on the Walt Disney Television Network. OLTL95; Nathan Fillion poses at “The Rookie” autograph signing at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2024 in San Diego, California

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Nathan Fillionis looking back on his four-year stint onOne Life to Liveand reflecting on the invaluable lessons the show taught him.

TheRookiestar joined hostsKelly RipaandMark Consueloson the Tuesday, March 11, episode ofLive with Kelly and Mark, where Consuelos asked him about playing Joey Buchanan on the classic ABC soap opera from 1994 to 1997.

“I’m fond of saying I was the best Joey ever,” Fillion, 53, joked. “There was only about 24 of us!”

In fact, Fillion was the fourth of seven actors to play the role on the series between 1980 and 2011. His performance earned him a 1996 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series. But as one of his earliest acting jobs, being onOne Life to Livealso provided a lot for the showbiz newbie.

Robin Strasser and Nathan Fillion on ‘One Life to Live’ in 1994.Ann Limongello/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

ONE LIFE TO LIVE - Asa and Alex’s wedding ceremony - 11/7/94Dorian (Robin Strasser) and Joey (Nathan Fillion) attended Asa (Phil Carey, background) and Alex’s wedding, on Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Daytime’s “One Life to Live”.

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“I didn’t have anybody in my life who was involved in the entertainment industry in any way, and onOne Life to Live, I had 30 mentors,” Fillion said. “Everybody there was so kind to me. They really welcomed me, taught me anything.”

“Every day I use something I learned on the soap,” he added. “Especially that level of professionalism. What integrity they had.”

In particular, Fillion singled outOne Life to Liveveteran Robert S. Woods for giving him the best advice when he was deciding whether to leave the show to pursue other opportunities.

Robert S. Woods in ‘One Life to Live’.Heidi Gutman/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Michael Easton (John) and Robert S. Woods (Bo) in a scene that airs the week of March 15, 2010 on Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Daytime’s “One Life to Live.” “One Life to Live” airs Monday-Friday (2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., ET) on the Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Television Network.

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“Bob Woods said, ‘Hey man, you gotta go. Pack up your bags, go to L.A. And this is what you’re going to do and this is what they’re going to say and this is what you’re going go answer,’ ” Fillion recalled. “I did everything exactly word-for-word like he said. Everything panned out exactly like he said it would.”

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Nathan Fillion in 2024.Araya Doheny/FilmMagic

Nathan Fillion attends Entertainment Weekly’s Annual Comic-Con Bash at Float at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego on July 27, 2024 in San Diego, California

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OnLive, Ripa noted that getting started in soap operas is “the best training ground” for young actors, and Fillion agreed. (She and Consuelos famously met on the set ofAll My Children.)

“I am so sad that is a dying medium,” he said. “I really am. Incredible place to really learn the craft at a break-neck pace.”

source: people.com