As The World Turns

Tagline: Set in the fictional town of Oakdale, this long-running serial focuses on the relationships and difficulties of its inhabitants.
Category: Drama
Creator: Irna Phillips
Cast: Paolo Seganti, Martha Byrne, John Hensley, Elizabeth Hubbard, Van Hansis, Helen Wagner, Eileen Fulton, Don Hastings, Kathleen Widdoes, Susan Marie Snyder, Larry Bryggman, Claire Bloom, Nicolas Coster, Benjamin Hendrickson

Extra Information

The role of Damian Grimaldi on CBS's 'As The World Turns' was Paolo's first introduction to television and his first paid job as an actor. The importance of his character grew due to audience demand and instead of a short stint Damian became an important part of the life of ATWT's probably best loved character: Lily Walsh (Grimaldi). Paolo's character became so popular that Damian's role was extended, then revived several times after Paolo left the show and he was always happy to come back.

"As the World turns" is one of the longest running soap-operas in history (since 1956) - and one of the best loved ones too.

When Paolo came to the States to become an actor and couldn't make up his mind about relocating to L.A or staying in N.Y. to do theater, his agent told him to go for the popular soap. Although Paolo was not quite sure he agreed - and won the role. ATWT became his first experience in television.
The daily work on the soap allowed him to improve his acting and prepared him for bigger things to come.
Paolo never gets tired of telling how much he loves working with Martha Byrne ("Lily") and so he went back several times to play the role as Damian - and continues to do so from time to time between his other jobs....

Plot Summary

Depressed by Holden's amnesia following his presumed death and the betrayal of her closest relatives about his having started a new life in New York since he had had a child with Julie, which was more than she could stand, Lily succumbs to the charm and elegance of Damian (Paolo) the Maltese international businessman she meets during her "vacation" in Europe and comes back to Oakdale a married woman.
Things quickly turn more complex when Holden turns back to Oakdale with renewed love for Lily and she can't get over her feelings for both men while she gives birth to Damian's son, Luke -- whose real father identity remains suspect for long to Damian though he loves so much the baby -- and when Damian's shady business interferes with his private life. Jealousy, treachery, kidnappings, fights, secrets... all seem routine in Damian's daily life.
Family relationships are sure not quieter with such relatives as a demented mother who's not Damian's real mom, a dangerously envying half brother, or a manipulative cousin whom he considers a fatherly figure.
Along the years, Damian has gone through a gun injury, a plane crash, amnesia, a retreat as a monk, a boat explosion and lots more.
He kept away from Oakdale and his family for years to protect them from his enemies but he finally comes back to get a hand on his son -- who has been fighting his way to his coming out about being gay to both his family and friends -- and to lure him into following him to Malta to try to "fix" him or for whatever shady purposes...

Cast List

Paolo Seganti Damian Grimaldi (1993-1996, 1997, 2001, 2006)

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