All You Need to Know About Jack Wagner
Jack Wagner has been charming audiences for over four decades — and at 65 years old, he’s not slowing down, as shown by the recent announcement of his return to The Bold & the Beautiful as Nick Marone, a character he played on the show from 2003 through 2012. Born October 3, 1959, in Washington, Missouri, Wagner has spent much of his life in front of the camera, playing iconic roles in soaps like General Hospital, Santa Barbara, and primetime favorite Melrose Place, as well as his current decade-plus run on beloved Hallmark series When Calls the Heart. He’s also a singer, stage performer and serious golfer (plus a part-time dancer, as evidenced by his run on Dancing with the Stars, where he came in 11th!).
While many fans know him best as Frisco Jones or Dr. Peter Burns, there’s more to Jack Wagner than just his TV roles. From chart-topping music hits to unexpected reunions and championship golf wins, here are some things you may not know:
1 Almost a professional golfer
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Before Wagner decided to become a singer and an actor, he was chasing a different dream: professional golf. He initially tried out for the University of Arizona’s golf team, and though he ultimately joined the drama department thanks to a full scholarship, his passion for the sport never faded.
Wagner still plays with a zero handicap, a rare feat among celebrity golfers. He’s won multiple amateur tournaments and continues to be one of the most competitive players on the celebrity golf circuit, especially the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe. In 2006, he won the event and took home a $500,000 prize, which was matched by a donation to charity. He’s one of only eight people to have competed in the tournament every year since it began.
2 His soap romance translated to real life
ABC/Everett Collection
One of daytime TV’s most beloved couples—General Hospital ‘s Frisco and Felicia—weren’t just acting. Wagner and Kristina Wagner, who played his onscreen love interest, fell in love offscreen, too. They married in 1993 and had two sons, Peter and Harrison. Though they eventually divorced in 2006, their personal story became just as memorable as their characters’ storylines. Fans were thrilled when Jack briefly reprised his role in 2013, bringing Frisco back to General Hospital and reuniting with Kristina’s character for a short arc. He was also briefly engaged to his Melrose Place costar Heather Locklear in 2011.
3 Hit song almost reached No. 1
In 1985, Wagner released “All I Need,” a soft rock ballad that became a massive hit. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, just shy of the top spot. The song became part of his identity and is still found on retro playlists today. However, not everyone was a fan … Canadian channel Much Music ranked him No. 5 on their “Top 10 Worst of the ’80s” list.
4 He reunited with a daughter he never knew existed
Hallmark Channel/Everett Collection
In 2011, Wagner was reunited with Kerry, a daughter he hadn’t known existed. Kerry’s mother had a brief relationship with Wagner in the ’80s and then gave Kerry up for adoption. In her 20s, Kerry hired a private investigation to locate her birth parents; their emotional reunion happened at a concert after she tracked him down.
5 He broke a Wheel of Fortune record
Spelling Television/Everett Collection
Wagner appeared on a special celebrity episode of Wheel of Fortune in 2006, and it turned out to be more than just a fun time. Partnered with contestant Christine Denos, they won a total of $142,550, which was a single-episode record at the time. The winnings, which included the standard $100,000 top prize, made headlines, and the record stood until 2008.
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June 2017
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