If life had worked out differently for Sean Kanan, he would not be spending his days under the hot lights of a CBS soundstage playing THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL'S gritty, sweet-talking, two-timing bartender-turned-Forrester executive Deacon Sharpe. Instead the UCLA political science major suggests that he may have turned his substantial drive towards a life in public service. "Probably, if I didn't have so many skeletons in my closet, I might have considered running for political office at some point."

Chasing His Dreams

But life did work out for Kanan - skeletons and all. Fifteen years after making the leap from the real world into the unknown abyss of the reel world, Kanan has emerged as one of daytime's shining stars - even if he is known for playing characters that are emotionally and morally tarnished. Now, the actor is hoping to hit the big time when his new feature film "Chasing Holden" hits the big screen this summer. Kanan wrote, executive produced and starred in the movie about a troubled teenage boy who runs away from boarding school to find the elusive author J.D. Salinger. "Getting a movie made in Hollywood is a monumental task," explains the actor, who helped raise the $3.5 million needed to produce the project. "I really feel blessed that I was able to go from the genesis of the idea to celluloid."

The idea for "Chasing Holden" was seeded during Kanan's own youth, when he, too, was away at boarding school. It was there that he first began to write, keeping a journal as a "self-defense against loneliness." His classmates, including Oscar-winning actor Benicio Del Toro ("Traffic"), were talented over-achievers like himself who did their best to get kicked out of school. "I wouldn't say that I was a troubled teen, but I was a high-spirited youth." Grinning, upon further reflection he adds, "Well, I guess you would say I got into my fair share of predicaments."

Saving Grace?

No matter how colorful Kanan's past antics, they pale in comparison to those of Deacon, whom the actor describes as "morally challenged." This may be an understatement for a man who sleeps with his mother-in-law and fathers her child. Too bad for Deacon, the skeletons in his closet have finally come forth as his wife recently learned the truth. Now, his future with Bridget looks most uncertain and even more unpleasant. She is bound to divorce him and thereby excommunicate him from the Forrester family, its status and the respect that Deacon had begun to identify himself by.

Brooke is Deacon's only hope of hanging on to the life that had finally legitimized his entire life. Kanan, for one, believes that Brooke and Deacon are "kindred spirits" and belong together. The actor is realistic however and predicts, "in the event it doesn't happen, I'd like to see them bring on someone new." For the time being, Deacon's future is dubious and set insiders were suggesting Kanan's was as well. The actor, however, put those rumors to rest when he re-signed his contract for two more years.

I trust everyone over there (at B&B) that they are going to keep me and utilize me to the best of the character's ability," Kanan says confidently. He will be taking some time off while the writers rethink Deacon's character and look for ways to redeem him. "The thing I'd really like to see happen to Deacon is to reconnect with his mother," Kanan suggests. "I feel the root of a lot of this guy's problems with women stem from whatever kind of relationship he had with her."

Future Forecast

While the writers wave their magic pens over Deacon, the actor will use his time off to focus on his film career and a television pilot that is a fictional behind-the-scenes look at the soap world. In addition, he and his live-in girlfriend, French model and photographer Sonia Michaud, plan to concentrate on the dream house they are building.

Kanan says that in the unlikely event it all ended tomorrow with B&B, he would be saddened, but would look back with only fond memories. "If you can say that your work is your play, then you're a very fortunate person. For me, my work is my play. I love what I do. It's all been working out pretty well so far."