THE SOAPS : ETHAN WAYNE ENJOYING HIS ‘BOLD’ ACTING ROLE

The new CBS soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” is now one week old. And for Ethan Wayne, son of revered actor John Wayne, his daytime debut on “Bold and Beautiful” as Storm Logan is working out perfectly.

“I wanted to get something where I’d become visible in Los Angeles,” Wayne said. “I admit that I’d never really considered a soap opera until the offer came up.

“Now I like the idea of being on a soap. You get a lot of publicity and visibility because you’re on the show nearly every day. Millions of people watch the soaps, and I thought, ‘Shoot, the soap has quality people behind it and it’s a real good opportunity to get some experience in television.’ So I accepted the job.”

Although reared in a show business family, Wayne didn’t always see himself as an actor.

“I didn’t think about acting a lot as a kid, although I worked then,” he said. “I did stunt work for a few years when I first started in the business, but about seven years ago I decided to concentrate on acting.”

Although being the son of John Wayne--Ethan is the youngest boy in the family of seven children--has made breaking into show business a little easier, he doesn’t intend to ride on his father’s acting coattails.

“My name hasn’t been a hindrance to my career,” he said. “I’m proud of the name and I stand by it and I use it. Having a well-known name will help open doors for you, but it won’t get you the job.

“I think a majority of people liked my father, but they’re not going to risk their project on someone’s kid, so once you get in the door, you’ve got to be there yourself. You’ve got to show them you’re a professional and that you can do the job.”

Wayne is concentrating on his television role, but he is also looking to the future.

“I might want to do more theater later on,” he said. Wayne recently performed in a production of “Come Blow Your Horn” with his brother Patrick.

“I’d like to do a couple of films and then work with my brother Michael on a production project. Michael produced a few of my dad’s films and a few on his own, and I’d like to get into that end of the business, too.”

Asked to describe his “Bold and Beautiful” character, Wayne said:

“Storm is the eldest of four children. He’s the head of the family. He takes care of his three younger sisters and his mother because there’s no father figure in the household. He also works for a law firm, so he doesn’t have a lot of time for himself because he’s devoted to his family and his career. He seems to be a pretty good, honest, nice guy.”