JUSTICE FOR TRACHTA--NONE FOR THORNE

Jeff Trachta, who plays Thorne Forrester of “The Bold and the Beautiful,” has never lamented the fact that the soap took him off contract in February, 1994.

“I didn’t take it as they didn’t want me on the show. It was more the writers didn’t know what to do with Thorne,” he says, noting that after a short dry spell the writers’ “creativity took over and they came up with something wonderful.”

The actor is referring to his current story line as a man framed for a murder he didn’t commit, sent to prison, ultimately escaping, and living on the lam, desperate to prove his innocence.

“Right now, all the odds are against Thorne,” says Trachta. “The justice system is completely lost to what the truth is in the situation here. He is innocent, but everything is pointing against him. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? It really does put that question mark in your head.

Thorne’s wrongful imprisonment plot also afforded the actor an opportunity to delve into a different side of his usually prim and proper alter ego. “Thorne gets pretty greasy on the run,” says Trachta with a smile. “So I get to play real down and dirty. The audience has never seen him looking like this before.”

Nor has the audience ever seen Thorne acting so aggressively.

“Thorne’s never necessarily been an active pursuer,” adds Trachta. “He normally reacts. He doesn’t take action. It’s great that the writers are letting him do this kind of stuff. I enjoy playing it.”

The actor is having great fun and success in all aspects of his career. After appearing in the one-man comedy “Agency” at The Coast Playhouse in West Hollywood earlier this year--a play he wrote himself--Trachta has come to the attention of many industry people; his new manager among them.

“As a result of doing ‘Agency,’ I signed with Buddy Morra,” says Trachta, noting that Morra also represents comic powerhouses Billy Crystal and Robin Williams. “That was an incredible coup for my career. He came to my second performance, gave me his card, and told me to call him. We’ve been working together very closely on a number of things--pursuing movie projects, trying to get a deal to actually create a sitcom. It’s a tough process in this town. Nothing happens overnight.”

Trachta also has a thriving music career, too. He is working on his second album of love songs with co-star Bobbie Eakes (Macy Alexander) for Arcade Records.

“Things have been going really wonderful for me,” says Trachta, adding that since his role on “The Bold and the Beautiful” is recurring, “It leaves the door open for me to do other things, which I’ve been doing. I couldn’t be happier.”

“The Bold and the Beautiful” airs weekdays at 12:30 p.m. on CBS.