Loves the ups and downs of Bridget
In the last nine or ten months that Ashley Jones has been playing Bridget Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful, she found out that not only is Bridget a great character to play, but as an actress she finds her job exciting, rewarding, and satisfying.
“Oh my yes! It’s so much fun to play ,” Jones said. “I’m honored that the writers take Bridget in so many directions. It’s always interesting what I’ll be doing next. I’d love to explore her dark side, but not in a necessarily bad way.”
Jones took over the role from three-time Daytime Emmy Winner Jennifer Finnigan (Finnigan will star this fall in Close to Home on CBS), and admits that those were pretty big shoes to fill. But Jones decided to take and put her own stamp on the character.
“I studied Jennifer’s work. I looked at a lot of tapes,” Jones revealed. “But in order for me to make myself as a person and Bridget shine, I’ve decided to just be myself and make the character mine.”
Jones was offered the role of Bridget without even auditioning. A rather rare occurrence and quite flattering and unusual in the world of show business.
Previously known to soap fans as Megan Dennison on The Young and the Restless, Jones was nominated for two consecutive Daytime Emmy’s in the category of Outstanding Younger Actress. She feels that the Bell family (owners of Y&R and B&B) were very familiar with her work and what she was able to accomplish. Jones feels that The Young and the Restless helped in getting the role of Bridget.
“I felt it was very complimentary to me as an actress. I think the Bells were comfortable in offering me the role,” Jones said. “And when they did, I jumped at it. I mean who can pass up an opportunity like this?”
Jones said that by working on The Bold and the Beautiful it gives her a chance of being able to settle down with a steady job. Adding that there is always a bit of give and take when you accept anything, referring to loosing other parts because of a commitment, but the good outweighs the bad.
Soapdom wants to know, what is the best and worst part of the job? “You know...I’m not going to lie. The days are sometimes long. There are lines to study, and it can be energetic. Sometime, in very dramatic scenes I have to cry, and that takes energy alone,” Jones said. “But the upside is really the people I work with. Everyone from Brad Bell (executive producer/head writer) all the way down. Everyone is always so open and willing to talk. It’s a family. I know it sounds so TV, but it really is that way.”
Jones enjoys being a part of the entertainment industry, and said that if not for this business she’d probably have a bad day, but would try her hand at being a magazine writer.
Having completed four films, including Old School, a comedy with Will Ferrell and Luke Wilson, she also appears in Extreme Dating, a romantic comedy to soon hit theaters. And she’s taken over the role from Heather Tom (Kelly of OLTL; ex-Victoria, Y&R) in the national tour of the off Broadway production of Vanities and will be traveling to various cities.
On television, she had roles on Strong Medicine, The District, and Without a Trace to name a few. Recently Jones enjoyed a role on Crossing Jordon, where she actually had the chance of working with Jennifer Finnigan
“But you know, I’d really love to do more films,” Jones admitted. “I really enjoy doing comedy flicks. It’s such a switch from drama, and it gives me a chance to be versatile, something that is really important in this business to be successful.”
Jones graduated Pepperdine University with a degree in television production, and then studied art abroad for a semester in Florence, Italy.
“I went to Italy with some friends, and it was thrilling to study Art in Florence,” Jones said. “Art in Florence! What could be better? I hope to be able to go back and do more of it.”
Away from the bright lights, Jones is married to writer Noah Nelson, whom she met when she was only 15 years-old while filming the CBS mini-series, The Fire Next Time. Both enjoy hiking with the “loves of our lives,” their two dogs.
Jones said that she is very domesticated. She enjoys gardening, would love to do more cooking, but said that she just enjoys hanging around the home. For pleasure, she fulfills her childhood passion of playing the violin and entertaining family and friends. And she spends time traveling to Texas to be with her family that she describes as “Being very close.”
What about those loyal Bold and Beautiful fans? “I’m so grateful that you are out there, and with me on my journey. I feel the loyalty,” Jones said. “It’s because of you that I want to continue doing what I’m doing. Also, I enjoy getting mail. I read everything. Your support is just great.”
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