John McCook Speaks Out On Ageism Storyline

Daytime Soap Stop
3 minutes ago
2 min read

Veteran The Bold and the Beautiful star John McCook is opening up about one of the show’s most powerful recent storylines — Eric Forrester’s battle against ageism — and why it hits so close to home.

John McCook Speaks Out On Ageism Storyline

In a candid interview with TV Insider, McCook revealed that the storyline was something he fully embraced from the start.

“Brad [Bell] wanted to do this ageism story, and I was very much into that,” McCook shared. “It was a good story, and it was emotional, and it was very timely.”

The drama began back in December 2025, when Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) shocked viewers by throwing a retirement party for Eric — despite Eric having no intention of stepping away from Forrester Creations.

What followed was a major turning point. Rather than fade into the background, Eric fought back — taking his designs and aligning himself with Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) and Katie Logan (Heather Tom) at their new company, Logan. The move blindsided Ridge and Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang), igniting a full-blown family and business war.

For McCook, the story resonated beyond the screen. “We have a lot of fans who are more than 40 years old… in their 50s, 60s, and 70s,” he explained. “It’s something they could really relate to.”

A Personal Reflection on Aging in Soaps

Offscreen, McCook admitted the storyline mirrors a reality many longtime soap actors face. “I’m like every old actor on a soap, where I’m not getting as many scripts as I used to,” he said. “I don’t like seeing so many episodes go by without Eric involved.” He noted that while Eric is beloved as a supportive, compassionate patriarch, he isn’t always written with the same intensity as other older characters across daytime. Still, McCook remains grounded — and grateful. “I’m going to be 82 years old, and I’m still an actor, and I’m still working,” he shared. “There’s like eight or 10 actors in the whole country that have had a run like this… and I’m very proud to be one of those people.”

Why This Story Matters

Eric’s fight isn’t just about business — it’s about relevance, legacy, and proving that experience still matters.

And in true soap fashion, the battle between Eric and Ridge is far from over…

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