Home / Arts and Entertainment / Cal Ripken Jr. Used My Name for Hotels, Says Soap Actor
Cal Ripken Jr. Used My Name for Hotels, Says Soap Actor
16 Sep
Summary
- Athletes like Magic Johnson and Cal Ripken Jr. were avid soap opera fans.
- Cal Ripken Jr. used actor Don Diamont's character name as a hotel alias.
- Muhammad Ali and Cal Ripken Jr. became personal friends with Diamont.
Actor Don Diamont, celebrated for over 40 years in soap operas, revealed the surprising caliber of fans during the genre's peak. He recounted how world-class athletes were avid watchers, often using his characters' names for hotel check-ins. Diamont formed close friendships with icons like Muhammad Ali and baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr., illustrating the unique connections forged through his career.
During the peak of the 'golden age of soaps,' athletes had ample time to follow daytime dramas. Diamont recalled instances where superstars like Magic Johnson expressed immense excitement upon meeting him. Cal Ripken Jr. was such a dedicated fan that he used the name 'Brad Carlton'—Diamont's character from 'The Young and the Restless'—as an alias at hotels to maintain privacy, particularly during his record-breaking streak in 1995.
