Robert Newman American actor Date of Birth: 27.06.1958 Country: USA

1. Guiding Light Guiding Star
2. The Joshua and Reva Supercouple
3. Beyond Guiding Light: Daytime Roles and Accolades
4. Stage and Screen Post-Guiding Light

Guiding Light Guiding Star

Robert Newman is an American actor who has primarily graced the small screen. He is best known for his iconic portrayal of Joshua Lewis on the long-running soap opera "Guiding Light," a role he played from 1981 to 1984, then from 1986 to 1991, and again from 1993 until the series finale in September 2009.

The Joshua and Reva Supercouple

Newman's character, Josh, was initially introduced as something of a bad boy. However, with the introduction of Reva Shayne (played by Kim Zimmer) in 1983, Josh and Reva became a popular "supercouple." Newman and Zimmer's chemistry pushed their characters to become the centerpiece of the show's narrative. Fittingly, their characters spoke the final dialogue of the show in the scene's closing moments. During his tenure on the show, Newman was also paired with other actresses, including Michelle Forbes (Sonni), Beth Ehlers (Harley), Marci Walker (Tangie), Cynthia Watros (Annie), Crystal Chappell (Olivia), and Nicole Forester (Cassie).

Beyond Guiding Light: Daytime Roles and Accolades

In addition to his role on "Guiding Light," Newman also played Prescott Harrell on "General Hospital" in 1985 and Kirk Cranston (replacing Joseph Bottoms) on "Santa Barbara" in 1986. Newman has garnered four Soap Opera Digest Awards nominations for his portrayal of Josh Lewis. He has also received three Daytime Emmy Award nominations, in 2002, 2006, and 2023, the first two for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and his most recent for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series.

Stage and Screen Post-Guiding Light

After the conclusion of "Guiding Light," Newman shifted his focus to stage work, including productions of "Peter Pan" (as Captain Hook), Guido Contini in a 2004 production of the musical "Nine," and Ira Levin's "Deathtrap" at the Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan. Newman has also performed in several productions of "Gypsy" as Herbie. In 2011, he starred alongside Tovah Feldshuh at the Bristol Riverside Theatre. He reprised the role of Herbie alongside his "Guiding Light" co-star Kim Zimmer in a 2015 production at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. In January 2022, Newman joined the cast of CBS' daytime drama "The Young and the Restless" in the recast role of Ashland Locke after actor Richard Burgi was written out of the show.