Holden Snyder - Casting and Characterization

Casting and Characterization

Jon Hensley joined the show in 1985 in the role of stable boy Holden Snyder as part of head writer Douglas Marland's decision to reintroduce a younger set of characters to revitalize the show. Hensley previously played the role of Brody Price on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live the same year. Marland, who previously worked as the head writer of the CBS soap opera Guiding Light for a number of years accepted the advice of his young niece to bring on younger characters much like he did on GL. The plan resulted in the popular romance of Holden and Lily, who was portrayed by Martha Byrne at the time.

Hensley remained as part of the show until 1988 when he moved to London to study at the Shakespeare Academy of Music, Drama and Art. He returned to the show in 1990 but left again in 1995. In 1997, Hensley was at the center of a "bidding war" between ATWT and ABC's soap opera All My Children before he rejoined the CBS drama again and remained until the show's final episode on September 17, 2010. Hensley was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Younger Actor in 1986 and 1987 and Outstanding Lead Actor in 2001.

Hensley's character was said to have been based on the early life of Marland and in an interview with Nelson Branco of TV Guide Canada, he discussed his feelings on the matter and getting to know his former co-worker.

"I think my character was who Doug was as a kid so he had this special interest in me as a person. He always made sure I was growing as a person and made sure I was happy. We would have dinner once a month and go to the theatre. He was more of a father figure for me than anything else. He was very caring and loving. It was a very special relationship. I never expected to have experienced something like that with a head writer. I mean, when you go out with your head writer, you’re terrified because you don’t know what to expect."

—Jon Hensley, TV Guide Canada

Hensley and his wife Kelley Menighan Hensley, who played Emily Stewart on ATWT moved to Los Angeles following the end of the show. Nearly two years after the final episode of ATWT, Hensley returned to daytime when he accepted a role on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful to air in May 2012.