Kevin Buchanan - Casting

Casting

The character of Kevin Buchanan was originated by child actor Morgan K. Melis from 1976 until 1982. In 1982, the role was recast twice; first with Chris Cunningham and then again with Jonathan Brandis. The role was recast a fourth time in 1983 with actor Ryan Janis until the actor's exit in 1990. That same year, Matthew Vipond was placed into the role; the role was later recast with actor Joey Thrower. In 1992, Thrower was replaced by Kirk Geiger. Geiger stayed with the soap until October 1994. Jack Armstrong succeeded Geiger until his exit a year later in 1995. Armstrong was replaced by Ken Kenitzer, until the actor's exit the same year.

In January 1996, the role was recast again, this time with actor Kevin Stapleton. Stapleton remained with the soap until April 1998, when he was replaced by actor Timothy Gibbs. Gibbs was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2000; he remained with the soap until his decision to leave the soap in March 2001. Gibbs last aired on March 15, 2001. Following Gibbs exit, in 2003 it was ABC announced that actor Dan Gauthier would become the next actor to portray the role. Gauthier debuted in the role on June 27, 2003. In August 2006, it was announced that Gauthier had been cut from his role as Kevin Buchanan. Gauthier returned to the series for guest appearances in August 2007 for the series' 9,999 and 10,000 episodes,

Gauthier continued to make several guest appearances; the first of which happened between October and November 2009. He made his final guest appearances in March, May and November 2010.

In 2007, Gauthier was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a livid Kevin in confrontation with wife Kelly (Heather Tom) at the revelation of her pregnancy with his grandson, Zane.