STUDIO CITY—Actor, writer, producer Heath Kizzier spent a few hours with me this weekend in Studio City where we discussed his life. I said to him, “Your life should be a book.” Heath laughed and said, “By the way, Tommy. I have something for you.” Out came his book.

Our mutual friend the cabaret singer and writer David Johnson always says, “There are no coincidences.” It was David that connected us after many years. In the late 1990s Heath was the better half of a budding super couple on CBS’s mega hit “The Young and the Restless.” Kizzier was Dr. Joshua Landers who was married to Victor Newman’s perennial bride Nikki Reed. Josh and Nikki were extremely happy until Josh’s ex wife got a job as the Landers’s maid and shot him in the chest twice and then went after Nikki. Nikki survived, while female hearts were broken all over the world as Josh took his final breaths.

Photo of Heath Kizzier Courtesy Jim Warren Photography

A decade later Kizzier is just as handsome and gracious as he was back then. He’s proof that some people can come to Hollywood and not let it effect who they are or change them. He’s as kind and as talented as ever. Maybe more talented than ever. The former actor who is a well known writer has just completed another great book. I’m fixated on it right now and looking forward to reviewing it. This is the book that every young person should buy before they move to Hollywood. It should also become a rite of passage in American Literature. This is a tome that belongs in every high school and university on the planet.

Heath Kizzier can speak very eloquently for himself. So when I pressed the tape and asked him to please answer my questions honestly, he did. Not even June gloom weather in normally sunny L.A. could dim my excitement listening to this incredibly talented man who has done it all and come out on top. Heath Kizzier’s proof that good guys do finish first. At least he has. Here’s what Heath had to say about his life.

Book Cover Courtesy: Heath Kizzier

Q- Fans loved Joshua on "The Young and the Restless." Were you sad to see your character killed off?

A-“Thanks, Tommy. I was definitely sad to see Dr. Josh move on into That Good Night. During the last few days of the show I received the best material I'd had over the course of 2 1/2 years; so while I guess I went off with a bang (minor pun intended), it seemed that the character could have spun off into something unexpected. Truth is, I had quite hoped to have been turned into a bad-guy before the end. The writers were definitely baiting the hook for something fun to happen prior to the final two bullets to the chest.”

Q-Do you keep in contact with anyone from the show?

A- “I did for a few years. We'd bump into each other at gatherings and producer meetings and whatnot—catch up and tell tales. Recently though I've been leading the quiet life of the writer.”

Q-You have been doing a lot of writing. Tell me about your most recent book?

A-“It's a memoir, and the title is 'Can I See Your I.D., Son?' This is a coming of age story taking the reader from my childhood homeless days in Colorado, through a multitude of ruckus, odd, and some rather bizarre adventures, and finally leading into my acting days, which is an adventure in itself! As I wrote these pages I realized that I have forever done things the hard way, and now, looking back, I see how FUNNY it was! Or maybe I should say I was funny—in the weird, off base definition of the word.”

Q-Where is the book available?

A-“We're in the earliest phase of the release right now. It'll be in stores at the beginning of July. So as of now you can find it on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and most of the retailer Web sites. Most bookstores can/will order it in their systems and get it in a few days.”

Q-What has been going on in your professional life these past few years?

A-“Well, I left Y&R in 98 or 99. After that I dallied in the acting field for a while, but I wasn't really into it. At that time I had been writing for some time and the writing bug had taken me. So, to answer your question, I've been writing. The first novel came out in 2001, the second in 2004. In-between I wrote TV/film scripts, produced a few of them, and even wrote for the NTI and the Department of Homeland Security creating training films for America's first responders in the event of a terrorist attack. (My first 2 novels were based in the terrorist/thriller realm, so that's how I was recruited for the work. It was great fun.) Of course there is a day-job. I also run a Real Estate appraisal company.”

Q-Is it true that you are also an acting coach?

A-“Yes, and it is something that I rather regret not focusing more attention on. I love writing with a passion, but I adore teaching as well, always have. Especially acting. With acting there is such room for near-immediate improvement in a student. Their eyes light up and they just suddenly Get It. There is nothing like seeing a newbie actor fall instantly in love with his/her craft. Priceless.”

Q-An actor as handsome and talented as you are, why do you love doing so much behind the scenes work?

A- With Heath blushing. “Thanks Tommy. The truth is, once I angled toward writing, I never had a desire to return to acting. I realized after 20 years that I didn't have the right temperament to be an actor. There is SO much rejection in acting that you really have to celebrate your "wins" when they come along. Instead, I was too serious. I'd pump a yeah-baby fist, then immediately begin to stress over the new role. As a writer, I'm allowed to be as neurotic as a poodle on speed. I can stress and ponder and over-think to my heart's content.... and nobody is going to see me! This is the perfect job for an over-zealous perfectionist, because nobody will see my work until it is .... Peeeeeerrrrrfect.”

Q-Are you going to be traveling promoting your book? If so, where?

A-“I'm sure I will. So far no dates have been set. I have a horrifically-outdated fan site, but I'll have the team upload dates/places as they become available. For now anyone can order it at Amazon.com. I promise to update my site and give that information at a later date, Tommy.”

Q-You grew up in South Dakota and Colorado. Did you know at an early age you'd become an actor and a writer?

A-“Absolutely not. I wanted to be a techie (a lighting guy). I liked the switches and levers and gadgets and thought the actors were insane to put themselves out there for such ridicule. As far as writing…well, that's a job where all you do is structure sentences all day! I hated English class. Ick....... Not sure what changed.”

Q-What is the next book you are working on?

A-“I have two going right now. I'm getting pressure to turn my second novel, 'Urban Healer' into a screenplay. So I've been toying with an outline for that one. Problem is... It's nearly impossible for an author of a 400 page book to edit it down to 2-hour movie length. (You have to cut too many darlings.) I might need help with that one, we'll see. The second is a novel with 2 storylines which take place 900 years apart and ultimately thread together in a wide-reaching Thriller. Both are big projects. I am also preparing to introduce several of my new scripts into the market, thus doing my pitch/producer hat. Thanks for the visit, Tommy. Had a great time.”

The pleasure was all mine. Look for my book review of Heath’s memoir next week in Canyon News.  Heath's official site is at:  http://www.heathkizzier.com/

Book Cover Courtesy: Heath Kizzier