Ronn Moss: 'I Need To Move Forward, Not Backwards'

Ronn Moss spoke with Entertainment Weekly about leaving THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL and the character of Ridge Forrester after 25 years. Moss is looking forward to new challenges but is open to a possible return someday. Below is an excerpt from the interview:

So, to be clear, money was a piece of the puzzle?
Yes, a piece of the whole thing, and it all showed me I need to move forward, not backwards, and I've been doing this for 25 years. How many shows — how many jobs — last that long? I felt that I needed to go in this new direction to give myself the chance to do all the creative things that I haven't had a chance to do in 25 years, because I've dedicated so much of my life to this. That's what I want the fans to hear, how dedicated I am to them. I wouldn't have done it all this time if I wasn't dedicated. It's not just a job! I could do lots of other jobs. I had music, I had lots of other acting things.

What has the reaction been like around the news of you leaving?
People were shocked because it came rather quickly because of the time we're in. The producers come and say: "Your contract is coming up for renewal and you have to make some decisions." Well, I've been through this many times on the show. How many times have we done this? It always keeps going because you give and take — it's a give and take. Well, I got to a point where I couldn't give anymore. I couldn't give anymore. I've got to move to a place where my world is able to open up, and I needed that. I was sad to leave. It was really sad to leave, but I had to because of all the things that are going on, everything. I can't pinpoint one specific thing because that would be unfair, that would diminish everything else.

As a veteran of the soap business, do you think it's a viable business going forward?
I think dramatic series are always going to be viable.

How did you feel about Ridge's send-off on the show?
There wasn't really a send-off. It was left up in the air, which one side of me goes, That's very unresolved. And the other side goes, I love that it was unresolved. I love that we just go off.

Are are you totally opposed to ever returning?
No. But I need time. I need time. And I want to dedicate myself to this rebirth, this new life.

Will you be upset if they recast Ridge?
I don't know if I really want to say because it's not up to me. If it was up to me, I would say, "Let me have that as the legacy. Let me make that 25 years worth what I thought it was." But it's out of my hands.