Thorsten Ernst Kieselbach "Kaye"
Raised in London, Thorsten came to the United States in 1985 on a track (decathlon) scholarship to the United States International University in San Diego. Thorsten majored in physical education and minored in drama, but ultimately changed his major to drama and received his bachelor's degree in fine arts.
After a rugby tour through Europe, Kaye enrolled in graduate school at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he earned his master's degree in theater and theater history. Although he fondly remembers his first professional role as that of the "Wicked Witch of the West" when he was 17 years old in England, Thorsten portrayed some of the most memorable characters in classical theater, from Macbeth to Mark Antony, while a member of the Hilberry Repertory Company in Detroit.
Thorsten then moved to Los Angeles, where he garnered roles in various television projects, including the miniseries, Sidney Sheldon's Nothing Lasts Forever, before moving to New York to accept the role of Patrick Thornhart on One Life to Live. He later landed the role of Ian Thornhart on Port Charles.
Kaye has an extensive portfolio of work in television, film, and theatre. In addition to his work on soaps, he has appeared in numerous TV shows including Sliders, Law & Order, Nothing Lasts Forever, and Air America. On the London stage, he's performed in such plays as The Winter's Tale, Love for Love, and Tartuffe. A seasoned Shakespearean actor, he has performed in Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, Love's Labour's Lost, Twelfth Night, and The Taming of the Shrew, among other productions. After working with David Worth (Bloodsport) in the film The Prophet's Game -- starring Dennis Hopper -- Mr. Kaye re-teamed with the director in the thriller Shark Attack II. He has also appeared in the feature films The Silencers, Deadly Desire, and The Bone Collector.
Kaye has also published a book of original poetry, entitled From Timber Ridge to Daymer Gardens, with Dorothy Bridges, widow of actor Lloyd Bridges. Proceeds from the book, which accompanied a CD release of the same name, go to Give Kids the World, a charity for sick children.
When not working, Thorsten enjoys music, literature, riding American motorcycles, and hockey; he is also a huge Miami Dolphins fan.
The Bold and the Beautiful
Ridge Forrester
December 13, 2013 to Present
All My Children
Zachery Slater
May 20, 2004, to
December 29, 2009;
January 5, 2010;
April 13, 2010, to
April 16, 2010;
August 16, 2010, to
August 26, 2010;
October 22, 2010 to
November 16, 2010;
August 5, 2011 to
September 23, 2011;
April 29, 2013 to
September 2, 2013;
Port Charles
Ian Thornhart
May 5, 2000 to October 3, 2003
One Life to Live
Patrick Thornhart
October 15, 1995 to
September 16, 1997
Deadly Desire
Airport Agent
1991
Shark Attack II
Dr. Nick Harris
2000
The Bone Collector
[Stuntman]
1999
The Prophet's Game
Joey Highsmith
1999
The Silencers
Jasper
1996
Daytime Emmys Winner, Outstanding Lead Actor (
2023; for The Bold and the Beautiful)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor (
2020,
2023; for The Bold and the Beautiful)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor (2006, 2009; for All My Children)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor (2003, 2004; for
Port Charles)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010; for All My Children)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor (2003, 2004; for
Port Charles)
Soap Central Dankies Winner, Outstanding Lead Actor (2009; for All My Children)
Soap Central Dankies Winner, Most Attractive Male Star (2009; for All My Children)
Soap Central Dankies Winner, Favorite Couple: Zach Slater and Kendall Hart (2009; for All My Children)
Soap Central Dankies Winner, Outstanding Overall Performer (2009; for All My Children)
PLACE OF BIRTH: Mainz, (West) Germany
DATE OF BIRTH: February 22, 1966
MARITAL STATUS: Long-time companion of Susan Haskell
CHILDREN: Daughter, McKenna [Feb 27, 2003]; daughter, Marlowe Marann [Jan 28, 2007, at 9:38 p.m.; weighed 5 lbs., 8 oz.]
News Archive: Rumors say Kaye in talks with AMC. [Apr 1, 2004]
News Archive: Done deal: Kaye inks deal with AMC. [Apr 6, 2004]
News Archive: Kaye, ABC hit impasse in contract talks. [Feb 21, 2009]
News Archive: Deal reached in Kaye contract talks. [Mar 16, 2009]
News Archive: Kaye earns fourth Lead Actor Emmy nomination. [May 14, 2009]
News Archive: Thorsten Kaye won't relocate with AMC, will exit the show. [Oct 5, 2009]
News Archive: Minshew, Kaye to make brief AMC return. [Feb 22, 2010]
News Archive: Kaye to make short-term, long-term AMC appearances. [Aug 15, 2010]
News Archive: First airdate set for Kaye's AMC return. [Sep 13, 2010]
News Archive: AMC to kill off Zach, Kaye out after six years with AMC. [Nov 7, 2010]
News Archive: Kaye agrees to return to help wrap up AMC. [May 7, 2011]
News Archive: Prospect Park confirms Kaye, others for AMC reboot. [Jan 22, 2013]
News Archive: Podcast: Interviews with AMC and OLTL stars from series' Red Carpet premiere [Apr 26, 2013]
News Archive: B&B hires Thorsten Kaye as its new Ridge. [Oct 15, 2013]
News Archive: WATCH: B&B cast reads show's very first episode [Nov 14, 2016]
News Archive: Thorsten Kaye writes soap star-studded film. [Jan 11, 2018]
News Archive: WATCH: How do the stars of B&B memorize all those lines (and what happens when they forget)? [Sep 1, 2018]
News Archive: WATCH: B&B stars reveal the weird items they keep in their dressing rooms [Sep 14, 2018]
News Archive: FANdemonium! B&B stars share crazy, heartfelt fan moments [Sep 20, 2018]
News Archive: The Bold and the Beautiful's Thorsten Kaye: "Brooke has always been the one for Ridge, BUT..." [Nov 1, 2019]
News Archive: INTERVIEW: Thorsten Kaye dishes on his Emmy nomination for his work as The Bold and the Beautiful's Ridge Forrester [Jun 23, 2020]
News Archive: Thorsten Kaye plans break from The Bold and the Beautiful, talks popularity of All My Children [Jul 5, 2021]
News Archive: The Bold and the Beautiful's Thorsten Kaye on Ridge's romantic future [Jun 8, 2022]
News Archive: 2023 Daytime Emmys: B&B's Thorsten Kaye, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood sweep Lead acting categories [Dec 15, 2023]
