Caitlin Van Zandt

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SOAP STAR STATS

Caitlin Van Zandt (Ashlee, GUIDING LIGHT)

Vital Statistics

The 411

Caitlin Van Zandt was born and raised in New York City. She spent much of her childhood growing up in the wings of Radio City Music Hall, where her mother is a wardrobe supervisor. ("It was quite an interesting upbringing, an interesting playground," Van Zandt muses.) Her unique backstage perspective and her bubbly personality fueled her desire to act. At age 7, she began attending the Stagedoor Manor summer performing arts camp alongside other actors-in-training, including Natalie Portman and Mandy Moore.

Van Zandt graduated from New York's LaGuardia High School in 2003 and quickly landed roles in several independent films, as well as a recurring role as mob daughter Allegra Sacrimoni on THE SOPRANOS. After reading the character breakdown for GL's Ashlee Wolfe, a "not typical" daytime role, Van Zandt knew she had to audition for the part, but she never imagined that she'd actually land it.

"They always say never go in [to an audition] with a bad attitude, thinking you're not going to get it," the actress shares. "It's kind of like, 'I might as well go in and just be myself because I'm not going to get this job.' And I actually think that's the best way to go about things. I walked in there like, 'Hey [Casting Director] Rob [Decina]! How ya doing? Waka, waka, waka! And telling jokes," she laughs. "I had this [feeling in the] pit of my stomach that I got it, but I was never going to admit that to anyone!"

Fortunately, both Decina and daytime fans loved Van Zandt's portrayal, so after her six-month stint on the show was up, she was asked to return full time. Van Zandt happily signed a three-year contract with GL in February 2007.

Et Cetera

Fun Facts
— Is not related to her former SOPRANOS co-star and musician, Steve Van Zandt.
— Fluent in Italian
— Has two older half siblings
— Auditioned for the lead role in both the 2007 remake of the movie Hairspray and the Broadway musical version.
— Is a religious studies major at Hunter College in New York City.
— Loves Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin films. She's also a devoted fan of Harry Potter books and movies.
— Is an alum of the same performing arts high school that was portrayed in the 1980 film Fame.

Career Highlights

TV Roles/Appearances
THE SOPRANOS (Allegra Sacrimoni, 2006-07)
HOPE & FAITH (Kathy, 2005)
QUEENS SUPREME (Chelsea, 2004)
Film Roles
Gardener of Eden (Sara, 2007)
Stephanie Daley (Satin, 2006)
Camp (llana, 2003)

Memorable Quotes

"A torrid sex scene with any hunk of Springfield!"
— Van Zandt on her fantasy soap scene, Soap Opera Digest, 3/13/07

"I always worry about the ax falling, but everyone does.... It's a place of work and a huge part of the job is to prove yourself to your bosses every day."
— Soap Opera Weekly, 4/24/07

"Most people are happy with the way I look, so now it's just me dealing with how I look and working at it without getting obsessive."
— Digest, 7/3/07

Check It Out!
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