As Gus Aitoro, a former FBI agent on daytime drama Guiding Light, Ricky Paull Goldin is used to rescuing people. Out of the fictitious Midwestern town of Springfield, and in the very real city of New York, Goldin has quite a track record of saving animals in need. Oliver, a one-year-old poodle who was never housetrained (so wears a denim diaper), Jacob, a four year old German shepherd mix, and Mr. Bigglesworth (Mr. Big), a three year old Chihuahua will attest to that.
The 35 year-old actor, who was once engaged to Baywatch babe Yasmine Bleeth (and says his romantic life is as dramatic as his character’s in Guiding Light), finds beauty and comfort in his pets. He rescued Oliver from a puppy mill in the Bronx, Mr. Big off the streets in Compton, and Jacob from a pound in Long Island.
Originally from Long Island, Ricky traveled extensively throughout his childhood: New York, Los Angeles, Hawaii, England and Ireland are just a few of the places he, for a time, called home. His father was a noted hypnotist and traveled to entertain people with his talent. From him, the actor likely inherited his flair for theater and comfort in front of audiences. It was Ricky’s mom, though, who was the real driving force behind his love of animals. He recalls, “my mother would wake me up at 3:00am because she found a dog on the freeway by the airport and we’d have to save this dog. She’d always have her car filled with dog leashes and bowls and stuff.” Today, Ricky and his mom share the joy of catering to the needs of the dogs – so to give them the opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of the city and the country. Ricky is a huge supporter of a local New York organization, Angel’s Gate, a hospice for sick and injured animals, that he calls “incredible.”
Goldin says his personality renders him most akin to a wolf because “I’m very cunning and very nighttime.” Ricky has the good looks, hypnotic eyes, sharp wit and sense of style that screams confidence and an ability to turn any situation not only to his advantage, but also to the advantage of others. And those ‘others’ most certainly include Oliver, Jacob and Mr. Big, who, after his long hours on the set chasing the mob, finding out who his real father is, allegedly shooting the love of his life and acting out other soap opera twists and turns, provide him yet another daily dose of drama.
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