Anthony Herrera interview with ClarionLedger.com

ATWT's Anthony Herrera talked to his home state of Mississippi's ClarionLedger.com about his career and battle with mantle cell lymphoma.

From the interview & daytimeconfidential.com: 


There was a point after his diagnoses when he had to decide whether he wanted to live or die. Fortunately for us, he fought like hell to survive. During the interview, he parallels his character with his real life, both of which appear to be very intertwined.

In reality, he has shown the resiliency of the character for which he is known. Stenbeck has been killed five times on As The World Turns. He fell out of a cargo plane, was shot twice, went down in a helicopter crash and tumbled off a lighthouse. But, somehow, he always returned.

After his graduation from The University of Mississippi, Herrera headed to New Orleans to get a feel for big city life. Once he got adjusted, he set off for New York and studied acting under Stella Adler while waiting tables. ATWT came calling in 1980 and the rest is history. Herrera, however doesn't see James Stenbeck as a villain,

He is a European aristocrat. I've known some of those guys. You think laws mean anything to them? James looked at most people as though they were real stupid. If he wanted something they had, he took it. But he also felt justified ... that he was right in his heart, soul and mind.

When the success came, so did the disease. He has been in remission since 1999 and credits his brother's immune system for keeping him alive. His medical case brought him to the forefront of stem cell research and in 2005 he testified about the importance of it on behalf of Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. His book, The Cancer War, can be read online for free at TheCancerWar.com.
Will James reappear in Oakdale before next September? Herrera hopes so and if I have to be honest, so do I.