Bold and the Beautiful Message Board

Bold and Beautiful cougar marriage
By Carolyn Hinsey
Daily News Staff Writer

Lesley Anne Down says she is 'One lucky cougar.'
Jackie will marry the much-younger Owen Friday on "The Bold and the Beautiful," despite her son Nick's objections.

"Jackie has no idea Nick is even in Hawaii," says Lesley-Anne Down, who plays the "mature" bride. "Nick is also oblivious, thanks to Bridget."

Nick's wife, Bridget, has been working in cahoots with Owen to keep mother and son from finding out the other is there. But Nick learns the truth today and, sure enough, sets out to stop the wedding.

"He doesn't get there in time," says Down. "They get married surrounded by people in leis that they've never seen before and never will again. As they're driving away in the dune buggy, Jackie hears a voice: 'Mother!' She says, 'What was that?' Owen accelerates faster."

The newlyweds enjoy a romantic wedding night, and then head back to L.A., where young Owen can't help gloating to Nick.

"He's his stepfather now," says Down with a laugh. "Call me Daddy! Nick's opinion of Owen has not changed. He doesn't think Owen married his mother for the right reasons."

Du-uh, retorts Jackie.

"Jackie tells Nick that she is not under any false belief that had she been working in a fast-food restaurant or pumping gas, Owen would have given her the time of day. The very fact that she's got money is good. Who doesn't like money?"

Jackie probably won't be able to give Owen kids, though, since she is already a grandmother.

"Right you are," says Down. "She could go all Octomom, though, and take little fertility things."

Down has a much better sense of humor about her age than most actresses.

"In real life, Brandon [Beemer, who plays Owen] is 29, so there's a 26-year age difference. I'm supposed to be older than 55 on this show, because Jack [Wagner, who plays Nick] and I only have a six-year age difference. I just assume that Jackie had him in her teens and has had some really good surgery."

Down is aware that "All My Children" is following suit with an older woman/younger man story, starring Susan Lucci and Cameron Mathison.

"I would stack my Brandon up against Mr. Mathison any day," says Down. "I am a lucky cougar."

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