The Story Behind Ridge Forrester's True Father On The Bold And The Beautiful
"The Bold and The Beautiful" can't stop surprising us. The American soap opera released in 1987 is still going strong and has been renewed for the 2023-24 season. The show has won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and has ongoing top ratings, making it one of the most beloved American soap operas in the world, per the show's website.
Since "B&B" has been running for such a long time, it can be hard to remember and keep up with all the conflicts, relationships, and family trees. Some of the most surprising connections and storylines involve Ridge Forrester, a role originated by Ronn Moss and currently played by Emmy Award nominee Thorsten Kaye. Introduced in the show as the eldest son of Eric and Stephanie Forrester, Ridge is the co-owner and co-CEO of Forrester Creations and has the pressure of making his family business successful (via Soap Central). While Ridge's love life is full of unexpected turns and twists, including multiple marriages and affairs — particularly with Brooke Logan and Taylor Hayes – but the story behind his true paternity is just as intriguing.
Eric Forrester isn't Ridge's father
Actor Joseph Mascolo was taking a break from his stellar role in "Days of Our Lives" when he joined "The Bold and the Beautiful" cast from 2001 to 2006 (via Deadline). Mascolo played the role of Massimo Marone, a former college fling of Stephanie Forrester (Susan Flannery). The pair stopped seeing each other after Stephanie found out she was pregnant with Ridge and assumed her darling Eric Forrester (John McCook) was the father. For many years, Eric and Ridge were a powerful father-son duo on "B&B," turning Forrester Creations into a top fashion design house.
However, fans of the soap were in for a shock in 2002 when some surprising news came to light. Ridge suffered an accident that required a blood transfusion, and tests proved that Eric couldn't be his biological father, leaving Massimo as the only other option (via Soaps in Depth). Though this news was heartbreaking to both Ridge and Eric, the younger man built somewhat of a bond with his birth father while maintaining his relationship with Eric.
Unfortunately, viewers will likely never see the father-son relationship between Massimo and Ridge develop further since Mascolo passed away in December 2016 at age 87. A recast is unlikely as the character hasn't been referenced in several years, but it's not impossible. Meanwhile, Ridge and Eric's relationship remains strong despite the paternity reveal. Eric raised Ridge and sees him as his own despite not being his biological father.