Ron Moss: “I dedicated my life to Beautiful, it took me 2 years to separate from Ridge. Now I'm making a western, I have Clint Eastwood's approach.”

At the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival, the actor received the International Award and presented his directorial debut, "Tex McKenzie"

Leggo

by Manuela Santacatterina

July 1, 2026

White linen shirt, earrings, chains and colorful bracelets, Ronn Moss cannot take a step without being asked for a photo. What is surprising, however, is the age of those who point to the lens: teenagers who, at the time of his farewell to "Beautiful" in 2012, perhaps had not even been born yet. "They know him through their mothers, grandmothers and aunts. Entire generations have grown up watching him on TV," explains his wife Devin Renee Devasquez when we meet them at the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival, where the actor received the International Award and presented his directorial debut, "Tex McKenzie", a spaghetti western that could become a TV series. "I shot it partly in the hills around Rome and it was beautiful," says Moss. "Directing is something I could do for the rest of my life. I feel like my approach is similar to Clint Eastwood's. Many directors want 35 takes for a scene. But when you have obtained what you need, it is better to turn the page."

Fresh from the Bologna premiere of "Soap Fever", Inka Achté's documentary on the financial crisis of the 90s in Finland that recalls how "Beautiful" became a source of comfort for the country, the actor talked about his relationship with fame and living with Ridge Forrester. "It wasn't difficult to manage celebrity because I don't take myself very seriously.

But I love the warmth of the people. For many years I was alone on TV, so when they meet me they are shocked," explains Moss. "I chose to dedicate my life to Beautiful and I knew I would have to give up something else. I met Valentino in Rome - he continues - and I was inspired by him for the character. It took me two years to separate Ridge from Ronn. I never missed a single day of work because 200 people depended on me. Then, after 25 years, I decided: 'That can be enough'".

There are two reasons why he said goodbye to the record-breaking soap opera after 6,407 episodes: "My contract was expiring and in 2012 I had an accident that made me lose my short-term memory. I couldn't remember the dialogues anymore." Owner of a house in Puglia where he spends half the year, what has Moss learned about Italy that goes beyond stereotypes? "I've been to many other countries and no one is like yours, you are truly unique, you put passion into everything," says the actor. "People here are open to living life to the fullest. Elsewhere they are more hesitant, they don't try to the end."