Terry Lester's acting career took off while he was serving in the Army, where he honed his skills and decided to pursue a career in Hollywood upon his honorable discharge. With a versatile set of talents, including acting, singing, and piano playing, he quickly found work in the entertainment industry.
After landing a few small roles, Lester landed a starring part on the 1976 series Ark II, which showcased his range as an actor. His impressive performance didn't go unnoticed, and he was soon approached by The Young and the Restless to fill in for departing stars. Although he was initially courted for a role, Lester insisted on waiting for a new part, which ultimately led to his iconic role as "Jack Abbott". This role earned him a multitude of Daytime Emmy nominations, solidifying his position as a talented actor in the industry.
However, despite his numerous nominations, Lester was vocal about his dissatisfaction with the Academy and never took home a Daytime Emmy award. In 1984, he left Y&R to join the cast of Santa Barbara, where he played the role of "Mason Capwell" and replaced fellow actor and friend Lane Davies.
As Santa Barbara began to wind down, Lester took some time off before moving to New York to join the cast of As the World Turns. During his time on the show, he developed a close relationship with the head writers, but his role decreased significantly as the writing team changed. Frustrated with the direction of the show, Lester left As the World Turns in 1994.
In the following years, Lester made sporadic appearances on television, but primarily focused on his work in the theater and composing music for various media. Tragically, Terry Lester's life was cut short when he passed away at the age of 53 in 2003, following two heart attacks.
