Walt Willey was born in Ottawa, Illinois, and attended Southern Illinois University, where he majored in Fine Arts. During his time at college, he became involved in acting, performing major roles in several productions.
After leaving Illinois, Walt moved to New York to pursue a career in acting, performing in numerous Off-Broadway productions, including "Dust Off" with Dan Lauria, and stints on NBC's "Another World" as "James La Russo" and "Joe Novak" on ABC's "Ryan's Hope".
In 1987, Walt joined the cast of ABC's "All My Children", playing the role of a lawyer. He branched out into stand-up comedy in 1990, entertaining across the country, headlining at famous comedy clubs such as Caroline's in New York, Zanies in Chicago, and the Comedy Store in California.
Walt continues to tour nationally, and was inducted into the Friars Club in January 2001, alongside Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, and Billy Crystal. He released his first comedy DVD, "Wild and Willey", in 2006, which was a bit of a shock to those who knew him from his portrayal of "Jackson Montgomery" and his on-air hosting stints.
Walt co-hosted the 20th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards with Susan Lucci, and also co-hosted the Ford Supermodel of the World with Beverly Johnson and Rachel Hunter. He hosted ABC's coverage of the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1994, 1995, and 1997, and also hosted Disney's "A Magical Time in a Magical Place".
As a published satirist and cartoonist, Walt has been a regular columnist and cartoonist for Soap Opera Update and Soap Opera Weekly. His lithograph, "Soaperman", hangs in Chicago's Underground Comics Hall of Fame, and his collection of drawings, "The Arthurian Legend: A Re-Telling of the Christ Myth", garnered popular and critical raves during its gallery tour.
Walt has also appeared as himself in comic-book form in Valiant Comics' "The Second Life of Dr. Mirage", and as a celebrity panelist on "The Match Game" and "To Tell the Truth". In 2009, he co-founded a regional community theatre in his hometown of Ottawa, Illinois, where they have presented several productions.
Walt regularly hosts charity fundraisers and has developed the Willey World Endowment Fund, benefiting children's charities. When not working, Walt resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his son, Chance, and daughter, Merit.
