Thorsten Kaye (born as Thorsten Ernst Kieselbach February 22, 1966, Erfurt, East Germany, now Erfurt, Germany) is an American-based actor.

Early life

Raised in Mainz and London, Kaye came to the United States in 1985 on a track (decathlon) scholarship to the United States International University in San Diego. Kaye majored in physical education (and minored in drama), but ultimately changed his major to drama and received his bachelor's degree in fine arts.

After a rugby union tour through Europe, Kaye enrolled in graduate school at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he earned his master's degree in theater and theater history.

Acting career

Kaye appeared in many classical theater roles, including The Winter's Tale, Tartuffe,
Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet,
Love's Labour's Lost, Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew, both in London and with the Hilberry Repertory Company in Detroit.

Kaye then moved to Los Angeles, where he garnered roles in various television projects, including the miniseries, Sidney Sheldon's Nothing Lasts Forever, before moving to New York to accept the role of Patrick Thornhart on ABC's One Life to Live.

He appeared as professor Patrick Thornhart on One Life to Live (1995 – 1997). Later, he returned to ABC as Patrick's doctor brother Ian Thornhart on Port Charles (2000 – 2003). In 2004, he began playing Zach Slater on All My Children. He has been nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards and three Soap Opera Digest Awards. He was nominated for a 2006 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor for All My Children.

Kaye has an extensive portfolio of work in television, film and theatre. In addition to his work on soaps, he has appeared in
Sliders, Law & Order and Air America. After working with David Worth (Bloodsport) in the film, The Prophet's Game (which starred Dennis Hopper) Kaye re-teamed with the director in the thriller Shark Attack II. He has also appeared in the feature films The Silencers, Deadly Desire and The Bone Collector.

Writer/poet

Kaye published a book of original poetry, entitled From Timber Ridge to Daymer Gardens, with Dorothy Bridges, widow of actor Lloyd Bridges. Proceeds from the book, which accompanied a CD release of the same name, go to Give Kids the World, a charity for sick children.

Personal life

When not working, Kaye enjoys music, literature, riding American motorcycles, and is a huge Miami Dolphins and Detroit Red Wings fan.

While appearing on One Life to Live, he met his partner, Susan Haskell, who played his on-show love interest (Margaret "Marty" Saybrooke). The two currently have two daughters, McKenna (born February 2003) and Marlowe (born January 2007).

Kaye contributed a blog about the Detroit Red Wings on NHL.com during the 2008 Playoffs.