Don Diamont Makes Rare Comments About Gloria Loring Romance, Says It Was a ‘Wonderful Thing’ Despite 16-Year Age Gap

Tereza ShkurtajSat, August 22, 2026 at 6:59 PM UTC

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Don Diamont.Credit: Brianna Bryson/Getty -

Don Diamont recently opened up about his past relationship with Gloria Loring and described it as a meaningful experience despite their 16-year age difference

He also recalled the close bond he developed with Loring’s sons, Brennan and Robin Thicke, while he was still in his early 20s

A later reunion with Robin gave Diamont an unexpected reminder that his presence during those years had left a lasting impression

Don Diamont is looking back on a relationship that began during his early days in daytime television, when he was just in his early 20s.

The actor, now best known for his longtime roles as Brad Carlton on The Young and the Restlessand Bill Spencer on The Bold and the Beautiful, met singer and actress Gloria Loring while they were both appearing on Days of Our Lives. Loring, who played Liz Chandler, was 16 years older than Diamont and was then the mother of two young sons, Brennan and Robin Thicke, whom she shared with ex-husband and actor Alan Thicke.

During a recent episode of the Soapy podcast, hosted by daytime stars Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart, Diamont reflected on how the three-year relationship became meaningful beyond the age difference and the circumstances surrounding it.

“I met Gloria Loring [on Days of Our Lives], and Gloria and I got involved, and that was actually a really positive, wonderful thing to come out of it,” Diamont, 63, said.

Don Diamont and Gloria Loring.

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Speaking about stepping into a family dynamic at such a young age, Diamont acknowledged that he was barely more than a young adult himself. Still, he said his own upbringing and his affection for children made the experience feel natural rather than intimidating.

“I had a really good dad,” Diamont said, explaining why he felt equipped to take on a supportive role.

Diamont also emphasized that his relationship with Brennan and Robin, the latter of whom went on to become a singer and music producer, was shaped by simply being present in their lives.

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At the time, he explained that Loring and Alan were separated while the latter’s career on Growing Pains was taking off. Diamont was careful to frame that period without casting blame, noting that Alan’s reduced presence was related to “the nature of his job, what was going on at that time.”

For Diamont, that meant becoming a positive male presence for the boys despite being only “22 or 23” himself. “So I wasn’t entirely — it wasn’t really uncomfortable for me. And I was there for them. Robin and Brennan,” he said.

Gloria Loring and Don Diamont.Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Years later, Diamont was surprised to learn that his presence had stayed with Robin.

A friend told him that Robin had brought him up during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, recalling how Diamont had played basketball with him and been there during an important period of his childhood.

Just a few weeks after Robin’s appearance on the show, he and Diamont unexpectedly reunited at Nobu in Malibu, Calif., where Diamont was having dinner with his wife, Cindy Ambuehl, and a few of his children.

When Diamont approached Robin, he immediately recognized him and embraced him. “Before I could even get it out, he’s like, ‘Donald!’ And he throws his arms around me, and we just caught up,” Diamont recalled.

Reflecting on the moment, the actor admitted he had never realized how meaningful those years had been, making the reunion all the more poignant.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”