Richard Backus (born March 28, 1945) is an American actor and television writer.

The production began in October 1969 with Backus cast as the understudy for Keir Dullea in the role of Don Baker.

In the seventies, Backus was in Deathdream and portrayed scheming but well-meaning Jason Saxton on Lovers and Friends.

As the World Turns and One Life to Live have each earned Backus two nominations for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team.

[2] The writing team behind One Life to Live was also nominated for the 2004 Writers Guild of America Award for Daytime Serials.