Thorsten moved to the US in 1985 on a track (decathlon) scholarship to the United States International University in San Diego. Although Thorsten majored in physical education (and minored in drama), a serious motorcycle accident forced him to choose a different direction. He played soccer for a while, but ultimately changed his major to drama and received his Bachelor's Degree in fine arts. After a rugby 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. Although he fondly remembers his first professional role as that of the "Wicked Witch of the West" when he was 17 years old in England, Thorsten portrayed some of the most memorable characters in classical theater, from Macbeth to Mark Antony, while a member of the Hilberry Repertory Theatre Company in Detroit. Thorsten then moved to Los Angeles, where he garnered roles in various television projects, including the CBS mini-series: Sidney Sheldon's "Nothing Lasts Forever", before moving to New York to accept the role of Professer Patrick Thornhart on the ABC-TV daytime drama "One Life to Live." After leaving "One life to Live," Thorsten starred in the 2000 film "Shark Attack 2." Later in 2000, Thorsten returned to daytime television as Dr. Ian Thornhart (Patrick's older brother) on the ABC-TV drama "Port Charles." In 2004, he accepted the role of the mysterious Zach Slater on ABC-TV's "All My Children." Thorsten is the author of two books: "From Timber Ridge to Daymer Gardens: A Journey in Words," co-written with the late Dorothy Bridges, and "A Solid Wheel of Colored Ribbons," a book of children's poems with illustrations by Tami Evans Foster (to be published in the spring of 2009). When not working, Thorsten enjoys music, literature, riding American motorcycles, hockey (following the Detroit Red Wings), and football (he is a Miami Dolphins fan).

Three years after playing Patrick Thornhart on "One Life To Live", he began playing his own character's brother, Ian Thornhart on another ABC show, "Port Charles". His real life girlfriend, Susan Haskell played his love interest on "One Life To Live" as well as making a cameo as the ghost of Ian's sister on "Port Charles".He and his girlfriend Susan Haskell became parents of a daughter, McKenna, in February 2003.He & his longtime partner, former One Life to Live star Susan Haskell, 38, welcomed their second child on January 28, 2007. Daughter, Marlowe Marann was born at 9:38 pm, weighing in at 5 lbs, 8 oz.