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The land of soaps continues to mourn many great daytime drama stars who passed away in 2024. As fans reflect on the past year, the highs and lows, we take this opportunity to pay tribute to some of the incredible actors and actresses we have lost this year.

In Memoriam – Soap Stars We Lost At The Beginning Of 2024

Bridget Dobson, the co-creator of Santa Barbara, and also once a head writer for General Hospital (Gh), As the World Turns (Atwt), and Guiding Light (Gl), passed away in January 2024 at the age of 85.

Meanwhile, Days of Our Lives (Dool) legend, Bill Hayes, who played Doug Williams on the show passed away on January 12. Alec Musser, who was on All My Children (AMC) playing Del Henry (as well as other movie roles) passed away on January 12 as well, when he took his life at the age of 50.

As January went on, David Gail,...

Thom Christopher, the Daytime Emmy-winning actor who portrayed the mobster Carlo Hesser and his meeker twin brother, Mortimer Bern, on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, has died. He was 84.

Christopher died Thursday in a New York hospital after a long illness, his friend, photographer Steven Bergman, announced.

The native New Yorker also was known for his turn as the stoic, half-man, half-bird alien Hawk (think Mr. Spock on Star Trek) on the second season of the 1979-81 NBC series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. He often shared scenes with Felix Silla’s robot Twiki.

Christopher joined One Life to Live in 1990 as the drug trafficker Carlo — he was only supposed to work one day on the daytime drama — and would seek revenge against the Buchanan family after his son Johnny (Anthony Crivello) is killed by Viki Buchanan (Erika Slezak).

Carlo was found murdered in 1992, but Christopher stuck around as Mortimer,...

Sad news in the land of daytime drama as Thom Christopher, best known for this legendary (and villainous) One Life to Live (Oltl) character, Carlo Hesser, has died at 84 years of age.

One Life To Live Spoilers – Alum Thom Christopher Dies – Onscreen Son Shares Sad News

Anthony Crivello, Christopher’s former Oltl co-star who played Carlo’s son, Johnny Dee Hesser, broke the news on Facebook.

Crivello states in a post, “My dear friend of many years, actor #ThomChristopher passed today. He was always a gentleman, always supportive, and he and his wife Judith who [preceded] him in death, [were] always gracious to me and welcoming.”

Crivello goes on to note, “Thom and I worked together on the #abc daytime series #onelifetolive in the 1990s. We’re seen here with the lovely #audrylanders who played my sister, and Thom my father.”

In the Facebook post, he also added, “It was a wonderful time,...

Veteran soap actor Thom Christopher has died. The One Life to Live alum, who portrayed mob boss Carlo Hesser and his twin Mortimer Bern on the soap, was 84 when he passed. His former television son, Anthony Crivello, who portrayed Johnny, confirmed his death on social media.

Goodbye To A Legend

Crivello shared the news on Facebook. He wrote, “My dear friend of many years, actor Thom Christopher passed today. He was always a gentleman, always supportive, and he and his wife Judith who proceeded him in death, where [sic] always gracious to me and welcoming. Thom and I worked together on the ABC daytime series One Life to Live in the 1990s…. It was a wonderful time, difficult hours and long days, but joyful each minute. May Thom fly on Wings of Angels to be beside his beloved Judith, and may they enjoy each other’s company once again, beside the ‘Pearly Gates’ of heaven.

Ray Wise is back on The Young and the Restless canvas as master manipulator Ian Ward. Perhaps best known for his role as Leland Palmer on Twin Peaks, Wise initially debuted on the soap in 2014 as the New World Cult leader with a history of tormenting Nikki. Although sent to prison in 2016, he’s now back to wreak more havoc.

Need To Know

The veteran actor has had an impressive career in film and television. Some of his most memorable roles include henchman Leon C. Nash in RoboCop (1987), Jack Taggart Sr. in Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003), and the Devil in The CW series Reaper (2003).

Want to learn more about the actor? Here are seven things to know about Ray Wise.

1. Wise was born in Akron, Ohio, and is of Romanian descent on his mother’s side. He attended Garfield High School before enrolling at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Upon graduation,...

Darryl Hickman, who appeared in such films as The Grapes of Wrath and Leave Her to Heaven as a youngster before becoming a CBS executive in charge of daytime drama and an actor once more, has died. He was 92.

Hickman, who lived in Montecito, died Wednesday, his family announced.

He was the older brother (by three years) of the late Dwayne Hickman, who starred on the 1959-63 CBS comedy The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Darryl appeared with his brother in Captain Eddie (1945) — he played famed fighter pilot Eddie Rickenbacker as a boy — and on three first-season episodes of Dobie as older brother Davey, who came home from college.

In 1951, after appearances in more than 40 movies, Hickman — who had been a contract player at Paramount and MGM — became disillusioned with the business and entered a monastery, though he was back in show business before long.

Hickman had made his first...

Ron Harper, who starred in iconic science-fiction series like Planet of the Apes and Land of the Lost, has died at 91. His daughter, Nicole Longeuay, says her father died of natural causes at his home in West Hills on Thursday.

Ron Harper, with his golden hair, piercing eyes, and suave demeanor, was an understudy for Paul Newman on Broadway before playing notable roles like Alan Virdon in the Planet of the Apes series, Uncle Jack in Land of the Lost, and Peter Whitmore in the TV series Generations. Before striking it rich with roles that would increase his star power, Harper appeared in four series that never got a second season, including 87th Precinct, Wendy and Me, The Jean Arthur Show, and Garrison’s Gorillas.

Thankfully, Planet of the Apes helped put Harper on executive’s watch lists. While Planet of the Apes didn’t last long on the air, Harper...

Ron Harper, who starred on Planet of the Apes and four other short-lived primetime series and on the final season of the beloved kids TV show Land of the Lost during a very busy 15 years on television, has died. He was 91.

Harper died Thursday of natural causes at his home in West Hills, his daughter, Nicole Longeuay, told The Hollywood Reporter.

After understudying for Paul Newman on Broadway, Harper portrayed Det. Bert Kling alongside Norman Fell, Robert Lansing, Gregory Walcott and Gena Rowlands on the 1961-62 NBC cop show 87th Precinct, based on the novels of Ed McBain.

He played Jeff Conway, the husband of Connie Stevens’ character, on the 1964-65 ABC sitcom Wendy and Me, also starring George Burns, who produced the show and appeared as the owner of the apartment building in which the young couple lives.

Next up for Harper were turns as the son of Jean Arthur...

Christopher Reeve was initially unsure about landing the role of Superman when he heard that Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman were going to appear in the movie. Since he was not as famous as these actors, he doubted his chances of getting the role. Working with Brando was a big deal at the time. However, in an interview, Reeve revealed that he did not enjoy working with him.

Christopher Reeve in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

Christopher Reeve’s career quite literally went skywards with his appearance as the DC superhero Superman in the eponymous 1978 movie. His first professional screen appearance as an actor came with his role as Ben Harper in the 1974 CBS soap opera Love of Life. He did not appear in a Hollywood movie until 1978 when he starred in Gray Lady Down. He once told David Letterman the reason behind the hostility between him and Brando after working in Superman.

Frances Sternhagen, the legendary Broadway actress who won two Tony Awards, was nominated for another five and achieved lasting and widespread recognition for her comedically stern portrayal of Esther Clavin, the demanding mother of insufferable postman Cliff Claven on Cheers, died Nov. 27 of natural causes. She was 93.

Her death was announced by her son, the actor John Carlin, on Instagram.

“Frannie. Mom. Frances Sternhagen. On Monday night, Nov 27, she died peacefully at her home, a month and a half shy of her 94th birthday,” Carlin wrote today, ending the tribute with “Fly on, Frannie. The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly and generously lived.”

See Carlin’s Instagram post below.

Sternhagen, one of the New York stage’s most celebrated and beloved stars, gave indelible performances in productions including the 1972 production of The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window, Equus in 1975, Angel in 1978, On Golden Pond in 1979 and,...

Gabrielle Upton, who wrote the screenplay for the classic California surfing movie Gidget, starring Sandra Dee, Cliff Robertson and James Darren, has died. She was 101.

Upton died Sept. 13 in Santa Rosa, California, her daughter, Greer Upton, told The Hollywood Reporter. News of her death had not been reported until now.

A three-time WGA Award nominee, Upton wrote for such network shows as The Alfred Hitchcock Hour/Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Ben Casey, Convoy, One Step Beyond, The Bold Ones: The New Doctors, The Virginian, The Big Valley and The High Chaparral.

She also worked on several daytime soap operas during her career, including Guiding Light, As the World Turns, Edge of Night, Search for Tomorrow, The Secret Storm and Love of Life.

After Frederick Kohner took a crack at adapting his best-selling 1957 novel Gidget, the Little Girl With Big Ideas for Columbia Pictures’ Gidget (1959), Upton came on and received sole screenplay credit.

John Aniston, the charming Greece-born actor who for more than three decades portrayed the ruthless Victor Kiriakis on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives, has died. He was 89.

The father of actress Jennifer Aniston died Friday, his daughter announced.

“Sweet papa …⁣ John Anthony Aniston,” the Friends megastar wrote in a tribute post on Instagram Monday, “You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace — and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now.”

She ended the post: “I’ll love you till the end of time.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jennifer Aniston (@jenniferaniston)

Aniston had played a different character, a doctor, on Days of Our Lives in 1969-70, then worked on two other daytime serials,...

Lee Lawson, best known for playing Bea Reardon on the long-running CBS soap opera Guiding Light, has died. She was 80. The news of Lawson’s death was confirmed in a Facebook post from her daughter, which stated, “My Mother died. May 22, 2022. You fought Cancer & Covid-19 like a champ. Rest, you brilliant woman. Thank you, mom. R.I.P.” Born on October 14, 1941, in New York City, Lawson got her big break in showbusiness on the CBS soap Love of Life in 1965, where she played the character Barbara Sterling. She also appeared in the ABC soap One Life to Live in 1979 before landing her major role on Guiding Light as the owner and operator of a 7th Street boarding house. Lawson starred in the show from 1981 to 1990, appearing in more than 50 episodes. The beloved soap was the second-longest-running drama in American television history, with 72 years of radio and television runs. Her last...

Lee Lawson, best known for her long-running role as Bea Reardon on soap opera The Guiding Light, died on May 22 at the age of 80.

Lawson played Reardon on the CBS soap from 1981 to 1990. The show ended in 2009.

Her daughter, Leslie Bova, shared the news in a Facebook post that revealed her mother had cancer and Covid-19 before her death.

“Rest, you brilliant woman ❤️,” Bova wrote Tuesday. “Thank you, mom. R.I.P.”

Lawson was born Oct. 14, 1941, in New York City, and made her debut on the CBS soap Love of Life in 1965. She also appeared in ABC’s One Life to Live in 1979 (as Wanda Webb Wolek) before beginning her role on The Guiding Light as the owner and operator of a 7th Street boarding house (and a single mother of seven).

The role saw her appear in more than 50 episodes of The Guiding Light, which was the second longest-running drama in American television history,...

1986: Bobby was alive and well on Dallas; his death was a dream.

1994: All My Children's Erica visited her mother's grave.

1995: Another World's Grant shot his brother, Ryan, in the back.

1997: Days of our Lives recast the role of Jack...in a shower."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1938: Radio soap opera Houseboat Hannah premiered on the NBC Red Network. Hard working Dan O'Leary, who lost an arm in a factory accident, moved his financially strapped family aboard a house boat in Shanty Fish Row on San Francisco Bay.

Joan Copeland, the younger sister of legendary playwright Arthur Miller whose decades-long Broadway career included performances in two of her brother’s plays, died Tuesday at age 99.

The actress, whose TV credits included multiple daytime soap operas and NBC’s “Law & Order,” passed away in her sleep in her Manhattan home, her son, Eric Kupchik, told The Hollywood Reporter. Kupchik did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

Copeland starred in Miller’s 1968 play “The Price” and later won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play for her portrayal of Rose Baum in Miller’s 1980 Depression-era play “The American Clock.” The music-loving character was inspired by their mother, Augusta.

“Arthur didn’t write the part for me, but it’s one of the few roles I didn’t have to audition for my brother,” she said in a 2012 interview. “I’ve had to audition for several of his plays,...

Joan Copeland, who graced both the stage and screen for decades as a Broadway star and soap opera actress, died the morning of Jan. 4 in her New York City home, Copeland’s family confirmed to Variety. She was 99.

Copeland’s career included performances on numerous daytime soap operas — including “Search for Tomorrow” (1967-72) “Love of Life” (1960-63), “The Edge of the Night” (1956) and “How to Survive a Marriage” (1974).

As one of the first members of The Actors Studio, she made her Broadway debut in 1948 as Nadine in “Sundown Beach.” Her other Broadway credits include “Detective Story,” (1950) “Coco,” (1969) and “45 Seconds From Broadway” (2001).

Copeland was the sister of playwright Arthur Miller, who died in 2005. She appeared in one of Miller’s plays, “The American Clock” (1980), a performance for which she earned a Drama Desk award.

“From the time I was a little girl I had the stage bug,” Copeland told The New...

Joan Copeland, an actress whose Broadway career began in the 1940s and would include acclaimed performances in a 1976 revival of Pal Joey and in the 1980 premiere of The America Clock, written by her brother, the playwright Arthur Miller, died today at her home in New York City. She was 99.

One of the original members of the renowned Actors Studio, Copeland also had numerous film credits and recurring roles on such daytime serials as Search for Tomorrow and One Life to Live. Copeland’s death was first reported by the Broadway World website.

Copeland made her Broadway debut in 1948’s Sundown Beach, following it up the next year in Detective Story. She also appeared in Not For Children (1951), Handful of Fire (1958), Tovarich (1963), Something More! (1964), The Price (1968), Coco (1969), Two By Two (1970), Checking Out (1976), and 45 Seconds From Broadway (2001).

She was nominated for Drama Desk Awards for Pal Joey (1976) and The American Clock (1981), winning for the latter.

Desiree Gould, a favorite for fans of the horror genre, has died. Best known for her unforgettable role as Aunt Martha in the original Sleepaway Camp, Gould passed away this week, though the exact circumstances of her passing are not clear. Word of her death comes from Gould's Sleepaway Camp co-star Felissa Rose, who played the lead role of Angela in the cult classic slasher flick. Gould was 76 years old.

"My heart is heavy," Rose wrote on Twitter. "Today we lost a Sleepaway Camp family member. We all love you Desiree Gould. Thank you for creating such a charismatic and memorable character! Aunt Martha will be forever remembered. Condolences to all your family and friends. Rest easy."

My heart is heavy. Today we lost a Sleepaway Camp family member. We all love you Desiree Gould. Thank you for creating such a charismatic and memorable character! Aunt Martha will be forever remembered.

Jessica Walter worked. She worked in the literal sense, in that she was rarely without an acting job from the time her career began in the early Sixties, with a role as Julie Murano on the CBS daytime soap Love of Life, all the way through this past February, when her guest appearance on ABC’s American Housewife aired, just weeks before Walter died at the age of 80. Her IMDb page lists 160 film and TV projects, and many series that brought her back repeatedly in different roles, particularly Sixties and Seventies mystery shows like F.B.I.,...

Jessica Walter, a fan-favorite actress who is best known for her iconic roles on the TV series “Arrested Development” and “Archer,” has died. She was 80.

Walter passed away Wednesday at her home in New York. Walter’s publicist confirmed her passing to TheWrap.

Brooke Bowman, Walter’s daughter who is a senior vice president of drama programming at Fox Entertainment, also released a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mom Jessica. A working actor for over six decades, her greatest pleasure was bringing joy to others through her storytelling both on screen and off. While her legacy will live on through her body of work, she will also be remembered by many for her wit, class and overall joie de vivre.”

Walter is best known for her Emmy-nominated turn as Bluth family matriarch Lucille Bluth on “Arrested Development.” She played the...

Peg Murray, who won a 1967 Tony Award for portrayal of Fräulein Kost in Cabaret and later recurred for 13 years on ABC’s daytime drama All My Children, died Nov. 29. A resident in recent years at an assisted care community in Greenport, Long Island, Murray had been in declining health following a stroke. She was 96.

Her death was first reported by the Long Island newspaper The Suffolk Times. Deadline only recently learned of her passing.

Murray first appeared on Broadway in 1956 in the play The Great Sebastians starring the reigning theatrical duo Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt. In 1959 she had a small role in the original Gypsy starring Ethel Merman, followed by appearances in She Loves Me, Anyone Can Whistle and The Subject Was Roses.

In 1966, Murray originated the small but pivotal role of Fräulein Kost in Harold Prince’s staging of the Kander & Ebb musical Cabaret. Fräulein Kost begins as a largely comedic character,...

Loring Mandel, a playwright and screenwriter who won two primetime Emmys for his work, died on March 24. He was 91.

Mandel died of cancer at his home in Lenox, Mass., his son Alan Mandel told Variety.

The Chicago native, who was born May 5, 1928, went on to earn a total of five Emmy nominations throughout his career, winning two. He won his first primetime Emmy in 1968 for his work on “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night“ on “CBS Playhouse” and in 2001 for the telefilm “Conspiracy,” starring Kenneth Branagh, Clare Bullus and Stanley Tucci. He also received a Peabody and BAFTA award for the TV film.

In his early years, Mandel wrote for local and national radio in Chicago on shows such as the “Jack Benny” show and the “Today Show” with Dave Garraway. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and serving in the Korean War, Mandel moved...

Claudette Nevins has died. She was 82.

The Hollywood star’s family confirmed in a statement and announced she died in hospice on Feb. 20 at her home in Los Angeles.

“Claudette’s acting career spanned six decades and included roles on Broadway, regional theater, national companies, numerous television shows, voiceovers and commercials,” the family’s statement reads. “Competent in everything she touched, Claudette was funny, strong-willed, awesomely disciplined, relentless in her pursuit of excellence. Starting from very humble origins, Claudette grew herself into an elegant, articulate, gorgeous woman who was universally admired. She was dazzling. She will be endlessly missed.”

Nevins...

Actress Ja’Net DuBois died on Tuesday at her home in Glendale, Calif. at the age of 74. The actress, known for her role in the 70s sitcom “Good Times” as Wilona, the Evans family neighbor, died unexpectedly in her sleep. She appeared in several other films and shows throughout her career including “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” “Roots,” “Home Improvement” and “Sister Sister.” DuBois was a veteran actress who began her career in the 1960s and went on to become the first African American woman who was a regular cast member on a daytime serial for the television soap opera “Love of Life.” She won two primetime Emmy’s for outstanding voice-over performance in 1999 for the series “The PJs” and in 2001 for “The PJs: Let’s Get Ready to Rumba.”

Reps for the Pan African Film Festival, where DuBois was one of the co-founders, said in a statement, “she will be deeply missed.

Ja’Net DuBois, known for her turn as Willona Woods on “Good Times,” was found dead in her Glendale, Calif. home on Tuesday. The Pan African Film Festival, which she co-founded, said she “would be deeply missed.”

Her family told TMZ the actress died unexpectedly in her sleep. She was believed to be 74.

In addition to her role as the Evans family’s neighbor in the ’70s sitcom, she also appeared in a number of notable films and TV programs including “Roots,” Keenan Ivory Wayans’ “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” and “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” as Momma Bosley. DuBois was also known for her legendary voice. She composed and sang “Movin’ On Up,” the theme song for “The Jeffersons.” She also voiced the character of Mrs. Avery in “The PJs” as well as Mrs. Patterson in “As Told by Ginger.”

DuBois started her acting career in the 1960s. She starred in...

1951: Love of Life premiered on CBS.

1979: As the World Turns' Doug and Annie declared their love.

1981: General Hospital's Alan proposed to Susan.

1986: Another World's Mitch met his son, Matthew."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1951: Daytime soap opera Love of Life, created by Roy Winsor, premiered on CBS, three weeks after Search for Tomorrow debuted on the network. Both shows started as 15-minute serials but Love of Life would expand to 30 minutes in 1958, and remain a half hour until its final episode on February...

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie on Days of our Lives.

1996: Days' John & Kristen learned she had lost their baby.

2001: As the World Turns' Carly was rescued from quicksand.

2009: One Life to Live's Clint refused to be on reality television."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie Simmons in Days of our Lives. In the episode, amnesiac Mickey Horton (John Clarke) stumbled onto Maggie's farm. Rogers, a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette, won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1979 for her work on Days. She is the longest running cast member...

2008: The final episode of Passions aired on DirecTV's The 101."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1950: On The Guiding Light, during breakfast Bill Bauer (Lyle Sudrow) told his sister, Meta White (Jone Allison), that he and Bert were interested in buying a house in Beverly Hills. Later, Meta received a long-distance phone call from her husband, Ted.

Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

1974: Douglass Watson made his first appearance as Mackenzie Cory on Another World. Robert Emhardt, who played the role for just over a year,...

1935: Backstage Wife premiered.

1985: Days of our Lives' Tony and Anna were married.

1994: All My Children's Erica found her mother, Mona, dead.

2002: Passions' Timmy died."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1935: Radio soap opera Backstage Wife premiered on the Mutual Broadcasting System (Mbs). The show moved to NBC Blue in 1936, NBC in 1938 and CBS in 1955, where it ran until January 2, 1959. Created by Frank and Anne Hummert, each episode opened with the announcer explaining:

Now, we present once again, Backstage Wife, the story of Mary Noble,...

1981: Another World's Hanna and Lenny held Jamie at gunpoint.

1986: As the World Turns celebrated patriarch Chris Hughes.

1992: Reba McEntire guest-starred on One Life to Live.

1997: Oltl's Patrick threatened Todd with a pitchfork."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1933: The Romance of Helen Trent premiered regionally in Chicago. The show began airing on the CBS Radio network that October and remained on the air until June 24, 1960. During its 27-year run, three actresses played Helen--Virginia Clark and Betty Ruth Smith in Chicago, and later Julie Stevens in New York.

1986: Another World's Cecile refused to relent to Cass.

1986: A giant "C" fell on Santa Barbara's Mary.

1995: One Life to Live's Antonio reunited with his brother.

2002: Guiding Light's Reva disconnected Richard's life support."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1949: The Brighter Day moved to CBS Radio after having aired its first nine months on NBC Radio. Bill Smith starred as Reverend Richard Dennis, pastor of a parish in the town of Three Rivers, where he tried to be both mother and father to daughters Elizabeth,...

1966: Dark Shadows premiered on ABC.

1984: Guiding Light's Bert stood after losing her leg.

1995: One Life to Live's "Tommy" was enraged.

2003: Passions paid homage to the musical "Chicago"."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1952: ABC Radio aired the final episode of Lone Journey after a 12 year run on multiple networks with multiple sponsors.

1955: On The Brighter Day, Lydia Hamilton (Murial Williams) struggled with her conscience after taking a silver clock.

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Agnes (Jeanne Baird) lost her temper for the second time.

1968: Dark Shadows' Adam jumped from Widows' Hill.

1984: Steve and Betsy were married on As the World Turns.

1984: Y&R's Nikki wanted to track down Victor's mother.

1996: "Clink, Boom!" on General Hospital."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1943: Radio soap opera Lora Lawton debuted on NBC Radio. Joan Tompkins starred as Lora, housekeeper to important, dynamic shipbuilder Peter Carver. Lora would later marry Peter. Frank and Anne Hummert produced the series.

1966: On Morning Star, Katy Elliott (Elizabeth Perry), Hank Stover (Warren Remmerling...

1984: Guiding Light's Nola gave birth.

1986: Dynasty's Alexis took over Blake's possessions and he was not happy.

1999: Another World's Alli faced a ticking time bomb.

1999: Susan Lucci finally won her for Daytime Emmy Award."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1964: On Another World, Jim (Leon Janney) convinced Russ (Joey Trent) to attend summer school.

1971: The first episode of Upstairs Downstairs was re-recorded in color after the original recording, which was in black and white, was lost.

1981: On Texas, Joe Foster...

1993: CBS aired the final episodes of Knots Landing.

1994: Gh's Miguel pulled an injured Bj out of a bus crash.

2010: Emmerdale's Aaron revealed he was gay on the witness stand.

2011: Roger Howarth returned to One Life to Live."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1964: On Another World, Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) told her mother, Mary (Virginia Dwyer), that her brother, Russ, resented their sister, Alice, for being a honor student when he will be forced to go to summer school.

1982: On The Edge of Night,...

1964: Another World premiered.

1982: Dynasty's Cecil died while making love with Alexis.

1984: Guiding Light's "Dreaming Death" virus killed Lesley Ann.

1987: Days of our Lives' Kim and Shane were married."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1943: On Vic and Sade, Chuck Brainfeeble visited Sade with a gross of "Little Leather Ringmasters." He proposed to use them to repay his $40 debt to Vic, and wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

1958: Elaine S. Carrington, the radio writer who created Pepper Young's Family and other daytime dramas,...

1980: Edge of Night's Raven finally arrived to see her sick son.

2009: Days of our Lives' Mia met Will's friend, Tad.

2013: The online versions of All My Children and One Life to Live premiered on Hulu."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1932: Radio soap opera One Man's Family premiered on Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco stations. The popular series went nationwide a year later and ran until 1959.

1940: Young Doctor Malone aired for the first time on CBS Radio, having moved from the Blue Network.

>1969: Dark Shadows' Quentin was shocked to see Laura.

1983: Kristian Alfonso debuted as Hope on Days of our Lives.

2009: Guiding Light's Olivia poured her heart out at Gus's grave.

2011: ABC canceled All My Children and One Life to Live."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1939: On Backstage Wife, Mary went to a portrait sitting at Ken Page's studio. Ken's sister Sandra arrived while Mary was in the dressing room very upset with Ken because he did not want her to see Mary's friend,...

1956: As the World Turns and The Edge of Night premiered on CBS.

1971: ABC aired the final episode of Dark Shadows.

1978: Primetime soap opera Dallas premiered on CBS."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1951: Hawkins Falls, a primetime dramedy in 1950 returned as 15-minute five-days-a-week daytime soap opera on NBC titled Hawkins Falls: A Television Novel, created by Roy Winsor and Doug Johnson. Its large cast of "townspeople" included Frank Dane, Bernadine Flynn, Ros Twohey, Hope Summers and Barbara Berjer. Produced and directed by Ben Park, it ran four years.

1962: Ann Flood debuted as Nancy on The Edge of Night.

1983: General Hospital's Jimmy Lee denied having Tolliver's papers.

1991: NBC's primetime Dark Shadows remake ended.

2004: One Life to Live's Paul delivered Babe's baby on All My Children."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1940: NBC's Blue Network aired the final episode of radio soap opera The Affairs of Anthony. Henry Hunter starred as Anthony Marleybone Jr.

1955: On The Inner Flame, Dorie (Jean Gillespie) asked Amelia for money.

1955: On Golden Windows, Carl...

1953: Love of Life's Vanessa waited for news about Beanie.

1987: Atwt's John pulled Lucinda into a hot tub, then married her.

1987: CBS aired the final episode of Capitol.

1990: General Hospital's Lucy resigned from the hospital."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1942: NBC's Blue Network aired the final episode of radio soap opera John's Other Wife, after a five and a half year run.

1953: On Love of Life, with Beaning (Dennis Parnell) missing, a tense Meg Harper (Jean McBride) complained that her sister,...

Jed Allan, known for his roles on soap operas Days of our Lives and Santa Barbara, died Saturday in Palm Desert, CA. He was 84.

His son Rick Brown wrote on Facebook, "so sorry to post the very sad news of my father's passing tonight. He died peacefully and was surrounded by his family and loved so much by us and so many others."

Allan spent many years working on daytime dramas, starting with the role of Ace Hubbard on Love of Life in 1964. He then played Paul Britton on The Secret storm from 1964-1965. He joined Days of our Lives in 1971 as attorney Don Craig, and played the role until April 17, 1985.

"My fondest memory is of the time when Marlena and I got together when she first came on the show," Allan said of his Days experience. "We had a great rapport and great comedy sense. Those five years were quite wonderful,...

Jed Allan, who acted in numerous daytime soaps, including “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Days of Our Lives,” and “Santa Barbara,” has died. He was 84.

“So sorry to post the very sad news of my fathers passing tonight,” Allan’s son, Rick, posted on Facebook Saturday night. “He died peacefully and was surrounded by his family and loved so much by us and so many others.”

Born Mar. 1, 1935, Allan’s first soap roles came in 1964 as Ace Hubbard and Paul Britton, respectively, on Roy Winsor’s CBS series “Love of Life” and “Secret Storm.” In 1971, he joined “Days of Our Lives” as attorney Don Craig, a role that ended in 1985 as the series’ creators wanted to turn over the cast of characters to focus on younger roles. Allan’s work on “Days of Our Lives” earned him a daytime Emmy nod for outstanding actor in 1979.

From 1988-1993, Allan played C.C. Capwell in “Santa Barbara,...

Soap opera veteran Jed Allan, best known for playing Don Craig on “Days of Our Lives,” C.C. Capwell on “Santa Barbara” and Rush Sanders on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” died Saturday. He was 84.

“So sorry to post the very sad news of my fathers [sic] passing tonight,” Allan’s son Rick posted on Facebook Saturday night. “He died peacefully and was surrounded by his family and loved so much by us and so many others. Thank you for all who are part of this wonderful tribute to my dad on Facebook.”

Allan’s connection to the daytime drama genre began in the ’60s on the long-gone soaps “Love of Life” and “Secret Storm.” But it wasn’t until he joined “Days of Our Lives” in 1971 as attorney Don Craig and was romantically teamed up with Deidre Hall’s Dr. Marlena Evans that he became a daytime superstar. He remained on the show for 14 years,...

Actor Jed Allan, who built a long career in soap operas and other media as a family patriarch, died Saturday. according to his son’s post on Facebook. He was 84.

Allan began his career on the CBS soaps Love of Life and The Secret Storm, then joined Days of Our Lives in 1971. He played the role of Don Craig for 14 years, then segued in 1986 to patriarch C.C. Capwell on Santa Barbara.

When that show ended in 1993, he joined Beverly Hills 90210 as Rush Sanders, the father of Ian Ziering’s Steve.

Ziering posted a tribute to his TV father via Instagram: “So sad to hear we’ve lost another 90210 castmate. I had the pleasure of working with Jed Allan from 94 to 99. He played Rush Sanders, Steve’s father. Such a great guy to work with, he will be missed. #ripjedallan”

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So sad to...

Soap vet Jed Allan, best known for his roles on NBC’s Days of Our Lives and Santa Barbara, died on Saturday. He was 84.

In a Facebook post, Allan’s son, Rick Brown, said the suds vet “died peacefully and was surrounded by his family.”

In the 60s, Allan cut his teeth on the CBS soaps Love of Life and The Secret Storm, before joining Days of Our Lives in 1971 as Don Craig, a character he played for 14 years. In 1986 he landed what would be his most memorable role, that of patriarch C.C. Capwell on the then-fledgling Santa Barbara.

1953: Guiding Light's Alice testified at Kathy's grand jury hearing.

1981: General Hospital's Anne prayed for guidance.

1994: All My Children's Kendall leaned more about her father.

2008: Days of our Lives' Daniel Jonas arrived in Salem."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1953: On The Guiding Light, the grand jury began hearing the case of California versus Kathy Lang Grant (Susan Douglas Rubes) with Alice Graham's testimony. This was 13 years before the setting of the show would move from Selby Flats (a suburb of Los Angeles) to Springfield.

1998: As the World Turns' Jack and Carly grew closer.

2006: General Hospital's Tony Jones died.

2009: Guiding Light's Phillip rescued Coop from a burning car.

2011: Oprah reunited Susan Lucci with Erica Kane's husbands."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1897: Dame Judith Anderson was born. Anderson moved to New York from Australia in 1918 and was a hit on Broadway before moving to Hollywood to make films. In 1984 she joined the original cast of Santa Barbara as Minx Lockridge. She died in 1992 at age 94.

1966: On Another World,...

1954: CBS daytime soap opera The Secret Storm premiered.

1980: CBS aired the final episode of Love of Life.

1980: The Edge of Night's Nola admitted she was Mrs. Corey.

1994: As the World Turns' Holden and Lily reunited in the bell tower."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1954: The Secret Storm premiered on CBS. The daytime soap opera was created by Roy Winsor. Read "Remembering Woodbridge: A History of the Late, Great 'Secret Storm'" here.

After 20 years, CBS canceled the show with the final episode...