Today in Soap Opera History (August 5)

On this date in...

1977: Josh Taylor debuted in DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Chris Kositchek.  Brooke Bundy aired for the final time that day as Rebecca North.

1980: On TEXAS, Alex shared his feelings with Iris.


1985: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Tony and Anna were married.

1990: LOVING star Noelle Beck (Trisha) married Eric Petterson.

1991: On ANOTHER WORLD, Jake and Paulina had an engagement party.



1994: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Joe (Ray MacDonnell) told Erica (Susan Lucci) that Mona had died peacefully in her sleep.



1999: Kirsten Storms debuted as Belle Black in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

2002: 20 year old actor Josh Ryan Evans died. In an unusual and pre-taped coincidence, his character, Timmy, died on PASSIONS the same day. NBC issued the following statement about Evans: "We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of Josh Ryan Evans. He was a truly unique talent with a remarkable spirit. He will be sorely missed by his Passions family and by all of us at NBC."



Celebrating a birthday today are:
John Saxon (ex-Tony, FALCON CREST; ex-Rashid, DYNASTY; ex-Edward, ANOTHER WORLD) - 77
Ja'net DuBois (ex-Loretta, LOVE OF LIFE) - 67
Loni Anderson (ex-Teri, MELROSE PLACE) - 67
Erika Slezak (ex-Viki, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 66
Maureen McCormick (ex-Rebecca, PASSIONS; ex-Marcia, THE BRADYS) - 56
Jill Lorie Hurst (former GUIDING LIGHT writer)
Scott William Winters (ex-Cyril, OZ) - 47

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to editor@welovesoaps.com.