Today in Soap Opera History (April 30)

On this date in...

Nancy Pinkerton as Dr. Dorian Lord in 1973

1973: The character of Dr. Dorian Lord debuted on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. Dorian was originally played by Nancy Pinkerton.  Robin Strasser has played the role on and off since 1979.

1976: On ANOTHER WORLD, Pat (Beverly Penberthy) warned Sharlene (Laurie Heineman) secrets could destroy even the best marriage.

1978: CBS aired the fifth and final part of its five-part DALLAS mini-series. In the episode, Pam (Victoria Principal) learned she was pregnant but later lost the baby.  DALLAS received enough buzz to be launched as a regular series in the fall.

1980: Jean Bruce Scott debuted as Jessica Blake in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1981: Robert Alda made his first appearance as Stuart Whyland in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1984: On GUIDING LIGHT, Lujack (Vincent Irizarry) was afraid of getting hurt.



1987: On KNOTS LANDING, Doug Sheehan made his final appearance as his character, Ben Gibson, left for South America. Also in the episode, Laura (Constance McCashin) gave birth to a baby girl - 8lbs, 3 ozs.

1989: Jet Magazine featured a GENERATIONS cover with cast members Kristoff St. Johnn, Jonelle Allen, Lynn Hamilton, Taurean Blacque, Joan Pringle and Sharon Brown.

1996: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Marian (Jennifer Bassey) played a revealing cassette tape during Tad's (Michael E. Knight) interview with Joe (Ray MacDonnell).



1999: ANOTHER WORLD debuted a next-day preview at the end of the episode.



2002: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, the cops believed Carly was dead but her friends and family refused to believe it.



2004: On EASTENDERS, Laura (Hannah Waterman) fell down the stairs to her death.



Celebrating a birthday today are:

Megan McTavish

Perry King (ex-Richard, TITANS; ex-Hayley, MELROSE PLACE) - 65
Megan McTavish (ex-Lola, GUIDING LIGHT; Former Writer, ALL MY CHILDREN; GENERAL HOSPITAL; GUIDING LIGHT; ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 64
Paul Gross (ex-Darryl, EASTWICK) - 54
Justine Miceli (ex-Marsha, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 54
Adrian Pasdar (Alec, THE LYING GAME; ex-David, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) - 48
Robyn Griggs (ex-Maggie, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Stephanie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 40
Jeff Timmons (Himself, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 40
Alexandra Holden (ex-Suzy, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) - 36
Emma Pierson (ex-Becky, GRANGE HILL) - 32
Blair McDonough (ex-Stu, NEIGHBOURS) - 32
Kirsten Dunst (ex-LOVING) - 31
Drew Seeley (ex-Andrew, GUIDING LIGHT) - 31
Gal Gadot (ex-Olivia, THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE) - 28
Dianna Agron (Quinn, GLEE) - 27
Lindsay Pearce (ex-Harmony, GLEE) - 22

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have a tip on a bit of soap history on this date or future dates, let us know. Send an email to editor@welovesoaps.com.