Today in Soap Opera History (May 18)

1960: Eileen Fulton debuted on As the World Turns.  1979: Pat
struggled to get past his religious differences with Nancy on
Ryan's Hope. 1990: The final episode of Falcon Crest.
1994: General Hospital's Maxie received B.J.'s heart.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"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...

1960: Eileen Fulton debuted in the role of Lisa Miller on As The World Turns. She would play the iconic role for most of the next 50 years until the show's cancellation in 2010. The character was also was used as the focal point of the primetime spin-off Our Private World in 1965. Read our 2011 interview with Fulton here. And check out our 25 Biggest Blunders in Daytime Soap Opera History list where we chastise ATWT for the pitiful way the show ended the character of Lisa.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) called Susan (Denise Alexander) to get her back to the hospital because there were complications with Dickie.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 18)

1960: Eileen Fulton debuted on As the World Turns.  1979: Pat
struggled to get past his religious differences with Nancy on
Ryan's Hope. 1990: The final episode of Falcon Crest.
1994: General Hospital's Maxie received B.J.'s heart.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"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...

1960: Eileen Fulton debuted in the role of Lisa Miller on As The World Turns. She would play the iconic role for most of the next 50 years until the show's cancellation in 2010. The character was also was used as the focal point of the primetime spin-off Our Private World in 1965. Read our 2011 interview with Fulton here. And check out our 25 Biggest Blunders in Daytime Soap Opera History list where we chastise ATWT for the pitiful way the show ended the character of Lisa.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) called Susan (Denise Alexander) to get her back to the hospital because there were complications with Dickie.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 18)

1960: Eileen Fulton debuted on As the World Turns.  1979: Pat
struggled to get past his religious differences with Nancy on
Ryan's Hope. 1990: The final episode of Falcon Crest.
1994: General Hospital's Maxie received B.J.'s heart.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1960: Eileen Fulton debuted in the role of Lisa Miller on As The World Turns. She would play the iconic role for most of the next 50 years until the show's cancellation in 2010. The character was also was used as the focal point of the primetime spin-off Our Private World in 1965. Read our 2011 interview with Fulton here. And check out our 25 Biggest Blunders in Daytime Soap Opera History list where we chastise ATWT for the pitiful way the show ended the character of Lisa.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) called Susan (Denise Alexander) to get her back to the hospital because there were complications with Dickie.

In Memoriam: Remembering Those We Lost in 2015

We said goodbye to a number of entertainment icons and legends in 2015 along with many other familiar faces in front of and behind the camera, including from the world of daytime and primetime soap operas. We Love Soaps remembers their contributions fondly.

H. Wesley Kenney

H. Wesley Kenney passed away on January 13. He was 85. In 1968, Kenney left a directing job at The Doctors when he landed on the series that he may well be most known for, Days of our Lives, for which he directed and produced for seven years. After leaving to pursue other directorial projects, Kenney returned to Days of our Lives as an Executive Producer to help transition the show from half-hour episodes to hour-long episodes. Kenney went on to work on many of the most prominent daytime serials, directing and serving as executive producer on The Young and Restless from 1982-87 and for General Hospital from 1987-89.

Anne Kirkbride

Longtime Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride passed away on January 19. She was 60. Kirkbride first showed up on Coronation Street, the world's longest-running active television soap opera, in 1972 as Deirdre Barlow, a teenager with a handful of lines. Within a few years, she had entered into a short-lived marriage with one character and then a romance and marriage with another, Ken Barlow.

Stars React to the Death of Legendary Actor 'David Canary'

Legendary All My Children star David Canary passed away on November 16 at age 77. The sad news quickly spread yesterday, and many of Canary's former co-stars expressed their love, admiration and respect for the five-time Emmy-winning actor on social media.

I just learned the news that the wonderful David Canary has passed away--I saw it posted on Kelly Ripa"s site. My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to his wife Mo and his children, Christopher and Katie. Rest in peace, David--you warm and generous, talented and fabulous man, actor and friend! I am so grateful to have known you--and to have had the privilege of sharing the AMC stage with you! I will never forget you. ❤️

A photo posted by Susan Lucci (official) (@therealsusanlucci) on Nov 24, 2015 at 7:22pm PST

'All My Children' Legend David Canary Dead at 77

David Canary

Legendary actor David Canary, who came in at #2 in the We Love Soaps 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All-Time countdown in 2010, passed away of natural causes on November 16, at The Greens at Cannondale in Wilton, Connecticut.

David Hoyt Canary was born on August 25, 1938 in Elwood, Indiana to the late Hillary Canary and Lorena Heal. Growing up in Massillon, Ohio, David played football for the famed Massillon Tigers of Washington High School before earning a football scholarship and playing varsity at the University of Cincinnati, graduating with a major in music.

After turning down an offer to play professional football for the Denver Broncos in the first year of their existence, Canary took off for New York City to pursue his passion for acting. He was met with much success in theatre, doing summer stock, regional theatre, on and off Broadway productions, both musicals and straight plays. During his Broadway debut of "Great Day in the Morning," with Colleen Dewhurst, Canary was drafted into the United States Army. After two years of service, he resumed his acting career and soon found himself in Los Angeles, where he began to work in film and television. He appeared in Hombre with Paul Newman, The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre with Jason Robards and Shark's Treasure with Cornel Wilde, to mention but a few.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 18)

1960: Eileen Fulton debuted on As the World Turns.  1979: Pat
struggled to get past his religious differences with Nancy on
Ryan's Hope. 1990: The final episode of Falcon Crest.
1994: General Hospital's Maxie received B.J.'s heart.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1960: Eileen Fulton debuted in the role of Lisa Miller on As The World Turns. She would play the iconic role for most of the next 50 years until the show's cancellation in 2010. The character was also was used as the focal point of the primetime spin-off Our Private World in 1965. Read our 2011 interview with Fulton here. And check out our 25 Biggest Blunders in Daytime Soap Opera History list where we chastise ATWT for the pitiful way the show ended the character of Lisa.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) called Susan (Denise Alexander) to get her back to the hospital because there were complications with Dickie.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 18)

1960: Eileen Fulton debuted on As the World Turns.  1979: Pat
struggled to get past his religious differences with Nancy on
Ryan's Hope. 1990: The final episode of Falcon Crest.
1994: General Hospital's Maxie received B.J.'s heart.

"The whole past is the procession of the present."
- Thomas Carlyle

"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...

1960: Eileen Fulton debuted in the role of Lisa Miller on As The World Turns. She would play the iconic role for most of the next 50 years until the show's cancellation in 2010. The character was also was used as the focal point of the primetime spin-off Our Private World in 1965. Read our 2011 interview with Fulton here.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) called Susan (Denise Alexander) to get her back to the hospital because there were complications with Dickie.

David Canary Joining New ALL MY CHILDREN

Soaps in Depth is reporting that ALL MY CHILDREN Emmy-winner David Canary (Adam/Stuart) will be part of the soap's new version set to debut online this spring.

In Depth also hears that AMC will have a heavy emphasis on a group of high school characters and that the series will be set five years from the moment JR readied to start shooting beloved Pine Valley citizens in the ABC finale. The re-launched AMC will supposedly start off with Adam and Dixie's son waking up from a coma (played by an actor other than Jacob Young, who is now starring in THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL).

RELATED:
- ALL MY CHILDREN & ONE LIFE TO LIVE To Begin Production On February 25
- ALL MY CHILDREN & ONE LIFE TO LIVE Set to Premiere Digitally on Hulu, Hulu Plus & iTunes
- NEP 'Building Studios In An Old Factory In Connecticut' For ALL MY CHILDREN & ONE LIFE TO LIVE
- Michael E. Knight: 'I Firmly Believe Tad Is Going To Be Walking Through Pine Valley In Short Order At Some Point'
- Susan Lucci To Make Appearance In New ALL MY CHILDREN

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #5 Steve & Alice From ANOTHER WORLD

COUPLE: Steve Frame & Alice Matthews
SHOW: ANOTHER WORLD
RANK: 5
PLAYED BY:
Steve: George Reinholt, David Canary
Alice: Jacqueline Courtney, Linda Borgeson
YEARS: 1968-1975; 1981-1982; 1989

STORY:
Alice was a young nurse when she met construction businessman Steve at Walter and Lenore Curtin's wedding reception on July 2, 1968.  Alice's sister-in-law, Rachel (Robin Strasser), was just as impressed as Alice with the handsome young Mr. Frame, who had bought into the Bay City Bengals football team and seemed to be going places.  Alice and Steve began spending time together and it wasn't long before they became engaged.    When the couple had a minor argument and called off their engagement, Rachel made her move.  She seduced the brooding Steve and became pregnant.  She tried to pass the baby (Jamie) off as Russ's child but when the truth came out, Alice fled to Paris and Russ dumped Rachel.  Rachel tried to convince Steve to get married but he was still in love with Alice eventually marrying her on September 24, 1971.  Rachel then married Ted Clark but he was sent to prison and she began to lean on Steve for assistance.   Alice felt insecure about Steve's growing bond with Jamie and those feelings only escalated when she miscarried their own child.

50 Greatest Soap Opera Actors: The Complete List

Early in 2010, We Love Soaps pulled together a panel of 15 past and present soap opera journalists and critics to come up with a list of the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list. Below is the complete list from 1 to 50 which dates back to radio soap operas. This is quite an impressive list of actors. Even more wonderful actors just missed the Top 50 and will appear on the Honorable Mention list. Our goal was to honor some of the men that helped made soaps great and revisit their careers and classic moments.

NAME: Anthony Geary
RANK: 1
SOAP ROLES: Luke Spencer, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1978-1984, 1993-present); Luke Spencer, PORT CHARLES (1998); Bill Eckert, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1991-1993); George Curtis, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1973); David Lockhart, BRIGHT PROMISE (1971-1972)

NAME: David Canary
RANK: 2
SOAP ROLES: Adam Chandler/Stuart Chandler, ALL MY CHILDREN (1983-2010); Adam Chandler, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (2000, 2005); Steve Frame, ANOTHER WORLD (1981-1983); Warner/Far Wind, THE DOCTORS (1981); Arthur Benson, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW (1978); Russ Gehring, PEYTON PLACE (1965-1966)

NAME: Larry Bryggman
RANK: 3
SOAP ROLES: John Dixon, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1969-2004); LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING; Cast on GUIDING LIGHT as a Bauer in 1962 but was drafted into the Army before starting the role

NAME: Michael Zaslow
RANK: 4
SOAP ROLES: David Renaldi, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1983-1986, 1998); Roger Thorpe, GUIDING LIGHT (1971-1980, 1989-1997); Jonathan Hadary, KINGS CROSSING (1982); Michael West, FALCON CREST (1982); Dick Hart, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW (1970-1971); Pete Chernak, LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING (1970)

NAME: Justin Deas
RANK: 5
SOAP ROLES: Scott, STEAMBOAT (2010-present); Buzz Cooper, GUIDING LIGHT (1993-2009); Marco Dane, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; Keith Timmons, SANTA BARBARA (1986-1988); Tom Hughes, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1980-1984); Bucky Carter, RYAN'S HOPE (1975-1978)

NAME: Peter Bergman
RANK: 6
SOAP ROLES: Jack Abbott, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1989-present); Cliff Warner, ALL MY CHILDREN (1979-1989); GUIDING LIGHT; LOVE OF LIFE


NAME: Douglass Watson
RANK: 7
SOAP ROLES: Mackenzie Cory, ANOTHER WORLD (1974-1989); Lloyd Phillips, LOVE OF LIFE (1972-1973); Walter Haskins, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW (1966-1968); Robert Wallace, MOMENT OF TRUTH (1965)

NAME: Eric Braeden
RANK: 8
SOAP ROLES: Victor Newman, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1980-present); Victor Newman, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (1999)


NAME: James Mitchell
RANK: 9
SOAP ROLES: Palmer Cortlandt, ALL MY CHILDREN (1979-2010); Julian Hathaway, WHERE THE HEART IS (1969-1973); Lloyd Griffin, THE EDGE OF NIGHT (1964)


NAME: Charles Keating
RANK: 10
SOAP ROLES: James Ritchfield, PORT CHARLES (2001-2003); Carl Hutchins, ANOTHER WORLD (1983-1985, 1991-1999); Niles Mason, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1989-1991); Damon Lazarre, ALL MY CHILDREN (1987-1988)

FLASHBACK: AIDS is a Fact in Daytime Soaps (1988)

AIDS is a fact in daytime soaps

By James T. Jones
USA TODAY
July 18, 1988

NEW YORK - On ABC's top-rated All My Children, Cindy and Stuart Chandler kiss, hold hands, even sleep in the same bed.

But making love is still a touchy subject for daytime TV's most controversial couple: Cindy is dying from AIDS.

Hospitalized with a high fever, Cindy will inform Stuart this week that her condition - from the disease she contracted from her former husband, a drug user who died of the malady - is "going downhill."