Today in Soap Opera History (July 29)

On this date in...

1948: Writer James E. Reilly was born. He died on October 12, 2008, after an award-winning run writing for daytime soap operas GUIDING LIGHT, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, SUNSET BEACH, GENERAL HOSPITAL and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. He created PASSIONS in 1999 and served as head writer until the show went off the air in 2008.

1966: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Susan (Denise Alexander) told Julie (Charla Doherty) she was "scared stiff" about marrying David.

James E. Reilly Dead at 60

James E. Reilly, most recently the creator and head writer for PASSIONS, passed away on October 12 at the age of 60.

Over the years, Reilly wrote for a number of soaps including a memorable stint as head writer for DAYS OF OUR LIVES. He also worked on writing teams for SUNSET BEACH, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, GENERAL HOSPITAL, RYAN'S HOPE and GUIDING LIGHT throughout the last few decades.

He was born on July 29, 1948, in Bountiful, Utah.