Peggy McCay Dead at 90

Peggy McCay, who played Caroline Brady on Days of our Lives for over 30 years, died on October 7 of natural causes. She was 90.

Her Days co-star and close friend Deidre Hall made the announcement on Facebook, writing: "Our dearest Peggy McCay has left us. She was a friend, an activist and a real scrapper!!
I remember meeting her at the bedside of a dear, very ill friend. I backed her up as she ferociously took on doctors and nurses to make sure he had the very best care. She fought that hard for all her causes. Passionate and tireless. And how she loved being 'Caroline'!!"

McCay studied with Lew Strasberg in New York and later assisted in setting up his west coast acting studio, which was attended by such luminaries as Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Paul Newman.

From 1951 to 1955 McCay starred on CBS soap opera Love of Life as Vanessa Dale, whose battles with sister Meg were the center of the show's early years. Her later daytime roles included Susan Garret on The Young Marrieds and Iris Fairchild on General Hospital.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 5)

1964: ABC daytime soap The Young Marrieds premiered.
1979: Mary Crosby took over the role of Kristin on Dallas.
1984: CBN aired the final episode of Another Life.
2009: Days of our Lives' EJ confronted Nicole about Sydney.

"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...

1964: The Young Marrieds premiered on ABC. The daytime soap opera was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett. Among its cast were future Days of our Lives actors Peggy McCay, Brenda Benet and Susan Seaforth Hayes. The show ran until March 25, 1966.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.
1981: General Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Today in Soap Opera History (October 5)

1964: ABC daytime soap The Young Marrieds premiered.
1979: Mary Crosby took over the role of Kristin on Dallas.
1984: CBN aired the final episode of Another Life.
2009: Days of our Lives' EJ confronted Nicole about Sydney.

"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...

1964: The Young Marrieds premiered on ABC. The daytime soap opera was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett. Among its cast were future Days of our Lives actors Peggy McCay, Brenda Benet and Susan Seaforth Hayes. The show ran until March 25, 1966.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.
1981: General Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Today in Soap Opera History (October 5)

1964: ABC daytime soap The Young Marrieds premiered.
1979: Mary Crosby took over the role of Kristin on Dallas.
1984: CBN aired the final episode of Another Life.
2009: Days of our Lives' EJ confronted Nicole about Sydney.

"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray

"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: The Young Marrieds premiered on ABC. The daytime soap opera was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett. Among its cast were future Days of our Lives actors Peggy McCay, Brenda Benet and Susan Seaforth Hayes. The show ran until March 25, 1966.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.  1981: General
Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Today in Soap Opera History (October 5)

1964: ABC daytime soap The Young Marrieds premiered.
1979: Mary Crosby took over the role of Kristin on Dallas.
1984: CBN aired the final episode of Another Life.
2009: Days of our Lives' EJ confronted Nicole about Sydney.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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: The Young Marrieds premiered on ABC. The daytime soap opera was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett. Among its cast were future Days of our Lives actors Peggy McCay, Brenda Benet and Susan Seaforth Hayes. The show ran until March 25, 1966.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.  1981: General
Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Today in Soap Opera History (October 5)

1964: ABC daytime soap The Young Marrieds premiered.
1979: Mary Crosby took over the role of Kristin on DALLAS.
1984: CBN aired the final episode of ANOTHER LIFE.
2009: An angry EJ confronted Nicole about Sydney on DAYS.

"History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future."
― Robert Penn Warren

"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: The Young Marrieds premiered on ABC. The daytime soap opera was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett. Among its cast were future Days of our Lives actors Peggy McCay, Brenda Benet and Susan Seaforth Hayes. The show ran until March 25, 1966.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.  1981: General
Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future."
― Robert Penn Warren

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Today in Soap Opera History (October 5)

1964: ABC daytime soap THE YOUNG MARRIEDS premiered.
1979: Mary Crosby took over the role of Kristin on DALLAS.
1984: CBN aired the final episode of ANOTHER LIFE.
2009: An angry EJ confronted Nicole about Sydney on DAYS.

"We should always be aware that what now lies in the past once lay in the future."
― F.W. Maitland

"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: THE YOUNG MARRIEDS premiered on ABC. The show was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett. Among its cast were future DAYS OF OUR LIVES actors Peggy McCay, Brenda Benet and Susan Seaforth Hayes. The series finale aired on March 25, 1966.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: The final episodes of daytime soap operas THE BRIGHTER
DAY and OUR FIVE DAUGHTERS aired.  1981: GH covered
Newsweek. 1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on RYAN'S HOPE.

"In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind."
― Edmund Burke

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera THE BRIGHTER DAY. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. It was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of OUR FIVE DAUGHTERS, which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as the mother of five young women, Helen Lee, including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Peggy McCay on Alzheimer's, New Writers, Michael Landon, Andy Griffith, Dynamic Duos & More

Peggy McCay

Emmy and Obie Award-winning actress Peggy McCay began her storied career more than sixty years ago.  Her first continuing television role was in the CBS daytime soap opera Love of Life where she played Vanessa Dale.  After starring in The Young Marrieds, General Hospital and numerous primetime series and films, she joined the cast of Days of our Lives in 1983.  Nearly thirty years later she is still playing the fiery Caroline Brady.

We caught up with Ms. McCay today to find out more about her connection to Andy Griffith, Caroline's Alzheimer's storyline, and to celebrate pieces of soap history from early in her career.

WE LOVE SOAPS: Ms. McCay, how are you?
PEGGY McCAY: I'm fine, Kevin. How are you?

WE LOVE SOAPS: Great! Actually, really great. This is exciting - an honor really.
PEGGY McCAY: Thank you!

WE LOVE SOAPS: Let's start this off with a bang. What are you able to preview for us about Caroline's storyline coming up?

Today in Soap Opera History (October 5)

Paul Picerni and Peggy McCay of THE YOUNG MARRIEDS

On this date in...

1958: GENERAL HOSPITAL's Shell Kepler, who played Amy Vining, was born. She died in 2008 at age 49.

1964: THE YOUNG MARRIEDS premiered on ABC. The show was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett.  Among its cast were future DAYS OF OUR LIVES actors Peggy McCay, Brenda Benet and Susan Seaforth Hayes. The series finale aired on March 25, 1966. Watch an episode from 1965 below.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

On this date in...

1962: THE BRIGHTER DAY aired its final episode. The show, set in New Hope, was originally created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The original setting of Three Rivers was moved to New Hope in 1953 before the move to television in 1954.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of OUR FIVE DAUGHTERS, which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as the mother of five young women, including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann.

1979: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Oakdale gathered to watch Ian McFarland (Peter Simon) conduct the Joffrey ballet. Ian's ex-wife Dana had just become engaged to Dr. Bob Hughes. Ian wouldn't make it till the end of the performance which was shot on location at the Ed Sullivan Theater (current home to LETTERMAN).

Today in Soap Opera History (October 5)

On this date in...

1950: Jeff Conaway was on our birthday list last year, but passed away earlier this year on May 27. He had roles on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL and BERRENGER'S.

1958: GENERAL HOSPITAL's Shell Kepler, who played Amy Vining, was born. She died in 2008 at age 49.

1964: THE YOUNG MARRIEDS premiered on ABC. Among its cast were future DAYS OF OUR LIVES actors Peggy McCay, Brenda Benet and Susan Seaforth Hayes. It aired its final episode on March 25, 1966. Watch an episode from 1965 below.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

On this date in...

1962: THE BRIGHTER DAY aired its final episode. The show, set in New Hope, was originally created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The original setting of Three Rivers was moved to New Hope in 1953 before the move to television in 1954.

1979: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Oakdale gathered to watch Ian McFarland (Peter Simon) conduct the Joffrey ballet. Ian's ex-wife Dana had just become engaged to Dr. Bob Hughes. Ian wouldn't make it till the end of the performance (shot on location at the Ed Sullivan Theater).

1981: Newsweek's cover calls GENERAL HOSPITAL "TV's Hottest Show."

2006: The U.S. version of UGLY BETTY finally arrived premiering on ABC.

2008: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES' fifth season premiered on ABC.

Remembering THE YOUNG MARRIEDS, 45 Years Later

REMEMBERING "THE YOUNG MARRIEDS" – 45 YEARS LATER
By Rob Wargo

Forty-five years ago – March 25, 1966, to be exact – ABC aired the 380th and final episode of THE YOUNG MARRIEDS, a companion series of sorts to GENERAL HOSPITAL, launched approximately 18 months prior to TYM’s debut on October 5, 1964. The series was produced in Los Angeles by Selmur Productions, the same in-house production company responsible for producing GENERAL HOSPITAL, and purportedly was set in the same town as GH, although there was no interaction between the characters in the respective series. TYM was created by James Elward and written by him and Frances Rickett. During its 18 months on the air, TYM faced stiff competition from CBS’ THE EDGE OF NIGHT and NBC’s YOU DON'T SAY. Although the show ranked tenth out of seventeen soaps for the 1965-1966 season, ABC still decided to cancel the series. TYM had replaced QUEEN FOR A DAY on the ABC Daytime schedule, and was replaced by the struggling soap THE NURSES in the lineup. THE NURSES would limp along for another year before being canceled, having not improved on TYM’s ratings in the timeslot.

Paul Picerni Dead at 88

Paul Picerni, a prolific television and screen actor best known as Agent Eliot Ness’s right-hand man in the hit 1960s series THE UNTOUCHABLES, died on January 12 at his home in Llano, Calif. He was 88. The cause was a heart attack, his manager, John Gloske, said.

Among his many credits were the roles of Dr. Dan Garrett on THE YOUNG MARRIEDS from 1964-1966 and Colonel Amir on CAPITOL in 1983.