Today in Soap Opera History (April 24)

On this date in...

1959: NBC Radio soap WOMAN IN MY HOUSE aired its final episode after an eight year run.  ONE MAN'S FAMILY creator Carlton E. Morse (pictured) produced WIMH about the Carter family of Miami. Morse created over 40 radio serials. In the 1980s he published a series of novels.

1970: On ANOTHER WORLD, Alice tried to assure an upset Chris that things would go back to normal after Steve's memory returned.

1970: On DARK SHADOWS, in the mausoleum, Alexis touched Angelique's arm, and Angelique woke up and told her that it would be Alexis who will be destroyed.


1990: Actor Tom Rolfing, who played Cliff Tanner on ANOTHER WORLD from 1977-1978 died at age 40.  Cliff left Bay City with Regine after they were married.


1995: Deborah Adair aired for the final time on DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Kate Roberts.

1998: Frederic Downs, who played Maggie's farm hand, Hank on DAYS OF OUR LIVES for several years,  died at age 81.

1998: Eileen Davidson aired for the final time on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

2003: FRIENDS aired its "The One With The Soap Opera Party" episode featuring guest stars Matthew Ashford, Kyle Lowder, Farah Fath, Alexis Thorpe and Ethan Erickson.

2006: SOAPnet began airing same day repeats of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

2008: Mark Lawson debuted on ONE LIFE TO LIVE as Brody.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Shirley MacLaine (Martha, DOWNTON ABBEY) - 78
Michael Parks (ex-Jean, TWIN PEAKS) - 72
Michael O'Keefe (ex-Wally, BROTHERS & SISTERS) - 57
John Vargas (ex-Rico, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Marcos, SANTA BARBARA) - 54
Aidan Gillen (Petyr, GAME OF THRONES; ex-Stuart, QUEER AS FOLK)  - 44
Stacy Haiduk (Patty, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Jane, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Hannah, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Colleen, MELROSE PLACE) - 43
Melinda Clarke (Amada, NIKITA; ex-Faith, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Julie, THE O.C.) - 43
Rory McCann (Sandor, GAME OF THRONES) - 43
Damon Lindelof (Creator, LOST) - 39
Derek Luke (ex-Boobie, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) - 38
Thad Luckinbill (ex-Nathan, NIKITA; ex-J.T., THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Kyle, UNDRESSED) - 37
Rebecca Mader (ex-Margaret, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Morgan, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Charlotte, LOST) - 35
Eric Balfour (ex-Gabe, SIX FEET UNDER) - 35
Austin Nichols (ex-Julian, ONE TREE HILL; ex-Noah, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) - 32
Sasha Barrese (ex-Lindsey, UNDRESSED) - 31
Courtnee Draper (ex-Mary, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 27
Sean Rademaker (ex-Jonathan, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Kirkland, ANOTHER WORLD) - 22

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to [email protected].