Thursday, July 12, 2012

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #48 Bill & Tess From LOVE OF LIFE

COUPLE: Bill Prentiss & Tess Krakauer
SHOW: LOVE OF LIFE
RANK: 48
PLAYED BY:
Bill: Gene Bua
Tess: Toni Bull
YEARS: 1967-1972

STORY:
Bill and Tess had a tortured love story and were married several times over the years. They were involved in a triangle with John Randolph who was eventually murdered with Tess and Bill both going on trial (they didn't do it!). Bill died of a "rare blood disease" in 1972 and Tess left town in 1973.

IMPACT:
One of the most popular soap opera couples of the late 1960s (and early 1970s) Bill and Tess had chemistry in spades. LOVE OF LIFE ratings were still solid while they were on the show. After they both left, ratings began to slide. Gene Bua and Toni Bull met while playing Bill & Tess, got married and are still together today. In daytime, they reunited as Steve & Denny in the final year of SOMERSET.

CLASSIC CLIPS:
- Bill and Tess Sing Then He Brings Up Eloping
- Tess and Victoria talk after John's Murder

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RELATED:
- 50 Greatest Soap Opera Actors: The Complete List
- 50 Greatest Soap Opera Actresses: The Complete List
- THE COMPLETE LIST: 25 Biggest Blunders In Daytime Soap Opera History

3 comments:

  1. The clip of them singing is amazing.

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  2. I loved this couple, I was young but remember them because LOL was on at 1130 and in the summer that was the start of CBS's daytime lineup. My mom's favorite couple on LOL. Sweet memories.

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  3. A great soap couple! I miss "Love of Life" and all the CBS soaps.

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