Today in Soap Opera History (January 18)

On this date in...

1977: On ANOTHER WORLD, Marianne (then Ariane Muenker, now Ariana Chase) told Michael (Lionel Johnston) she saw Russ at Liz's house. Michael later relayed the news to Sharlene (Laurie Heineman).

1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Nicole (Jayne Bentzen) was knocked unconscious during a struggle with an out of control Miles (Joel Crothers).

1982: Joseph Mascolo debuted as Stefano DiMera in DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Two other actors made their first appearances on the same day: John de Lancie as Eugene Bradford and Catherine Mary Stewart as Kayla Brady.

1984: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Carla (Ellen Holly) had a heart to heart talk with Sadie (Lillian Hayman).



1985: On SANTA BARBARA, Eden (Marcy Walker) was knocked out and kidnapped by Peter Flint (Stephen Meadows), also known as the Carnation Killer.



2006: Adrianne Leon debuted as Colleen Carlton in THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

2008: Debbi Morgan returned to ALL MY CHILDREN as Angie Hubbard.

2007: On GUIDING LIGHT, Jonathan (Tom Pelphrey) and Tammy (Stephanie Gatschet) were married.



2008: Actress Lois Nettleton died at age 80.  She played Virginia Benson in GENERAL HOSPITAL, Carly's adoptive mother.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Peter Looney (ex-Buster, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 76
Paul Freeman (ex-Terry, CORONATION STREET) - 70
Mark Rylance (ex-Charlie, LOVING) - 53
Jim Davidson (ex-Alonzo, GUIDING LIGHT) - 50
Jesse L. Martin (ex-Quincy, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 44
Brandy Brown (ex-Angela, ANOTHER WORLD) - 37
David Lago (ex-Raul, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 34

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to editor@welovesoaps.com.