Today in Soap Opera History (August 11)

1986: ANOTHER WORLD's Zane (Patrick Tovatt) died
with wife Felicia (Linda Dano) by his side.

History is not melodrama, even if it usually reads like that.
-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...

1967: ABC broadcast DARK SHADOWS in black and while for the final time (although this episode was actually the first shot in color). Having fainted at the sight of Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid), Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) began to remember what happened to her. Before she could reveal Barnabas' vampiric activity, she was placed under a hypnotic spell by Julia Hoffman (Grayson Hall).



1977: The final episode Australian soap opera NUMBER 96 aired on Network Ten.

1979: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, a masked man pulled a gun on Miles (Joel Crothers) at his office.

1980: On TEXAS, Bart (Joel Colodner) asked Courtney (Catherine Hickland) if it bothered her that Kevin was married. She replied: "Yes, but not half as much at it bothers him." She later added: "A person can't always live by their principles."



1980: On ANOTHER WORLD, Margo (Judy Cassmore) arrived at Blaine's (Laura Malone) and told her that Buzz Winslow was killed when his car went off a cliff into the river. Blaine remembered Buzz and Jordan fighting which made Margo suspect Blaine didn't think it was an accident. Eric Conger aired for the final time in ANOTHER WORLD as Buzz Winslow, a role he originated on June 21, 1978.



1982: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Tom (Macdonald Carey) and Alice (Frances Reid) reminisced and danced to their song, "Always."

1986: On ANOTHER WORLD, Zane Lindquist (Patrick Tovatt) died with his wife, Felicia Gallant, by his side. His final words: "I love you, Fanny Grady. One classy lady."

1989: On GUIDING LIGHT, Phillip (Grant Aleksander) clashed with Holly (Maureen Garrett).



1992: On ANOTHER WORLD, Jenna reeled from the news that Lorna was Lucas and Felicia's daughter.

1994: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Kendall (Sarah Michelle Gellar) told Dimitri (Michael Nader) she had every right to be at Mona's funeral.



1997: THE VIEW premiered on ABC Daytime.

2003: On THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, just before Macy's wedding to Deacon, Sally (Darlene Conley) ordered Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) to get out of Macy's room: "Get out, Brooke, before I drag you out!"



2006: Former daytime talk show host Mike Douglas died on his 81st birthday. He appeared as himself on KNOTS LANDING in 1982.

2010: Vanessa Marcil returned to GENERAL HOSPITAL as Brenda.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Charles Cooper (ex-Curley, DALLAS) - 87
Hulk Hogan (WWE/WWF; TNA; WCW) - 60
Embeth Davidtz (ex-Rebecca, MAD MEN) - 48
Anna Gunn (Skyler, BREAKING BAD) - 45
Ashley Jensen (ex-Christina, UGLY BETTY) - 44
Chris Messina (Reese, THE NEWSROOM; ex-Ted, SIX FEET UNDER) - 39
Craig Cole (ex-Eric, PRISON BREAK) - 38
Michael Bruno (Judge, I WANNA BE A SOAP STAR)
Drew Nelson (ex-Robbie, QUEER AS FOLK) - 34
Elisabeth Lund (ex-Lisa, UNDRESSED) - 32
Chris Hemsworth (ex-Kim, HOME AND AWAY; ex-Jamie, NEIGHBOURS) - 30
Caitlin Harris (ex-Cheryl, THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER) - 24
Kelsey Robinson (Jesse, FUMBLING THRU THE PIECES)

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].