Today in Soap Opera History (February 5)

"Maybe if people started to listen, history would stop repeating itself."
- Lily Tomlin

"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...

1940: Frank and Anne Hummert's radio soap opera AMANDA OF HONEYMOON HILL premiered on the Blue Network. The show moved to CBS in 1942, and ran until April 26, 1946. The story followed the travails of the beautiful Charity Amanda Dyke Leighton (Joy Hathaway), who lived on Honeymoon Hill in Virginia with her husband, wealthy Southerner Edward Leighton (Boyd Crawford, George Lambert, Staats Cotsworth).

1958: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Harris told Martin (Henderson Forsythe) more hot cars came in that needed converting.

1970: Bill Hayes taped his first episode of DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Doug Williams. The episode aired on February 18, 1970.

1975: On ANOTHER WORLD, Jim (Hugh Marlowe) and Barbara (Roberta Maxwell) wondered why Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) wasn't enthusiastic about her father's wedding.

1976: On RYAN'S HOPE, Kenneth caught Faith before she had a chance to escape.



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in this item.

1980: John Wesley Shipp debuted on GUIDING LIGHT as Kelly Nelson.

1982: Michael Woods debuted in the role of Mark Wheeler on TEXAS replacing Ernie Garrett.

1986: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Ted and Jennifer were upset that Anna (Finola Hughes) was getting closer to the truth of Laurelton.



1992: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) seduced a passed out Scott (Peter Barton)

1995: On ALL MY CHILDREN, the jury was back with a verdict in Noah's (Keith Hamilton Cobb) murder trial.



2008: Julie Pinson aired for the final time as Billie Reed in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Stuart Damon (ex-Alan, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Jim, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, ex-Ralph, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 77
Laura Linney (ex-Mary Ann, TALES OF THE CITY) - 50
David Chisum (ex-Miles, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Bret, SUNSET BEACH) - 43
Diego Serrano (ex-Diego, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Tomas, ANOTHER WORLD) - 40
Crystal Hunt (ex-Stacey, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Lizzie, GUIDING LIGHT) - 29
Brittany Allen (ex-Marissa, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 28
Darren Criss (Blaine, GLEE; ex-Josh, EASTWICK) - 27
Jeremy Sumpter (ex-J.D., FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) - 25

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].