Today in Soap Opera History (April 15)

1968: DS' Dr. Lang offered Barnabas a cure for the curse.
1993: Bryan Dattilo debuted on DAYS.  1999: AMC's Erica
received an upsetting photo. 1999: AW's Tyrone & Marley
shared a kiss.

"There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again - now."
- Eugene O'Neill

"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...

1966: The character of Katherine Corning aired for the final time on ANOTHER WORLD. Katherine, Missy Palmer's mother, was played by Ann Sheridan, who died after a battle with cancer nine months later at age 51.

1968: On DARK SHADOWS, Dr. Eric Lang (Addison Powell) told Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) that he could have the physical appearance of Jeff Clark (Roger Davis) and be cured of the curse.



1976: On RYAN'S HOPE, Mary (Kate Mulgrew) had a successful TV debut.

1982: On KNOTS LANDING, Richard (John Pleshette) held Laura (Constance McCashin) and their son, Jason, hostage at gunpoint.



1983: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Alan (Stuart Damon) and Rick (Chris Robinson) finally started to realized the nurses at GH had a point.



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the item above.

1993: Bryan Dattilo debuted as Lucas on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.



1999: On ANOTHER WORLD, Marley (Ellen Wheeler) and Tyrone (Henry Simmons) bonded, and shared a kiss.



1999: On THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, Amber (Adrienne Frantz) had her first contraction.

1999: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Vanessa (Marj Dusay) showed Erica (Susan Lucci) a photo of Erica with her face slashed.



2000: GUIDING LIGHT writer David Kreizman married Natasha Katzive, an associate director on the soap.

2010: Robert Brubaker (John Martin, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) died at age 93.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Lois Chiles (ex-Holly, DALLAS) - 67
Sam McMurray (Frank, THE FOSTERS; ex-Phil, THE EDGE OF NIGHT; THE DOCTORS; RYAN'S HOPE) - 62
Joseph Kell (ex-Zack, PORT CHARLES) - 54
Lydie Denier (ex-Yasmine, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 50
Mark Mortimer (ex-Nick, ANOTHER WORLD) - 47
Susan Ward (ex-Chloe, MAKE IT OR BREAK IT; ex-Meg, SUNSET BEACH; Camille, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 38
Maisie Williams (Arya, GAME OF THRONES) - 17

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].