Today in Soap Opera History (April 9)

1953: GL's Dick worried about his marriage to Kathy. 1982: GH's
Mike took an important message. 1992: KL's Pierce surprised
Paige.  1996: GH's Lois & Ned helped Jenny during childbirth.

"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...

1953: On THE GUIDING LIGHT, Dick (James Lipton) looked for reassurance about his marriage to Kathy from Dr. Keeler. Kathy became sad when Timmy pointed out that her husband had never been to see her.



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the item above.

1978: On DALLAS, Pam (Victoria Principal) took Lucy (Charlene Tilton) under her wing.

1979: Lanna Saunders made her first appearance as Marie Horton in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1981: Charles Bateman aired for the final time as Maxwell Jarvis in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1982: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Mike (David Mendenhall) took a very important phone message from Tiffany (Sharon Wyatt).



1992: On the season finale of KNOTS LANDING, as a furious Paige (Nicollette Sheridan) got in her car to go to Greg's, Pierce Lawton (Bruce Greenwood) suddenly popped up from the back seat.



1992: Karen Moncrieff aired for the final time as Cassandra Benedict on SANTA BARBARA.

1996: Writer Robert Soderberg died at age 80.  During his career Soderberg wrote for ONE LIFE TO LIVE, AS THE WORLD TURNS, ANOTHER WORLD and GUIDING LIGHT.

1996: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Jenny Eckert Hornsby gave birth to a little boy (Paul Hornsby Jr.) with help from Ned (Wally Kurth) and Lois (Rena Sofer).



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Michael Learned (ex-Katherine, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Shirley, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Judge Turner, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Judge Turner, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 75
Caryn Richman (ex-Nora, THE BRADYS; ex-Elena, TEXAS; ex-Lauren, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 58
Christopher Durham (ex-Silas, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Dakota, RYAN'S HOPE; ex-Matt, CAPITOL) - 55
Katell Pleven (ex-Dana, GUIDING L IGHT) - 52
Lisa Guerrero (ex-Francesca, SUNSET BEACH) - 50
Paulina Porizkova (ex-Clarissa, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 49
Austin Peck (Max, TAINTED DREAMS; ex-Rick, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Brad, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Austin, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 43
Leighton Meester (ex-Blair, GOSSIP GIRL) - 28
Jesse McCartney (ex-Tim, ARMY WIVES; ex-J.R., ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Andy, GREEK; ex-Brian, SUMMERLAND) - 27
David Jones-Roberts (Xavier, HOME AND AWAY) - 24

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].