Today in Soap Opera History (May 16)

1989: ATWT's Ellen was unhappy with her husband. 1989: GL's
Will fatally injured Rose. 1994: GH's Bobbie and Tony said
goodbye to their daughter, B.J. 2012: Days' Lucas and Sami
reacted to the revelation that their son, Will, was gay.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"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: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) told Susan (Denise Alexander) that Dickie didn't have any fractures but had not regained consciousness.

1975: On Another World, Jim Matthews (Hugh Marlowe) had Russ (David Baile) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) over for dinner.

1983: On Ryan's Hope, Jack (Michael Levin) did a segment on Channel 8 about the free clinic closing, thanks to Rae (Louise Shaffer).



1984: On The Edge of Night, Preacher Emerson (Grant Grant, then known as Charles Flohe) obtained the home address of LK Pendleton.



1985: Actress Margaret Hamilton, who played The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz movie, died at age 82. Her soap roles included Miss Peterson in As the World Turns, Katie on The Secret Storm and Mrs. Sayre in Valiant Lady.

1989: On As the World Turns, Ellen (Patricia Bruder) admitted to David (Henderson Forsythe) that she was unhappy.



1989: On Guiding Light, Rose McLaren Shayne (Alexandra Neil) died when she hit her head on a rock after being pushed during a confrontation with Will Jeffries (Joseph Breen).



1990: Actor, entertainer and soap opera fan Sammy Davis Jr. died at age 64. His daytime roles included Chip Warren in One Life to Live and Eddie Phillips on General Hospital. He also played himself on Love of Life, his favorite soap, in October 1975, where he sang "Candy Man" at Rick Latimer's (Jerry Lacy, pictured right) club the Terrace Room. In 1980 he was nominated for Outstanding Guest/Cameo Appearance in a Daytime Drama Series at the Daytime Emmy Awards (Hugh McPhillips won for Days of our Lives).

1994: On General Hospital, Tony (Brad Maule) and Bobbie (Jacklyn Zeman) were horrified to learn that their daughter was one of the victims of the bus crash and was in critical condition. Tony realized BJ was brain dead. BJ turned out to be a heart donor match for Maxie, and Tony tried to convince Bobbie to approve a transplant. Tony, Bobbie and the family said goodbye to BJ.



1995: On All My Children, Alec (Grant Aleksander) and Adam (David Canary) were unable to find Hayley.

2003: At the 30th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, winners included As the World Turns (Drama Series), General Hospital (Writing), All My Children (Directing), Susan Flannery (Lead Actress), Maurice Benard (Lead Actor), Vanessa Marcil (Supporting Actress), Benjamin Hendrickson (Supporting Actor), Jennifer Finnigan (Younger Actress) and Jordi Vilasuso (Younger Actor).



2012: On Days of our Lives, Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) and Sami (Alison Sweeney) reacted to Will's (Chandler Massey) revelation that he was gay.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Richard Sarradet (ex-Howard, General Hospital; ex-Nielsen, Knots Landing) - 70
Jo McDonnell (ex-Maureen, Dallas) - 66
Mare Winningham (ex-Susan, Grey's Anatomy) - 57
Scott Reeves (Noel, Nashville; ex-Steve, General Hospital; ex-Ryan, The Young and the Restless; ex-Jake, Days of our Lives) - 50
David Boreanaz (ex-Angel, Angel; ex-Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - 47
Khary Payton (ex-Terrell, General Hospital) - 44
Tori Spelling (ex-Donna, 90210; ex-Donna, Beverly Hills, 90210; ex-Donna, Melrose Place) - 43
Sean Carrigan (Stitch, The Young and the Restless) - 42
Jessica Morris (ex-Jennifer, One Life to Live; ex-Liz, Undressed) - 37
Trent Cameron (ex-Trent, General Hospital) - 37
Joseph Morgan (Klaus, The Originals; Klaus, The Vampire Diaries) - 35
Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Donny, Submissions Only) - 31
Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Jojen, Game of Thrones) - 26

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email [email protected].