Today in Soap Opera History (April 10)

1957: As the World Turns' Edith considered leaving Oakdale.
1985: Finola Hughes debuted as Anna Devane on General Hospital.
1987: Jack Deveraux first appeared on Days of our Lives.
2008: All My Children's Jesse remembered his late friend Jenny.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"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...

1957: On As the World Turns, Chris (Don MacLaughlin) and Pa (Santos Ortega) discussed John Hughes, who ran away from the Hughes farm 18 years earlier. Meanwhile, Edith (Ruth Warrick) didn't want to rehash the past with Jim.  Later, Pa encouraged Edith to make up with Penny before Chris returned.



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

1981: On Another World, Jamie (Richard Bekins) was rescued for the Complex. Later, Russ, Rick, and Alice refused to release Jamie from the hospital.



1981: On Texas, Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) made Paige (Lisby Larson) uncomfortable by mentioning a terrible movie she saw called "Endless Passion" to Eliot. Later, Iris told Paige about Chris's demands and offered money to Paige in exchange for leaving Dennis.

1985: Finola Hughes debuted as Anna Devane on General Hospital. Hughes has played the character on and off and ever, and crossed the character over to All My Children and General Hospital: Night Shift as well. She has been nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards for her work in the role on GH and AMC, including this year. She won in 1991.



Thanks to Tina for sending in the item above.

1986: On As the World Turns, Iva (Lisa Brown) clashed with Lucinda (Elizabeth Hubbard). "I know what you are," Lucinda told her. "You're the same little tramp that gave away your kid for money."



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

1986: On Guiding Light, Claire (Susan Pratt) told Kyle (Larkin Malloy) about Ed's "dark" side.



1987: The character of Jack Deveraux debuted on Days of our Lives, played by Joseph Adams.

1989: On Santa Barbara, Eden Capwell Castillo (Marcy Walker) received information about her baby.

1990: On Another World, John (David Forsyth) sought Dr. Craig's help with psychiatry information after reading about psychological disorders. Meanwhile, Sharly (Anna Holbrook) and Grant (Dack Rambo) kissed.

1995: On Loving, Deborah (Nancy Addison) sang a poignant version of "Hello, Dolly!"



2001: On One Life to Live, Hank told Judge Fitzwater that he had motive, means and opportunity concerning Blair's (Kassie DePaiva) attempted murder of Max.

2008: On All My Children, Jesse (Darnell Williams) told baby Jenny about the original Jenny.



2010: Actress Dixie Carter died at age 70. Carter made her mark in daytime on The Edge of Night as Brandy Henderson. She also appeared on The Doctors and filled for Nancy Pinkerton as Dorian on One Life to Live in 1974, while Pinkerton was on maternity leave. She also earned an Emmy nomination for her work on Desperate Housewives playing Gloria Hodge.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Liz Sheridan (ex-Greta, Santa Barbara) - 88
Milt Kogan (ex-Irv, General Hospital) - 81
John Dewey Carter (ex-Grant, Another World) - 66
Peter MacNicol (ex-Robert, Grey's Anatomy) - 63
David Harbour (ex-David, State of Affairs; ex-Elliot, The Newsroom; ex-Roger, Pan Am; ex-Shanks, As the World Turns) - 43
Charlie Hunnam (ex-Nathan, Queer as Folk) - 37
Laura Bell Bundy (ex-Shelby, Hart of Dixie; ex-Marah, Guiding Light) - 36
Michael Pitt (ex-Jimmy, Boardwalk Empire) - 36
Chyler Leigh (ex-Lexie, Grey's Anatomy; ex-Carla, Reunion) - 35
Ryan Merriman (Ian, Pretty Little Liars) - 34
Jamie Chung (ex-Cordy, Days of our Lives; ex-Mulan, Once Upon A Time) - 34
Mandy Moore (ex-Mary, Grey's Anatomy) - 33
Billy Kay (ex-Shayne, Guiding Light) - 33
Shay Mitchell (Emily, Pretty Little Liars) - 30
Jamie Renée Smith (ex-Rachel, The Bold and the Beautiful) - 30

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