Today in Soap Opera History (April 5)

1966: Peyton Place's David had parting words for Rodney.
1993: Days of our Lives' Jack and Billie were arrested.
1996: Sarah Brown debuted as Carly on General Hospital.
1999: Guiding Light's Danny welcomed his sister home.

"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...

1940: The final episode of Procter & Gamble radio soap opera MANHATTAN MOTHER aired. Written by Orin Tovrov, the show starred Kaye Brinker as Patricia Locke, who gave up a career to raise her daughter, Dale, in New York.

1966: On PEYTON PLACE, David gave Rodney (Ryan O'Neal) some advice about living with his grandfather.



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

1967: On DARK SHADOWS, Liz (Joan Bennett) invited Willie to stay at Collinwood under pressure from McGuire.

1968: On ANOTHER WORLD, Lee convinced Ada (Constance Ford) that while Lahoma did love Sam, she too loved him.

1973: On THE DOCTORS, Dr. Matt Powers (James Pritchett) received a visit from Lauri James (Marie Thomas).



1990: On KNOTS LANDING, Greg (William Devane) was upset about Paige's (Nicollette Sheridan) engagement to Tom (Joseph Gian).

1990: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) announced she was marrying Emilio.

1991: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Paul (Doug Davidson) and Brad (Don Diamont) clashed over Cassandra.

1993: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Bo (Robert Kelker-Kelly) arrived at the Salem Inn just in time to see Billie (Lisa Rinna) and Jack (Matthew Ashford) arrested.

1996: Sarah Brown debuted as Carly Benson on GENERAL HOSPITAL.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

Note: Sarah Brown won in the Best Lead Actress - Drama category at the 6th Annual Indie Series Awards on April 1st for her work on BEACON HILL.

1999: On GUIDING LIGHT, Michelle and Jesse found Danny (Paul Anthony Stewart) at a club with a woman named Pilar that Michelle didn't realize was his sister.



2005: Debralee Scott, who played Cathy Shumway on MARY HARTMAN MARY HARTMAN, died at age 52.

2007: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, after Drucilla fell off the cliff, Daniel and Lily held Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) by the legs to help her in saving Sharon (Sharon Case) from falling as well.

2008: Charlton Heston, who appeared on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL and played Jason Colby on THE COLBYS, died at age 67.

2012: SCANDAL premiered on ABC.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Roger Davis (ex-Peter, DARK SHADOWS) - 78
Jane Asher (ex-Angel, CROSSROADS) - 70
Krystian Martinek (ex-Ludwig, VERBOTENE LIEBE) - 69
Mitch Pileggi (ex-Harris, DALLAS; ex-Larry, GREY'S ANATOMY; ex-Morrisey, DALLAS) - 65
Shawn Stevens (ex-Oliver, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 59
Tasia Valenza (ex-Dottie, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Suzanne, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 50
Thea Gill (ex-Diana, DANTE'S COVE; ex-Lindsay, QUEER AS FOLK) - 47
Krista Allen (ex-Billie, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 46
Schuyler Yancey (ex-Cameron, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 38

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