Today in Soap Opera History (October 12)

On this date in...

1953: VALIANT LADY premiered on CBS radio and television. The series was created by Adrian Spies and written by Charles Elwyn. Helen Emerson was the central character during the show's four year run and was played by two actresses along the way, Nancy Coleman and Flora Campbell. AS THE WORLD TURNS legend Helen Wagner played Jane Lyman for a year.

1974: DAYS OF OUR LIVES costars Susan Seaforth (Julie) and Bill Hayes (Doug) were married in real life. Less than two years later their characters were married on the show. Happy Anniversary!

1981: Elizabeth Taylor taped her first day at GENERAL HOSPITAL for scenes that would air in November.

1985: THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Melody Thomas (Nikki) married producer Ed Scott. Happy Anniversary!

2006: Kyle Brandt aired for the final time as Philip Kiriakis on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.



2007: German telenovela VERLIEBT in Berlin aired its 645th and final episode.

2008: Longtime soap opera writer James E. Reilly died at age 60. He won an Emmy and a WGA Award for his work on GUIDING LIGHT, but he is probably best remembered these days for his stints as head writer of DAYS OF OUR LIVES and PASSIONS. He also at time wrote for THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, SUNSET BEACH, RYAN'S HOPE and GENERAL HOSPITAL. He consulted with THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. And earned a consulting producer credit with both DAYS and PASSIONS.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Carla Borelli (ex-Reena, TEXAS/ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Connie, FALCON CREST) - 68
Carlos Bernard (ex-Rafael, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 48
Marie Wilson (WORKSHOP; THE BAY; ex-Meg, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Karen, PORT CHARLES) - 36

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].