Today in Soap Opera History (April 27)

On this date in...

1961: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Mike (John Larkin) called Frank Smith to the witness stand.

1970: On DARK SHADOWS, outside the crypt, Quentin prepared a torch and set the coffin on fire.

1979: On ANOTHER WORLD, Iris dragged Janice along with her to crash Ted's party.

1983: On RYAN'S HOPE, Pat (Malcolm Groome) and Faith (Karen Morris-Gowdy) bonded during a thunderstorm.



1984: On GUIDING LIGHT, the drama in San Rios continued.



1990: Kristian Alfonso returned to DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Hope after a three year absence. Hope "died" a few months later but would return for good in 1994. Alfonso recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of her first DAYS appearance.

1994: Roark Critchlow debuted Mike Horton in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1998: ANOTHER WORLD debuted its post-opening theme follow-up scene.

2011: Actress Marian Mercer died at age 75.

2011: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Viki (Erika Slezak) battled with her alters.



Celebrating a birthday today are:

Maura West

Doug Sheehan (ex-Ben, KNOTS LANDING; ex-Joe, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 64
Paul O'Keefe (ex-Dan, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 62
Kevin McNally (Frank, SUPERNATURAL; Mr. Bryant, DOWNTON ABBEY) - 57
Schae Harrison (ex-Darla, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 51
Cali Timmons (ex-Paulina, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Maggie, RYAN'S HOPE) - 50
Russell T. Davies (Producer/Writer, TORCHWOOD; DOCTOR WHO; QUEER AS FOLK) - 50
Lisa Wilcox (ex-Kay, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Ellen, KNOTS LANDING) - 49
Matt Reeves (Creator, FELICITY) - 47
Christopher Corwin (ex-Michael, ANOTHER WORLD) - 45
Kylie Travis (ex-Rachel, CENTRAL PARK WEST; ex-Julia, MODELS INC.) - 43
Hayley Barr (ex-Courtney, AS THE WORLD TURNS; temp-Harley, GUIDING LIGHT) - 42
Maura West (Ava, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Diane, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Carly, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 41
Taylor Anne Mountz (ex-Kay, PASSIONS) - 31
Ari Graynor (ex-Rachel, FRINGE; ex-Caitlin, THE SOPRANOS) - 30
Ashleigh Sterling (ex-Sami, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 30
Jenna-Louise Coleman (ex-Jasmine, EMMERDALE; ex-Lindsey, WATERLOO ROAD) - 27
Rebecca Ryan (ex-Carly, EMMERDALE; ex-Vicki, WATERLOO ROAD) - 22

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].