Today in Soap Opera History (May 19)

On this date in...

1964: On ANOTHER WORLD, Janet (Liza Chapman) learned that Will had a cardiac condition for the past five years which he kept secret from his family.

Doug Davidson

1967: On DARK SHADOWS, Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) disappeared from Collinsport Hospital.

1976: At the 3rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, winners included ANOTHER WORLD (Drama Series), Larry Haines and Helen Gallagher.

1978: Doug Davidson made his first appearance on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS in the role of Paul Williams. Happy 35th Anniversary, Doug! He is now the longest-running cast member at Y&R. Check out a video retrospective of Davdison's work at Y&R below made by a fan:



1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Kirk (aka Draper) was involved in an accident.



1981: At the 8th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, winners included GENERAL HOSPITAL (Drama Series, Directing), Douglass Watson, Judith Light, Larry Haines and Jane Elliot.



1992: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Brady Black was born.



1995: At the 22nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, winners included GENERAL HOSPITAL (Drama Series, Writing), Justin Deas, Erika Slezak, Jerry verDorn, Rena Sofer, Jonathan Jackson and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

John Beradino

1996: John Beradino, best known to soap fans as Dr. Steve Hardy on GENERAL HOSPITAL, died at age 79.  Before becoming the star of GENERAL HOSPITAL in 1963, Beradino played Major League Baseball.

1998: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Nina (Tricia Cast) wanted answers from Ryan (Scott Reeves).

2000: At the 27th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, winners included GENERAL HOSPITAL (Drama Series, Directing), Anthony Geary, Susan Flannery, Shemar Moore, Sarah Brown, David Tom and Camryn Grimes.



2001: Former daytime soap opera writing Pat Falken-Smith died at age 75.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Marilyn Chris (ex-Wanda, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Edie, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 75
Marie Wallace (ex-Molly, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Johnsie, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-India, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Megan, DARK SHADOWS) - 74
Archie Manning (Himself, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 64
Leslie Denniston (ex-Carolyn/Karen, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Maeve, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Jessica, RYAN'S HOPE) - 63
Steven Ford (ex-Andy, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 57
Joshua Beckett (ex-Josh, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210) - 48
Cwennen Corral (Maddie, THE CAVANAUGHS)
Drew Fuller (Trevor, ARMY WIVES) - 33
Jessica Fox (Nancy, HOLLYOAKS) - 33

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have a tip on a bit of soap history on this date or future dates, let us know. Send an email to [email protected].