Today in Soap Opera History (May 30)

On this date in...

1938: Radio soap opera JOYCE JORDAN, M.D. debuted on the Mutual Network. Elspeth Eric was the original actress to play Joyce, who worked at Heights Hospital. Other cast members during the show's run included Bill Johnstone and Agnes Moorehead. Three decades later Elspeth Eric appeared on THE SECRET STORM then joined the ANOTHER WORLD writing staff from 1969 to 1971.



1967: On DARK SHADOWS, Roger (Louis Edmonds) promised to stand by Liz (Joan Bennett).

1975: On ANOTHER WORLD, Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) was annoyed by Louise's (Anne Meacham) new-found scruples.

1984: On CAPITOL, Trey (Nicholas Walker) assured Sloane (Debrah Farentino) they wouldn't have the type of problems in their marriage that Sloane's parents had.



1984: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Brooke (Julia Barr) didn't want to give up on a drunken Tom.



1988: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Craig (Scott Bryce) had a hard time accepting Sierra's death.



1995: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Marlena's (Deidre Hall) exorcism began.



1997: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Jason (Steve Burton) stopped Monica (Leslie Charleson) from killing Pierce Dorman (Tuc Watkins).



2003: The final episode of the UK's CROSSROADS revival aired.

2006: James Scott debuted as EJ DiMera on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Deanna Lund (ex-Virginia, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Peggy, GUIDING LIGHT) - 76
David Ackroyd (ex-Gary, DALLAS; ex-Dave, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Kevin, THE SECRET STORM) - 73
Scott Holmes (ex-Tom, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Dave, RYAN'S HOPE) - 61
Colm Meaney (Doc, HELL ON WHEELS; ex-Patrick, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 60
Ted McGinley (ex-Clay, DYNASTY) - 55
Tonya Pinkins (ex-Livia, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Heather, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 51
Mark Sheppard (Crowley, SUPERNATURAL) - 49
Idina Menzel (Shelby, GLEE) - 42
Omri Katz (ex-John Ross, DALLAS) - 37
Gregory Michael (ex-Grant, GREEK; ex-Kevin, DANTE'S COVE; ex-Clark, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 32
Barret Helms (ex-Baz, ONE LIFE TO LIVE)
Jared Gilmore (Henry, ONCE UPON A TIME; ex-Bobby, MAD MEN) - 13

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]