Today in Soap Opera History (July 20)

On this date in...

1919: Actress K.T. Stevens was born. She died in 1994 at age 74, and is still fondly remembered by soap fans for her work as Peggy Mercer in the original cast of GENERAL HOSPITAL, and as Mother From Hell Vanessa Prentiss in THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

1966: On DARK SHADOWS, David (David Henesy) declared his hatred for Roger (Louis Edmonds).



1972: On ANOTHER WORLD, Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) told Jim, Russ, and Cindy that she and Steve would be taking a trip to St. Croix after he stopped off to see Jamie on his way to Washington. 

1979: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Paige (Margaret Colin) was in danger from the Tobias gang.



1983: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Monica (Leslie Charleson) was furious that Heather (Robin Mattson) was moving into the gate house.

1984: On GUIDING LIGHT, things got intense for Reva (Kim Zimmer) and Josh (Robert Newman) in the hot tub.



1988: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) was given a surprise bridal shower, while the men took Steve (Stephen Nichols) to The Cheatin' Heart for his bachelor party.



2001: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, the Assistant U.S. Attorney arrived, but Paul (Doug Davidson) would not show him any evidence until he guaranteed Isabella's (Eva Longoria) immunity.

2003: Actor Joseph Della Sorte died at age 69.  He played the Ghost of Sergio in DARK SHADOWS.

2006: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Robert (Tristan Rogers) and Anna (Finola Hughes) were in Port Charles, and decided to help out Robin (Kimberly McCullough) with Patrick (Jason Thompson).



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Diana Rigg  (Lady Olenna, GAME OF THRONES) - 75
Donna Dixon (ex-Allison, BERRENGER'S) - 56
Dean Winters (ex-Ryan, OZ) - 49
Michael Park (Dirk, STEAMBOAT; Richard, GOTHAM; ex-Jack, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 45
Josh Holloway (ex-Sawyer, LOST) - 44
Sandra Oh (Cristina, GREY'S ANATOMY) - 42
Simon Rex (ex-Eddie, MONARCH COVE) - 39
Judy Greer (Cheryl, ARCHER) - 38
Jamey Giddens (Daytime Confidential)

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].