Today in Soap Opera History (October 23)

1990: Steve Johnson died on DAYS.  1995: UK soap opera
HOLLYOAKS premiered. 2001: ATWT's Hal comforted
Jennifer after Bryant died.  2006: Oakdale learned Hal had
been killed.

"The man for whom history is bunk is almost invariably as obtuse to the future as he is blind to the past."
― J. Frank Dobie

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1978: On ANOTHER WORLD, Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) cut off Jamie's (Tim Holcomb) allowance after finding out he had married Blaine Ewing (Laura Malone).

1981: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, the residents of Port Charles wanted Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) to have a big wedding.



1990: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) died. Sixteen years later it was revealed that Steve was actually alive.



1991: Jay Pickett debuted as Chip Lakin in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1995: British soap opera HOLLYOAKS premiered. The show was created by Phil Redmond, the man behind GRANGE HILL and BROOKSIDE.



2001: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Dr. John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) informed Craig (Hunt Block) and the family that Bryant had died on the operating room table following his car wreck.



2001: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Todd (Roger Howarth) gloated to Max (James DePaiva) that Max and Blair's (Kassie DePaiva) baby was dead. The baby broker later returned the baby to Todd, who was unaware that he was the baby's real father.



2006: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, word spread around Oakdale that Hal Munson had died in the line of duty.



2007: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Sami (Alison Sweeney) gave birth to twins, Allie and Johnny.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Warren Burton (ex-Jason, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Phillip, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Warren, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Eddie, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 69
Yvonne Perry (Valerie, EMPIRE; Mom, SUPER KNOCKED UP; ex-Rosanna, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Brittany, GUIDING LIGHT) - 48
Brooke Theiss (ex-Leslie, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210) - 44
Steve Wilder (ex-Jack, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 43
Ryan Reynolds (ex-Billy, FIFTEEN) - 37
Sarah Laine (ex-Sarah, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Gretchen, UNDRESSED) - 31
Jessica Dunphy (ex-Alison, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 29
Jessica Stroup (ex-Silver, 90210) - 27
Brett DelBuono (ex-Dylan, MISS BEHAVE) - 21
Taylor Spreitler (ex-Mia, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 20

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].