Today in Soap Opera History (November 30)

1979: Miss Ellie saved Southfork on DALLAS.  1981: TEXAS'
Iris said goodbye. 1981: GH's Rick proposed to Lesley.
1987: DAYS' Marcus arrived in Salem.

"That is the supreme value of history. The study of it is the best guarantee against repeating it."
- John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir

"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...

1979: On DALLAS, the Ewings discovered J.R. (Larry Hagman) mortgaged Southfork to finance his Asian deal. To stave off foreclosure, Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) decided to allow Ewing Oil to drill on the ranch.



1979: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Betsy (Suzanne Davidson) encouraged Kim (Kathryn Hays) to not delay her trip to Norwich for Lisa's wedding because of her.



1981: Beverlee McKinsey aired for the final time as Iris Wheeler in TEXAS.



1981: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Rick (Chris Robinson) proposed to Lesley (Denise Alexander).



Thanks to Tricia for sending in the item above.

1983: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Heinrich Kraus (Gunter Meisner) was strangled by Spencer Varney (Richard Borg).

1987: Richard Biggs debuted as Marcus Hunter in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.



1989: Joseph Hardy was credited for the final time as executive producer of LOVING. Mary-Ellis Bunim took over the following Monday.

1989: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Tom (Scott Holmes) informed Emily (Melanie Smith) he had to bring charges against her.



1993: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, the body Olivia (Tonya Lee Williams) and Drucilla (Victoria Rowell) had to identify at the morgue turned out to not be Lillie Belle.

1998: Actor Philip Sterling died at age 76. His soap roles included George Hayes in GUIDING LIGHT, Rafe Carter in SOMERSET and ANOTHER WORLD, and Johnny The Hitman in THE EDGE OF NIGHT.

1999: On PASSIONS, the angel appeared to Tabitha (Juliet Mills) outside of the school and told her it would soon be the end for her.



2010: Actor Ted Sorel died at age 74. He played Eric Luvonaczek in GUIDING LIGHT and Alfred Taft in RYAN'S HOPE.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Martin E. Brooks (ex-Paul, LOVE OF LIFE; ex-Arthur, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Edgar, DALLAS) - 88
Nada Rowand (ex-Kate, LOVING) - 77
Sherilyn Wolter (ex-Elena, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Celia, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-George, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Taylor, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 62
Mandy Patinkin (Saul, HOMELAND) - 61
Kevin Conroy (ex-Jerry, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Bart, DYNASTY; ex-Chase, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW) - 58
David Lee Russek (ex-Sean, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Chip, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Christos, GUIDING LIGHT) - 45
Jessalyn Gilsig (ex-Terri, GLEE; ex-Jessalyn, IMAGINARY BITCHES; ex-Gina, NIP/TUCK; ex-Shelley, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) - 42
Elisha Cuthbert (ex-Kim, 24) - 31
Christel Khalil (Lily, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 26

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].