Today in Soap Opera History (December 19)

1986: Y&R's Jack was concerned about Ashley. 1986: Kelly
received happy news on CAPITOL. 2008: AMC paid tribute
to Myrtle Fargate.  2011: OLTL's Roxy had a FRATERNITY
ROW dream.

"The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see."
- Winston Churchill

"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...

1972: On ANOTHER WORLD, the grisly discovery of the murdered Bernice Robinson (Janis Young) on the Randolph terrace was horrifying for Mary Matthews (Virginia Dwyer) and her alcoholic daughter, Pat (Beverly Penberthy). Bernice had been having an affair with Pat's husband, John.

Thanks to Scott for sending in the item above.

1977: Rolanda Mendels aired for the final time as Molly Ordway Randoph in ANOTHER WORLD. The character never returned but her sister, Mary Frances Ordway (aka Frankie Frame), came to Bay City in 1989.

1983: On GUIDING LIGHT, Phillip (Grant Aleksander) threw a chair through the window of Annabelle's classroom when Bradley showed up so he could escape with Beth (Judi Evans). The young couple then headed for New York City.



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the item above.

1983: Actor Alan Dexter, who played Frank Ferguson on DAYS OF OUR LIVES in its first year, died at age 65.

1986: On CAPITOL, Kelly (Jess Walton) was upset she wouldn't be with Scotty on Christmas morning but then received news that the Cleggs were dropping the custody suit.



1986: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Jack (Terry Lester) was concerned that Ashley (Eileen Davidson) was under too much pressure. Elsewhere, Evan Sanderson (John Shearin) showed up in Genoa City demanding answers from Lauren (Tracey Bregman).



1997: Constance Towers debuted on GENERAL HOSPITAL as Helena Cassadine.

2003: Actor Les Tremayne, who played Victor Lord in ONE LIFE TO LIVE and once subbed as Edward Quartermaine in GENERAL HOSPITAL, died at age 90. In the 1940s he also starred in radio soap THE ROMANCE OF HELEN TRENT.

2005: On GUIDING LIGHT, Cassie (Nicole Forester), Reva (Kim Zimmer) and Josh (Robert Newman) caught Jonathan (Tom Pelphrey) and Tammy (Stephanie Gatschet) in bed.



2006: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Summer Newman was born.

2008: ALL MY CHILDREN aired a special episode dedicated to the late Eileen Herlie, who played Myrtle Fargate on the show for many years.



2011: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Roxy (Ilene Kristen) had a FRATERNITY ROW dream.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Cicely Tyson (ex-Martha, THE GUIDING LIGHT) - 80
Aki Aleong (ex-Mr. Wu, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 79
Sam Kelly (ex-Bob, CORONATION STREET; ex-Graham, DOCTORS) - 69
Christopher Goutman (ex-Marc, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW; ex-Matt, THE EDGE OF NIGHT; ex-George/Dr. Kirkland, TEXAS; Former Executive Producer, ANOTHER WORLD; AS THE WORLD TURNS; Former Director, ALL MY CHILDREN; ANOTHER WORLD; AS THE WORLD TURNS; GUIDING LIGHT; ONE LIFE TO LIVE; THE EDGE OF NIGHT; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 61
Alice Barrett (ex-Frankie/Anne, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Dr. Morrison, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 57
Mike Lookinland (ex-Bobby, THE BRADYS) - 53
Scott Cohen (ex-Ray, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Max, GILMORE GIRLS) - 52
Jennifer Beals (ex-Bette, THE L WORD) - 50
Will Kempe (ex-Ian, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Donovan, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 50
Amy Locane (ex-Sandy, MELROSE PLACE) - 42
Alyssa Milano (Savannah, MISTRESSES; ex-Jennifer, MELROSE PLACE) - 41
Rosa Blasi (ex-Fernanda, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Ronnie, MAKE IT OR BREAK IT; ex-THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 41
A.J. Lamas (ex-Rafi, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 29

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].