Today in Soap Opera History (April 23)

"There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again - now."
- Eugene O'Neill

"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...

1968: On DARK SHADOWS, Angelique (Lara Parker) appeared to Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) in a dream and told him that he could not escape her or her revenge. She warned him to beware of dreams, as that is the way the curse would return to him.



1971: Actor House Jameson died at age 68. During his career, Jameson played roles in ANOTHER WORLD, THE EDGE OF NIGHT and DARK SHADOWS.

1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Mike (Forrest Compton) hired Cliff to work at his law firm.



1981: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Alan (Stuart Damon) told Susan that he wanted to update his will.



1984: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Liz (Gloria Loring) sang "You Were Always On My Mind" to Neil at their wedding.

1990: ITV daytime soap opera FAMILIES premiered. Created by Kay Mellor, the show ran until August 24, 1994.

1990: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Brock (Beau Kazer) felt something wasn't right about Katherine (Jeanne Cooper) as he left the country.

1992: Longtime DAYS OF OUR LIVES producer Jack Herzberg died at age 75.

1999: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Tom (Scott Holmes) tried to destroy Margo's (Ellen Dolan) credibility as a witness at Emily's trial.



2006: Actress Susan Browning died at age 60. She played roles in LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN.

2007: CBS aired the 13,000th episode of AS THE WORLD TURNS.

2007: On PASSIONS, Theresa (Lindsay Hartley) refused to stop seeing Ethan despite the blackmailer's warning.



2009: ABC began broadcasting GENERAL HOSPITAL in high definition.

Today's Birthdays:
Lee Majors (ex-Ken, DALLAS) - 75
Blair Brown (ex-Nina, FRINGE) - 68
Paulette Breen (ex-Claudette, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 67
Craig Sheffer (ex-Ian, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 54
Melina Kanakaredes (ex-Eleni, GUIDING LIGHT) - 47
Daphne Bloomer (ex-Colleen, THE BAY; ex-Marty, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Eugenia, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 41
Barry Watson (ex-Randy, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Matt, 7TH HEAVEN) - 40
Terri Simmons (Parker, PRETTY)
John Cena (WWE) - 37
Jaime King (Lemon, HART OF DIXIE) - 35
Aaron Hill (ex-Beaver, GREEK) - 31
Jesse Lee Soffer (ex-Will, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Max, GUIDING LIGHT) - 30
Molly Burnett (ex-Melanie, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; Lisa, EMPIRE; Sarah, VENICE) - 27

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].