Today in Soap Opera History (May 9)

1983: GH's Robert & Holly made love. 1984: Dynasty's Fallon
crashed her car. 1985: Days' Marlena met the new chief of
police. 2006: ATWT's Luke Snyder came out to his parents.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1969: On Another World, Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) left Bay City. Lindley, who took over the role as Liz on Another World's second episode, was leaving the show after 5 years. She returned on June 20th for one final appearance. Lindley would go on to star as Mrs. Roper in the hit ABC sitcom Three's Company.

1972: Beverlee McKinsey made her third and final appearance as Emma Frame Ordway on Another World. She returned to Another World on December 22, 1972, playing the role of Iris Carrington.

1973: Maree Cheatham returned to Days of our Lives as Marie Horton after a year and a half absence.

1983: On General Hospital, Robert (Tristan Rogers) and Holly (Emma Samms) consummated their 3 month-old marriage of convenience, creating what they would later call "the only [anniversary] that counts."



Thanks to Michele for sending in the item above.

1984: On the season finale of Dynasty, Alexis (Joan Collins) was arrested for murdering Mark Jennings, and Fallon was involved in a car accident (Pamela Sue Martin left the series).



1985: On Knots Landing, Karen (Michele Lee) and Ben posed as a couple who wanted to adopt a baby in order to get more information of Val's unethical doctor.

1985: Rod Arrants debuted on Days of our Lives as the new Chief of Police, Richard Cates.  Watch here.

1986: On Dallas, Sue Ellen and J.R. enjoyed their reunion. A week later, Bobby showed up in Pam's shower and this episode turned out to be part of Pam's 22-episode dream.

1988: Lisa Howard debuted as April Ramirez in Days of our Lives.



1991: FOX aired the first season finale of Beverly Hills, 90210.

1995: On Another World, in the hospital Spencer (David Hedison) desperately tried to communicate to Ryan (Paul Michael Valley) that Justine (Victoria Wyndham) was trying to kill him.



2002: John-Paul Lavoisier debuted as Rex Balsom on One Life to Live.  Watch here.

2006: On As the World Turns, Luke Snyder (Van Hansis) revealed to his parents, Lily (Martha Byrne) and Holden (Jon Hensley), that he was gay. Said Luke: "Mom, it's not like I just woke up this morning and decided to be gay. This is something I've been carried around for years. And now that it's out, I've got to talk. I've got to talk. It hurts too much to just keep it in like it's some sort of contagious disease or something. I lied because I didn't want to hurt you. But I ended up hurting you anyways and hurting myself, too. I guess I was just so afraid -- I was so afraid of seeing this look on your face, and the disappointment in Dad's eyes -- and not just for today, but for the rest of my life."



2012: On General Hospital, One Life to Live's Tea Delgado (Florencia Lozano) showed up in Port Charles.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Beverly Penberthy (ex-Pat, Another World; ex-Adalaide, As the World Turns)
Alley Mills (Pam, The Bold and the Beautiful) - 64
Greg Beecroft (ex-Tony, Guiding Light; ex-Duke, General Hospital; ex-Brock, As the World Turns) - 63
Jeanna Michaels (ex-Lydia, Santa Barbara; ex-Constance, General Hospital; ex-Karen, The Young and the Restless; ex-Connie, Dallas) - 59
Wendy Crewson (ex-Helen, Revenge) - 59
John Corbett (ex-Seth, Parenthood) - 54
Rachel Boston (Ingrid, Witches of East End) - 33
Chris Zylka  (ex-Jason, 90210; ex-Jake, The Secret Circle) - 30
Grace Gummer (Julie, Extant; Hallie, The Newsroom) - 29

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email [email protected].