Today in Soap Opera History (October 23)

1990: Steve Johnson died on Days of our Lives.
1995: British soap opera Hollyoaks premiered.
2001: As the World Turns' Bryant Montgomery died.
2006: ATWT's Oakdale learned Hal Munson had been killed.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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 Cory (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 Montgomery (Hunt Block) that his son, Bryant, had died on the operating room table following his car wreck.



2001: On One Life to Live, Todd Manning (Roger Howarth) gloated to Max Holden (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: Big Brother 2 winner Will Kirby guest-starred on The Young and the Restless.



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 Brady (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) - 71
Yvonne Perry (Valerie, Empire the Series; ex-Rosanna, As the World Turns; ex-Brittany, Guiding Light) - 50
Brooke Theiss (ex-Leslie, Beverly Hills, 90210) - 46
Steve Wilder (ex-Jack, Days of our Lives) - 45
Ryan Reynolds (ex-Billy, Fifteen) - 39
Sarah Laine (ex-Sarah, General Hospital; ex-Gretchen, Undressed) - 33
Jessica Dunphy (ex-Alison, As the World Turns) - 31
Jessica Stroup (ex-Silver, 90210) - 29
Brett DelBuono (ex-Dylan, Miss Behave) - 23
Taylor Spreitler (ex-Mia, Days of our Lives) - 22

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