We are always happy to see flashbacks on soaps, and though we’re unhappy about the reason for them on Days of our Lives — John’s inevitable death — Carrie’s reminiscing with Marlena about how, even though she is Anna and Roman’s biological child, Marlena and John are the ones who actually raised her, reminded us of other times a soap opera kid has ended up with a completely different set of parents.
Days Death’s Door
Roman only met Carrie when she was 4 years old, and her presumed-dead mother, Anna (Leanne Hunley), turned up in Salem. Anna handed the little girl over to Roman and Marlena (Deidre Hall) to raise.
Then Roman “died,” and Carrie ended up primarily in Marlena’s care. Then Marlena met John (Drake Hogysten), who was determined to be Roman. Then Marlena “died,” and Carrie (Christie Clark), along with Sami (Alison Sweeney) and Eric...
Days Death’s Door
Roman only met Carrie when she was 4 years old, and her presumed-dead mother, Anna (Leanne Hunley), turned up in Salem. Anna handed the little girl over to Roman and Marlena (Deidre Hall) to raise.
Then Roman “died,” and Carrie ended up primarily in Marlena’s care. Then Marlena met John (Drake Hogysten), who was determined to be Roman. Then Marlena “died,” and Carrie (Christie Clark), along with Sami (Alison Sweeney) and Eric...
- 5/30/2025
- by Alina Adams
- Soap Hub
1977: ABC's serialized comedy series Soap premiered.
1979: The Edge of Night's Raven clashed with Elliot.
1985: Days of our Lives' Marlena & Richard made love.
1985: Gh's Anna told Robert that Robin was his daughter."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"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: Susan Lucci and Helmet Huber were married. Lucci joined All My Children for its debut a few months later playing ambitious teenager Erica Kane. The Hubers are celebrating their 46th anniversary today.
1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) visited her mother, who was recovering from a stroke.
1979: The Edge of Night's Raven clashed with Elliot.
1985: Days of our Lives' Marlena & Richard made love.
1985: Gh's Anna told Robert that Robin was his daughter."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"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: Susan Lucci and Helmet Huber were married. Lucci joined All My Children for its debut a few months later playing ambitious teenager Erica Kane. The Hubers are celebrating their 46th anniversary today.
1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) visited her mother, who was recovering from a stroke.
- 9/26/2019
- by Unknown
- We Love Soaps
1960: Alan was unhappy with Susan on The Secret Storm.
1984: Jonathan had Nola Star Trek style fantasy on Guiding Light.
2000: Jensen Ackles made his last appearance on Days of our Lives.
2006: Jeffrey Carlson debuted as Zarf on All My Children."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"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...
1960: On The Secret Storm, Bryan Fuller (Carl King) was invited over for dinner with Susan (Mary Foskett) and Alan Dunbar (James Vickery), who was less than thrilled about it.
Find out more about The Secret Storm in Remembering Woodbridge: A History of the Late,...
1984: Jonathan had Nola Star Trek style fantasy on Guiding Light.
2000: Jensen Ackles made his last appearance on Days of our Lives.
2006: Jeffrey Carlson debuted as Zarf on All My Children."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"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...
1960: On The Secret Storm, Bryan Fuller (Carl King) was invited over for dinner with Susan (Mary Foskett) and Alan Dunbar (James Vickery), who was less than thrilled about it.
Find out more about The Secret Storm in Remembering Woodbridge: A History of the Late,...
- 8/26/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"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...
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season when show aired online in 2013.
1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow.
― Anselm Kiefer
"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...
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season when show aired online in 2013.
1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow.
- 3/18/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1977: ABC's serialized comedy series Soap premiered.
1979: The Edge of Night's Raven clashed with Elliot.
1985: Days of our Lives' Marlena & Richard made love.
1985: Gh's Anna told Robert that Robin was his daughter."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"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: Susan Lucci and Helmet Huber were married. Lucci joined All My Children for its debut a few months later playing ambitious teenager Erica Kane. The Hubers are celebrating their 46th anniversary today.
1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) visited her mother, who was recovering from a stroke.
1977: Primetime comedic serial Soap premiered on ABC.
1979: The Edge of Night's Raven clashed with Elliot.
1985: Days of our Lives' Marlena & Richard made love.
1985: Gh's Anna told Robert that Robin was his daughter."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"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: Susan Lucci and Helmet Huber were married. Lucci joined All My Children for its debut a few months later playing ambitious teenager Erica Kane. The Hubers are celebrating their 46th anniversary today.
1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) visited her mother, who was recovering from a stroke.
1977: Primetime comedic serial Soap premiered on ABC.
- 9/13/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1960: Alan was unhappy with Susan on The Secret Storm.
1984: Jonathan had Nola Star Trek style fantasy on Guiding Light.
2000: Jensen Ackles made his last appearance on Days of our Lives.
2006: Jeffrey Carlson debuted as Zarf on All My Children."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"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...
1960: On The Secret Storm, Bryan Fuller (Carl King) was invited over for dinner with Susan (Mary Foskett) and Alan Dunbar (James Vickery), who was less than thrilled about it.
Find out more about The Secret Storm in Remembering Woodbridge: A History of the Late, Great 'Secret Storm'.
Patty Weaver1966: On Another World,...
1984: Jonathan had Nola Star Trek style fantasy on Guiding Light.
2000: Jensen Ackles made his last appearance on Days of our Lives.
2006: Jeffrey Carlson debuted as Zarf on All My Children."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"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...
1960: On The Secret Storm, Bryan Fuller (Carl King) was invited over for dinner with Susan (Mary Foskett) and Alan Dunbar (James Vickery), who was less than thrilled about it.
Find out more about The Secret Storm in Remembering Woodbridge: A History of the Late, Great 'Secret Storm'.
Patty Weaver1966: On Another World,...
- 8/23/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
In April, Marcy O'Rourke, the longtime wife of former Guiding Light star Thomas O'Rourke released a book about his life, "Bedeviled: The Strange Life and Death of Actor Tom O'Rourke".
According to the book, O’Rourke led a double life, secretly cheating on his wife for 35 years. He was a wonderful husband and father, who told himself everybody cheats, but in fact, he had a sex problem that destroyed his career, his happiness, and finally took his life. When he passed away, he could not rest in peace, so he came back to confess his true story the only way he could: paranormally.
O'Rourke starred on Guiding Light from 1977 to 1983 as Dr. Justin Marler, the biological father of Phillip Spaulding and Ross Marler's brother. He died on September 13, 2009, during the final week Guiding Light was on the air.
"This is the true story of the lies, false hopes and suffering...
According to the book, O’Rourke led a double life, secretly cheating on his wife for 35 years. He was a wonderful husband and father, who told himself everybody cheats, but in fact, he had a sex problem that destroyed his career, his happiness, and finally took his life. When he passed away, he could not rest in peace, so he came back to confess his true story the only way he could: paranormally.
O'Rourke starred on Guiding Light from 1977 to 1983 as Dr. Justin Marler, the biological father of Phillip Spaulding and Ross Marler's brother. He died on September 13, 2009, during the final week Guiding Light was on the air.
"This is the true story of the lies, false hopes and suffering...
- 7/15/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"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...
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season...
― Machiavelli
"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...
1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season...
- 3/18/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Ken Howard (ex-Garrett, Dynasty) - 67
Richard Backus (ex-Ted, Another World; ex-Barry, Ryan's Hope; ex-Jason, Lovers And Friends; Writer for As The World Turns; One Life To Live; Days Of Our Lives) - 66
Janice Lynde (Peggy, Diary Of A Single Mom; ex-Leslie, The Young And The Restless; ex-Laurel, One Life To Live; ex-Gloria, General Hospital; ex-Tracy, Another World) - 63
Todd Curtis (ex-Jordy, Capitol; ex-Skip, The Young And The Restless) - 52
Siena Goines (ex-Callie, The Young And The Restless; ex-Valerie, Passions) - 42
Annie Wersching (ex-Amelia, General Hospital) - 34
Trivia: Also born on this day was the late Tom O'Rourke, who played Justin on Guiding Light for several years, among many other roles. He died in September 2009, a few days before the Guiding Light finale.
Richard Backus (ex-Ted, Another World; ex-Barry, Ryan's Hope; ex-Jason, Lovers And Friends; Writer for As The World Turns; One Life To Live; Days Of Our Lives) - 66
Janice Lynde (Peggy, Diary Of A Single Mom; ex-Leslie, The Young And The Restless; ex-Laurel, One Life To Live; ex-Gloria, General Hospital; ex-Tracy, Another World) - 63
Todd Curtis (ex-Jordy, Capitol; ex-Skip, The Young And The Restless) - 52
Siena Goines (ex-Callie, The Young And The Restless; ex-Valerie, Passions) - 42
Annie Wersching (ex-Amelia, General Hospital) - 34
Trivia: Also born on this day was the late Tom O'Rourke, who played Justin on Guiding Light for several years, among many other roles. He died in September 2009, a few days before the Guiding Light finale.
- 3/28/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
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