The Cramer family is a family of fictional characters on the American

soap opera A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...

'' One Life to Live''. The family centers on the relationships of long-running character Dr.

Dorian Cramer Dorian Lord is a fictional character and matriarch of the Cramer family on the American daytime drama ''One Life to Live'', played most notably and for the longest duration by actress Robin Strasser. Strasser was cast by series creator Agnes Ni ...

, who debuts on the series in April 1973. The long-running feud between antagonist Dorian Cramer and original series

hero A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. Like other formerly gender-specific terms (like ''actor''), ''hero ...

ine and one-time stepdaughter Victoria "Viki" Lord (

Erika Slezak Erika Alma Hermina Slezak (; born August 5, 1946) is an American actress, best known for her role as Victoria "Viki" Lord on the American daytime soap opera '' One Life to Live'' from 1971 through the television finale in 2012 and again in th ...

) is central to the series

plot Plot or Plotting may refer to: Art, media and entertainment * Plot (narrative), the story of a piece of fiction Music * ''The Plot'' (album), a 1976 album by jazz trumpeter Enrico Rava * The Plot (band), a band formed in 2003 Other * ''Plot ...

for 40 years. Dorian and Victoria are considered " frenemies" and share relatives through the marriages and ongoing relationship of Victoria's brother and Dorian's niece

Todd Manning and Blair Cramer Thomas Todd Manning and Blair Cramer Manning are fictional characters and a supercouple from the ABC daytime drama ''One Life to Live''. In 2012, they also appeared together on ''General Hospital''. Todd was originated by Roger Howarth and late ...

. Todd, Blair and their daughter

Starr Manning Starr Manning is a fictional character from the daytime drama '' One Life to Live''. Born onscreen on January 8, 1996, the role was initially portrayed by infant children. In 1998, Starr was rapidly aged when young actress Kristen Alderson debute ...

crossover Crossover may refer to: Entertainment Albums and songs * ''Cross Over'' (Dan Peek album) * ''Crossover'' (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles album), 1987 * ''Crossover'' (Intrigue album) * ''Crossover'' (Hitomi Shimatani album) * ''Crossover'' (Yoshino ...

to sister soap opera '' General Hospital'' from February 2012 through March 2013.

Generations

First generation

* Louis Michael "Lou" Cramer (Peter Galman)
Born off-screen November 25, 1917; dies onscreen in flashbacks August 27, 1960. Brother of Betsy. * Betsy Cramer (

Lois Smith Lois Arlene Smith (née Humbert; born November 3, 1930) is an American character actress whose career spans eight decades. She made her film debut in the 1955 drama film '' East of Eden'', and later played supporting roles in a number of movies ...

)
Born off-screen in 1920s; dies onscreen February 24, 2004. Sister of Lou.

Second generation

* Agatha "Addie" Cramer (

Pamela Payton-Wright Pamela Payton-Wright (November 1, 1941 – December 14, 2019) was an American actress. Life and work Payton-Wright was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Eleanor Ruth (née McKinley) and Gordon Edgar Payton-Wright. After graduati ...

)
Born off-screen May 1, 1941, to Lou Cramer and Sonia Roskova Cramer. *

(

Nancy Pinkerton Nancy Pinkerton Peabody (May 7, 1940 – March 4, 2010) was an American actress. Pinkerton is perhaps best known as the original actress to play Dorian Lord, Dr. Dorian Lord on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC daytime soap opera ''One Life ...

, Claire Malis, Robin Strasser,

Elaine Princi Elaine Princi (born December 14, 1946 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania) is a contemporary American actress. She played roles on several soap operas, including Dr. Dorian Lord on the ABC daytime soap opera ''One Life to Live'' from February 1990 ...

)
Born off-screen July 12, 1946, to Lou Cramer and Sonya Roskova Cramer. *

Melinda Cramer Melinda is a feminine given name. Etymology The modern name ''Melinda'' is a combination of "Mel" with the suffix "-inda". "Mel" can be derived from names such as Melanie meaning "dark, black" in Greek, or from Melissa (μέλισσα) meanin ...

(Patricia Pearcy,

Jane Badler Jane Badler (born December 31, 1953) is an American-Australian actress and singer. She is known for her role as Diana, the main antagonist in NBC's science fiction series '' V'' between 1983 and 1985. Badler also appeared in ABC's version of '' ...

, Sharon Gabet, Nicole Orth-Pallavicini)
Born off-screen 1948 to Lou Cramer and Sonya Roskova Cramer; dies off-screen 2010.

Third generation

* Cassandra "Cassie" Reynolds (

Cusi Cram Cusi Cram (born September 22, 1967) is an American playwright, screenwriter, actress, model, director, educator, and advocate for women in the arts. Early life Cusi Cram was born in Manhattan, New York, on September 22, 1967, to Lady Jeanne Camp ...

, Ava Haddad,

Holly Gagnier Holly Gagnier (born December 12, 1958) is an American actress. Early life Gagnier was born in Los Angeles, California. Her parents were Hugh Gagnier, a cinematographer and Eleanor Gagnier, a stenographer for the United Nations. Eleanor serve ...

Laura Koffman Laura Bonarrigo-Koffman (born Laura Bonarrigo) is an American actress. Early life Laura Bonarrigo was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. She became a member of ''The Shoestring Players'', a professional children’s theater group, while still in ...

)
Born off-screen September 11, 1968 then revised to 1967 to Dorian Cramer and David Reynolds. *

Blair Cramer Blair Cramer (raised as Blair Daimler; formerly Buchanan, Manning, Holden, McBain, and Clarke) is a fictional character from the American daytime drama series '' One Life to Live''. The niece of leading antagonist Dr. Dorian Cramer Lord of the ...

(

Mia Korf Mia Korf (born November 1, 1965) is an American actress best known for originating the role of Blair Daimler Buchanan in ''One Life to Live''. Early life and education Korf is the daughter of mycologist Richard P. Korf and Kumiko ("Kumi"), née ...

Kassie DePaiva Katherine Virginia "Kassie" DePaiva (née Wesley; born March 21, 1961) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Bobby Joe in the horror film ''Evil Dead II'' (1987) and her work in American daytime soap operas. She ...

)
Born off-screen October 23, 1969, to Addie Cramer and unnamed father.Blair was in her mid 20s as of 1995 which would maker her around the same age as Todd. *

Kelly Cramer Kelly Cramer is a fictional character on the long-running ABC soap opera '' One Life to Live''. The role was originated by actress Gina Tognoni, who debuted on February 17, 1995, and played the character in her last appearance on August 24, 2011 ...

( Gina Tognoni,

Tracy Melchior Tracy Lindsey Melchior (born June 22, 1970) is an author and actress most known for playing the role of Kristen Forrester Dominguez on the CBS daytime drama ''The Bold and the Beautiful'' and Beverly Hills Cop III. Acting Melchior was cast as t ...

Heather Tom Heather Marie Tom (born November 4, 1975) is an American actress and television director. She is best known for her acting work on various soap operas. Her best known roles are Victoria Newman on ''The Young and the Restless,'' Kelly Cramer on ...

)
Born off-screen 1977 to Melinda Cramer and unnamed father; birth year changed to 1975 as of 2010. *

Paul Cramer Paul Cramer is a fictional character from the ABC daytime soap opera '' One Life to Live''. Paul was originated on October 3, 2003, by Brock Cuchna, who played the role until March 10, 2004. The character was then recast with David Tom on March ...

(Brock Cuchna,

David Tom David Tom is an American actor, most famous for portraying Billy Abbott on the CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless'' from 1999 to 2002, and again in 2014. Career In 1993, Tom was nominated for two Young Artist Awards for his roles in ' ...

, Shane McRae)
Born off-screen circa 1982 to Melinda Cramer and unnamed father; dies onscreen October 27, 2004. *

Adriana Cramer Adriana Cramer is a fictional character from the American daytime drama '' One Life to Live''. Amanda Cortinas originated the character in 2003, and Melissa Fumero (credited by her maiden name "Melissa Gallo") subsequently played her from 2004 to ...

(Amanda Cortinas,

Melissa Fumero Melissa Fumero (née Gallo; born August 19, 1982) is an American actress. From the age of ten, she aspired to become an actor and later attended New York University, from which she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama. She made her ...

)
Born off-screen May 27, 1988, then revised to 1987 to Dorian Cramer Lord and Manuel Santi, adopted by Cesar Colón and Ramona Colón. *

Langston Wilde Langston Wilde is a fictional character from ABC soap opera ''One Life to Live'' portrayed by Brittany Underwood from May 17, 2006, to April 12, 2011. Langston is Dorian Lord's adoptive daughter and very similar to her. In January 2011, it was an ...

( Brittany Underwood)
Born off-screen in 1992 then revised to 1991 Broderick Wilde and Linda Montez Wilde, adopted by Dorian Cramer Lord.

Fourth generation

* William Sloan "River" Carpenter III (Matthew Twining and child actors)
Born onscreen December 24, 1993, to Beth Garvey and unnamed father, adopted by Cassie Callison and Andrew Carpenter; birth year changed to 1985 as of 2003. *

(

Kristen Alderson Kristen DeAnn Alderson (born May 29, 1991) is an American actress and singer, best known for her 15-year portrayal of Starr Manning on the ABC daytime drama '' One Life to Live'', and for originating the role of Kiki Jerome on '' General Hospit ...

and

child actors The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in movies or television. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associated t ...

)
Born onscreen January 8, 1996, to Blair Cramer Manning and

Todd Manning Thomas Todd Manning is a fictional character from the American daytime drama ''One Life to Live'' (''OLTL''). Created by writers Michael Malone (author), Michael Malone and Josh Griffith, the role was originated in 1992 by actor Roger Howarth. T ...

; birth year changed to 1992 as of 1998 then to 1990 as 2013. * John "Jack" Cramer Manning (Carmen LoPorto,

Andrew Trischitta Andrew is the English form of a given name common in many countries. In the 1990s, it was among the top ten most popular names given to boys in List of countries where English is an official language, English-speaking countries. "Andrew" is freq ...

, and

)
Born onscreen October 11, 2001, to Blair Cramer Manning and Todd Manning; birth year changed to 1997 as of 2007 then to 1995 as of 2011. * Samuel "Sam" Manning (Patrick Gibbons, Jr. and others)
Born onscreen February 5, 2006, to Todd Manning (as played by

Trevor St. John Trevor Marshall St. John (born September 3, 1971) is an American actor. He portrayed Todd Manning/Victor Lord Jr. on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC daytime drama ''One Life to Live'', and has starred in various primetime shows and films. ...

and

retconned Retroactive continuity, or retcon for short, is a literary device in which established diegetic facts in the plot of a fictional work (those established through the narrative itself) are adjusted, ignored, supplemented, or contradicted by a subs ...

Victor Lord, Jr. A list of notable characters from the ABC soap opera '' One Life to Live'' that made their first appearance between the beginning of 2000 and the end of 2009. Kimberly Andrews Kimberly Andrews (born Aubrey Wentworth) is a fictional charac ...

as of 2011) and

Margaret Cochran Margaret Cochran is a fictional character on the soap opera, '' One Life to Live''. Casting The character was originated by Rebecca Mader from March 26 until June 8, 2004. Tari Signor assumed the recurring role on June 9, 2004 through June 16, 200 ...

, adopted by Blair Cramer; birth year changed to 2004 as of 2010. *

Zane Buchanan A list of notable characters from the ABC soap opera '' One Life to Live'' that made their first appearance between the beginning of 2000 and the end of 2009. Kimberly Andrews Kimberly Andrews (born Aubrey Wentworth) is a fictional charac ...

(child actors)
Born onscreen October 31, 2006, then to 1995 as of 2010 Kelly Cramer and

Duke Buchanan This is a list of characters from the ABC Daytime soap opera, '' One Life to Live'', that began their run between the beginning of 1990 and the end of 1999. Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe is a fictional character on the Am ...

Fifth generation

Hope Manning-Thornhart A list of notable characters from the American Broadcasting Company, ABC soap opera ''One Life to Live'' that made their first appearance between the beginning of 2000 and the end of 2009. Kimberly Andrews Kimberly Andrews (born Aubrey Wen ...

(child actors)
Born onscreen November 6, 2008, to Starr Manning and

Cole Thornhart Cole Thornhart is a fictional character from the American daytime dramas '' One Life to Live'' and '' General Hospital''. Casting Cole was portrayed by Brandon Buddy from October 10, 2006, to November 10, 2010. In October 2011, it was announced ...

; presumed dead in '' General Hospital''

February 28, 2012.

Overview

Enter Dorian and Melinda

Dr.

arrives in

Llanview Llanview, Pennsylvania is the fictional setting for the long-running American soap opera ''One Life to Live''. The city exists in the same fictional universe as cities from other existing or defunct American Broadcasting Company, ABC daytime drama ...

on April 30, 1973 with unstable younger sister

. Both of their parents are assumed dead in a plane crash ''en route'' to visit an injured Melinda, whose promising career as a pianist was ended by a fall that had paralyzed her arm (it is later revealed their mother survived). Having apparently lost a third sister to pneumonia, Dorian and Melinda are each other's only family. Dorian treats

Eileen Riley Siegel Eileen Riley Siegel is a fictional character on the American soap opera '' One Life to Live''. The role was played by Patricia Roe from July 1968 until March 1972, and by Alice Hirson from March 1972 until the character's last appearance in May 1 ...

for her addiction to painkillers, and soon became romantically involved with Dr. Mark Toland, the husband of Eileen's daughter Julie Siegel Toland. A furious Melinda, who had also developed a crush on Mark, became further unhinged. When Melinda's plan to stab Dorian and Mark in bed fails in 1974, Dorian has her sister institutionalized. Dorian and Mark are suspended from Llanview Hospital in 1974 for her involvement in the death of patient Rachel Wilson, and Dorian blames hospital board member Victoria "Viki" Lord Riley (who had actually voted in Dorian's favor) for the decision. She and Viki spar further when Dorian becomes the private physician to Viki's ailing father,

Victor Lord Victor Dalby Lord is a fictional character and patriarch of the Lord family from the American soap opera '' One Life to Live''. An original protagonist on the series, Victor is introduced in the first episode as the preeminent mass media magnate ...

, but their rivalry is cemented when Victor announces his elopement to Dorian in May 1975. Victor's long-lost son Tony Harris comes to town and Dorian, hoping to maintain her hold on Victor's fortune, soon manipulates events to make father and son bitter enemies. After Victor's mysterious death in 1976, the shadow of implicating suspicion surrounds Dorian for decades.

Blair's revenge

In 1991, former foster child Blair Daimler arrives in Llanview with a secret — she is the daughter of Dorian's previously unmentioned older sister Agatha "Addie" Cramer, who was not dead as previously assumed. Blair had Addie, mentally ill and institutionalized for years, hidden in her loft, and blamed her Aunt Dorian for her mother's illness. Seeking revenge, Blair tries to ruin Dorian by getting her aunt's signature on a document confessing to the murder of Victor Lord in 1976. Blair seeks to marry

Asa Buchanan Asa Buchanan is a fictional character and patriarch of the Buchanan family on the American serial drama ''One Life to Live''. The Texan industrialist father of newly arrived characters Clint and Bo Buchanan, Asa was originated in late 1979 by Phili ...

to gain the financial security and the power she desired to care for her mother and destroy Dorian. As it was revealed, Dorian was told Addie had died by their parents, who actually institutionalized Addie. Blair marries Asa in spite of being in love with Max Holden; by the time her marriage fell apart to Asa had thrown her out of Buchanan mansion and Max moved on to date and marry Luna Moody. In 1994, Blair becomes romantically involved with

Kelly and Paul

In 1995, Melinda's rebellious daughter

arrives in Llanview, scarred by her childhood with her unstable mother and raised in various European boarding schools arranged by her aunt Dorian. Kelly comes to live with her cousin Cassie and Cassie's husband Andrew, and develops an infatuation with Dorian's husband

David Vickers David Vickers is a fictional character from the American soap opera '' One Life to Live'' portrayed by Tuc Watkins. Casting The character David Vickers was first introduced in 1994 by Watkins, who played the character until 1996 and then repris ...

. Over time, Kelly and her family become close. Later, Kelly falls for both

Joey Joey may refer to: People *Joey (name) Animals * Joey (marsupial), an infant marsupial * Joey, a Blue-fronted Amazon parrot who was one of the Blue Peter pets Film and television * ''Joey'' (1977 film), an American film directed by Horace ...

and

Kevin Buchanan Kevin Buchanan (born Kevin Lord Riley) is a fictional character from the American soap opera '' One Life to Live''. The character is the first child born to original lead protagonists Victoria Lord and Joe Riley. Casting The character of Kevin Bu ...

. In 1997, Melinda is finally recovering from her breakdown, and remembering her and Dorian's traumatic past at the Cramer family hometown of Canton,

Ohio Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...

. Dorian, desperate not to let the dark secrets of their past resurface, begins switching Melinda's antipsychotic medication, and Melinda once again sinks into dementia. In 2003, it is revealed that Melinda had told Dorian upon a recent hospital visit that she had given birth to a son as well as a daughter during her years in

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located enti ...

, and that the boy had been given away. This child turns out to be

. Melinda is seen again in 2004 during the "baby switch" storyline, in which Kelly confesses her and Paul's sins to her delusional mother. A disoriented Melinda — lost in her own world — mistakes Kelly's son

Ace An ace is a playing card, die or domino with a single pip. In the standard French deck, an ace has a single suit symbol (a heart, diamond, spade, or club) located in the middle of the card, sometimes large and decorated, especially in the ca ...

for her own son Paul. A devious Paul is murdered in October 2004; ''One Life to Live'' was met with criticism when the killer was later revealed to be married district attorney Daniel Colson, who had murdered Paul to cover up the fact that Daniel is secretly gay. On March 1, 2010, the assembled family receives the news that Melinda has died of a heart attack.

Family tree

, - , , - , , - , style="text-align: left;", Notes:

Descendants

, - , style="text-align: left;", Unnamed parents eceased c. Lou Cramer eceased m. Sonya Roskova (dissolved by his death) eceased c.

a. David Reynolds eceased c.

Cassie Callison This is a list of characters from the ABC Daytime soap opera ''One Life to Live'' that began their run between the beginning of 1980 and the end of 1989. Austin Buchanan Austin Buchanan is a fictional character on the ABC Daytime soap opera ' ...

(adopted by Herb Callison) m.

Bo Buchanan Beaufort Oglethorpe "Bo" Buchanan is a fictional character from the American soap opera ''One Life to Live''. Casting and awards Robert S. Woods created the character of Bo in November 1979. Woods originally screen tested for the recast of Richa ...

(1991; invalid) m. Andrew Carpenter (1993–1997; divorced) c. William Sloan Carpenter eceased 1993 ac.

River Carpenter This is a list of characters from the ABC Daytime soap opera, '' One Life to Live'', that began their run between the beginning of 1990 and the end of 1999. Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe is a fictional character on the Am ...

(1998–1999; annulled) m.

(1976–2003; dissolved by his death) m. Herb Callison (1981–1985; invalid) m. Manuel Santi (1980s; invalid; deceased) c.

(adopted by César and Ramona Colón) m.

Rex Balsom Rex Balsom is a fictional character from the American daytime drama '' One Life to Live'', portrayed by John-Paul Lavoisier from May 9, 2002, to the show's finale on January 12, 2012. Casting and characterization With the character initially nam ...

(2008; divorced) m.

(1995; divorced; first time) m. Mel Hayes (1998–1999; dissolved by his death) m. Mitch Laurence (2003; annulled) ac.

(biological daughter of Broderick Wilde & Linda Montez Wilde) m.

(2009; annulled; second time) m. David Vickers Buchanan (2011–present; third time) c.

eceased 2010 a. ''Unknown'' c.

Joey Buchanan Joey Buchanan is a fictional character from the American daytime serial '' One Life to Live''. The character is the son of original protagonists Victoria Lord and Joe Riley Sr. Casting The role of Joey Buchanan was originated by child actor Rya ...

(2000–2001; divorced) m.

(2003–2004; divorced) c. ''

Kevin Buchanan, Jr. Kelly Cramer is a fictional character on the long-running ABC soap opera ''One Life to Live''. The role was originated by actress Gina Tognoni, who debuted on February 17, 1995, and played the character in her last appearance on August 24, 2011. ...

'' tillborn 2004 a.

eceased c.

m. Peter Janssen (1978–1981; annulled) a. Unknown c.

ied 2004 m.

Babe Carey Arabella "Babe" Carey is a fictional character from the American daytime drama ''All My Children''. She was originally portrayed by actress Alexa Havins, from October 13, 2003, to October 8, 2007, and then by actress Amanda Baker from October 8, ...

(2003–2004; annulled; deceased) c.

Addie Cramer This is a list of characters from the ABC Daytime soap opera, ''One Life to Live'', that began their run between the beginning of 1990 and the end of 1999. Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe is a fictional character on the Ame ...

r. Unknown c.

(1992; divorced; deceased) m.

(1995; annulled; first time) m.

(1995–1997; divorced; second time) c.

(born 1996) a.

ssumed dead 2012 c.

(born 2008, assumed dead 2012) a.

Patrick Thornhart This is a list of characters from the ABC Daytime soap opera, '' One Life to Live'', that began their run between the beginning of 1990 and the end of 1999. Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe is a fictional character on the Am ...

c. ''

Brendan Thornhart This is a list of characters from the ABC Daytime soap opera, '' One Life to Live'', that began their run between the beginning of 1990 and the end of 1999. Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe is a fictional character on the Am ...

'' tillborn 1997 m. Max Holden (1999–2001; divorced) m.

(2001–2002; divorced; third time) c. Jack Manning (born 2001) m.

(2003–2004; annulled; first time) m.

(2007–2008; divorced; second time) ac. Sam Manning (Margaret Cochran's son with Victor Lord Jr.; born 2006) m. John McBain (2009; divorced) m.

Elijah Clarke Elijah Clarke (1742 – December 15, 1799) was an American military officer and Georgia legislator. Career Elijah Clarke was born near Tarboro in Edgecombe County, Province of North Carolina, the son of John Clarke of Anson County, North Caro ...

(2010; dissolved by his death) m.

(2013–present; fourth time) m.

(2008; annulled) c. Betsy Cramer ied 2004, - , style="text-align: left;", Notes , - , style="text-align: left;",

References

External links

Cramer family tree – ABC.com

Cramer family tree – SoapCentral.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cramer Family One Life to Live families One Life to Live characters Fictional characters from Ohio