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''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television
soap opera A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term ''soap opera'' originat ...
that aired on
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...
from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on
The Online Network Prospect Park is a Hollywood entertainment production company, founded in 2008 by Richard H. Frank, a former executive at the Walt Disney Television, and Jeff Kwatinetz, former CEO of the talent agency The Firm, Inc., and music manager Peter ...
(TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 2013, via
Hulu Hulu (, ) is an American Subscription business model, subscription streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. It was launched on October 29, 2007, initially as ...
,
Hulu Plus Hulu (, ) is an American subscription streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. It was launched on October 29, 2007, initially as a joint venture between ...
, and
iTunes iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...
. Created by
Agnes Nixon Agnes Nixon ( Eckhardt; December 10, 1922 – September 28, 2016) was an American television writer and producer, and the creator of the ABC soap operas ''One Life to Live'', ''All My Children'', as well as '' Loving'' and its spin-off '' The ...
, ''All My Children'' is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictional suburb of
Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
, which is modeled on the actual Philadelphia suburb of Penn Valley. The original series featured
Susan Lucci Susan Victoria Lucci (born December 23, 1946) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Erica Kane on the ABC daytime drama ''All My Children'' during that show's entire network run from 1970 to 2011. The character is considere ...
as
Erica Kane Erica Kane is a fictional character from the American ABC Daytime soap opera ''All My Children''. The character was portrayed by actress Susan Lucci from her debut on January 16, 1970, until the last broadcast television episode on September 23, 2 ...
, one of daytime television's most popular characters. ''All My Children'' was the first new network daytime drama to debut in the 1970s. Originally owned by Creative Horizons, Inc., the company created by Nixon and her husband, Bob, the show was sold to ABC in January 1970. The series started with half-hour episodes before expanding to a full hour on April 25, 1977. The show had experimented with the full-hour format for one week starting on June 30, 1975, after which ''
Ryan's Hope ''Ryan's Hope'' is an American soap opera created by Claire Labine and Paul Avila Mayer, airing for 13 years on ABC from July 7, 1975, to January 13, 1989. It revolves around the trials and tribulations within a large Irish-American family in ...
'' premiered. From 1970 to 1990, ''All My Children'' was recorded at ABC's TV18 at 101 West 67th Street, now a 50-story apartment tower. From March 1990 to December 2009, it was taped at ABC's Studio TV23 at 320 West 66th Street in
Manhattan Manhattan ( ) is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the Boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City. Coextensive with New York County, Manhattan is the County statistics of the United States#Smallest, larg ...
,
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
,
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...
. In December 2009, taping moved from Manhattan to less costly
Los Angeles, California Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
, at Stages 1 and 2 of the Andrita Studios, from 2010 to 2011. Taping then moved to the Connecticut Film Center in
Stamford, Connecticut Stamford () is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, outside of New York City. It is the sixth-most populous city in New England. Stamford is also the largest city in the Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut, Weste ...
. ''All My Children'' started taping in high definition on January 4, 2010, and began airing in high definition on February 3, 2010. ''All My Children'' became the third soap opera to be produced and broadcast in high definition. At one point, the program's popularity positioned it as the most widely recorded television show in the United States. In the mid-1970s, its audience was estimated to be 30% male, which was unusual at the time. The show ranked first in the daytime Nielsen ratings in the 1978–79 season. Throughout most of the 1980s and into the early 1990s, ''All My Children'' was the number-two daytime soap opera on the air. However, like the rest of the soap operas in the United States, ''All My Children'' experienced unprecedented declines in its ratings during the 2000s. On April 14, 2011, ABC announced that it was canceling ''All My Children'' after a run of 41 years.ABC Cancels "All My Children", "One Life to Live"
, ''The Hollywood Reporter'', April 14, 2011
On July 7, 2011, ABC sold the licensing rights of ''All My Children'' to third-party production company
Prospect Park Prospect Park may refer to: Businesses * Prospect Park (production company), entertainment production company *Prospect Park Productions NZ, theatre company based in Dunedin, New Zealand Places New Zealand * Prospect Park, New Zealand, a portion ...
with the show set to continue on the internet as a series of
webisode A webisode (portmanteau of "web" and "episode") is an episode of a series that is distributed as part of a web series or on streaming television. It is available either for download or in streaming, as opposed to first airing on broadcast or cab ...
s. The show taped its final scenes for ABC on August 30, 2011, and its final episode on the network aired on September 23, 2011, with a
cliffhanger A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious situation, facing a difficult dilemma or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction or bef ...
. Prospect Park had suspended its plan to revive the series on November 23, 2011, due to lack of funding and unsuccessful negotiation with the union organizations representing the actors and crews. On January 7, 2013, Prospect Park officially brought back its project to restore ''All My Children'' as a
web series A web series (also known as webseries, short-form series, and web show) is a series of short scripted or non-scripted online videos, generally in episodic form, released on the Internet (i.e. World Wide Web), which first emerged in the late 1 ...
. The show taped its first scenes for Prospect Park TOLN on February 18, 2013, and its first episode on the network aired on April 29, 2013. However, the new series faced several behind-the-scene obstacles throughout its run. On November 11, 2013, several ''All My Children'' cast members announced that Prospect Park had closed production and canceled the series again. The rights to the show went back to ABC in December 2016.


History


Origins

Agnes Nixon Agnes Nixon ( Eckhardt; December 10, 1922 – September 28, 2016) was an American television writer and producer, and the creator of the ABC soap operas ''One Life to Live'', ''All My Children'', as well as '' Loving'' and its spin-off '' The ...
, then head writer for ''
The Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...
'', first came up with the idea for ''All My Children'' in the 1960s. When writing the story bible, she designed the show as a light-hearted soap opera that focused on social issues and young love. She unsuccessfully attempted to sell the series to
NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...
, then to
CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...
, and once again to NBC through
Procter & Gamble The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is an American multinational consumer goods corporation headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble. It specializes in a wide range of personal health/con ...
. When Procter & Gamble was unable to make room for the show in its lineup, Nixon put ''All My Children'' on hold. Nixon became
head writer A head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio ...
for '' Another World'' in 1965, and decided to use a few ideas from her ''All My Children'' bible. In particular, she used the model of the
Erica Kane Erica Kane is a fictional character from the American ABC Daytime soap opera ''All My Children''. The character was portrayed by actress Susan Lucci from her debut on January 16, 1970, until the last broadcast television episode on September 23, 2 ...
character to create a brand new ''Another World'' character named Rachel Davis. Nixon said Rachel was Erica's "precursor to the public ...
hat A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...
Erica and Rachel have in common is they thought if they could get their dream, they'd be satisfied... But that dream has been elusive", Nixon said.


Creation

ABC later approached Nixon to create a show that would reflect a more contemporary tone. That program, ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'', debuted in 1968. After the show became a success, the network asked Nixon for another program, and she revived her ''All My Children'' bible and the Erica Kane character. Nixon wrote a poem to include in the photo album shown in the series' title credits: "The great and the least, the rich and the poor, the weak and the strong, in sickness and in health, in joy and sorrow, in tragedy and triumph, you are all my children."


1970s

''All My Children'' debuted on January 5, 1970, replacing the canceled game show '' Dream House''.
Rosemary Prinz Rosemary Prinz (born January 4, 1931) is an American actress. She is known for playing the role of Penny Hughes on the CBS soap opera ''As the World Turns'' (1956–1968, 1985, 1986–1987, 1998, 2000). She also played Amy on '' First Love'' (1 ...
was signed on to be the "special guest star" for six months, playing the role of political activist Amy Tyler. Prinz was well known for her role of Penny Hughes on ''As the World Turns'' in the 1950s and 1960s, and she was added to the show to give it an initial boost due to her name value. From 1970 and into the 1980s, the show was either written by Nixon herself or by her protégé,
Wisner Washam Wisner McCamey Washam (born September 8, 1931) is an American soap opera writer, best known as the head writer of ''All My Children'', from 1981 to 1987. Early life and career A native of North Carolina, he graduated from the University of Nor ...
. He was groomed by Nixon to eventually take over the reins in the 1980s while she focused on other endeavors, which included creating and launching '' Loving'' in 1983. Nixon strove to create a soap opera that was topical and could illustrate social issues for the audience. She wanted this and a combination of regular humor for the series. To keep the action more real, she allowed the audience to locate her fictional "Pine Valley" on a map: situated a mere hour-long train ride from New York City. Many believed Pine Valley was in New York because of a town called Pine Valley in
western New York Western New York (WNY) is the westernmost region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. The eastern boundary of the region is not consistently defined by state agencies or those who call themselves "Western New Yorkers". Almost all so ...
. However, it was not until the 1980s that it was finally revealed that Pine Valley is actually in Pennsylvania, near
Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
and also near ''One Life to Live''s
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 ABC daytime dramas, including Pine Valley, Pen ...
. (Nixon reportedly modeled the town on Rosemont, an actual suburb of Philadelphia.) The show's first action takes place around several families and characters.
Phoebe Tyler Here is a list of characters who have appeared on the ABC Daytime and TOLN soap opera ''All My Children''. A Carter Anders *Jason Pendergraft (2013) Pine Valley Hospital doctor with an unknown past. Bill Anderson * James Pritchett (1989) ...
(
Ruth Warrick Ruth Elizabeth Warrick (June 29, 1916 â€“ January 15, 2005) was an American singer, actress and political activist, best known for her role as Phoebe Tyler Wallingford on ''All My Children'', which she played regularly from 1970 until her ...
), who fashions herself as "Queen of Pine Valley", was the paradigm of a rich snob when she is introduced. A divorced mother,
Mona Kane Here is a list of characters who have appeared on the ABC Daytime and TOLN soap opera ''All My Children''. A Carter Anders *Jason Pendergraft (2013) Pine Valley Hospital doctor with an unknown past. Bill Anderson * James Pritchett (1989) ...
(
Frances Heflin Mary Frances Heflin (September 20, 1920 – June 1, 1994) was an American actress. She is best known for her role as Mona Kane Tyler on the soap opera ''All My Children'' (1970–1994). Early life Heflin was born in Oklahoma City, Oklaho ...
), and her spoiled daughter,
Erica Erica or ERICA may refer to: * Erica (given name) * Erica (plant), ''Erica'' (plant), a flowering plant genus * Erica (chatbot), a service of Bank of America * Erica (video game), ''Erica'' (video game), a 2019 FMV video game * Erica (spider), ' ...
(
Susan Lucci Susan Victoria Lucci (born December 23, 1946) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Erica Kane on the ABC daytime drama ''All My Children'' during that show's entire network run from 1970 to 2011. The character is considere ...
) were also introduced. Contrasting this was the stable
Martin family Martin may either be a given name or surname. In Scotland, Martin or McMartin is a common surname of Scottish Gaelic origin. Martin is, however, more common as a masculine given name in many languages and cultures. It comes from the Latin na ...
, headed by patriarch Joe and later (after the death of her husband, Ted Brent) by matriarch Ruth, who became a symbolic foundation of ''All My Children''. Destined to break up the young romance of classmates Tara Martin (
Karen Lynn Gorney Karen Lynn Gorney (born January 28, 1945)Gorney, Sondra (2005). Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?: The Life of Composer Jay Gorney'. Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press. p. 40. . "Florence had wanted a son for me. But she looked at me and declared ...
) and Phil Brent ( Richard Hatch), Erica learned that Phil was not the son of Ruth and Ted, but instead, the son of Ruth's sister, Amy Tyler (Rosemary Prinz) and her mother's friend, Nick Davis. In a selfish attempt to break up Phil and Tara, she told everyone the truth. ''All My Children''s first success was its focus on young love. ABC wanted a soap opera that would bring in young viewers, and slowly the program was accomplishing that. The show's ratings did not start out strong, however. In its first year on the air, it ranked No. 17 out of 19 soap operas. Despite this, its audience grew with each passing year. The show was unique for its use of the
Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...
. Before ''All My Children'' debuted, no show had discussed the war in any depth. There were traditional Phoebe and free-spirited Amy both butting heads over the war, with Amy often leading protests around Pine Valley. When Amy left, Ruth takes over as the anti-war voice and protests against the war in the early 1970s. The character's protest speech in 1972 won
Mary Fickett Mary Fickett (May 23, 1928 – September 8, 2011) was an American actress with roles in the American television dramas ''The Nurses'' and ''The Edge of Night'' as Sally Smith (1961) and Dr. Katherine Lovell (1967–68). She was best known as Ru ...
the first
Emmy Award The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award categor ...
given to a soap opera performer. Later in the show's run, Phoebe softened. Nurse Caroline Murray, played by Patricia Dixon, was a Vietnam veteran who overcame her chilling flashbacks to the war with the help of Dr. Frank Grant (John Danelle) in 1976. Dr. Frank Grant, first seen in Pine Valley in 1972, his wife Nancy (played by Lisa Wilkinson and first seen in 1973), and Caroline (debuting in 1976) were the first Black leading characters on ''All My Children''. In May 1972, the character of Erica Kane Martin became the first television character to undergo a legal abortion. Making the abortion particularly controversial is Erica's reason for doing it, not because of her jeopardized health, but rather because she did not want to gain weight and lose her modeling job. The abortion story received much media attention, especially since it preceded the Roe vs. Wade decision by nearly a year. Within the story, Erica developed a potentially fatal infection after having the abortion, and the switchboards at ABC lit up with calls from doctors and nurses, offering their medical opinions on how best to treat the character's case. The storyline has been credited for boosting the show's ratings, as well as helping establish Erica Kane as a central character who would dominate the show for its entire run. Phoebe's husband Charles ( Hugh Franklin) became close to Mona (Erica's mother and his secretary at the hospital). The two fell in love and Charles divorced Phoebe, even though she tried to blackmail Mona and even faked
paralysis Paralysis (: paralyses; also known as plegia) is a loss of Motor skill, motor function in one or more Skeletal muscle, muscles. Paralysis can also be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory d ...
. In the end, Phoebe was left a drunken divorcée and Mona becomes the new Mrs. Tyler. This ordeal starts the long-time Phoebe/Mona rivalry. When Eileen Letchworth, who portrayed Margo Flax Martin, contemplated a facelift, she talked it over with Nixon. Not only was Letchworth going to need time off, she was going to look significantly different when she returned to the show. Nixon approved and worked the facelift into a storyline. Margo wanted to impress the somewhat younger Paul Martin ( William Mooney). Margo's facelift in 1974 became one of the first major storylines on television discussing plastic surgery and its psychological effects. In June 1976, character
Brooke English Brooke Allison English (formerly Cudahy, Chandler, and Martin) is a fictional character on the television soap opera ''All My Children''. Originated by Elissa Leeds on March 10, 1976, she was portrayed by Julia Barr from June 1976 to June 1981 a ...
showed up on her Aunt Phoebe's doorstep and soon clashed with Erica over
Tom Cudahy Here is a list of characters who have appeared on the ABC Daytime and TOLN soap opera ''All My Children''. A Carter Anders *Jason Pendergraft (2013) Pine Valley Hospital doctor with an unknown past. Bill Anderson * James Pritchett (1989) ...
and Mark Dalton. In 1976, when Kitty Shea Tyler was searching for her natural mother, the show introduced Myrtle Lum Fargate (
Eileen Herlie Eileen Herlie (8 March 1918 – 8 October 2008) was a Scottish-American actress. Personal life Eileen Herlie was born Eileen Isobel Herlihy to an Irish Catholic father, Patrick Herlihy, and a Scottish Protestant mother, Isobel Cowden, in ...
). By the late 1970s, the show had risen to the top of the ratings. One reason for the rise was the arrival of teenage prostitute Donna Beck (Candice Earley). Her relationship with the handsome Dr. Chuck Tyler breathed life into the show and captivated fans. Other new additions are the arrivals of aristocratic
Palmer Cortlandt ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 2 ...
(aka Peter Cooney) ( James Mitchell), his somewhat creepy housekeeper Myra Murdock ( Elizabeth Lawrence), and his overprotected daughter Nina ( Taylor Miller), who, to Palmer's chagrin, entrances
Dr. Cliff Warner Clifford "Cliff" Warner and Nina Cortlandt are fictional characters and a supercouple from the 1980s Cliff and Nina storyline on the American daytime drama ''All My Children''. Cliff was portrayed by Peter Bergman, and Nina was portrayed by Taylo ...
(
Peter Bergman Peter Michael Bergman (born June 11, 1953) is an American television actor best known for his portrayals on soap operas: as Cliff Warner on ''All My Children'' (1979–89) on ABC and as Jack Abbott on ''The Young and the Restless'' (1989–pre ...
). Palmer does everything in his power to break up the couple, including telling Nina she is going blind due to her diabetes. Palmer teams up with Cliff's past flame, nurse Sybil Thorne (
Linda Gibboney Linda Gibboney is an American actress, best known for her roles on soap operas and serials. These roles included "Sybil Thorne, R. N." on ''All My Children'' (1979–1981) and "Jenny Deacon Kendall' on ''Search for Tomorrow'' (1982–1983 ...
), who confronts Cliff about fathering her son, but this is temporary; Sybil is murdered and Cliff is arrested for the crime, which actually was committed by Sean Cudahy (Alan Dysert). During the murder trial, Nina is astonished to learn that her mother, Daisy Cortlandt (
Gillian Spencer Gillian Spencer (born December 18, 1939) is an American soap opera actress and writer. She had supporting roles on the soaps ''The Secret Storm'' as Lynn Wilkins Warren from 1961-1962 and ''The Edge of Night'' as Leora Davies in 1963 before joi ...
), whom she believes to be dead, is, in fact, alive and living in Pine Valley as Monique Jonvil. To everyone's complete shock, Myra acknowledges that Daisy is her daughter. ''All My Children'' also found memorable villains in Billy Clyde Tuggle (
Matthew Cowles Matthew Cowles (September 28, 1944 – May 22, 2014) was an American actor and playwright. Early life The son of actor and theatre producer Chandler Cowles, he was born in New York City. Career In 1966 Cowles played the title role in Edward Al ...
) and Ray Gardner (
Gil Rogers Gil Rogers (born John Veach Rogers Jr.; February 4, 1934 – March 2, 2021) was an American television actor. Early life Rogers was born John Veach Rogers Jr. Education Rogers graduated from Henry Clay High School and then attended Harvard ...
). ''All My Children'' had always aired in color since its 1970 debut. The episodes were initially only saved for a short time on cartridge tapes and were eventually erased in order to tape other productions. Beginning in 1976, all the episodes were saved on cartridge tape and then digitally since the late 1990s. A few early episodes were saved on
kinescope Kinescope , shortened to kine , also known as telerecording in Britain, is a recording of a television program on motion picture film directly through a lens focused on the screen of a video monitor. The process was pioneered during the 1940s ...
in black and white, one of which aired on ABC in 1997 on a special "A Daytime To Remember", which showcased all TV shows that aired on ABC Daytime. But there are no known pre-1976 episodes to be still in existence on tape. Nixon personally owned all the early episodes on monochromatic kinescopes. When ABC purchased the rights to ''All My Children'' in 1975, it also received the kinescopes from Nixon with a promise that the network would archive them. However, that promise was broken, because different sources point out that most of them were either lost in a warehouse fire or were erased. As mentioned above, a few early episodes survive.


1980s

The early 1980s is considered a "golden period" for the show and the "Golden Age" for
supercouple A supercouple or super couple (also known as a power couple) is a popular and/or wealthy pairing that intrigues and fascinates the public in an intense or obsessive fashion. The term originated in the United States, and it was coined in the earl ...
s. Younger characters, such as
Greg Nelson and Jenny Gardner Greg Nelson and Jenny Gardner are fictional characters and a supercouple from the American soap opera ''All My Children''. Greg was portrayed by Laurence Lau, and Jenny was portrayed by actress Kim Delaney. They were best friends to fellow s ...
(
Laurence Lau Laurence Henry Lau (born May 10, 1954) is an American television and stage actor, best known for his roles in several soap operas. He has also been credited in film. Early life and education Lau was born in Long Beach, California, and raised ...
and
Kim Delaney Kim Delaney (born November 29, 1961) is an American actress known for her starring role as Detective Diane Russell on the ABC drama television series ''NYPD Blue'', for which she won an Emmy Award. Early in her career, she played the role of ...
),
Liza Colby ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 2 ...
(
Marcy Walker Marcy Lynn Walker (born November 26, 1961), also known as Marcy Smith, is an American youth minister and former actress known for her television appearances on daytime soap operas. Her most famous roles are those of Liza Colby on ''All My Chi ...
), Liza's best friend Amanda (
Amanda Bearse Amanda Bearse (born August 9, 1958) is an American actress, comedian and director. She starred in the 1985 supernatural horror film ''Fright Night'', and later starred as Marcy Rhoades D'Arcy in the Fox sitcom ''Married... with Children'' (1987†...
),
Jesse Hubbard and Angie Baxter Jesse and Angela "Angie" Hubbard are fictional characters and a supercouple from the ABC and The Online Network daytime drama ''All My Children''. Jesse is portrayed by Darnell Williams and Angie is portrayed by Debbi Morgan.From 1990 to 1991, ...
(
Darnell Williams Darnell Williams (born 3 March 1955) is a British television actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jesse Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' from 1981 to 1988, and from 2008 to 2011, a role which has earned him two Daytime ...
and
Debbi Morgan Deborah Ann "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. Morgan has appeared in a number of film and TV productions, and may be best known for the role of Angie Baxter–Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Morgan ...
), and a now-grown-up
Tad Martin Tad Martin is a fictional character from the American daytime drama, ''All My Children''. Tad was played by three actors, according to the age of the character: Matthew Anton, John E. Dunn, and Michael E. Knight. Knight has portrayed the role on ...
(
Michael E. Knight Michael Edward Knight (born May 7, 1959) is an American television actor, best known for his role as Tad Martin on ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Biography Knight was born in Princeton, New Jersey. He was educated at The Thacher School i ...
), who was now legally Ruth and Joe's son, enter the scene. The storyline involving Liza plotting to win Greg back after he leaves her for Jenny became a fan favorite, as was the Greg and Jenny and Jesse and Angie pairings. Jesse and Jenny's summer in New York City became regarded as one of the greatest storylines in the history of the series. Meanwhile, the legend of "Tad the Cad" is born when Tad takes Liza's
virginity Virginity is a social construct that denotes the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. As it is not an objective term with an operational definition, social definitions of what constitutes virginity, or the lack thereo ...
, then simultaneously begins having sex with her mother, socialite Marian Colby (
Jennifer Bassey Jennifer Bassey (born July 22, 1939) is an American actress who has worked on both stage and screen. She is perhaps best known for her role as Marian Colby in the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' which she played on and off from 1983 until the ...
), who eventually is sent to prison. For older appeal, Jenny and Tad's natural mother Opal (
Dorothy Lyman Dorothy Lyman (born April 18, 1947) is an American television actress, director, and producer. She is most known for her work as Gwen Frame on '' Another World'', on ''All My Children'' as the original Opal Sue Gardner, as Rebecca Whitmore on '' ...
) was also added to the canvas, where she opens the Glamorama salon and spa. Opal greatly showcased ''All My Children''s attempt at humor and satire. Also introduced in the 1980s were powerful businessman
Adam Chandler Adam Chandler is a fictional character from the ABC and The Online Network daytime drama ''All My Children'', portrayed by David Canary from the autumn of 1983 through his departure on April 23, 2010, and briefly reprising the role for the series ...
and his identical twin brother
Stuart Stuart may refer to: People *Stuart (name), a given name and surname (and list of people with the name) * Clan Stuart of Bute, a Scottish clan *House of Stuart, a royal house of Scotland and England Places Australia Generally *Stuart Highway, ...
(both played by
David Canary David Hoyt Canary (August25, 1938November16, 2015) was an American actor. Canary is best known for his roles as ranch foreman Candy Canaday in the NBC Western drama ''Bonanza'', and as Adam Chandler in the television soap opera ''All My Child ...
), the first arrival of members of the Chandler family. Adam became cited as one of the "most powerful male figures in television", which was contrasted by Stuart's kind, generous, and honest personality. Erica began to take on a larger-than-life role by the 1980s, writing an autobiography, ''Raising Kane'', and turning it into a motion picture. When her presumed half-sister Silver (Deborah Goodrich) accuses Erica of murdering Kent Bogard (Michael Woods, Lee Godart), her former lover and boss, Erica goes on the run. She does all this while posing as a
sister A sister is a woman or a girl who shares parents or a parent with another individual; a female sibling. The male counterpart is a brother. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to ref ...
named 'Christine'. The show made its first attempt at tackling the taboo topic of homosexuality in 1983.
Tricia Pursley Tricia Pursley is a retired American actress. The Saint Petersburg, Florida-born actress is best known as Devon Shepherd McFadden, daughter of Ellen Shepherd (Kathleen Noone), on ''All My Children''. Pursley played the role from 1977 to 1981, ...
portrayed the divorced Devon McFadden, who believes she is falling in love with her
lesbian A lesbian is a homosexual woman or girl. The word is also used for women in relation to their sexual identity or sexual behavior, regardless of sexual orientation, or as an adjective to characterize or associate nouns with female homosexu ...
psychiatrist, Lynn Carson (portrayed by
Donna Pescow Donna Gail Pescow (born March 24, 1954) is an American film and television actress and director known as Annette in ''Saturday Night Fever'', Angie Falco-Benson in ''Angie'', Donna Garland in '' Out of This World'' and Eileen Stevens in ''Eve ...
). Lynn acknowledges that she is a lesbian, and Devon admits her crush, but Lynn rebuffs her. Before this storyline, no other American soap opera had done a story about homosexuality. The show tackled the issue of drug use when
Mark La Mura Mark LaMura (October 18, 1948 – September 11, 2017) was an American television actor. His name was occasionally spelled as Mark La Mura or Mark Lamura. Early years LaMura was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, raised in Matawan and Marlboro, ...
's character, Mark Dalton, becomes addicted to cocaine after years of casual use. His half-sister, Erica, stages an intervention with his friends to have him confront his problems. They practice a
tough love Tough love is the act of treating a person sternly or harshly with the intent to help them in the long run. People exhibit and act upon tough love when attempting to address someone else's undesirable behaviour. Tough love can be used in many sce ...
policy that requires Mark's admission of his addiction. Controversy was prompted in 1987 with the arrival of Cindy Parker ( Ellen Wheeler), who later fell in love with Stuart. Cindy was revealed to have
AIDS The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...
. Through visits by now-Dr. Angie Hubbard, the show educated the public on how the disease was spread and how to prevent it. Cindy had contracted HIV from her husband, Fred, played by Mark Morrison, who contracted it from sharing needles for drug use. Cindy is attacked by a vigilante hate group led by her niece,
Skye Chandler Skye Chandler is a fictional character from the ABC soap operas ''All My Children'', ''One Life to Live'', and ''General Hospital''. Initially portrayed by Antoinette Byron, the role was then portrayed by Robin Christopher for most of the next ...
. Cindy marries Stuart and he adopts her son, Scott. She dies early in 1989 in one of the show's most-watched episodes.
Felicia Minei Behr Felicia Minei Behr (September 21, 1942 – March 2, 2025) was an American television producer and network executive who worked on three daytime serials. She helped launch ''All My Children'' and won two Emmys for Best Drama Series as executive p ...
was hired as the new executive producer in early 1989. Having been a producer on
Ryan's Hope ''Ryan's Hope'' is an American soap opera created by Claire Labine and Paul Avila Mayer, airing for 13 years on ABC from July 7, 1975, to January 13, 1989. It revolves around the trials and tribulations within a large Irish-American family in ...
, Behr was familiar with ''All My Children'', having been an associate producer from 1970 to 1975. Among the stories featured was a baby storyline involving the characters of Adam, Brooke, Tad, and Dixie (
Cady McClain Cady McClain (born Katie Jo McClain; October 13, 1969) is an American actress, singer, and author. Career McClain's professional acting career began in 1978 at the age of 9, when she was featured in a commercial for Band-Aid bandages. Among ...
). By this time, the show had also found a "hit couple" in Cecily and Nico (portrayed by Rosa Nevin and
Maurice Benard Maurice Benard (born March 1, 1963) is an American actor. He played Nico Kelly in the ABC daytime soap opera ''All My Children'' from 1987 to 1990 and in 1991 portrayed Desi Arnaz in the biographical television film '' Lucy & Desi: Before the La ...
), but Behr was unable to convince either to remain with the show, and the duo left at the end of 1989. ABC was pleased with Behr; Nixon was as well, and decided her creation was safe in the hands of the new producer. Behr, however, made the unpopular decision to fire Peter Bergman (Cliff Warner) during this time, as well as Ellen Wheeler (Karen) and Robert Gentry (Ross Chandler). Bergman's departure was particularly frustrating to Debbi Morgan (who thought it was a cop-out by ABC on the promising interracial Angie/Cliff pairing; Morgan later defected to the new NBC soap opera ''
Generations A generation is all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively. Generation or generations may also refer to: Science and technology * Generation (particle physics), a division of the elementary particles * Genera ...
'' in protest), Taylor Miller (who was misled when Behr approached her to bring back her character Nina; Miller was frustrated to find out she had only been brought back for two weeks to facilitate Bergman's departure: Cliff and Nina reunited, married yet again, and left Pine Valley, leaving Miller to lament to ''
Soap Opera Digest ''Soap Opera Digest'' was a weekly magazine covering American daytime soap operas. It featured onscreen and offscreen news about the series, interviews with and articles about performers, storyline summaries and analysis, and related promotional ...
'' that she felt it was going backward for both characters, and difficult emotionally to play), and Bergman himself. Behr then brought back fan favorite Opal Gardner, but instead of contacting Emmy winner Dorothy Lyman to reprise the role, Behr hired
Jill Larson Jill Larson (born October 7, 1947) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Opal Cortlandt on the ABC daytime soap opera, ''All My Children'' (1989–2011, 2013), and as titular character in the 2014 supernatural horror film '' ...
. Lyman later noted her disappointment in never being contacted about reprising the role.


1990s

At the time of Behr's hiring in early 1989, the show usually ranked around No. 4 in the ratings. By 1990, it had inched up to the No. 3 spot. ABC chose
Megan McTavish Megan McTavish (born April 2, 1949, Elgin, Illinois) is an United States, American television actress and soap opera writer. McTavish is best known for several head writing stints on ''All My Children''. Early career Before becoming a writer, Mc ...
, a former actress who had been on the writing team since 1987, to be its new head writer. She was officially promoted to that position in 1992, with Nixon serving as executive head writer. Stories such as Molly's leukemia, Ceara Connor's (
Genie Francis Genie Francis (born May 26, 1962) is an American actress. She is best known for playing the role of Laura Spencer (General Hospital), Laura Spencer on the television soap opera ''General Hospital'' from 1977 to present, for which she won a Daytim ...
')
incest Incest ( ) is sexual intercourse, sex between kinship, close relatives, for example a brother, sister, or parent. This typically includes sexual activity between people in consanguinity (blood relations), and sometimes those related by lineag ...
, Mona's lung cancer, and Deconstruction (a story about racism), were all praised in soap opera magazines for their social conscience. Other storylines included ''Natalie in the Well,'' the ''Who Killed Will Cortlandt?'' mystery, ''Willow Lake Acres'' (a humorous-but-serious tale about the plight of the elderly in a fraudulent nursing home), and a tornado that rocked Pine Valley. Behr also helped craft a story re-exploring Erica's father, Eric Kane. McTavish was also instrumental in a major, but still popular
retroactive continuity Retroactive continuity, or retcon for short, is a literary device in fictional story telling whereby facts and events established through the narrative itself are adjusted, ignored, supplemented, or contradicted by a subsequently published work ...
(retcon) storyline in 1993. Shortly after being introduced,
Kendall Hart Kendall Hart is a fictional character from ''All My Children'', an American soap opera on the ABC network. The character was portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar from February 24, 1993, to July 3, 1995, and by Alicia Minshew from January 2002 u ...
(
Sarah Michelle Gellar Sarah Michelle Prinze ( ; born April 14, 1977) is an American actress. After being spotted by a talent agent as a young child, she made her film debut at age six in the television film ''An Invasion of Privacy'' (1983). She had her first lead ...
) was revealed as Erica's long-lost daughter. Kendall was conceived after Erica was raped on her 14th birthday by her father's actor friend Richard Fields. After she became pregnant, Erica gave her baby up for adoption. Kendall comes to Pine Valley after finding out her birth mother is the famous Erica Kane. Kendall longs for Erica's approval but is also angry over her perceived feelings of being 'abandoned' at birth and seeks revenge against her mother. Although they try to make their family work at first, Kendall acts out and mother and daughter experience a painful, strained, and complicated relationship during this time in the series. Gellar was proclaimed by some "as the second coming of Erica" in her two years as Kendall Hart from 1993 to 1995, but left the show to pursue other acting opportunities. The Santos, Dillon, Frye, and Keefer families were introduced during the 1990s as well. Also, the Tad and Dixie pairing had become especially popular. Other prominent couples were Dimitri and Erica (
Michael Nader Michael Nader (February 19, 1945 – August 23, 2021) was an American actor, known for his roles as Dex Dexter on the ABC primetime soap opera ''Dynasty'' from 1983 to 1989, and Dimitri Marick on the ABC daytime soap opera ''All My Children'' ...
), Trevor (
James Kiberd James Kiberd (born July 6, 1949 in Providence, Rhode Island) is an American actor. He played Trevor Dillon on the soap opera ''All My Children'' from 1989 to 2000. A popular character from the beginning, he was paired in relationships with the c ...
) and Natalie ( Kate Collins), Hayley (
Kelly Ripa Kelly Maria Ripa (; born October 2, 1970) is an American actress and talk show host. Since 2001, she has been the co-host of the syndicated morning talk show '' Live! with Kelly and Mark'' in various formats. Her co-hosts have included Regis ...
) and Brian (Gregory Gordon,
Matt Borlenghi Matt Borlenghi is an American actor, best known for his roles as Brian Bodine on ''All My Children'' from 1991 to 1993 and 1996, as Russ on ''The Jeff Foxworthy Show'', as Rich Casey on '' Police Academy: The Series'' and as Lyle on ''Cobra Kai' ...
, Brian L. Greene), and
Brooke English Brooke Allison English (formerly Cudahy, Chandler, and Martin) is a fictional character on the television soap opera ''All My Children''. Originated by Elissa Leeds on March 10, 1976, she was portrayed by Julia Barr from June 1976 to June 1981 a ...
and Edmund Grey (
Julia Barr Julia Barr (born Julia Rose Buchheit on February 8, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American actress. Barr is most famous for her role on the soap opera ''All My Children'', playing the character of Brooke English. She played the role from ...
, John Callahan). Some of McTavish's storytelling ultimately received criticism for being gimmick-driven (i.e. multiple dual roles, bomb plots). Reports soon surfaced that Behr and McTavish were having conflicts about storylines and the direction of the series. After the O. J. Simpson trial preempted daytime television programs throughout late 1994 and into 1995, many soaps saw their ratings decline, and ''All My Children'' was no different. When McTavish was fired from her head writing post in the spring, former head writer
Lorraine Broderick Lorraine Broderick (born 1948) is an American television soap opera writer. She got her start on ''All My Children'' as a protégée of the show's creator, Agnes Nixon. She went on to serve four different stints as its Head Writer, ultimately ...
was tapped by Behr to lead the team once again. Broderick's tenure under Behr was popular among critics and fans for returning ''All My Children'' to its socially relevant, character-driven roots. Her most significant successes were Erica's drug addiction story (with the character receiving treatment at the
Betty Ford Center The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is an addiction treatment and advocacy organization that was created in 2014 with the merger of the Minnesota-based Hazelden Foundation and the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California, in the United State ...
), and also the story of
homophobia Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who identify or are perceived as being lesbian, Gay men, gay or bisexual. It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred, or ant ...
over a gay high school boy and a history teacher. However, with the ratings still stagnant, ABC did not renew longtime executive producer Felicia Minei Behr's contract, and brought in Francesca James (who had previously won an Emmy award acting on the show as twins Kitty and Kelly). The storylines now included a
voodoo Voodoo may refer to: Religions * West African Vodún, a religion practiced by Gbe-speaking ethnic groups * African diaspora religions, a list of related religions sometimes called Vodou/Voodoo ** Candomblé Jejé, also known as Brazilian Vodu ...
arc with the popular Noah and Julia ( Keith Hamilton Cobb and
Sydney Penny Sydney Margaret Penny (born August 7, 1971) is an American actress. She began her career as a child performer appearing in made-for-television movies. She made her big screen debut in the Western film ''Pale Rider'' directed by Clint Eastwood. S ...
), a fantasy story for Myrtle featuring the "real"
Santa Claus Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or Santa) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Chris ...
, and finally a baby kidnapping story involving Erica. Despite winning three consecutive Daytime Emmys for writing during her tenure on ''All My Children'', Broderick was replaced in December 1997 by her predecessor, McTavish. The first major story McTavish tackled,
Bianca Montgomery Bianca Montgomery is a fictional character from the American daytime drama ''All My Children''. Until Eden Riegel assumed the role, portraying the character from July 2000 to January 2010, the character was portrayed solely by child actresses: L ...
's
anorexia Anorexia nervosa (AN), often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by Calorie restriction, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight, and an overpowering desire to be thin. Individuals wit ...
, was created by Broderick. Apart from the anorexia story, McTavish's tales were plot-driven and made implausible alterations to the show's history such as the resurrection of Erica's lifetime love, Mike Roy (Nicholas Surovy). In 1998, the show again got a new executive producer,
Jean Dadario Burke Jean Dadario Burke is an American television soap opera producer and director, most notably of the daytime television show ''All My Children''.SARAH KERSHAW, February 22, 1997, The New York Times12 Characters in Search of a Soap Opera, Again Retri ...
, taking over from Francesca James.
Cady McClain Cady McClain (born Katie Jo McClain; October 13, 1969) is an American actress, singer, and author. Career McClain's professional acting career began in 1978 at the age of 9, when she was featured in a commercial for Band-Aid bandages. Among ...
, who had left the show as Dixie in 1996, returned, but other storylines—involving ghosts, poison tattoos, Nazi art, and a sperm switch—were all ill-received. By the start of 1999, with ''All My Children'' being voted as the "Worst of 1998" by ''Soap Opera Digest'', McTavish was once again fired. As ratings began to fall, ABC convinced Nixon to make a brief return. Many long-running actors, such as Michael Nader, James Kiberd, and
Robin Mattson Robin Mattson is a retired American actress. She is best known for her roles on the daytime soap operas ''General Hospital'', '' Santa Barbara'', and ''All My Children''. Career Daytime television Mattson made her daytime debut as troubled teen ...
, left their roles.


2000s

Nixon decided to write a story that would rejuvenate the show and be socially relevant at the same time. This resulted in the series revealing Erica's daughter Bianca as a lesbian. Within the series, Bianca admits the truth to her mother in December 2000. Although initially controversial, the storyline was praised by fans and critics. Bianca emerged as a
breakout character A breakout character is a character (arts), character in Serial (literature), serial fiction, especially a member of an ensemble cast, who becomes much more prominent, popular, discussed, or imitated than expected by the creators. A breakout c ...
and lesbian icon. The show found additional success in the pairing of newcomers Leo and Greenlee (
Josh Duhamel Joshua David Duhamel ( ; born November 14, 1972) is an American actor. After various modeling work, he made his acting debut as Leo du Pres on the ABC daytime soap opera ''All My Children'' for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award and later starr ...
and
Rebecca Budig Rebecca Budig (; born June 26, 1973) is an American actress and television presenter. Her career began in 1993, and in 1995, she was cast in the role of Michelle Bauer on the CBS soap opera ''Guiding Light''. In 1999, she was cast as Greenlee ...
).
Richard Culliton Richard Culliton is an American television writer known for his work on soap operas. He has won four Writers Guild of America Awards, including one as a head writer, and three Daytime Emmy Awards. He is an alumnus of Northwestern University. His w ...
wrote several of ''All My Children''s early 2000s (decade) storylines. He created popular characters Frankie and
Maggie Stone Maggie Stone is a fictional character from the American daytime drama ''All My Children''. She was portrayed by actress Elizabeth Hendrickson, who also portrayed Maggie's identical twin sister Frankie Stone. The character came to Pine Valley in ...
, and said Frankie was already intended to be killed in a murder storyline after only three months on the series. Culliton and
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...
executives were surprised when viewers became attached to the romance between Bianca and Frankie, developed by Culliton with Frankie's debut. These fans attributed Frankie's death to the show's fear to focus on a lesbian romance. Eventually, Culliton introduced the idea to bring back popular actress
Elizabeth Hendrickson Elizabeth Hendrickson (born July 3, 1979) is an American actress. Her big break came when she was cast as character Frankie Stone on the daytime drama ''All My Children''. Her equally popular role of Maggie Stone, the character's identical twin, ...
, who had portrayed Frankie, as Frankie's twin sister Maggie. Culliton continued to write for the show until late 2002. After more staff turnover, McTavish again returned as head writer. Her storylines began airing in July 2003, which included the controversial rape of Bianca. Gone upon McTavish's latest return was
Jean Dadario Burke Jean Dadario Burke is an American television soap opera producer and director, most notably of the daytime television show ''All My Children''.SARAH KERSHAW, February 22, 1997, The New York Times12 Characters in Search of a Soap Opera, Again Retri ...
as executive producer, being replaced with
Julie Hanan Carruthers Julie Hanan Carruthers (born January 30, 1960, in Sarasota, Florida) is an American soap opera producer and writer. Positions held ''All My Children'' *Executive Producer (October 27, 2003 - September 23, 2011) ''General Hospital'' *Senior Superv ...
. Under McTavish, ratings fluctuated back and forth. To lure back long-time viewers, McTavish created new characters and romances, as well as scripted the return of various characters who had been gone for long. She introduced
star-crossed The terms "star-crossed" and "star-crossed lovers" refer to two people who are not able to be together for some reason. These terms also have other meanings, but originally mean that the pairing is being "thwarted by a malign star" or that th ...
couple
JR Chandler and Babe Carey JR Chandler and Babe Carey are fictional characters of the JR and Babe or Jabe couple from the American daytime drama ''All My Children''. JR Chandler was portrayed by Jacob Young. Babe Carey was portrayed by actress Alexa Havins, and then by Amand ...
upon writing JR's return to the series, scripted most of popular pairing
Bianca Montgomery and Maggie Stone Bianca Montgomery and Maggie Stone are fictional characters and a supercouple from the American daytime drama ''All My Children''. She cried mea culpa, clashed with Zoe and ultimately returned solo to France. Unfortunately, BAM fans, Maggie ap ...
's love story, and created fellow popular couple
Zach Slater and Kendall Hart Zach Slater and Kendall Hart Slater are fictional characters and a supercouple from the American daytime drama ''All My Children''. Zach is portrayed by Thorsten Kaye, and Kendall is portrayed by Alicia Minshew. The couple is often referred to ...
. Characters
Julia Santos Julia Santos is a fictional character from the ABC daytime drama, ''All My Children''. She was portrayed by actress Sydney Penny from 1993 to 1996 as a series regular, with guest appearances in 1997 and 2002, and from 2005 to 2008, when the chara ...
(
Sydney Penny Sydney Margaret Penny (born August 7, 1971) is an American actress. She began her career as a child performer appearing in made-for-television movies. She made her big screen debut in the Western film ''Pale Rider'' directed by Clint Eastwood. S ...
) and
Janet Dillon Janet Green (also Marlowe and Dillon) is a fictional character that appeared on the daytime soap opera, ''All My Children''. She is commonly known for terrorizing the residents of Pine Valley, including her sister Natalie Marlowe and the murder ...
( Kate Collins, who was originally slated to return for a brief stint) were eventually brought back. On July 26, 2006,
Tanika Ray Tanika Ray is an American entertainment reporter. She was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Los Angeles, California. Tanika Ray is a pop culture & lifestyle specialist with a holistic view of the cross-sections of culture. Career Ray began ...
,
Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman, and actress. One of the List of music artists by net worth, wealthiest musicians in the world, List of awards and nominations received by Rihanna, her vario ...
, as well as other celebrities, appeared on the show. During the Rihanna appearance, a controversial storyline involving Erica's thought-to-be-aborted son having come to Pine Valley under the name
Josh Madden Joshua "Josh" Madden is a fictional character from the American daytime drama, ''All My Children''. He first came to Pine Valley on June 17, 2005, and was originally portrayed by actor Scott Kinworthy until September 15, 2005. Following Kinworthy' ...
intensifies when Josh learns of how he truly came to exist. In August 2006, after months of speculation, it was confirmed that fan favorite
Eden Riegel Eden Sonja Jane Riegel (born January 1, 1981) is an American actress. She portrayed Bianca Montgomery in the daytime drama ''All My Children'', and propelled the character into a gay icon, as well as a popular figure within the medium. Nominat ...
would be reprising her
Emmy The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award catego ...
winning role as Bianca. She was a part of a controversial storyline centered on
transgender A transgender (often shortened to trans) person has a gender identity different from that typically associated with the sex they were sex assignment, assigned at birth. The opposite of ''transgender'' is ''cisgender'', which describes perso ...
character Zarf/Zoe. The most notable return was
Cady McClain Cady McClain (born Katie Jo McClain; October 13, 1969) is an American actress, singer, and author. Career McClain's professional acting career began in 1978 at the age of 9, when she was featured in a commercial for Band-Aid bandages. Among ...
's return as show heroine
Dixie Cooney Martin Dixie Cooney is a fictional character from ''All My Children'', an American soap opera on the ABC network. The character was initially portrayed by actress Kari Gibson from her debut in July 1988 until October of that year when she was replaced b ...
. The news of her return spread just two weeks before she reappeared on the series. In an unpopular and controversial move by the series, the writers chose to kill off Dixie in January 2007 only a year after her return. The character's death was the result of the Satin Slayer storyline where she is unintentionally murdered in place of character
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, ...
. Another prominent return to the series occurred on February 9, 2007, when
Susan Pratt Susan Pratt is an American actress. Pratt is best known for her roles in daytime television as Anne Logan on ''General Hospital'' (1978–1982), Claire Ramsey on ''Guiding Light'' (1983–1986, 2000–2002), and Barbara Montgomery on ''All M ...
returned as Barbara Montgomery. Pratt made her last appearance in July of that year. That same month, McTavish was fired as head writer, reportedly due to viewer criticism about her storylines. On May 21, 2007,
James Harmon Brown and Barbara Esensten James may refer to: People * James (given name) * James (surname) * James (musician), aka Faruq Mahfuz Anam James, (born 1964), Bollywood musician * James, brother of Jesus * King James (disambiguation), various kings named James * Prince Jame ...
were announced as the new head writers of ''All My Children''. The duo wrote for ''
Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...
'', ''
Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that aired on the network NBC from November 8, 1965, to September 9, 2022; the soap has streamed n ...
'', ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'', ''
Dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family, usually in the context of a monarchy, monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A dynasty may also be referred to as a "house", "family" or "clan", among others. H ...
'' and ''
Port Charles ''Port Charles'' (commonly abbreviated as ''PC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from June 1, 1997, to October 3, 2003. It was a spin-off of the series ''General Hospital'', which has been running since 1963 and takes p ...
'', and created and wrote for '' The City''. On December 12, 2007, ABC revealed Rebecca Budig would be returning to the series as
Greenlee Smythe Greenlee Smythe is a fictional character from the American daytime drama, ''All My Children''. She was originally portrayed by actress Rebecca Budig from August 11, 1999 to November 30, 2005, and was portrayed by actress Sabine Singh from April 2 ...
; the return was one of the most widely reported in daytime television history, attracting mainstream media attention such as the ''
Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are dist ...
'' and ''
New York Daily News The ''Daily News'' is an American newspaper based in Jersey City, New Jersey. It was founded in 1919 by Joseph Medill Patterson in New York City as the ''Illustrated Daily News''. It was the first U.S. daily printed in Tabloid (newspaper format ...
''. Budig's return was overshadowed by controversy when news of
Sabine Singh Sabine Erika Singh (born August 4, 1974) is an American actress. Early life Sabine Singh was born in New York. Her father, Anand Singh, and mother, Gisa Singh, née Voigt, immigrated to the United States from India and Austria respectively. Bef ...
's reportedly unfair treatment as a Greenlee recast in order to bring Budig back incited viewer outrage. On December 25, 2007, ''
Soap Opera Digest ''Soap Opera Digest'' was a weekly magazine covering American daytime soap operas. It featured onscreen and offscreen news about the series, interviews with and articles about performers, storyline summaries and analysis, and related promotional ...
'' reported the return of fan favorites
Debbi Morgan Deborah Ann "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. Morgan has appeared in a number of film and TV productions, and may be best known for the role of Angie Baxter–Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Morgan ...
and
Darnell Williams Darnell Williams (born 3 March 1955) is a British television actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jesse Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' from 1981 to 1988, and from 2008 to 2011, a role which has earned him two Daytime ...
as
Jesse Hubbard and Angie Baxter Jesse and Angela "Angie" Hubbard are fictional characters and a supercouple from the ABC and The Online Network daytime drama ''All My Children''. Jesse is portrayed by Darnell Williams and Angie is portrayed by Debbi Morgan.From 1990 to 1991, ...
. Morgan returned on January 18, 2008, and Williams on January 25, 2008. In April 2008, it was announced that
Laurence Lau Laurence Henry Lau (born May 10, 1954) is an American television and stage actor, best known for his roles in several soap operas. He has also been credited in film. Early life and education Lau was born in Long Beach, California, and raised ...
would briefly reprise the role of Greg Nelson for Jesse and Angie's much anticipated wedding. On May 21, 2008,
Charles Pratt, Jr. Charles Pratt Jr. (born January 6, 1955) is an American television writer, producer and director. In September 2014, it was revealed that Pratt had been hired as head writer and co-executive producer of ''The Young and the Restless''. In Septembe ...
, former co-head writer for ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'', was announced as a replacement for Brown and Esensten amid record low ratings. On November 6, 2008, ''All My Children'' aired a special episode in which veterans share their stories unscripted. On November 12, 2008, the show celebrated its 10,000th show with a special appearance by Nixon and a special tribute to
Myrtle Fargate Here is a list of characters who have appeared on the ABC Daytime and TOLN soap opera ''All My Children''. A Carter Anders *Jason Pendergraft (2013) Pine Valley Hospital doctor with an unknown past. Bill Anderson * James Pritchett (1989) ...
(as portrayed by
Eileen Herlie Eileen Herlie (8 March 1918 – 8 October 2008) was a Scottish-American actress. Personal life Eileen Herlie was born Eileen Isobel Herlihy to an Irish Catholic father, Patrick Herlihy, and a Scottish Protestant mother, Isobel Cowden, in ...
who had recently died). On December 19, 2008, a special episode ran for Herlie, showing clips from the past. On February 16, 2009, ''All My Children'' made daytime history with the nuptials of Reese Williams and Bianca Montgomery, the first legal
same-sex marriage Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same legal Legal sex and gender, sex. marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 38 countries, with a total population of 1.5 ...
in American daytime television. After departing the show in February 2005, Riegel continued to return to the series for limited guest appearances, but permanently left the role in 2010. On November 20, 2009, Pratt was fired as head writer. Daytime Emmy-winning former head writer
Lorraine Broderick Lorraine Broderick (born 1948) is an American television soap opera writer. She got her start on ''All My Children'' as a protégée of the show's creator, Agnes Nixon. She went on to serve four different stints as its Head Writer, ultimately ...
was brought back to lead the writing team on an interim basis. Reportedly, Broderick returned at the request of show creator Agnes Nixon, but was not interested in remaining permanently as the team's top scribe.


2010s

On January 5, 2010, ''All My Children'' celebrated its 40th anniversary with an episode structured like a documentary and hosted by character Hayley Santos. It featured appearances by characters
Palmer Cortlandt ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 2 ...
, Nina Warner, Maria Santos Grey,
Brooke English Brooke Allison English (formerly Cudahy, Chandler, and Martin) is a fictional character on the television soap opera ''All My Children''. Originated by Elissa Leeds on March 10, 1976, she was portrayed by Julia Barr from June 1976 to June 1981 a ...
, Greg Nelson,
Bianca Montgomery Bianca Montgomery is a fictional character from the American daytime drama ''All My Children''. Until Eden Riegel assumed the role, portraying the character from July 2000 to January 2010, the character was portrayed solely by child actresses: L ...
,
Mateo Santos Mateo Santos is a fictional character from the soap opera ''All My Children''. He was first portrayed by Tito Ortiz in a guest appearance in 1994 but is best known as being portrayed by Mark Consuelos from 1995–2002. Consuelos temporarily retur ...
and Lily Montgomery. It was also the final episode for characters Joe and Ruth Martin, who retired to Florida, and the final appearance for Palmer, since actor James Mitchell died shortly after the episode aired. On January 13, 2010, ABC Daytime announced the appointment of David Kreizman and Donna Swajeski as the co-head writers of ''All My Children'', replacing interim head writer
Lorraine Broderick Lorraine Broderick (born 1948) is an American television soap opera writer. She got her start on ''All My Children'' as a protégée of the show's creator, Agnes Nixon. She went on to serve four different stints as its Head Writer, ultimately ...
, who in turn replaced
Charles Pratt, Jr. Charles Pratt Jr. (born January 6, 1955) is an American television writer, producer and director. In September 2014, it was revealed that Pratt had been hired as head writer and co-executive producer of ''The Young and the Restless''. In Septembe ...
Brian Frons, head of ABC daytime, stated, "David and Donna are the perfect team to bring new ideas to ''All My Children'' while remaining true to its core by telling stories with a focus on the integrity of the show's history, its characters and families on the canvas." Prior to his appointment on ''All My Children'', Kriezman was the head writer of ''
Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...
'' from 2004 to the final episode on September 18, 2009, and the co-head writer of ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' from 2009 to the final episode on September 17, 2010. Swajeski's prior experience includes a head writing stint on '' Another World'' from 1988 to 1992. With the death on January 22 of James Mitchell at age 89 (Palmer Cortlandt 1979–2010), the show aired a tribute episode to Palmer on Tuesday April 20, 2010.
Gillian Spencer Gillian Spencer (born December 18, 1939) is an American soap opera actress and writer. She had supporting roles on the soaps ''The Secret Storm'' as Lynn Wilkins Warren from 1961-1962 and ''The Edge of Night'' as Leora Davies in 1963 before joi ...
(Daisy Murdoch Cortlandt), Taylor Miller (
Nina Cortlandt Nina Cortlandt is a fictional character and one half of the Cliff and Nina supercouple on the long running ABC soap opera, ''All My Children ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired ...
), and
Cady McClain Cady McClain (born Katie Jo McClain; October 13, 1969) is an American actress, singer, and author. Career McClain's professional acting career began in 1978 at the age of 9, when she was featured in a commercial for Band-Aid bandages. Among ...
(
Dixie Cooney Martin Dixie Cooney is a fictional character from ''All My Children'', an American soap opera on the ABC network. The character was initially portrayed by actress Kari Gibson from her debut in July 1988 until October of that year when she was replaced b ...
) returned for the episode. On February 8, Walt Willey returned as a contract cast member in the role of
Jackson Montgomery Here is a list of characters who have appeared on the ABC Daytime and TOLN soap opera ''All My Children''. A Carter Anders *Jason Pendergraft (2013) Pine Valley Hospital doctor with an unknown past. Bill Anderson * James Pritchett (1989) ...
, following numerous months away and dispute about his future on the show. On February 23,
Julia Barr Julia Barr (born Julia Rose Buchheit on February 8, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American actress. Barr is most famous for her role on the soap opera ''All My Children'', playing the character of Brooke English. She played the role from ...
reprised the role of Brooke English; Brooke's return was timed to the retirement of
David Canary David Hoyt Canary (August25, 1938November16, 2015) was an American actor. Canary is best known for his roles as ranch foreman Candy Canaday in the NBC Western drama ''Bonanza'', and as Adam Chandler in the television soap opera ''All My Child ...
(
Adam Chandler Adam Chandler is a fictional character from the ABC and The Online Network daytime drama ''All My Children'', portrayed by David Canary from the autumn of 1983 through his departure on April 23, 2010, and briefly reprising the role for the series ...
) after more than 26 years on the show. Their final episode aired April 23, 2010. On July 17, 2010,
Larry Keith Larry Keith (born Lawrence Jay Korn; March 4, 1931 – July 17, 2010) was an American television actor. He was best known for being a cast member on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' and was the first American to play the role of Henry H ...
, who was on the show from 1970 to 2005 as Nick Davis, and who gave
Erica Kane Erica Kane is a fictional character from the American ABC Daytime soap opera ''All My Children''. The character was portrayed by actress Susan Lucci from her debut on January 16, 1970, until the last broadcast television episode on September 23, 2 ...
the nickname "Princess", died. He was last seen on January 5, 2005, for the show's 35th anniversary episode. In September 2010, Daytime Emmy winner Vincent Irizzary's character, David Hayward, was murdered. On the November 22, 2010, episode, David waltzed into the courtroom during Greenlee's trial (for which she was just sentenced to life in prison for murdering him) at the tail end of it, confirming rumors that he was going to return all along. ''
Soap Opera Digest ''Soap Opera Digest'' was a weekly magazine covering American daytime soap operas. It featured onscreen and offscreen news about the series, interviews with and articles about performers, storyline summaries and analysis, and related promotional ...
'' confirmed soon after that the show had planned this all along from the start. On September 16, 2010, Adam Mayfield ( Scott Chandler) and Brittany Allen (
Marissa Tasker Marissa Tasker is a fictional character on the soap opera, ''All My Children''. She was portrayed by Brittany Allen from April 21, 2009, to December 21, 2010, and by Sarah Glendening from December 27, 2010, to September 23, 2011. Character his ...
) were announced to be leaving the show. ABC reports that they wanted to take both the characters in a different direction. On September 22, 2010, it was announced that
Daniel Cosgrove Daniel Thomas Cosgrove (born December 16, 1970) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Scott Chandler on ''All My Children'', Matt Durning on ''Beverly Hills, 90210'', Bill Lewis on ''Guiding Light'', Christopher Hughes II on ''As ...
(ex-Scott, ''All My Children''; ex-Bill, ''Guiding Light''; ex-Chris, ''As the World Turns'') would return to ''All My Children'' and replace Adam Mayfield (Scott) as Scott Chandler. On October 28, 2010, it was announced that Sarah Glendening (ex-Lucy, ''As the World Turns'') would be taking over the role of Marissa Tasker. Glendening debuted on December 27 and Cosgrove debuted on December 29. In January 2011, Debbi Morgan said that she would take a leave of absence from the show. She said it was for personal reasons and on January 14, 2011, she released to the public that she has been diagnosed with
Lyme disease Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a tick-borne disease caused by species of ''Borrelia'' bacteria, Disease vector, transmitted by blood-feeding ticks in the genus ''Ixodes''. It is the most common disease spread by ticks in th ...
. She returned during the second week of February and her first episode aired on March 8, 2011. On February 10, 2011, as part of her 25th (and farewell) season,
Oprah Winfrey Oprah Gail Winfrey (; born Orpah Gail Winfrey; January 29, 1954) is an American television presenter, talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor. She is best known for her talk show, ''The Oprah Winfrey Show' ...
invited ''All My Children''s
Susan Lucci Susan Victoria Lucci (born December 23, 1946) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Erica Kane on the ABC daytime drama ''All My Children'' during that show's entire network run from 1970 to 2011. The character is considere ...
,
Debbi Morgan Deborah Ann "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. Morgan has appeared in a number of film and TV productions, and may be best known for the role of Angie Baxter–Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Morgan ...
,
Darnell Williams Darnell Williams (born 3 March 1955) is a British television actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jesse Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' from 1981 to 1988, and from 2008 to 2011, a role which has earned him two Daytime ...
, and
Michael E. Knight Michael Edward Knight (born May 7, 1959) is an American television actor, best known for his role as Tad Martin on ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Biography Knight was born in Princeton, New Jersey. He was educated at The Thacher School i ...
, along with ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
''s
Luke and Laura Luke and Laura Spencer are fictional characters, and the signature supercouple from the American daytime drama ''General Hospital''. Luke is portrayed by Anthony Geary, and Laura is portrayed by Genie Francis. Though other supercouples came befo ...
(
Anthony Geary Anthony Geary (born May 29, 1947) is a retired American actor. Geary is best known for playing the role of Luke Spencer on the ABC daytime drama ''General Hospital''. He originated the role of Luke in 1978, and went on to earn a record eight Day ...
and
Genie Francis Genie Francis (born May 26, 1962) is an American actress. She is best known for playing the role of Laura Spencer (General Hospital), Laura Spencer on the television soap opera ''General Hospital'' from 1977 to present, for which she won a Daytim ...
) and ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' Mrs. Chancellor (
Jeanne Cooper Wilma Jeanne Cooper (October 25, 1928 – May 8, 2013) was an American actress, best known for her role as Katherine Chancellor on the CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless'' (1973–2013). At the time of her death, she had played Kather ...
) to ''
The Oprah Winfrey Show ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'' is an American first-run syndicated talk show that was hosted by Oprah Winfrey. The show ran for twenty-five seasons from September 8, 1986, to May 25, 2011, in which it broadcast 4,561 episodes. The show was taped i ...
''. As a surprise, Winfrey shocked Lucci and the rest of the crowd by bringing back all of Erica's husbands. During February 2011, the
TV Land TV Land is an American pay television channel owned by Paramount Global through its networks division's MTV Entertainment Group. It was originally launched as Nick at Nite’s TV Land as a spinoff of Nick at Nite programing block consisting e ...
sitcom ''
Hot in Cleveland ''Hot in Cleveland'' is an American television sitcom aired on TV Land and starring Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick, and Betty White. The series, which was TV Land's first original series, premiered on June 16, 2010, and was ...
'' and ''All My Children'' did a crossover event. On the 16th and the 23rd, Lucci, Michael E. Knight, and Darnell Williams made guest appearances on the show. On the 24th,
Wendie Malick Wendie Malick (born December 13, 1950) is an American actress and former fashion model, known for her roles in various television comedies. She starred as Judith Tupper Stone in the HBO sitcom '' Dream On'' and as Nina Van Horn in the NBC sitco ...
guest-starred. On April 2, 2011, amid rumors of ''All My Children''s possible cancellation, ''
Soaps in Depth ''Soaps In Depth'' was an American entertainment magazine, formerly published as a series of biweekly print publications and currently as an online-exclusive publication, that is dedicated to coverage of daytime soap operas. Founded in 1997 by ...
'' broke the news via Twitter that longtime ''All My Children'' writer Lorraine Broderick had once again been named the show's head writer, replacing David Kreizman and Donna Swajeski.


Cancellation

On April 14, 2011, ABC confirmed that it would not renew both ''All My Children'' and ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'' after 41 and 43 years respectively, starting with ''All My Children'' ending its run on September 23, 2011, and with ''One Life to Live'' ending its run on January 13, 2012. Reasons for both shows' cancellations cited "extensive research into what today's daytime viewers want and the changing viewing patterns of the audience". It would be replaced by a new lifestyle show, ''
The Chew ''The Chew'' is an American cooking-themed talk show that aired for seven seasons from September 26, 2011, to June 28, 2018, having replaced the soap opera ''All My Children'', on ABC as part of the network's weekday daytime lineup. The name w ...
'', while its time slot on
SOAPnet Soapnet was an American basic cable network owned by the Disney–ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. The network's programming was oriented towards the soap opera genre; on launch, Soapnet carried primetime encores of ABC' ...
would be replaced by daily reruns of ''
Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that aired on the network NBC from November 8, 1965, to September 9, 2022; the soap has streamed n ...
''. In response to the cancellation of this, vacuum cleaner manufacturer
Hoover Hoover may refer to: Music * Hoover (band), an American post-hardcore band * Hooverphonic, a Belgian band originally named Hoover * Hoover (singer), Willis Hoover, a country and western performer active in 1960s and '70s * "Hoover" (song), a 201 ...
withdrew its advertising from all ABC programs in protest, going as far as running a campaign to get ABC to reverse its decision. On April 25, Cady McClain (ex-Dixie Cooney Martin) announced that she would be returning to ''All My Children'' but could not report what her storyline would be. Other former cast members announced to be returning to the series are
Ray MacDonnell Ray MacDonnell (March 5, 1928 – June 10, 2021) was an American television actor, best known for his role as Dr. Joe Martin, patriarch of the Martin family, on the daytime soap opera ''All My Children'', a role he played for 40 years. Early y ...
(Dr. Joe Martin),
Lee Meriwether Lee Ann Meriwether (born May 27, 1935) is an American actress and the winner of the 1955 Miss America pageant. She has appeared in many films and television shows, notably as Betty Jones, the title character's secretary and daughter-in-law in th ...
(Ruth Martin),
David Canary David Hoyt Canary (August25, 1938November16, 2015) was an American actor. Canary is best known for his roles as ranch foreman Candy Canaday in the NBC Western drama ''Bonanza'', and as Adam Chandler in the television soap opera ''All My Child ...
(Adam Chandler),
Julia Barr Julia Barr (born Julia Rose Buchheit on February 8, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American actress. Barr is most famous for her role on the soap opera ''All My Children'', playing the character of Brooke English. She played the role from ...
(Brooke English),
Thorsten Kaye Thorsten Kaye (born Thorsten Ernst Kieselbach, 22 February 1966) is a German-British-American actor. His best known roles include Patrick Thornhart on ''One Life to Live'', Dr. Ian Thornhart on ''Port Charles'', Zach Slater on ''All My Childr ...
(Zach Slater), Eva La Rue (Maria Santos),
Jennifer Bassey Jennifer Bassey (born July 22, 1939) is an American actress who has worked on both stage and screen. She is perhaps best known for her role as Marian Colby in the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' which she played on and off from 1983 until the ...
(Marian Colby), Kate Collins (Janet Dillon),
Esta TerBlanche Esta TerBlanche (7 January 1973 – 19 July 2024) was a South African actress, best known for her roles on television soap operas in both South Africa and the United States. Early life TerBlanche was born in Rustenburg, Transvaal (now North ...
(Gillian Andrassy-Lavery),
Josh Duhamel Joshua David Duhamel ( ; born November 14, 1972) is an American actor. After various modeling work, he made his acting debut as Leo du Pres on the ABC daytime soap opera ''All My Children'' for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award and later starr ...
(Leo du Pres),
Melissa Claire Egan Melissa Claire Egan is an American actress, best known for her roles as Annie Lavery on ''All My Children'' and Chelsea Lawson on ''The Young and the Restless''. Early years Egan was born to Mary and Dennis Egan, the middle of three children. ...
(Annie Lavery),
Leven Rambin Leven Alice Rambin (born May 17, 1990) is an American actress. She is known for playing look-alike half-sisters Lily Montgomery and Ava Benton on ''All My Children'', and for her recurring roles on ''Grey's Anatomy'' and '' Gone'', as well as '' ...
(Lily Montgomery),
Carol Burnett Carol Creighton Burnett (born April 26, 1933) is an American comedian, actress, singer and writer. Burnett has played dramatic and comedic roles on stage and screen. She has received List of awards and nominations received by Carol Burnett, nu ...
(Verla Grubbs), Jason Kincaid (Sam Brady), and
Sarah Michelle Gellar Sarah Michelle Prinze ( ; born April 14, 1977) is an American actress. After being spotted by a talent agent as a young child, she made her film debut at age six in the television film ''An Invasion of Privacy'' (1983). She had her first lead ...
playing a young woman who claims to see vampires (an allusion to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer story
Normal Again "Normal Again" is the 17th episode of season 6 of the television series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. The episode aired on March 12, 2002, on UPN. The Futon Critic named it the 35th best episode of 2002. The Trio summon a demon whose hallucin ...
). On July 7, 2011, the ''
New York Post The ''New York Post'' (''NY Post'') is an American Conservatism in the United States, conservative daily Tabloid (newspaper format), tabloid newspaper published in New York City. The ''Post'' also operates three online sites: NYPost. ...
'' reported that ABC had sold the licensing rights of ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'' to a TV-focused online channel being developed by TV, film and music production company
Prospect Park Prospect Park may refer to: Businesses * Prospect Park (production company), entertainment production company *Prospect Park Productions NZ, theatre company based in Dunedin, New Zealand Places New Zealand * Prospect Park, New Zealand, a portion ...
. ABC confirmed this via press release; as a result of Prospect Park's acquisition of the two soaps, ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'' would be the first soap operas to transition first-run broadcasts from traditional television to
internet television Streaming television is the digital distribution of television content, such as films and television show, television series, Streaming media, streamed over the Internet. Standing in contrast to dedicated terrestrial television delivered by Broadc ...
. Since the deal between ABC and Prospect Park is a
licensing agreement A license (American English) or licence (Commonwealth English) is an official permission or permit to do, use, or own something (as well as the document of that permission or permit). A license is granted by a party (licensor) to another part ...
, both soaps would continue to remain the property of ABC. On September 8, 2011, the original Ruth Martin, actress
Mary Fickett Mary Fickett (May 23, 1928 – September 8, 2011) was an American actress with roles in the American television dramas ''The Nurses'' and ''The Edge of Night'' as Sally Smith (1961) and Dr. Katherine Lovell (1967–68). She was best known as Ru ...
, died at age 83. The episode on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, was dedicated to her. On September 23, 2011, the series finale aired on ABC with open-ended stories. The final week featured Dr. Joe and Ruth Martin relocating to Pine Valley to cover recently arrested David Hayward's hospital duties. The return of
Adam Chandler Adam Chandler is a fictional character from the ABC and The Online Network daytime drama ''All My Children'', portrayed by David Canary from the autumn of 1983 through his departure on April 23, 2010, and briefly reprising the role for the series ...
and
Brooke English Brooke Allison English (formerly Cudahy, Chandler, and Martin) is a fictional character on the television soap opera ''All My Children''. Originated by Elissa Leeds on March 10, 1976, she was portrayed by Julia Barr from June 1976 to June 1981 a ...
coincided with the revelation that David had somehow resurrected
Stuart Chandler Stuart Chandler is a fictional character on American daytime drama ''All My Children''. He was a member of the powerful and wealthy Chandler family. He was portrayed by David Canary from October 1984 to May 28, 2009, and for a brief return dur ...
. Jackson Montgomery dissolved his relationship with Erica after she admitted that she prefers not to remarry. Unresolved is JR Chandler's plunge into insanity as he drunkenly aims a gun at a crowd of ''All My Children'' regulars during a welcome-home party for Stuart. The screen darkened before revealing the victim, leaving the story open for an eventual continuation with Prospect Park. On April 29, 2013, the revived series moved five years into the future after the original series finale on ABC. On November 11, 2013, it was confirmed by some of its actors that the series had once again been cancelled, this time by its online revival team.


Prospect Park's revival plan


Unsuccessful attempt

In August 2010, Prospect Park announced that it was shopping for a
cable network Cable television is a system of delivering television programming to consumers via radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted through coaxial cables, or in more recent systems, light pulses through fibre-optic cables. This contrasts with broa ...
to air ''All My Children'' in complementary to its future
internet television Streaming television is the digital distribution of television content, such as films and television show, television series, Streaming media, streamed over the Internet. Standing in contrast to dedicated terrestrial television delivered by Broadc ...
channel. Prospect Park officially began negotiations with the actors of ''All My Children'' on September 15, 2011. On September 19, 2011,
Cameron Mathison Cameron Arthur Mathison (born August 25, 1969) is a Canadians, Canadian-Americans, American actor and television host. From 1997 to 2011, he played Ryan Lavery in ''All My Children''. Since 2021, he has portrayed the role of Drew Cain on ''Gener ...
and
Lindsay Hartley Lindsay Hartley (born Lindsay Korman) is an American actress. She first came to attention with three long-running soap opera roles: Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald on '' Passions'', Cara Castillo on ''All My Children'', and Arianna Hernandez on ''Da ...
became the only actors that had agreed to continue the show with Prospect Park. Prospect Park initially intended for ''All My Children'' to begin its run on the internet on September 26, 2011, but ran into challenges. One challenge cited was a need to negotiate a new
contract A contract is an agreement that specifies certain legally enforceable rights and obligations pertaining to two or more parties. A contract typically involves consent to transfer of goods, services, money, or promise to transfer any of thos ...
with the union representing the actors of ''All My Children''. On September 27, 2011, Prospect Park announced that ''All My Children'' along with its sister soap ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'' would be relaunched in January 2012 on the company's new internet channel, The Online Network. But on November 10, 2011, several sources reported that Prospect Park had indefinitely suspended its plans to relaunch ''All My Children'' and that the company would concentrate solely on the higher-rated ''One Life to Live''. Reasons given for this decision were lack of funding coupled with Prospect Park not being able to sign enough cast members from ''All My Children''. On November 23, 2011, Prospect Park confirmed that it had officially suspended its attempt to produce both shows. Reasons given by Prospect Park for this decision included funding problems and poor negotiations with the unions representing the cast of both soaps. WGA and
AFTRA The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) was a performers' union that represented a wide variety of talent, including actors in radio and television, radio and television announcers and newspersons, singers and recording ...
, which respectively represented the writer and the actors, both expressed disappointment over Prospect Park's announcement.


2013 revival

On December 17, 2012, ''Deadline Hollywood'' reported that revival plans for ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'' had resurfaced. A few days later, it was reported that Prospect Park had secured studio place in Stamford, Connecticut, where both shows would be filmed. The show had been filmed in New York City from 1970 to 2010, and in Los Angeles from 2010 to 2011. Within the weeks following the reports,
Lindsay Hartley Lindsay Hartley (born Lindsay Korman) is an American actress. She first came to attention with three long-running soap opera roles: Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald on '' Passions'', Cara Castillo on ''All My Children'', and Arianna Hernandez on ''Da ...
,
Vincent Irizarry Vincent Michael Irizarry (born November 12, 1959) is an American actor. He was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 1985 and 2002, and won in 2009. Early life and education Irizarry grew up on Long Island, New York, and he is one of six childre ...
,
Debbi Morgan Deborah Ann "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. Morgan has appeared in a number of film and TV productions, and may be best known for the role of Angie Baxter–Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Morgan ...
,
Darnell Williams Darnell Williams (born 3 March 1955) is a British television actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jesse Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' from 1981 to 1988, and from 2008 to 2011, a role which has earned him two Daytime ...
,
Jordi Vilasuso Jordi Alejandro Vilasuso (; born June 15, 1981) is an American actor best known for originating the role of Tony Santos on the CBS soap opera ''Guiding Light'' from August 2000 until August 2003. He has also portrayed the roles of Griffin Cas ...
,
Jill Larson Jill Larson (born October 7, 1947) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Opal Cortlandt on the ABC daytime soap opera, ''All My Children'' (1989–2011, 2013), and as titular character in the 2014 supernatural horror film '' ...
,
Thorsten Kaye Thorsten Kaye (born Thorsten Ernst Kieselbach, 22 February 1966) is a German-British-American actor. His best known roles include Patrick Thornhart on ''One Life to Live'', Dr. Ian Thornhart on ''Port Charles'', Zach Slater on ''All My Childr ...
,
Cady McClain Cady McClain (born Katie Jo McClain; October 13, 1969) is an American actress, singer, and author. Career McClain's professional acting career began in 1978 at the age of 9, when she was featured in a commercial for Band-Aid bandages. Among ...
,
David Canary David Hoyt Canary (August25, 1938November16, 2015) was an American actor. Canary is best known for his roles as ranch foreman Candy Canaday in the NBC Western drama ''Bonanza'', and as Adam Chandler in the television soap opera ''All My Child ...
,
Julia Barr Julia Barr (born Julia Rose Buchheit on February 8, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American actress. Barr is most famous for her role on the soap opera ''All My Children'', playing the character of Brooke English. She played the role from ...
, and
Ray MacDonnell Ray MacDonnell (March 5, 1928 – June 10, 2021) was an American television actor, best known for his role as Dr. Joe Martin, patriarch of the Martin family, on the daytime soap opera ''All My Children'', a role he played for 40 years. Early y ...
were reported and/or confirmed to be returning to the show's revival, while
Susan Lucci Susan Victoria Lucci (born December 23, 1946) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Erica Kane on the ABC daytime drama ''All My Children'' during that show's entire network run from 1970 to 2011. The character is considere ...
would reportedly return for one episode,
Eden Riegel Eden Sonja Jane Riegel (born January 1, 1981) is an American actress. She portrayed Bianca Montgomery in the daytime drama ''All My Children'', and propelled the character into a gay icon, as well as a popular figure within the medium. Nominat ...
would return for a guest-arc,
Cameron Mathison Cameron Arthur Mathison (born August 25, 1969) is a Canadians, Canadian-Americans, American actor and television host. From 1997 to 2011, he played Ryan Lavery in ''All My Children''. Since 2021, he has portrayed the role of Drew Cain on ''Gener ...
might return to the revival in the future, and
Alicia Minshew Alicia Minshew (born May 28, 1974) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Kendall Hart on the daytime drama ''All My Children''. Early life and career Minshew was born in Plantation, Florida. Her mother is of Italian descent. H ...
would return for one episode with the possibility of returning in the future. Along with the returning stars, a number of new actors were cast, including
Ryan Bittle Ryan James Bittle (born March 21, 1976) is an American actor. He began appearing on television in 1994. Early life Bittle was born in La Crescenta, California, the son of Kathy Homewood, a nurse, and ICU director, and Jim Bittle, a Glendale fir ...
as
JR Chandler Adam "JR" Chandler Jr. is a fictional character from the American Broadcasting Company, ABC and The Online Network daytime drama ''All My Children''. He was portrayed by Jacob Young from 2003 to 2011, prior to Ryan Bittle taking over the role in 2 ...
,
Robert Scott Wilson Robert Scott Wilson (born November 9, 1987) is an American model and actor. He is recognized for portraying the roles of Ben Weston (Days of Our Lives), Ben Weston and Alex Kiriakis on ''Days of Our Lives''. He is also known for being the first ...
as
Pete Cortlandt Here is a list of characters who have appeared on the ABC Daytime and TOLN soap opera ''All My Children''. A Carter Anders *Jason Pendergraft (2013) Pine Valley Hospital doctor with an unknown past. Bill Anderson * James Pritchett (1989) ...
, Eric Nelsen as an SORAS, aged AJ Chandler, Denyse Tontz as an aged Miranda Montgomery, Saleisha Stowers, Sal Stowers as Cassandra Foster, and Jordan Lane Price as a newly created character, Celia Fitzgerald. On January 7, 2013, Prospect Park released an official statement confirming plans to revive ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'' on The Online Network, their internet production company. Prospect Park signed deals with SAG-AFTRA and Directors Guild of America, DGA for the soap opera's production. Former ''All My Children'' writer and producer Ginger Smith returned as the new executive producer and creator Agnes Nixon served as consultant. The new episodes were 30 minutes long and aired on
Hulu Hulu (, ) is an American Subscription business model, subscription streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. It was launched on October 29, 2007, initially as ...
, Hulu Plus, and
iTunes iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...
. Initially, 220 episodes of the show were ordered. The production company planned to shop the reboot to cable distributors beginning September 2013. The show schedule was four days a week (Monday-Thursday) with a Friday recap show, ''MORE All My Children'', to feature behind the scenes footage as well as interviews with the cast and to be hosted by Leslie Miller. The revival show began on April 29, 2013, and production began on February 25, 2013, in Connecticut, with ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'' taping in five-week rotations for 17 weeks. On May 17, 2013, The Online Network announced that ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'' would no longer air five days a week together, due to viewer ratings that reflect online viewing patterns rather than those of traditional television. Starting May 20, 2013, ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Life'' will be presented in a new schedule, with AMC airing on Mondays and Wednesdays and OLTL airing Tuesdays and Thursdays. The recap shows ''MORE All My Children'' and ''MORE One Life to Life'' will also combine as one show airing on Fridays. The following day on May 18, 2013, both shows were noticeably missing from the FX Canada website and schedule, and although they subsequently became available on iTunes Canada, it was later revealed that FX Canada dropped ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'' due to the reduction of episodes, as the carriage agreement had specifically called for the airing of four episodes per week of both shows. Due to the reduction, FX Canada stated that ''"the agreement is no longer valid"''. On May 20, 2013, the first episodes of the new ''All My Children'' and ''One Life To Live'' were available worldwide on The Online Network's YouTube page, ''TOLNSoaps''. On May 24, 2013, in a press release Prospect Park announced through Agnes Nixon that Snyder and McPherson will be out as co-head writers of ''All My Children'' and replaced by current script writers Lisa Connor and Chip Hayes. On June 5, 2013, due to a labor dispute with the I.A.T.S.E., International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'' were forced into an early Hiatus (television), hiatus with the writers, directors and editors still working; there were talks of production being moved out of state, but those plans were later shelved. On June 20, 2013, a deal was reached between Prospect Park and the Union, and taping will resume on August 12, 2013. On June 25, 2013, TOLN stated that there will be a scheduling switch for ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live''. Starting July 1, 2013, all episodes of the week for both shows would be released on Mondays. Beginning July 15, 2013, ''All My Children'' and ''One Life to Live'' aired for a 10-week limited engagement on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Monday through Thursday at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. ''All My Children'' aired a season finale on September 2, 2013. In November 2013, Prospect Park indicated it was suspending further production of both shows. No new episodes have been made since that time. In total, only 40 of each program were produced in the new online format. ABC regained the rights to ''All My Children'' in December 2016 following the dismissal of a lawsuit from Prospect Park against the broadcast network.


Aftermath primetime spin-offs

On December 17, 2020, ''Variety (magazine), Variety'' reported a primetime revival of ''All My Children'' was in early development at ABC, under the executive production of Mark Consuelos and
Kelly Ripa Kelly Maria Ripa (; born October 2, 1970) is an American actress and talk show host. Since 2001, she has been the co-host of the syndicated morning talk show '' Live! with Kelly and Mark'' in various formats. Her co-hosts have included Regis ...
. Leo Richardson—who previously worked on British soap opera ''EastEnders''—is also attached as executive producer and writer of the project. Per the report, the primetime revival would center around a "young journalist with a secret agenda comes to expose the dark and murderous history of a town named Pine Valley only to become entangled in a feud between the Kane and Santos families." In another report, ''Deadline Hollywood'' revealed the spinoff, ''Pine Valley'' was first proposed by Andrew Stern, who pitched the project to ABC via his deal with ABC Signature in 2019; he will serve as executive producer, alongside Consuelos, Richardson, Ripa and, Nixon's son, Robert Nixon. ''Deadline Hollywood'' further reported plans to invite former cast from the daytime incarnation to the spinoff, as well as potential appearances from Consuelos and Ripa themselves. On September 11th, 2024, A&E Networks announced that an ''All My Children'' holiday movie was in development for the Lifetime Network.


Cast and characters


Setting

Since the series began in 1970, the show has been set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictional suburb of Philadelphia. The town exists in the same fictional universe as other serial settings such as
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 ABC daytime dramas, including Pine Valley, Pen ...
(''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
''), Port Charles, New York (fictional city), Port Charles (''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'', ''
Port Charles ''Port Charles'' (commonly abbreviated as ''PC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from June 1, 1997, to October 3, 2003. It was a spin-off of the series ''General Hospital'', which has been running since 1963 and takes p ...
'', ''The Young Marrieds''),
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
(''
Ryan's Hope ''Ryan's Hope'' is an American soap opera created by Claire Labine and Paul Avila Mayer, airing for 13 years on ABC from July 7, 1975, to January 13, 1989. It revolves around the trials and tribulations within a large Irish-American family in ...
'') and Corinth ('' Loving'').


Crossovers

In 2000, ''All My Children'' was featured in a major crossover event that encompassed all the then existing ABC Daytime soap lineup. Linda Dano brought her ''One Life to Live'' character Rae Cummings, to Pine Valley, where she connected with her mother
Myrtle Fargate Here is a list of characters who have appeared on the ABC Daytime and TOLN soap opera ''All My Children''. A Carter Anders *Jason Pendergraft (2013) Pine Valley Hospital doctor with an unknown past. Bill Anderson * James Pritchett (1989) ...
. It was also revealed during that storyline, that longtime existing ''All My Children'' character
Skye Chandler Skye Chandler is a fictional character from the ABC soap operas ''All My Children'', ''One Life to Live'', and ''General Hospital''. Initially portrayed by Antoinette Byron, the role was then portrayed by Robin Christopher for most of the next ...
, was Rae's daughter. Skye, who had spent time on ''One Life to Live'' from 1999 to 2001, then followed Rae to Port Charles, the setting of the soaps ''General Hospital'' and ''Port Charles'', where she became a member of the Quartermaine family, and made appearances until 2012. ''All My Children'' has featured several crossovers with other ABC soaps, including an extensive 2004 'baby switch' storyline with ''One Life to Live'' which featured crossovers of over 20 characters between the two shows. In 2011, ABC did a comedic crossover with the
TV Land TV Land is an American pay television channel owned by Paramount Global through its networks division's MTV Entertainment Group. It was originally launched as Nick at Nite’s TV Land as a spinoff of Nick at Nite programing block consisting e ...
comedy ''
Hot in Cleveland ''Hot in Cleveland'' is an American television sitcom aired on TV Land and starring Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick, and Betty White. The series, which was TV Land's first original series, premiered on June 16, 2010, and was ...
'', in which fictitious actress Victoria Chase (portrayed by
Wendie Malick Wendie Malick (born December 13, 1950) is an American actress and former fashion model, known for her roles in various television comedies. She starred as Judith Tupper Stone in the HBO sitcom '' Dream On'' and as Nina Van Horn in the NBC sitco ...
but credited as Chase) does a cameo appearance on ABC alongside Susan Lucci. In the ''Hot in Cleveland'' storyline, Chase and Lucci (portrayed as herself) are daytime-TV contemporaries and rivals. In 2017, ''All My Children'' character Alex Marick appeared on ''General Hospital'', where she masqueraded as her sister Anna Devane. She made further appearances in 2019 and 2020. ''All My Children'' also gets mentioned in the sitcom ''Friends'' where the character Joey Tribbiani goes up for the part of "Nick the Boxer" in ''All My Children'' and convinces one of his students in his acting class to portray Nick as homosexual in an attempt to put the casting directors off. Much to Joey's disgust, the student gets the part. In addition the manager of the Central Perk coffeehouse, Gunther, reveals that he played Bryce in ''All My Children'' until his character was killed off.


Ratings

''For historical ratings information, see List of U.S. daytime soap opera ratings'' ;Years as No. 1 series


1970s ratings

1969–1970 season * 1. ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' 13.6 * 17. ''All My Children'' 4.4 (Debut) 1970–1971 season * 1. ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' 12.4 * 17. ''All My Children'' 4.8 1971–1972 season * 1. ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' 11.1 * 17. ''All My Children'' 5.7 1972–1973 season * 1. ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' 10.6 * 8. ''All My Children'' 8.2 (Tied with ''
The Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...
'') 1973–1974 season * 1. ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' 10.6 (Tied with ''
Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that aired on the network NBC from November 8, 1965, to September 9, 2022; the soap has streamed n ...
'' and '' Another World'') * 6. ''All My Children'' 9.1 1974–1975 season * 1. ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' 10.8 * 5. ''All My Children'' 9.3 1975–1976 season * 1. ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' 9.4 * 6. ''All My Children'' 8.1 (Tied with ''
Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...
'') 1976–1977 season * 1. ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' 9.9 * 6. ''All My Children'' 8.2 1977–1978 season * 1. ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' 8.6 (Tied with '' Another World'') * 3. ''All My Children'' 8.4 1978–1979 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''All My Children'' 9.0 * 6. ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'' 8.0


1980s ratings

1979–1980 Season (HH Ratings) (Nielsen) * 1. ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'' 9.9 * 2. ''All My Children'' 9.2 1980–1981 Season (HH Ratings) (Nielsen) * 1. ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'' 11.4 * 2. ''All My Children'' 9.1 (Tied with
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
) 1981–1982 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'' 11.2 * 2. ''All My Children'' 9.4 Highest rated week in daytime history (Week of November 16 – 20, 1981) (HH ratings) * 1. ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'' 16.0 (3–4pm) * 2. ''All My Children'' 10.2 (1–2pm) (#2 in viewers) * 2. ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'' 10.2 (2–3pm) (#3 in viewers) * 4. ''
Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...
'' 7.4 (3–4pm) * 5. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 7.0 (12:30–1:30 pm) 1982–1983 Season * 1. ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'' 9.8 * 2. ''All My Children'' 9.4 1983–1984 Season * 1. ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'' 10.0 * 2. ''All My Children'' 9.1 1984–1985 Season * 1. ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'' 9.1 * 2. ''All My Children'' 8.2 1985–1986 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'' 9.2 * 3. ''All My Children'' 8.0 1986–1987 Season * 1. ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'' 8.3 * 4. ''All My Children'' 7.0 (Tied with ''
Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that aired on the network NBC from November 8, 1965, to September 9, 2022; the soap has streamed n ...
'' and ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'') 1987–1988 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 8.1 (Tied with ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'') * 3. ''All My Children'' 7.7 (Tied with ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'') 1988–1989 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 8.1 * 4. ''All My Children'' 6.7


1990s ratings

1989–1990 Season (HH Ratings) (1 = 921,000 Homes) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 8.0 * 3. ''All My Children'' 6.5 1990–1991 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 8.1 * 3. ''All My Children'' 6.2 1991–1992 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 8.2 * 2. ''All My Children'' 6.8 1992–1993 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''The Young and the Restless'' 8.4 * 2. ''All My Children'' 7.3 1993–1994 Season (HH Ratings) (1 = 942,000 Homes) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 8.6 * 2. ''All My Children'' 6.6 1994–1995 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''The Young and the Restless'' 7.5 * 2. ''All My Children'' 6.1 1995 Ratings (Millions of Viewers) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 7.155 * 2. ''All My Children'' 5.891 * 3. ''
General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera created by Frank and Doris Hursley which has been broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC since April 1, 1963. Originally a half-hour seria ...
'' 5.343 * 4. ''The Bold and the Beautiful'' 5.247 * 5. ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'' 5.152 1995–1996 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 7.7 * 4. ''All My Children'' 5.3 1996–1997 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 7.1 * 5. ''All My Children'' 4.7 1997–1998 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 7.0 * 5. ''All My Children'' 4.2 1998–1999 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 6.9 * 5. ''All My Children'' 3.9


Primetime special

January 15, 1995: ''AMC 25th Anniversary'' (#56, 10.3/15 rating/share and 16.0 million viewers) (Competition: ''Murder, She Wrote'' on
CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...
(#16, 14.5/21 rating/share and 20.8 million viewers) and ''seaQuest DSV'' on
NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...
(#61, 9.7/14 rating/share and 16.5 million viewers)).


2000s ratings

1999–2000 Season (HH Ratings) (Nielsen) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 6.8 * 5. ''All My Children'' 3.9 2000–2001 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 5.8 * 6. ''All My Children'' 3.4 2001–2002 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 5.0 * 6. ''All My Children'' 3.3 2002–2003 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 4.7 * 5. ''All My Children'' 3.0 2003–2004 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 4.4 * 4. ''All My Children'' 2.9 2004–2005 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 4.2 * 4. ''All My Children'' 2.9 2005–2006 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 4.2 * 4. ''All My Children'' 2.6 2006–2007 Season (HH Ratings) * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 4.2 * 5. ''All My Children'' 2.3 2007–2008 Season (HH Ratings) * 1.''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 4.0 * 5. ''All My Children'' 2.2 2008–2009 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 3.7 * 5. ''All My Children'' 2.0


2010s ratings

2009–2010 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 3.7 * 5. ''All My Children'' 2.0 2010–2011 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 3.6 * 6. ''All My Children'' 1.9 (Final ABC Season) 2013–2014 Season * 1. ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'' 3.6 * 5. ''All My Children'' (First TOLN Season) 2.0


Record lows

The show reached a record low of 1,931,000 viewers on August 22, 2008. Its former low was 2,144,000 viewers on November 2, 2007. (Nielsen Media Research)


Ratings for final week on ABC

* Monday: 2,758,000 * Tuesday: 2,913,000 * Wednesday: 2,772,000 * Thursday: 3,031,000 * Friday: 3,475,000 ''All My Children'' had an overall increase of 495,000 viewers from the previous week, making it the second most watched daytime soap after ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
''. ''All My Children''s final episode on ABC beat the final episodes of the two previous canceled soaps on CBS: ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' and ''
Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...
''. What follows is a breakdown of "All My Children's" final weekly ratings performance: * Up 36% over its year-ago performance in Men 18+ viewers (596,000 vs 437,000) * Up 34% over its year-ago performance in Women 50+ viewers (1,576,000 vs 1,179,000) * Up 32% over its year-ago performance in Total Viewers (2,990,000 vs 2,270,000) * Up 29% over its year-ago performance in Women 18+ viewers (2,265,000 vs 1,755,000) * ''All My Children'' had its biggest week to week gain in total viewers since the week of December 27, 2004, when it gained 521,000 viewers. During the week of September 19, 2011, "AMC" gained 499,000 viewers.


Online viewership

''All My Children's'' first online episode premiered with impressive numbers. On
iTunes iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...
the show was the most downloaded TV season of the day, the 4th most downloaded episode of the day and on
Hulu Hulu (, ) is an American Subscription business model, subscription streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. It was launched on October 29, 2007, initially as ...
it was the most watched show of the day.


OWN viewership

On Oprah Winfrey Network, OWN, the series garnered over 144,000 viewers.


Schedule

The show aired on ABC Daytime for the entirety of its television run: * January 5, 1970 – July 4, 1975: 1:00–1:30 pm (12:00–12:30 pm, CT/PT) * July 7, 1975 – January 14, 1977: 12:30–1:00 pm (11:30 am â€“ 12:00 pm, CT/PT) * January 17, 1977 – April 22, 1977: 1:00–1:30 pm (12:00–12:30 pm, CT/PT) * April 25, 1977 – September 23, 2011: 1:00–2:00 pm (12:00–1:00 pm, CT/PT) From January 1970 to July 1975, the show aired for thirty minutes at 1 pm (12 p.m.), but when the new ''
Ryan's Hope ''Ryan's Hope'' is an American soap opera created by Claire Labine and Paul Avila Mayer, airing for 13 years on ABC from July 7, 1975, to January 13, 1989. It revolves around the trials and tribulations within a large Irish-American family in ...
'' premiered, ''All My Children'' was bumped up a half-hour to 12:30 pm (11:30 am). It returned to its original time slot in January 1977 and remained there until its September 2011 finale, expanding to sixty-minute episodes on April 25, 1977. At the time of the show's cancellation, ''All My Children'' aired Monday through Friday at 1 pm Eastern, with an option to air the show at noon (11 a.m. Central Time) for stations that air news in that time slot. Encores were aired on
SOAPnet Soapnet was an American basic cable network owned by the Disney–ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. The network's programming was oriented towards the soap opera genre; on launch, Soapnet carried primetime encores of ABC' ...
in primetime at 8 pm (7 p.m.), late nights at 1 am (midnight), and early mornings at 7 am (6 a.m.). The week's episodes aired in a marathon on Sunday nights at midnight (11 p.m.). Beginning April 29, 2013, new thirty-minute episodes are streamed on The OnLine Network (TOLN) via
Hulu Hulu (, ) is an American Subscription business model, subscription streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. It was launched on October 29, 2007, initially as ...
,
Hulu Plus Hulu (, ) is an American subscription streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. It was launched on October 29, 2007, initially as a joint venture between ...
and
iTunes iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...
at 2 am PST and 5 am EST every week, Monday through Thursday, and are available for viewing for one week on Hulu and indefinitely on Hulu Plus and iTunes. In Canada, also beginning on April 29, 2013, new episodes are available on cable network FX Canada at noon every Monday through Thursday.


International broadcasting

, new episodes are available for purchase worldwide via the
iTunes iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...
store. In Australia, ''All My Children'' aired on free to air channel 7TWO at 11 am weekdays. 7TWO screened episodes from 2007. It had previously aired on Network Ten in the late 1980s. In France, ''All My Children'', under the title ''La Force du Destin'' (''Strength of Destiny'') was aired on TF1 in March 2003, with episodes ten years behind the US during a week at 2:30 pm (after ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
''). But, because of a fall of the audience, the show was canceled. In Italy, ''All My Children'', under the title ''La valle dei pini'' (''Pine Valley''), started to air on Canale 5 in September 1985 at 2:30 pm, with episodes four years behind the US in January 1987, it was moved to another channel, Rete 4, always at 2:30 pm At the end of the decade, ''La valle dei pini'' began airing in late afternoon (and from September 1990 with only half US episode each evening), after a bunch of Latin American telenovelas and before ''General Hospital''. Then, in September 1991, the show was moved to 9:00 am ''All My Children'' was canceled in May 1992, with episodes at that time six years behind the US. , New Zealand, started airing ''All My Children'' on TV3 1 pm weekdays. TV3 airs episodes from 2010. TV3 has reportedly canceled their contract with ABC NETWORK after learning of the show's demise. ''All My Children'' was broadcast in South Africa on SABC3 from 2001 to 2014. For most of its run it was broadcast weekday afternoons, but for its last few years was broadcast weekday mornings. Episodes were four years behind the US. In Canada, starting April 29, 2013, new episodes of the revived series are available on cable network FX Canada at noon every Monday through Thursday, followed by new episodes of ''One Life to Live'' at 12:30, with same-day repeats airing at 5:00 pm (followed by ''One Life to Live'' at 5:30 pm). It previously aired on CTV Two 12 p.m. PT, 1 p.m. ET in Canada until its 2011 cancellation and Citytv stations in Calgary CKAL-TV, Edmonton CKEM-TV, and Winnipeg CHMI-TV. ''All My Children'' aired on CTV Television Network, CTV from 1970 to 1982 and on the CBC Television network from 1982 to 1998. In Solomon Islands, ''All My Children'' aired on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation Mondays to Friday at 1:00 pm In Israel, ''All My Children'' was broadcast on channel 2 from 1999 to 2005 at 4:30 after ''The Bold and the Beautiful''; in 2006, ''AMC'' moved to channel 1 until it was cancelled in 2007. The show started from 1994 episodes until 1997.


Awards, nominations and recognition

This is a list of the winners at the Daytime Emmy Awards; the show and its performers have received 360 nominations:


Daytime Emmys


Drama series and performer categories

* Drama Series: 1992; 1994; 1998 * Lead Actor:
Darnell Williams Darnell Williams (born 3 March 1955) is a British television actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jesse Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' from 1981 to 1988, and from 2008 to 2011, a role which has earned him two Daytime ...
(Jesse Hubbard (All My Children), Jesse Hubbard) 1985;
David Canary David Hoyt Canary (August25, 1938November16, 2015) was an American actor. Canary is best known for his roles as ranch foreman Candy Canaday in the NBC Western drama ''Bonanza'', and as Adam Chandler in the television soap opera ''All My Child ...
(
Adam Chandler Adam Chandler is a fictional character from the ABC and The Online Network daytime drama ''All My Children'', portrayed by David Canary from the autumn of 1983 through his departure on April 23, 2010, and briefly reprising the role for the series ...
and
Stuart Chandler Stuart Chandler is a fictional character on American daytime drama ''All My Children''. He was a member of the powerful and wealthy Chandler family. He was portrayed by David Canary from October 1984 to May 28, 2009, and for a brief return dur ...
) 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993, 2001 * Lead Actress:
Dorothy Lyman Dorothy Lyman (born April 18, 1947) is an American television actress, director, and producer. She is most known for her work as Gwen Frame on '' Another World'', on ''All My Children'' as the original Opal Sue Gardner, as Rebecca Whitmore on '' ...
(Opal Cortlandt) 1983;
Susan Lucci Susan Victoria Lucci (born December 23, 1946) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Erica Kane on the ABC daytime drama ''All My Children'' during that show's entire network run from 1970 to 2011. The character is considere ...
(
Erica Kane Erica Kane is a fictional character from the American ABC Daytime soap opera ''All My Children''. The character was portrayed by actress Susan Lucci from her debut on January 16, 1970, until the last broadcast television episode on September 23, 2 ...
) 1999 * Supporting Actor: Warren Burton (Eddie Dorrance) 1980;
Darnell Williams Darnell Williams (born 3 March 1955) is a British television actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jesse Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' from 1981 to 1988, and from 2008 to 2011, a role which has earned him two Daytime ...
(Jesse Hubbard (All My Children), Jesse Hubbard) 1983;
Michael E. Knight Michael Edward Knight (born May 7, 1959) is an American television actor, best known for his role as Tad Martin on ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Biography Knight was born in Princeton, New Jersey. He was educated at The Thacher School i ...
(
Tad Martin Tad Martin is a fictional character from the American daytime drama, ''All My Children''. Tad was played by three actors, according to the age of the character: Matthew Anton, John E. Dunn, and Michael E. Knight. Knight has portrayed the role on ...
) 2001;
Josh Duhamel Joshua David Duhamel ( ; born November 14, 1972) is an American actor. After various modeling work, he made his acting debut as Leo du Pres on the ABC daytime soap opera ''All My Children'' for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award and later starr ...
(Leo du Pres) 2002;
Vincent Irizarry Vincent Michael Irizarry (born November 12, 1959) is an American actor. He was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 1985 and 2002, and won in 2009. Early life and education Irizarry grew up on Long Island, New York, and he is one of six childre ...
(David Hayward) 2009 * Supporting Actress: Francesca James (Kelly Cole Tyler) 1980;
Dorothy Lyman Dorothy Lyman (born April 18, 1947) is an American television actress, director, and producer. She is most known for her work as Gwen Frame on '' Another World'', on ''All My Children'' as the original Opal Sue Gardner, as Rebecca Whitmore on '' ...
(Opal Cortlandt) 1982; Kathleen Noone (Ellen Dalton) 1987; Ellen Wheeler (Cindy Parker) 1988;
Debbi Morgan Deborah Ann "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. Morgan has appeared in a number of film and TV productions, and may be best known for the role of Angie Baxter–Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Morgan ...
(Angie Hubbard) 1989;
Julia Barr Julia Barr (born Julia Rose Buchheit on February 8, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American actress. Barr is most famous for her role on the soap opera ''All My Children'', playing the character of Brooke English. She played the role from ...
(
Brooke English Brooke Allison English (formerly Cudahy, Chandler, and Martin) is a fictional character on the television soap opera ''All My Children''. Originated by Elissa Leeds on March 10, 1976, she was portrayed by Julia Barr from June 1976 to June 1981 a ...
) 1990, 1998 * Younger Actor:
Michael E. Knight Michael Edward Knight (born May 7, 1959) is an American television actor, best known for his role as Tad Martin on ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Biography Knight was born in Princeton, New Jersey. He was educated at The Thacher School i ...
(
Tad Martin Tad Martin is a fictional character from the American daytime drama, ''All My Children''. Tad was played by three actors, according to the age of the character: Matthew Anton, John E. Dunn, and Michael E. Knight. Knight has portrayed the role on ...
) 1986, 1987 * Younger Actress:
Cady McClain Cady McClain (born Katie Jo McClain; October 13, 1969) is an American actress, singer, and author. Career McClain's professional acting career began in 1978 at the age of 9, when she was featured in a commercial for Band-Aid bandages. Among ...
(
Dixie Cooney Martin Dixie Cooney is a fictional character from ''All My Children'', an American soap opera on the ABC network. The character was initially portrayed by actress Kari Gibson from her debut in July 1988 until October of that year when she was replaced b ...
) 1990;
Sarah Michelle Gellar Sarah Michelle Prinze ( ; born April 14, 1977) is an American actress. After being spotted by a talent agent as a young child, she made her film debut at age six in the television film ''An Invasion of Privacy'' (1983). She had her first lead ...
(
Kendall Hart Kendall Hart is a fictional character from ''All My Children'', an American soap opera on the ABC network. The character was portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar from February 24, 1993, to July 3, 1995, and by Alicia Minshew from January 2002 u ...
) 1995;
Eden Riegel Eden Sonja Jane Riegel (born January 1, 1981) is an American actress. She portrayed Bianca Montgomery in the daytime drama ''All My Children'', and propelled the character into a gay icon, as well as a popular figure within the medium. Nominat ...
(
Bianca Montgomery Bianca Montgomery is a fictional character from the American daytime drama ''All My Children''. Until Eden Riegel assumed the role, portraying the character from July 2000 to January 2010, the character was portrayed solely by child actresses: L ...
) 2005; Brittany Allen (Marissa Chandler) 2011 * Lifetime Achievement:
Ray MacDonnell Ray MacDonnell (March 5, 1928 – June 10, 2021) was an American television actor, best known for his role as Dr. Joe Martin, patriarch of the Martin family, on the daytime soap opera ''All My Children'', a role he played for 40 years. Early y ...
(Joe Martin (All My Children), Joe Martin) 2004;
Ruth Warrick Ruth Elizabeth Warrick (June 29, 1916 â€“ January 15, 2005) was an American singer, actress and political activist, best known for her role as Phoebe Tyler Wallingford on ''All My Children'', which she played regularly from 1970 until her ...
(Phoebe Tyler Wallingford) 2004;
Agnes Nixon Agnes Nixon ( Eckhardt; December 10, 1922 – September 28, 2016) was an American television writer and producer, and the creator of the ABC soap operas ''One Life to Live'', ''All My Children'', as well as '' Loving'' and its spin-off '' The ...
(Creator) 2010


Show

* 1985 "Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team" * 1988 "Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team" * 1992 "Outstanding Drama Series" * 1994 "Outstanding Drama Series" * 1995 "Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team" * 1995 "Outstanding Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control" * 1995 "Outstanding Live and Tape Sound Mixing and Sound Effects" * 1996 "Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team" * 1997 "Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team" * 1998 "Outstanding Drama Series" * 1998 "Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team" * 1998 "Outstanding Makeup" * 1998 "Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing" * 1998 "Outstanding Live and Direct To Tape Sound Mixing" * 1999 "Outstanding Music Direction And Composition" * 2000 "Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design" * 2000 "Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling" * 2001 "Outstanding Achievement in Multiple Camera Editing" * 2001 "Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling" * 2002 "Outstanding Achievement in Casting" * 2002 "Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design" * 2002 "Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control" * 2002 "Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition" * 2003 "Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team" * 2003 "Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design" * 2003 "Outstanding Achievement in Casting" * 2003 "Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design" * 2003 "Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling" * 2003 "Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction" * 2003 "Outstanding Achievement in Makeup" * 2003 "Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series" * 2005 "Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series" (tied with ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'') * 2005 "Outstanding Achievement Multiple Camera Editing for a Drama Series" * 2005 "Outstanding Achievement in Makeup" * 2005 "Outstanding Live & Direct To Tape Sound Mixing" * 2007 "Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control" * 2008 "Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction/ Electronic Camera/Video Control" * 2009 "Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design" * 2009 "Outstanding Lighting Direction" * 2009 "Outstanding Live & Direct To Tape Sound Mixing" * 2009 "Outstanding Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control" (tied with ''
The Young and the Restless ''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in the fictional Genoa City (named after the real-life Genoa City, Wiscon ...
'') * 2010 "Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design" * 2010 "Outstanding Lighting Direction" * 2010 "Outstanding Makeup" * 2011 "Outstanding Hairstyling" * 2012 "Outstanding Live & Direct To Tape Sound Mixing" * 2012 "Outstanding Achievement Multiple Camera Editing for a Drama Series"


Individuals

* 1973 "Outstanding Achievement by an Individual in Daytime Drama"
Mary Fickett Mary Fickett (May 23, 1928 – September 8, 2011) was an American actress with roles in the American television dramas ''The Nurses'' and ''The Edge of Night'' as Sally Smith (1961) and Dr. Katherine Lovell (1967–68). She was best known as Ru ...
(Ruth Brent) #1 (The first daytime performer to win an Emmy) * 1980 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" Warren Burton (Eddie Dorrance) #3 * 1980 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series" Francesca James (Kitty Shea Davis/Kelly Cole Tyler) * 1980 "Outstanding Design For a Daytime Drama Series" * 1980 "Outstanding Achievement in Technical Excellence for a Drama Series" * 1982 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series"
Dorothy Lyman Dorothy Lyman (born April 18, 1947) is an American television actress, director, and producer. She is most known for her work as Gwen Frame on '' Another World'', on ''All My Children'' as the original Opal Sue Gardner, as Rebecca Whitmore on '' ...
(Opal Cortlandt) #1 * 1983 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series"
Dorothy Lyman Dorothy Lyman (born April 18, 1947) is an American television actress, director, and producer. She is most known for her work as Gwen Frame on '' Another World'', on ''All My Children'' as the original Opal Sue Gardner, as Rebecca Whitmore on '' ...
(Opal Cortlandt) #1 * 1983 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series"
Darnell Williams Darnell Williams (born 3 March 1955) is a British television actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jesse Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' from 1981 to 1988, and from 2008 to 2011, a role which has earned him two Daytime ...
(Jesse Hubbard (All My Children), Jesse Hubbard) * 1985 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series"
Darnell Williams Darnell Williams (born 3 March 1955) is a British television actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jesse Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' from 1981 to 1988, and from 2008 to 2011, a role which has earned him two Daytime ...
(Jesse Hubbard) * 1986 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series"
David Canary David Hoyt Canary (August25, 1938November16, 2015) was an American actor. Canary is best known for his roles as ranch foreman Candy Canaday in the NBC Western drama ''Bonanza'', and as Adam Chandler in the television soap opera ''All My Child ...
(
Adam Chandler Adam Chandler is a fictional character from the ABC and The Online Network daytime drama ''All My Children'', portrayed by David Canary from the autumn of 1983 through his departure on April 23, 2010, and briefly reprising the role for the series ...
/
Stuart Chandler Stuart Chandler is a fictional character on American daytime drama ''All My Children''. He was a member of the powerful and wealthy Chandler family. He was portrayed by David Canary from October 1984 to May 28, 2009, and for a brief return dur ...
) * 1986 "Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series"
Michael E. Knight Michael Edward Knight (born May 7, 1959) is an American television actor, best known for his role as Tad Martin on ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Biography Knight was born in Princeton, New Jersey. He was educated at The Thacher School i ...
(
Tad Martin Tad Martin is a fictional character from the American daytime drama, ''All My Children''. Tad was played by three actors, according to the age of the character: Matthew Anton, John E. Dunn, and Michael E. Knight. Knight has portrayed the role on ...
) #3 * 1987 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series" Kathleen Noone (Ellen Shepherd) * 1987 "Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series"
Michael E. Knight Michael Edward Knight (born May 7, 1959) is an American television actor, best known for his role as Tad Martin on ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Biography Knight was born in Princeton, New Jersey. He was educated at The Thacher School i ...
(Tad Martin) #3 * 1988 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series"
David Canary David Hoyt Canary (August25, 1938November16, 2015) was an American actor. Canary is best known for his roles as ranch foreman Candy Canaday in the NBC Western drama ''Bonanza'', and as Adam Chandler in the television soap opera ''All My Child ...
(Adam Chandler/Stuart Chandler) * 1988 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series" Ellen Wheeler (Cindy Parker Chandler) * 1989 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series"
David Canary David Hoyt Canary (August25, 1938November16, 2015) was an American actor. Canary is best known for his roles as ranch foreman Candy Canaday in the NBC Western drama ''Bonanza'', and as Adam Chandler in the television soap opera ''All My Child ...
(Adam Chandler/Stuart Chandler) * 1989 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series"
Debbi Morgan Deborah Ann "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. Morgan has appeared in a number of film and TV productions, and may be best known for the role of Angie Baxter–Hubbard on the ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Morgan ...
(Angie Baxter) #1 (Tied with Nancy Lee Grahn for ''Santa Barbara (TV series), Santa Barbara'') * 1990 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series"
Julia Barr Julia Barr (born Julia Rose Buchheit on February 8, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American actress. Barr is most famous for her role on the soap opera ''All My Children'', playing the character of Brooke English. She played the role from ...
(
Brooke English Brooke Allison English (formerly Cudahy, Chandler, and Martin) is a fictional character on the television soap opera ''All My Children''. Originated by Elissa Leeds on March 10, 1976, she was portrayed by Julia Barr from June 1976 to June 1981 a ...
) #2 * 1990 "Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series"
Cady McClain Cady McClain (born Katie Jo McClain; October 13, 1969) is an American actress, singer, and author. Career McClain's professional acting career began in 1978 at the age of 9, when she was featured in a commercial for Band-Aid bandages. Among ...
(
Dixie Cooney Martin Dixie Cooney is a fictional character from ''All My Children'', an American soap opera on the ABC network. The character was initially portrayed by actress Kari Gibson from her debut in July 1988 until October of that year when she was replaced b ...
) #2 * 1993 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series"
David Canary David Hoyt Canary (August25, 1938November16, 2015) was an American actor. Canary is best known for his roles as ranch foreman Candy Canaday in the NBC Western drama ''Bonanza'', and as Adam Chandler in the television soap opera ''All My Child ...
(Adam Chandler/Stuart Chandler) * 1995 "Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series"
Sarah Michelle Gellar Sarah Michelle Prinze ( ; born April 14, 1977) is an American actress. After being spotted by a talent agent as a young child, she made her film debut at age six in the television film ''An Invasion of Privacy'' (1983). She had her first lead ...
(
Kendall Hart Kendall Hart is a fictional character from ''All My Children'', an American soap opera on the ABC network. The character was portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar from February 24, 1993, to July 3, 1995, and by Alicia Minshew from January 2002 u ...
) #1 * 1998 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series"
Julia Barr Julia Barr (born Julia Rose Buchheit on February 8, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American actress. Barr is most famous for her role on the soap opera ''All My Children'', playing the character of Brooke English. She played the role from ...
(Brooke English) #2 * 1999 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series"
Susan Lucci Susan Victoria Lucci (born December 23, 1946) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Erica Kane on the ABC daytime drama ''All My Children'' during that show's entire network run from 1970 to 2011. The character is considere ...
(
Erica Kane Erica Kane is a fictional character from the American ABC Daytime soap opera ''All My Children''. The character was portrayed by actress Susan Lucci from her debut on January 16, 1970, until the last broadcast television episode on September 23, 2 ...
) * 2001 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series"
David Canary David Hoyt Canary (August25, 1938November16, 2015) was an American actor. Canary is best known for his roles as ranch foreman Candy Canaday in the NBC Western drama ''Bonanza'', and as Adam Chandler in the television soap opera ''All My Child ...
(Adam Chandler/Stuart Chandler) * 2001 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series"
Michael E. Knight Michael Edward Knight (born May 7, 1959) is an American television actor, best known for his role as Tad Martin on ABC soap opera ''All My Children''. Biography Knight was born in Princeton, New Jersey. He was educated at The Thacher School i ...
(Tad Martin) #3 * 2002 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series"
Josh Duhamel Joshua David Duhamel ( ; born November 14, 1972) is an American actor. After various modeling work, he made his acting debut as Leo du Pres on the ABC daytime soap opera ''All My Children'' for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award and later starr ...
(Leo du Pres) * 2004 "Lifetime Achievement Award"
Ray MacDonnell Ray MacDonnell (March 5, 1928 – June 10, 2021) was an American television actor, best known for his role as Dr. Joe Martin, patriarch of the Martin family, on the daytime soap opera ''All My Children'', a role he played for 40 years. Early y ...
(Joe Martin (All My Children), Joe Martin) * 2004 "Lifetime Achievement Award"
Ruth Warrick Ruth Elizabeth Warrick (June 29, 1916 â€“ January 15, 2005) was an American singer, actress and political activist, best known for her role as Phoebe Tyler Wallingford on ''All My Children'', which she played regularly from 1970 until her ...
(Phoebe Tyler Wallingford) * 2005 "Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series"
Eden Riegel Eden Sonja Jane Riegel (born January 1, 1981) is an American actress. She portrayed Bianca Montgomery in the daytime drama ''All My Children'', and propelled the character into a gay icon, as well as a popular figure within the medium. Nominat ...
(
Bianca Montgomery Bianca Montgomery is a fictional character from the American daytime drama ''All My Children''. Until Eden Riegel assumed the role, portraying the character from July 2000 to January 2010, the character was portrayed solely by child actresses: L ...
) #5 * 2009 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series"
Vincent Irizarry Vincent Michael Irizarry (born November 12, 1959) is an American actor. He was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 1985 and 2002, and won in 2009. Early life and education Irizarry grew up on Long Island, New York, and he is one of six childre ...
(David Hayward) (Tied with Jeff Branson for ''
Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...
''.) * 2010 "Lifetime Achievement Award"
Agnes Nixon Agnes Nixon ( Eckhardt; December 10, 1922 – September 28, 2016) was an American television writer and producer, and the creator of the ABC soap operas ''One Life to Live'', ''All My Children'', as well as '' Loving'' and its spin-off '' The ...
(Creator) * 2011 "Outstanding Younger Actress" Brittany Allen (Marissa Chandler) * 2014 "Best Original Song in a Drama Series" Denyse Tontz (Writer/Composer)


Writers Guild of America

* 1997 "Daytime Serials" * 1999 "Daytime Serials" * 2001 "Daytime Serials" * 2002 "Daytime Serials" * 2004 "Daytime Serials"


Directors Guild of America

* 2000 "Daytime Serials"; Casey Childs and Conal O'Brien (nomination) * 2001 "Daytime Serials"; Angela Tessinari (nomination) * 2003 "Daytime Serials"; Angela Tessinari (nomination) * 2004 "Daytime Serials"; Conal O'Brien (nomination) * 2006 "Daytime Serials"; Casey Childs (nomination) * 2007 "Daytime Serials"; Casey Childs (nomination) * 2009 "Daytime Serials"; Casey Childs (nomination) * 2011 "Daytime Serials"; Casey Childs and Angela Tessinari (nomination)


Other awards

In 2010, ''All My Children'' was nominated for a GLAAD Media Awards, GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Daily Drama" during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards.


Production


Executive producers


Head writers


Directors

Jill Ackles, Larry Auerbach, James A. Baffico, Jack Coffey (television director), Jack Coffey,
Jean Dadario Burke Jean Dadario Burke is an American television soap opera producer and director, most notably of the daytime television show ''All My Children''.SARAH KERSHAW, February 22, 1997, The New York Times12 Characters in Search of a Soap Opera, Again Retri ...
, Conal O'Brien, Casey Childs, Christopher Goutman, Sherrell Hoffman, Del Hughes, Henry Kaplan, Andrew Lee, Robert Scinto, Susan Simon, Diana B. Wenman, Anthony Pascarelli, Steven Williford, Christopher Goutman, Angela Tessinari, Michael V. Pomarico, Sonia Blangiardo, Habib Azar


Producers

Felicia Minei Behr Felicia Minei Behr (September 21, 1942 – March 2, 2025) was an American television producer and network executive who worked on three daytime serials. She helped launch ''All My Children'' and won two Emmys for Best Drama Series as executive p ...
, Jean Dadario Burke, Michael Laibson, Heidi Adam, Terry Cacavio, Casey Childs, Thomas DeVilliers, Lisa Connor, Linda Laundra, Stephen Schenkel, Nancy Horwich, Karen Johnson, Sonia Blangiardo, Vivian Gundaker, Dustin Fitzharris, Jennifer Salamone


Writers

Neal Bell, Clarice Blackburn, Bettina F. Bradbury, Craig Carlson, Cathy Chicos, Hal Corley, Christina Covino, Carolyn Culliton, William Delligan, Judith Donato, Caroline Franz, Sharon Epstein, Charlotte Gibson, Kenneth Harvey, David Hiltrand, Janet Iacobuzio, Anita Jaffe, Frederick Johnson (writer), Frederick Johnson, Susan Kirshenbaum, Kathleen Klein, N. Gail Lawrence, Mimi Leahey, Kathleen Klein, Karen Lewis, Taylor Miller, Victor Miller (writer), Victor Miller, Jane Owen Murphy, Juliet Law Packer, Michelle Patrick, John PiRoman, Pete T. Rich, John Saffron, Courtney Simon, Peggy Sloan, Elizabeth Smith,
Gillian Spencer Gillian Spencer (born December 18, 1939) is an American soap opera actress and writer. She had supporting roles on the soaps ''The Secret Storm'' as Lynn Wilkins Warren from 1961-1962 and ''The Edge of Night'' as Leora Davies in 1963 before joi ...
, Millee Taggart, Ralph Wakefield, Elizabeth Wallace, Addie Walsh, Mary K. Wells, Jack Wood (director), Jack Wood, Rodney Christopher, Laura Siggia, Moses Thomas Greene, Wisner Washam, Marlene Clark Poulter, Marlene McPherson, Elizabeth Snyder, Lisa K. Connor, Rebecca Taylor, and Suzanne V. Johnson.


Editors

Anthony Pascarelli, Mason Dickson, Marika Kushel Brancato, Ernie Generalli, Matthew Griffin, Corey Pitts, Myron Tookes, Teresa Cicala


Final ABC crew


Revival crew

''Season One''


Merchandising

The game company TSR, Inc. published the ''All My Children'' game in 1985, based on the series. The game sold over 150,000 copies. A DVD was released on January 24, 2004, titled ''Daytime's Greatest Weddings'' which contained ''All My Children'' and other daytime soaps' weddings. A line of perfume and body lotion based on the series was also produced. It has long since been discontinued, though pieces occasionally surface on personal sale sites.


See also

* List of longest-serving soap opera actors


References


External links


Official website
* * *
Soap Opera scripts, 1975–1989
Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. {{Authority control All My Children, 1970 American television series debuts 2011 American television series endings 2013 American television series debuts 2013 American television series endings 2013 web series debuts 2013 web series endings 1970s American drama television series 1980s American drama television series 1990s American drama television series 2000s American drama television series 2010s American drama television series 1990s American LGBTQ-related drama television series American television soap operas American drama web series Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series winners American English-language television shows GLAAD Media Award–winning shows Internet soap operas Television shows about alcohol abuse Lesbian-related television shows Television series by Disney–ABC Domestic Television American television series revived after cancellation Television shows about rape Television shows set in Pennsylvania Transgender-related television shows Television series created by Agnes Nixon American Broadcasting Company soap operas Companies based in Stamford, Connecticut Television shows filmed in New York City