Mike Karr is a fictional character in the long-running

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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 ...

The Edge of Night ''The Edge of Night'' is an American mystery crime drama soap opera, created by Irving Vendig and produced by Procter & Gamble Productions. It debuted on CBS on April 2, 1956, and ran as a live broadcast on that network for most of its ...

''. A tireless crime-fighter, Karr was introduced as a cop finishing law school. This character evolved from the earlier

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and four short stories, all of which involve a ...

character on radio. He then progressed to the District Attorney's office as an ADA, hung his own shingle as a defense attorney for several years, then became DA of Monticello. Karr was played by three actors: John Larkin (radio's

) from the show's debut in April 1956 to October 1961, Laurence Hugo from November 1961 to June 1, 1971, then Forrest Compton from June 2, 1971 until the show ended on December 28, 1984. Mike Karr was the only character on ''The Edge of Night'' to last the entire run of the series. Mike appeared in both the premiere episode April 2, 1956, and the final telecast on December 28, 1984.

Storylines

Mike and Sara Lane (Teal Ames) were dating at the beginning of the series and had enormous chemistry together. Their relationship was filled with tenderness, humor, gentle sparring, and enormous devotion for one another. Mike and Sara married on February 26, 1957, following his recovery from a potentially fatal gunshot wound. They enjoyed nearly five years of happiness together before Sara died on February 22, 1961. After a respectable period of mourning for his late wife Sara, Mike began dating reporter Nancy Pollock (

Ann Flood Ann Flood (born Maryanne Elizabeth Ott; November 12, 1932 – October 7, 2022) was an American actress, best known for her role as journalist and author Nancy Pollock Karr in the soap opera ''The Edge of Night'', a role she began in 1962. Floo ...

). They were married on April 22, 1963. The couple enjoyed one of the most stable marriages in soap opera history despite the constant threat of murder and mayhem (much of it introduced due to Mike's involvement with the Crime Commission). Mike and Nancy's relationship was severely tested in the fall of 1976 as Nancy became embroiled in the machinations of criminals Beau Richardson and Tony Saxon. The secrets and conflicts surrounding Beau's secret threats against Timmy Faraday prompted Nancy to separate from Mike and move into an apartment. After Beau's murder, the Karrs reconciled. Mike was tried and convicted for Beau's murder in the fall of 1977, but after receiving a suspended sentence, Mike was ultimately exonerated.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Karr, Mike The Edge of Night characters Fictional American lawyers Fictional American detectives Fictional American police officers Television characters introduced in 1956 American male characters in soap operas Fictional police officers in soap operas