Guiding Light

:

Season 41
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 30, 1952
Season #: 72, 71, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
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Summary: The late soap journalist Christopher Schemering once wrote that soap operas are not just dramas; "they're little pockets of American history." So it's only fitting to consider that at one time, "The Guiding Light,"-the longest running program in broadcast history, spanning 71 years-- brought fifteen-minute bits of escapism to war-weary housewives, as their men trudged off to fight the indignities of WWII. It brought social awareness to a nation that began to think about the big picture beyond their picket fences and suburban streets. Soap opera is a truly dynamic genre that reflects life as it is lived, the quintessential American art form. Although berated and belittled, the soap opera has an illustrious lineage, with no less than the books of Charles Dickins as an inspiration. Created by the legendary, if not iron-fisted Irna Phillips, "The Guiding Light" began its life on January 25, 1937. Originally, the show focused on the Chicagoan suburb of Five Points, a bustling enclave of German-Jewish immigrants hoping to find their own piece of the American dream. Giving them the hope and inspiration they needed was a kindly minister named Reverend John Ruthledge (voiced by Arthur Peterson of "Soap" fame). The Reverend's sermons of hope and forgiveness made such an impression that a bestselling book was published of his most popular homilies. The Reverend's message could be summed up by his favorite mantra from Edwin Markum "There is a destiny that makes us brothers, none goes his way alone, all that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own." On the desk near his window, the minister placed an old lantern, a "guiding light" to those parishioners passing in the cold, hopeless night. In the 1940's the Reverend Ruthledge enrolled as a chaplain to do his part of the war effort. However, when the production of the show moved to the west coast, Peterson refused to join them, so Irna Phillips had the minister die when his plane was shot down overseas. His "friendship lamp" went too with the production move to the town of Selby Flats, California. Reverend Matthews took over for the late Rev. Ruthledge as the center of hope and inspiration. However, by the time that the show was slated to move to television, the religious undertones of the show were virtually gone and the focus was moved yet again to the family Bauer. * Guiding Light was cancelled on April 1, 2009 and the last episode aired on September 18, 2009.

Details

Network: CBS
Genre(s): Drama
Seasons: 72, 71, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54, 53, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Cast Credit
Tom Tammi Jack Kiley (1992)
Amelia Marshall Gilly Grant Speakes (1989 - 1996)
Mark Pinter Mark Evans (1981 - 1983)/ Brad Green [#2] (2003 - 2004)
Allison Hirschlag Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Spaulding [#4] (Aug 12, 2002 - Jan 28, 2003)
Gil Rogers Hawk Shayne (1985-1992, 1995-1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009)
Marcy Walker Tangie Hill (1993 - 1995)
Vincent Irizarry Lujack (Brandon) Luvonaczeck (1984 - 1986)/Nick McHenry Spaulding (1991 - 1996)
Elissa Leeds Hope Bauer Spaulding(1968 - 1973)
Elizabeth Lawrence Bess Lowell (1993 - 1994)
Larkin Malloy Kyle Sampson (1984 - 1987)
Marj Dusay Alexandra Spaulding [2+4] (9/93-3/25/97; 11/98-2/99; 12/26/02-2009)
Paige Turco Dinah Marler [#2] (1987 - 1989)
Robert LuPone Leo Flynn (1990; 1992 - 1996; 2000)
Beth Ehlers Harley Davidson Cooper Spaulding Mallet Spaulding [1] (1987 - 93; 97 - 08)
Christina Pickles Linell Conway (1970 - 1972)
Mark Derwin A.C. Mallett (Aka Anthony Camaletti) (1990 - 1993)
Signy Coleman Annie Dutton (Aka Teri DeMarco) [#2] (Jul 30, 1998 - Jul 20, 1999; Jan 2003)
Rick Hearst Alan-Michael Spaulding [#2] (1990 - 1996)
Barbara Crampton Melinda 'Mindy' Lewis [#4] (1993 - 1995)
John Driscoll Henry Cooper "Coop" Bradshaw (9/2/04 - 2/17/2009)
Ryan Brown Harlen "Bill" Lewis III [#2] (1998 - 2001)
Scott Hoxby Patrick Cutter (1993 - 1995)
Ashley Peldon Marah Lewis [#1] (1989 - 1991)
Sherry Stringfield Christina Blake Thrope Marler (1989 - 1992)
Deborah May Renee DuBois (1979 - 1980)/Ivy Pierce (Aka Brenda Lowry) (1982-1983)
Wendy Moniz Dinah Marler Thorpe Jessup [#3] (Feb 20, 1995 - Feb 04, 1999)
Geoffrey Scott Billy Lewis [#2] (1993 - 1994)
Nia Long Kat Speakes (1991 - 1994)
Lisa Brown Nola Reardon Chamberlain (1980 - 1985; 1995 - 1997)
Roger Howarth Jory Andros (1992)
Linda Cook Brenda Jensen (2003)
Justin Deas Frank 'Buzz' Cooper Sr. (2/1993 - 9/2009)
Monti Sharp David Grant (1992 - 1995)
Hayden Panettiere Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Spaulding [#1] [Child] (1996 - 2000)
Ann Hamilton Melinda 'Mindy' Sue Lewis [#3] (1993)
John Fiore Vinny Salerno (2003 - 2004 )
Andrea Navedo Theresa Sandoval (1999 - 2000)
Allison Janney Ginger (1993 - 1995)
Amy Carlson Harley Cooper (1998; Temporary Replacement)
Melina Kanakaredes Eleni Andros Cooper [#1] (1991 - 1995)
Daniel Von Bargen Joe Morrison (1993)
Russ Anderson Dr. Christopher Langham (Jun 6, 2003 - 2004 )
Rose Alaio Helena Manzini (1981 - 1983)
Lee Lawson Bea Reardon (1981 - 1987; 1990)
Joe Lando Macauley West (1993)
Fiona Hutchison Jenna Bradshaw Cooper (1992 - 1994; 1996 - 1998)
Keith Charles Alex McDaniels (1976 )/Frank Nelson (1981)/Brandon Spaulding [#3] (1984)
Elizabeth Keifer Christina 'Blake' Thorpe Spaulding Marler (1992 - Present; Rec.)
Clarice Blackburn Edith Spurrier (1987 - 1988; 1992)
Jerry verDorn Ross Marler (1979 - 2005)
Dennis Parlato Roger Thorpe [#2] (1997 - 1998)
Stephen Martines Antonio 'Tony' Santos [2] (10/15/03 - 4/25/05)
Sherilyn Wolter George (1993)
Kurt McKinney Matt Reardon (1994 - 2000; 2005)
Laura Wright Cassandra "Cassie" Layne Winslow (Aug 1, 1997 - Present; Contract)
Hillary Edson Eve Guthrie Bauer (1992 - 1995)
David Fonteno Dr. Charles Grant (1995 - )
Robert Newman Joshua 'Josh' Lewis (Oct 1981-Dec 1984; Oct 1986-Jan 1991; Aug 1993-Sept 2009)
Jennifer Cooke Morgan Richards Nelson [#2] (1981 - 1983)
Margaret Gweneviere Dr. Margaret Sedwick (1979 - Present; Occ. Rec.)
Suzy Cote Samantha Marler (1989 - 1992)
Billy Kay Shayne Lewis [#6] (1999 - 2003)
Kimberley Simms Melinda 'Mindy' Lewis [#2] (1990 - 1992, 1997)
Morgan Englund Dylan Shayne Lewis (1989 - 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002)
Beth Chamberlin Beth Raines Bauer Spaulding Lemay Winslow (Aka Lorelei Hills) [#2] (1989 - 1991; 1997 - Present; Rec.)
Jay Hammer Fletcher Reade (1984 - 1999)
Maureen Garrett Holly Norris Bauer Thorpe Lindsay Reade [#2] (1976 - 1980; 1988 - Present; Rec. )
Melissa Hayden Bridget Reardon (1991 - 1997)
Ellen Parker Maureen Reardon Bauer (1986 - 1993; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2004)
Kristen Vigard Morgan Richards Nelson [#1] (Jan 1980 - 1981)
Audrey Peters Sarah Shayne (1985 - 1991; 1996; 1999)
Michael O'Leary Frederick 'Rick' Bauer (1983 - 91; 95 - Present)
Beverlee McKinsey Alexander Spaulding [#1] (1984 - 1992)
Toby Poser Amanda Spaulding Thorpe [#2] (1995 - 1998)
Lezlie Dalton Elizabeth Spaulding Marler (1977 - 1981)
Vince Williams Hampton 'Hamp' Speakes (1989 - 1995)
Michael Zaslow Roger Thorpe [#1] (1971 - 1980; 1989 - 1997)
Shawn Thompson Simon Hall Luvonaczek (1985 - 1987)
Jean Carol Nadine Corly Cooper Lewis Cooper (1988 - 1995; 2003)
Sonia Satra Lucy Cooper Spaulding (1993 - 1997)
Jordan Clarke Harlan 'Billy' Lewis II (1983-1987; 1989-1994; 1996; 1999-2009; Rec. )/Dr. Tim Ryan (1974-1976)
Jennifer Roszell Eleni Andros Cooper [#3] (1995 - 2000; 2001 - 2002)
Maeve Kinkead Vanessa Chamberlain Lewis Reardon (6/1980-8/1981; 2/1982-1987; 7/1989-7/2000; 6/2002; 4-5/2005; 2/2006-9/2009)
William Roerick Dr. Bruce Banning (1974) / Henry Chamberlain (1980 - 1996)
Jocelyn Seagrave Julie Camaletti [#1] (1991 - 1994)
Frank Dicopoulos Frank Achilles Cooper Jr. (10/31/1987 - 9/2009)
Amy Ecklund Abigail Blume Bauer (1995 - 2000)
Rachel Miner Michelle Bauer [#1] [Child] (1989 - 1995)
Don Stewart Mike Bauer (1968 - 1984)
Miles Williams Roger Joshua "R.J." Winslow [Child] (2004 - Present; Rec.)
Peter Simon Dr. William Edward "Ed" Bauer (1981 - 1984; 1986 - 1996; 2002 - 2004)
Nancy St. Alban Michelle Bauer Santos [#4] (2000 - Present; Contract)
Brett Cooper Shayne Joshua Lewis [#1] [Child] (1993 - 1997)
Kimberly J. Brown Marah Lewis [#2] [Child] (1993 - 1998)
Bradley Cole Richard Winslow (1999-2003)/ Jeffrey O'Neill (2003-2009)
Casey Rosenhaus Marina Cooper [Infant] [#1] (1993 - 1996)
Eddie Mekka Grady (1992 - 1993)
Kevin McClatchy Vinnie Morrison (1993)
Tina Sloan Lillian Raines (1983-2009)
Petronia Paley Vivian Grant (1992 - 1997; 1998)
George Alvarez Father Ray Santos [2] (3/30/1999-2007; 2008-2009; Rec.)
Frances Foster Vera (1985 - 1992; 1993 - 1994)
Harley Venton Derek Colby (1979 - 1982; 1983)
Evan Farmer Steve (1998 - 1999)
Ethan Erickson Anthony James (J) Chamberlain [#2] (1996 - 1998)
David Bishins Daniel St. John (1990 - 1992)
Gregory Burke Ben (Sampson) Reade [#1] [Child] (1989 - 1996)
Cynthia Hayden Dr. Eileen Lyndon (1987 - 1989)
Patricia Roe Dr. Sara McIntyre Gantry Werner Blackford Thorpe (1967 - 1968)
Larry Gates H.B. Harlan Lewis (1983 - 1996)
Robert Burr Professor Blackburn (1986)
Robin Middleton Debby Henderson, R.N. (1989 - 1992)
Bryan Buffinton Harlan 'Billy' Lewis III [#1] [Child] (1989 - 1998)
Ted Sorel Eric Luvonaczek (1992)
Eugene Troobnick Stavros Kouperakis (1991 - 1995)
James M. Gregory Jory Andros (1992 - 1994)
John Syragakis Ari Andros Spaulding Cooper (1992 - 1994)
Irna St. Paul Ya Ya Andros (1992 - 1994)
Nadine Kay Musette (1992)
Joe Petruzzi Giancarlo Marino (1991)
Leonard Stabb Hart Jessup (1993)
Kevin Mambo Marcus Williams (1995 - 1998)
Meg Anderson Maggie (1993 - 1995)
Lauren C. Mayhew Marah Lewis [#3] (1998 - 1999)
Wendy Kaplan Eleni Andros Spaulding Cooper [#2] (1994 - 1995)
Alysia Zucker Marina Cooper [#1] [Child] (1993 - 1996)
Nancy Bell Susan Bates Spaulding (1995-1996)

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