Guiding Light

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Season 45
  • 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
Mark Lewis Kurt Corday (1985 - 1986)
Mary Kay Adams India Von Halkein Spaulding (1984 - 1987; 1990 - 1991; 1998 - 1999; 2002)
Sharon Leal Dahlia Crede (1996 - 1998)
Amelia Marshall Gilly Grant Speakes (1989 - 1996)
Gil Rogers Hawk Shayne (1985-1992, 1995-1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009)
Vincent Irizarry Lujack (Brandon) Luvonaczeck (1984 - 1986)/Nick McHenry Spaulding (1991 - 1996)
Rebecca Budig Michelle Bauer [#2] (1995 - 1998)
Terrell Anthony Rusty Shayne (1986 - 1989,1990,1996-97,1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Grant Aleksander Phillip Spaulding [2+4] (Jun 1982 - Dec 1984; Jan 1987 - Feb 1991; May 1996 - Nov 2004)
Marj Dusay Alexandra Spaulding [2+4] (9/93-3/25/97; 11/98-2/99; 12/26/02-2009)
Michael Tylo Quint McCord Chamberlin [#1] (1981 - 1986; 1996 - 1997)
Jason Olive Adrian 'Sugar' Hill (#1) (1997)
Robert Gentry Dr. William "Ed" Bauer[#2 + #7] (1966 - 1969; 1997 - 1998)
Robert LuPone Leo Flynn (1990; 1992 - 1996; 2000)
Warren Burton Warren Andrews (1983 - 1987)
Beth Ehlers Harley Davidson Cooper Spaulding Mallet Spaulding [1] (1987 - 93; 97 - 08)
Stephanie Gatschet Tammy Layne Winslow [#2] (Jul 5, 2002 - Present; Contract)
Josh Taylor Quinton 'Quint' McCord Chamberlain (Aka Sean Ryan) [#2] (1997)
Signy Coleman Annie Dutton (Aka Teri DeMarco) [#2] (Jul 30, 1998 - Jul 20, 1999; Jan 2003)
Rick Hearst Alan-Michael Spaulding [#2] (1990 - 1996)
Jennifer Gatti Dinah Marler [#1] (1986 - 1987)
Barbara Crampton Melinda 'Mindy' Lewis [#4] (1993 - 1995)
Brody Hutzler Zachary Smith (1996 - 1997)
Robert Bogue Anthony Camaletti (Aka A. C.) Mallet (4/15/2005-9/2009)
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)
Cynthia Watros Annie Dutton Bauer Lewis (Dec 9, 1994 - Feb 23, 1998)
Lisa Brown Nola Reardon Chamberlain (1980 - 1985; 1995 - 1997)
Benjamin Hendrickson Silas Crocker (1981 - 1983)
Barbara Berjer Barbara Norris (1971 - 1981; 1989; 1995-1996)
Justin Deas Frank 'Buzz' Cooper Sr. (2/1993 - 9/2009)
Monti Sharp David Grant (1992 - 1995)
Hunt Block Ben Warren [#2] (Nov 4, 1997 - Nov 16, 1999)
Hayden Panettiere Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Spaulding [#1] [Child] (1996 - 2000)
Taye Diggs Adrian "Sugar" Hill [#2] (1997)
Mark Feuerstein Dr. Steven Levine (1997)
Andrea Navedo Theresa Sandoval (1999 - 2000)
Amy Carlson Harley Cooper (1998; Temporary Replacement)
Thom Christopher Colonel Dax (Jul 1999 - Feb 19, 2002; 2003)
Russ Anderson Dr. Christopher Langham (Jun 6, 2003 - 2004 )
Peter Brouwer Max Blume (1995 - 1996)
John Bolger Phillip Spaulding (1985 - 1986)
Fiona Hutchison Jenna Bradshaw Cooper (1992 - 1994; 1996 - 1998)
Elizabeth Keifer Christina 'Blake' Thorpe Spaulding Marler (1992 - Present; Rec.)
Clarice Blackburn Edith Spurrier (1987 - 1988; 1992)
Charissa Chamorro Victoria 'Tory' Granger (Sept 19, 2001 - Jul 16, 2002)
Alexandra Neil Rose McClaren Shayne (1987 - 1988)
Jerry verDorn Ross Marler (1979 - 2005)
Krista Tesreau Melinda 'Mindy' Lewis [1] (5/26/1983-4/1989; 10/2002; 3/6/2009-9/18/2009)
Dennis Parlato Roger Thorpe [#2] (1997 - 1998)
Stephen Martines Antonio 'Tony' Santos [2] (10/15/03 - 4/25/05)
Kurt McKinney Matt Reardon (1994 - 2000; 2005)
Laura Wright Cassandra "Cassie" Layne Winslow (Aug 1, 1997 - Present; Contract)
Peter Hermann Dr. Michael Burke (1997 - 1998)
David Fonteno Dr. Charles Grant (1995 - )
Robert Newman Joshua 'Josh' Lewis (Oct 1981-Dec 1984; Oct 1986-Jan 1991; Aug 1993-Sept 2009)
Kim Zimmer Reva Shayne Lewis Spaulding Lewis Winslow Cooper Lewis (Nov 18,1983 - Jul 23,1990; Apr 25,1995 - Present; Contract)/ "Dolly Lewi
Margaret Gweneviere Dr. Margaret Sedwick (1979 - Present; Occ. Rec.)
Rebecca Hollen Trish Lewis Norris (1980 - 1985; 1997; 2002)
Kimberley Simms Melinda 'Mindy' Lewis [#2] (1990 - 1992, 1997)
Lindsey McKeon Marah Lewis [#5] (Nov 6 2001 - Apr 16 2004)
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.)
Ron Raines Alan Spaulding [3] (7/1994-7/15/2009)
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)
Christopher Bernau Alan Spaulding [#1] (1977 - 1984, 1986 - 1988)
Michael O'Leary Frederick 'Rick' Bauer (1983 - 91; 95 - Present)
Michael Dietz Alan-Michael Spaulding [#3] (1996 - 1997)
Toby Poser Amanda Spaulding Thorpe [#2] (1995 - 1998)
Lezlie Dalton Elizabeth Spaulding Marler (1977 - 1981)
Michael Zaslow Roger Thorpe [#1] (1971 - 1980; 1989 - 1997)
Frank Grillo Hart Jessup [#5] (1996 - 1999)
Tammy Blanchard Drew Jacobs (Aug 7, 1997 - Jul 25, 2000)
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)
Paulo Benedeti Jesse Blue (1997 - 2000)
Mary Stuart Meta Bauer [#6] (1996 - 2002)
Linda McCullough Hillary Bauer [#1] (1977 - 1978)
Peter Simon Dr. William Edward "Ed" Bauer (1981 - 1984; 1986 - 1996; 2002 - 2004)
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)
Sasha Martin Marina Cooper [#2][Child] (1996 - 1999)
Joseph Lambie George Stewart (1987 - 1988)
Marcus Smythe Gordon Middleton (1978 - 1979)
Geoffrey C. Ewing Griffin Williams (1995 - 1998)
Orlagh Cassidy Doris Wolfe (5/1998-9/2009)
Tina Sloan Lillian Raines (1983-2009)
Petronia Paley Vivian Grant (1992 - 1997; 1998)
Rebecca Staab Jessica Lynn 'Jessie' Matthews (1985 - 1987)
George Alvarez Father Ray Santos [2] (3/30/1999-2007; 2008-2009; Rec.)
Lawrence Weber Clarence Bailey (1982 - 1985; 1987 - 1990)
Harley Venton Derek Colby (1979 - 1982; 1983)
Evan Farmer Steve (1998 - 1999)
Ethan Erickson Anthony James (J) Chamberlain [#2] (1996 - 1998)
Chris Payne Gilbert Steve (1998)
Gregory Burke Ben (Sampson) Reade [#1] [Child] (1989 - 1996)
Mary Peterson Nell Cleary (1995 - 1996)
Frederick Rolf Edward Bernhoff (1980)
Leslie Denniston Maeve Stoddard Sampson Reade (1985 - 1988)
Cynthia Hayden Dr. Eileen Lyndon (1987 - 1989)
Larry Gates H.B. Harlan Lewis (1983 - 1996)
Robert Burr Professor Blackburn (1986)
Bryan Buffinton Harlan 'Billy' Lewis III [#1] [Child] (1989 - 1998)
Stanley Albers Parlier, M.D. (1988 - 1989)
Irna St. Paul Ya Ya Andros (1992 - 1994)
William Bumiller Sean McCullough (1998 - 1999)
Ramy Zada Jeffrey Morgan (1997 - 1998)
Fran Bennett Matson (1965 - 1966)
Kevin Mambo Marcus Williams (1995 - 1998)
Tandy Cronyn Charlotte Blume (1995 - 1996)
Marc Wolf Brent Lawrence [#2] (Jan 1996 - Feb 1996)
Nina Landey Cassie Lawrence (1995 - 1996)
Katie Sagona Tammy Layne Winslow [#1] [Child] (1997 - 2002)
Lauren C. Mayhew Marah Lewis [#3] (1998 - 1999)
Hayley Sparks Harley Cooper [#3] (1999; 2001; 2002; Temporary Recast)
Garrett Stevens Shayne Lewis [#2] [Child] (1997 - 1999)
Alysia Zucker Marina Cooper [#1] [Child] (1993 - 1996)
Frank Beaty Brent Lawrence (Aka Marian Crane) [#1] (Mar 1995 - Jun 27, 1995; Aug 14, 1995 - Feb 1996)
Stuart Ambrose John Schmidt (Nov 8 - 11, 2002)
Nancy Bell Susan Bates Spaulding (1995-1996)

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