Guiding Light

:

Season 46
  • 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)
Sharon Leal Dahlia Crede (1996 - 1998)
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)
Elizabeth Lawrence Bess Lowell (1993 - 1994)
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)
Shari Headley Felicia Boudreau [#1] (Aug 30, 2001 - Mar 7, 2002)
Michael Tylo Quint McCord Chamberlin [#1] (1981 - 1986; 1996 - 1997)
Michael Woods Dr. James Reardon (1983 - 1985)
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)
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)
Jennifer Gatti Dinah Marler [#1] (1986 - 1987)
Ryan Brown Harlen "Bill" Lewis III [#2] (1998 - 2001)
Brody Hutzler Zachary Smith (1996 - 1997)
Elizabeth Dennehy Christina Bauer Thorpe (1988-1989)
Sherry Stringfield Christina Blake Thrope Marler (1989 - 1992)
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)
Kathryn Hays Leslie Jackson (1971)
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)
Barbara Garrick Charlotte Wheaton (1985)
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)
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)
Miriam Colón Maria Santos [#2] (1999 - 2003)
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.)
Alexandra Neil Rose McClaren Shayne (1987 - 1988)
Jerry verDorn Ross Marler (1979 - 2005)
Teri Keane Lainie Bauer Marler Bowden [#2] (1988)
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)
Hillary Edson Eve Guthrie Bauer (1992 - 1995)
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
Jennifer Cooke Morgan Richards Nelson [#2] (1981 - 1983)
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)
Tom Nielson Floyd Parker (1979 - 1985)
Beth Chamberlin Beth Raines Bauer Spaulding Lemay Winslow (Aka Lorelei Hills) [#2] (1989 - 1991; 1997 - Present; Rec.)
Matthew Bomer Benjamin "Ben" (Sampson) Reade (Oct 23, 2001 - Jul 31, 2003)
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)
Kristi Ferrell Roxie Shayne (1984 - 1988)
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)
Kathleen Cullen Amanda Spaulding [#1] (1978 - 1983; 1987)
Vince Williams Hampton 'Hamp' Speakes (1989 - 1995)
Michael Zaslow Roger Thorpe [#1] (1971 - 1980; 1989 - 1997)
Oliver Macready Henry "Romeo" Jones (July 24th, 2001 - June 17th, 2002)
Frank Grillo Hart Jessup [#5] (1996 - 1999)
Tammy Blanchard Drew Jacobs (Aug 7, 1997 - Jul 25, 2000)
Shawn Thompson Simon Hall Luvonaczek (1985 - 1987)
Jean Carol Nadine Corly Cooper Lewis Cooper (1988 - 1995; 2003)
Patrick O'Connell Neil Everest (1989 - 1990)
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)
Troy Kurtis Nico Castaño (Aug 28, 2003 - May 2004)
Frank Dicopoulos Frank Achilles Cooper Jr. (10/31/1987 - 9/2009)
Amy Ecklund Abigail Blume Bauer (1995 - 2000)
Paulo Benedeti Jesse Blue (1997 - 2000)
Don Stewart Mike Bauer (1968 - 1984)
Michael Allen Mike Bauer [#2] [Child] (Jan 1959 - 1962)
Mary Stuart Meta Bauer [#6] (1996 - 2002)
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)
Robert Cuccioli Chief Franklin (2002? - 2003)
Casey Rosenhaus Marina Cooper [Infant] [#1] (1993 - 1996)
Sasha Martin Marina Cooper [#2][Child] (1996 - 1999)
Elizabeth Hobgood May Merisi (Aka Mary Murto) (Sept 26, 2000 - Apr 20, 2001)
Joseph Lambie George Stewart (1987 - 1988)
Kevin McClatchy Vinnie Morrison (1993)
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.)
Michael Philip Dr. Ethan Pierce (2002)
Anthony Addabbo Jim Lemay (Dec 11, 1998 - Dec 19, 2000)
Lawrence Weber Clarence Bailey (1982 - 1985; 1987 - 1990)
Evan Farmer Steve (1998 - 1999)
Ethan Erickson Anthony James (J) Chamberlain [#2] (1996 - 1998)
Chris Payne Gilbert Steve (1998)
Christian Camargo Mark Endicott (1998)
Erin Cottrell Camille Baptiste (2001 - 2002)
Gregory Burke Ben (Sampson) Reade [#1] [Child] (1989 - 1996)
Mary Peterson Nell Cleary (1995 - 1996)
Robert Turano Bernardo Sandoval (1999 - 2001)
Gloria Irizarry Maria Santos [#1] (1999)
Cynthia Hayden Dr. Eileen Lyndon (1987 - 1989)
Rita Lloyd Lucille Wexler (1978 - 1980)
Ed Penn Gordon Matthews (1986)
Kimi Parks Dorie Smith Von Halkein [Child] (1986 - 1987)
Bryan Buffinton Harlan 'Billy' Lewis III [#1] [Child] (1989 - 1998)
John Syragakis Ari Andros Spaulding Cooper (1992 - 1994)
Ramy Zada Jeffrey Morgan (1997 - 1998)
Fran Bennett Matson (1965 - 1966)
Kevin Mambo Marcus Williams (1995 - 1998)
Sophie Hayden Lucia Renaldi (Aka Regina Tessori) (2003)
Nina Landey Cassie Lawrence (1995 - 1996)
Magaly Colimon Ruth Lockhart (1999 - 2001)
Kim Brockington Felicia Boudreau [#2] (May 6th, 2002 - Present; Rec.)
Katie Sagona Tammy Layne Winslow [#1] [Child] (1997 - 2002)
Joseph Murphy Carl Stevens (1998)
Judith Blazer Marissa Spencer (1999)
Fay Wolf Sunny Adelman (2002)
Tony Michael Donnelly Shayne Joshua Lewis [#3] [Child] (1999)
Lauren C. Mayhew Marah Lewis [#3] (1998 - 1999)
Meghan Wolf Monica Parker (2002 - 2003)
Garrett Stevens Shayne Lewis [#2] [Child] (1997 - 1999)
Alysia Zucker Marina Cooper [#1] [Child] (1993 - 1996)
Juan Hernández Mick Santos (1998)

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