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Remembering the Emmy-Winning Soap Superstar We Lost 24 Years Ago Today: A Force to Be Reckoned With… That You Did *Not* Want to Reckon With
Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
Michael Zaslow was brilliant and strong, charismatic and intimidating as hell.
I only had one occasion to interview Michael Zaslow in my career as a soap journalist, in the mid-1990s. I and a bunch of other daytime-magazine writers were gathered on the set of Guiding Light and ushered into the presence of the veteran actor who brought to volcanic life the one and only Roger Thorpe, a villain so legendary that the CBS soap collected highlights of his misdeeds on a VHS tape that it called The Scandal Years.
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Needless to say, that pair of underwear was never the same, what with the stains and all.
Zaslow wasn’t unkind at all, but if he fixed you with that glare — and I know you know the one — it was over. You were looking for a crack in the floor that might be big enough for you to crawl into. (I didn’t find one, by the way.)
To his credit, the on-screen heavy used his influence for good. As One Life to Live castmate Robert S. Woods (Bo) told the Sun-Sentinel, Zaslow waged war on behalf of his fellow actors, battling to get them healthcare when they were out of work. “Michael,” Woods said, “was adamant about the union taking care of everyone’s needs.
“I agreed,” he continued, “but Michael… ” He was in a league of his own. He “was always in there fighting.” Zaslow also took up the cause of clean water in upstate New York and was so staunchly anti-smoking that we still pity the fool who might elect to light a cigarette around him.
When he died on December 6, 1998, at age 56, it wasn’t entirely a shock. I — we all — had known for some time that he was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aka ALS. We’d already raged at Guiding Light for recasting his iconic role and cheered One Life to Live for reintroducing his former character of Michael Renaldi and allowing Dorian Lord’s old flame to deal on screen with the effects of Lou Gehrig’s disease.
But Lord, was Zaslow’s passing a loss. I’ve adored many a soap star in my day, including his longtime leading lady, Maureen Garrett (Holly), who was so down-to-earth that as far as I could tell, gravity had no impact whatsoever on her. Zaslow, though, as fierce as he could be, was special.
When he wanted to be, he could be quite a charmer, too.
More: Guiding Light through the years [PHOTOS]
Take, for instance, his 1994 acceptance speech upon winning his one and only Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor. After gasping, “I’m so relieved,” because his daughters wouldn’t have to write another consolation note for his dressing-room wall, he thanked his wife, Susan Hufford, who’d “made all the good things possible in my life since I met her…
“And I tell you that not only because it’s true,” he hastened to add, “but because she told me to tell you, because she said that’s what [repeat victors] David Canary (Adam/Stuart, All My Children) and Peter Bergman (Jack, The Young and the Restless) always say.”
On this somber occasion, perhaps you can cheer yourself up by perusing the below photo gallery of many of the stars of Guiding Light then and now.
Video: YouTube/Daytime Emmys
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Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Gregorio T. Binuya/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
1/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> The late Christopher Bernau’s successor played imperious tycoon Alan Spaulding from 1994 to 2009. <strong>Since Then:</strong> The Broadway vet has returned to his stage roots and was nominated for a Tony in 2012 for his superlative work in a revival of <em>Follies</em>.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
2/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> From 1979-83, she was Alan’s long-suffering wife, Hope. Or at least his 1979-83-suffering wife. <strong>Since Then:</strong> The leading lady for the most part left showbiz behind… but did return to daytime once more, to play a nurse on <em>The Bold and the Beautiful </em>in 2010.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
3/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> Katy Perry didn’t write “Teenage Dream” about him, but she could’ve, back when he originated the role of preppy hottie Phillip Spaulding. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Following the cancellation of <em>Guiding Light</em>, Aleksander has only shown up on the Web soap <em>Tainted Dreams.</em> Well, and on our shortlist of actors who need new soap roles.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
4/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> She was already a soap vet when, as a youngster, she was cast as Lizzie, Phillip’s daughter with Beth Raines. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Panettiere has done just about it all, from modeling (she was the face of Neutrogena) to movies (<em>Scream 4</em>) to primetime (<em>Heroes</em>, anyone? <em>Nashville</em>?).</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Howard Wise/JPI
5/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> The Daytime Emmy winner lived up to his potential as a soap star as poor little rich boy Alan-Michael Spaulding. <strong>Since Then:</strong> He’s knocked it outta the park on <em>The Young and the Restless</em> (as a recast Matt Clark) and <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em> (as Whip Jones). And we’re still waiting for him to show up again on <em>General Hospital</em> (as Ric Lansing).</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
6/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> She stole viewers’ hearts from 1991-95 as Eleni Andros, the Greek goddess torn between Alan-Michael and blue-collar Frank Cooper. <strong>Since Then:</strong> The primetime MVP has headlined her own series (1999-02’s <em>Providence</em>) and fought crime as a regular on <em>CSI: Miami.</em></p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
7/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> He was goodhearted Frank from 1987 until the end of the soap’s run in 2009. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Dicopoulos lent his voice to the audio soap <em>Forever and a Day</em> and took to the stage in the jukebox musical <em>Calling All Divas.</em></p>
Image: CBS, Barry King/Getty Images
8/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> From 1990-93, he was A.C. Mallet, the cop with Springfield’s most “arresting” presence. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Following a three-year stint as Victoria Lord’s ill-fated husband Ben Davidson on <em>One Life to Live</em>, Derwin landed in primetime, ultimately becoming a regular on ABC Family’s <em>The Secret Life of the American Teenager</em>.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, George De Sota/JPI
9/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> She played heiress Vanessa Chamberlain off and on from 1980 until the soap’s cancellation. <strong>Since Then:</strong> The actress has battled breast cancer and discussed on PBS’ <em>The New Medicine</em> the importance of communicating with one’s physician.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, George De Sota/JPI
10/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> He was Matt Reardon, the younger man who swept Vanessa off her feet in the mid-1990s. <strong>Since Then:</strong> The star of the 1985 martial-arts classic <em>No Retreat, No Surrender</em> has mainly appeared in indie movies. He also returned briefly to daytime with small roles on <em>As the World Turns</em> and <em>One Life to Live</em> (pictured).</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Howard Wise/JPI
11/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> She won two Daytime Emmys for her portrayal of Vanessa’s daughter, Dinah Marler. <strong>Since Then:</strong> She returned to her first soap role of Kelly Cramer on <em>One Life to Live</em> and replaced Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Summers on <em>The Young and the Restless.</em></p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Paramount Network
12/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> Tognoni’s predecessor as Dinah made the role her own as she took it over from future <em>The 100</em> star Paige Turco. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Moniz has joined the cast of the Paramount Network hit <em>Yellowstone</em> as Montana’s <span style="text-decoration: line-through">governor</span> senator and married (and split from) her former leading man…</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Derek Storm/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
13/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> He put an end to the frequent recasting of Roger Thorpe’s son, Hart Jessup. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Grillo threw a knockout punch as the star of the mixed-martial-arts drama <em>Kingdom</em>. But the show’s <em>most</em> successful primetime star may yet be…</p>
Image: Kristin Callahan/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Arlene Ritchie/JPI
14/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> The Daytime Emmy winner pumped adrenaline into the soap as Reva Shayne’s heretofore-unknown son, Jonathan Randall. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Pelphrey so dazzled on Netflix’s <em>Ozark</em> that he was nominated for more awards than we knew existed. He must have also dazzled <em>Big Bang Theory</em> alum Kaley Cuoco, because the two became a Hollywood power couple.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
15/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> She succeeded the late Brian Dennehy’s daughter Elizabeth as Roger Thorpe’s chip off the ol’ block, conniving Blake. <strong>Since Then:</strong> After her three-year stay in Springfield, Stringfield made a name for herself in primetime via lead roles on <em>NYPD Blue</em> and <em>ER</em>.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, George De Sota/JPI
16/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> They were “Bloss,” aka Blake and Ross Marler, one of <em>Guiding Light</em>’s most reliably unreliable supercouples. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Keifer has appeared on <em>Venice: The Series</em>, and her on-screen husband stepped in for the late Clint Ritchie as Clint Buchanan on <em>One Life to Live. </em><strong>Ed. Note:</strong> Sadly, verDorn passed away in May 2022 following a cancer battle. (<a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/630167/soap-star-dead-jerry-verdorn-guiding-light-one-life-to-live-dies/" target="_blank">Read our tribute here.</a>)<em><br /> </em></p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, ABC
17/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> The future Emmy winner tackled the role of Reva’s “Wait, a minute, <em>what</em>… ?!?” sister, Cassie Layne, a stripper-turned-princess. Hey, it could happen. <strong>Since Then:</strong> The actress became the fourth Carly Corinthos on <em>General Hospital</em> — and for most of the show’s audience, the definitive one.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
18/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> She was intrepid TV news reporter Gilly Grant from 1989-96. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Marshall returned to daytime twice, first as straight-arrow Belinda Keefer on <em>All My Children</em>, then as the pot-stirring Liz Sanbourne on <em>Passions</em>.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jennifer Graylock/JPI
19/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> The former child star played Gus Aitoro from 2001-2008. <strong>Since Then:</strong> The veteran of <em>Another World</em> (as rocker Dean Frame) has appeared on <em>All My Children</em> (as Jake Martin) and <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em> (as Maya Avant’s no-good ex).</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
20/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> She was tangled-web-weaver Oliver Spencer from 1999-2009. <strong>Since Then:</strong> She’s visited other soaps but is perhaps best known for co-creating her own show, <em>Venice: The Series</em>, and casting former<em> Guiding Light</em> love interest Jessica Leccia (Natalia).</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
21/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> In his TV debut, the Juilliard grad played Olivia’s brother, Sam Spencer. <strong>Since Then:</strong> He’s polarized viewers of <em>General Hospital</em> as Peter August, the nefarious offspring of supervillain Cesar Faison. (Of note: He’s also the real-life honey of former <em>Guiding Light</em> and <em>General Hospital</em> castmate Laura Wright.)</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
22/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> She played feisty Kat Speakes from 1991-94. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Long has amassed an incredible list of credits on screens big (<em>Boyz n the Hood</em>, <em>The Best Man</em>) and small (<em>Third Watch</em>, <em>NCIS: Los Angeles</em>).</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Steve Mack/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
23/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> He was ’80s dreamboat Kelly Nelson. <strong>Since Then:</strong> After winning Daytime Emmys for his work on <em>As the World Turns</em> (as Douglas Cummings) and <em>Santa Barbara</em> (as Martin Ellis), Shipp suited up to play primetime’s <em>The Flash</em> in 1990. But he may be best known for his stint as Dawson’s dad on the late-’90s primetime soap <em>Dawson’s Creek</em>.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jennifer Graylock/JPI
24/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> The actor previously known as Paul Wasilewski was cast as teenage trouble magnet Max Nickerson when he was just a junior in high school. <strong>Since Then:</strong> He’s attracted a legion of fangs… er, <em>fans</em>… by giving the 2009-17 primetime hit <em>The Vampire Diaries</em> its bite.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
25/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> The former model — she started at age 3! — spent three years playing Susan “Daisy” Lemay, the illegitimate daughter of Harley Cooper and Dylan Lewis. <strong>Since Then:</strong> She’s never stopped working in TV and film but is best known for the trilogy of <em>Pitch Perfect</em> movies in which she hit just the right, ahem, note.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
26/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> He steamed up Springfield as Nola and Quint Chamberlain’s abtastic son, J. (You may not even recognize him with a shirt on!)<strong> Since Then:</strong> The former gymnast has worked steadily, guest-starring on a number of primetime series and hosting shows like UPN’s <em>Get</em> <em>This Party Started</em> and Food Network’s <em>Chefs vs. City.</em></p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, J. Graylock/JPI
27/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> She turned Springfield upside down as petulant Drew Jacobs in the late 1990s. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Blanchard has cemented her star status with roles on stage (she’s a two-time Tony nominee), television (she won an Emmy for her portrayal of the younger version of the title character in <em>Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows</em>) and in the movies (including the Fred Rogers biopic <em>A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood</em>).</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Howard Wise/JPI
28/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> The baby-faced TV newcomer played Remy Boudreau for the soap’s last three years on the air. <strong>Since Then:</strong> In 2013, <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> cast Saint-Victor as Carter Walton, the buffest wedding officiant ever to make the mistake of getting dressed.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Steve Mack/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
29/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> He gave one intoxicating performance after another as alcoholic teen Tim Werner from 1980-81. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Bacon is so ubiquitous in showbiz that you’re no one unless you’re six degrees or less from him. Career highlights — and this list could go on and on — include 1984’s <em>Footloose</em>, the cult classic <em>Tremors</em> and the blockbuster <em>Apollo 13.</em></p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
30/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> He proved so popular as Alexandra Spaulding’s ill-fated son Lujack Luvonaczek that he was resurrected as his character’s twin brother, Nick McHenry. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Irizarry traded his good-guy halo to go dark — at times <em>real</em> dark — as <em>All My Children</em>’s Dr. Evil, David Hayward, and <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Deimos Kiriakis.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, ABC
31/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> The daytime rookie bowled over viewers as Annie Dutton, whose theme song could have been Ava Max’s “Sweet But Psycho.” <strong>Since Then:</strong> The Daytime Emmy winner shook up one primetime show (<em>Lost</em>) after another (<em>House</em>) before returning to soaps as Nina Reeves on <em>General Hospital.</em></p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
32/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> He starred off and on as Josh Lewis from 1981 until the lights were switched off on the soap in 2009. <strong>Since Then:</strong> Aside from stepping in for Richard Burgi as Ashland Locke on <em>The Young and the Restless</em> in 2022, Newman has focused his career on the stage, appearing in productions of <em>Peter Pan</em>, <em>Nine</em> and <em>Gypsy</em>. In fact, when that last show played Pittsburgh, his leading lady was none other than…</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, John P. Iblis/JPI
33/33
<p><strong>Then:</strong> Her name was synonymous with <em>Guiding Light</em>, owing to her long and legendary run as Reva, aka “the slut of Springfield.” <strong>Since Then:</strong> The four-time Daytime Emmy winner revisited her 1980s <em>One Life to Live role</em> (Echo DiSavoy), released her memoir and made her musical-theater debut as Madame Morrible in the first North American tour of <em>Wicked</em>.</p>
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