Lynda Hirsch on Soaps

Q: One of the things I love about SoapNet are the reruns of "Ryan's Hope." When SoapNet goes off the air., I will really miss this show. Can you tell me what happened to some of the actors who worked on that show? — Audrey, Calif.

A: You're right. The acting and writing of "Ryan's Hope" was splendid. Many of the actors on this show continue to work in daytime, primetime and movies.

Ron Hale (Roger) plays Mike on "General Hospital." Ilene Kristen, who played Roger's devious girlfriend, Delia, is on "One Life to Live" in the role of the outrageous Roxy. Roscoe Born, who played gangster Joe Novak, has gone on to soap opera villainy on many programs. Perhaps his most notorious is his on-and-off-again role as the monstrous Mitch on "One Life to Live."

Julia Barr (Brooke from "All My Children") found her first soap job as Rennie Szabo on "Ryan's Hope." Kate Mulgrew, who played the first Mary Ryan on the show, went on to primetime fame as Captain Janeway on the "Star Trek: Voyager" series. She recently has been on Broadway in many shows. In real life, Mulgrew is married to high-ranking Cleveland politician, Tim Hagan.

Helen Gallagher (Maeve) until recently continued to be an acting coach in Manhattan. Gallagher, who won a Tony award when she was in her early 20s, is the first to tell you that she and the salt of the earth Maeve have nothing in common. From their Irish brogue to her dowdy dress, Gallagher speaks unaccented English and loves to dress fashionably.

Film star Christian Slater, whose real-life mother, Mary Joe, was the casting director, found original television fame on "Ryan's Hope." Slater's father, Michael Hawkins, was the original Frank on "Ryan's Hope." Things became so contentious between Hawkins and the producers that they were bringing in recasts while he was taping his scenes.

Slater has often said that he and his father have an estranged relationship. This is like history repeating itself, as when I interviewed Hawkins, he discussed the fractured relationship he had with his father.

Sarah Felder (Siobhan) can now be heard in many commercial voiceovers and also teaches acting.

Sadly, many members of the "Ryan's Hope" cast are deceased. Bernie Barrow (Johnny), who was a respected drama teacher at New York University and was known as Dr. Barrow to his students, is deceased.

Nicolette Goulet, the last actress to play Mary Ryan, died six months after her father, famed star Robert Goulet. She had her father's voice and his beautiful blue eyes. Once when I was doing a soap opera show with Nicolette, she started smoking in front of the audience. In those days, strangers would tell you the obvious, like smoking is bad for you. Nicolette was very upset by this statement, chastised the fans, and said, "I can do what I want to." Two minutes later, the remorseful actress purchased a bouquet of flowers, gave them to the stranger, and thanked him for his concern.

The beautiful Nancy Addison Altman (Jillian) succumbed a few years ago after a long battle with cancer. Ilene Kristen, one of her closest friends, was at her side during her ordeal. Altman was not only beautiful, she was gracious. Her family owned New York's prestigious department store Altman's. It is a name that would have opened many professional doors. The actress did not take on her family's name until she was an established actress. In a life-imitates-art moment, the character of Jillian also had a story arc where she fought cancer for several years.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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