The actress who set the bar for every daytime diva has died. Beverlee McKinsey (Iris, "Another World" and Alexandra, "Guiding Light") succumbed at age 72 from complications following a kidney transplant. Both of her daytime roles were sophisticated, not-to-be-denied-at-any-cost characters. The skilled McKinsey made certain that each of her characters were different. She could have gone the safe and sure route playing them the same. Not McKinsey.

On "Another World," Iris would -- and did -- do anything to get whatever she wanted. McKinsey played Iris' desire for her father's approval as the root of her need for power. Iris could be pathetic, sympathetic and a tyrant.

As GL's Alexandra, she played up the character's love for power and the desire to best her brother Alan.

Interviewing McKinsey was a dream. There were never any "I just love everyone I work with" cliches. After she exited GL, McKinsey cited her "not very pleasant" work environment for one of the reasons she chose to leave GL.

Looking at her contract, she discovered she could leave the show after every six-month period. So McKinsey took advantage of the contract the day before her annual eight-week vacation. McKinsey went on permanent vacation and GL went hunting for another Alexandra. They found the perfect replacement in Marj Dusay.

McKinsey adamantly defended her choice to exit the show.

Her bosses felt they had been bamboozled. "They're bent out of shape because, for once, somebody beat 'em at their own game," she said. "I had warned Jill (the show's then-executive Jill Farren Phelps) -- although I don't think she paid attention to me -- that I was not happy. I was not happy with the story line."

McKinsey married actor Berkeley Harris in 1972. McKinsey helped nurse him through a terminal bout of brain cancer until his 1984 death.

In a twist of real-life soap opera irony, her son, Scott, is one of the lead directors at "General Hospital." His boss? Jill Farren Phelps.

 
The folks at "General Hospital" are trying to recreate a soap opera romance. Jason Cook, who played Shawn Douglas on "Days" from 1999-2006, has been cast as a love interest for Kirsten Storms (Maxie). Storms played Shawn's love of his life, Belle, on "Days" for half a decade.

Back to who may die on "General Hospital." Again, we have no inside information on this. We thought it could be Mike or Edward, and we are adding Mac to the list. He matches the criteria for the next major character death on GH: The character has been around for more than 10 years, and he is loved. That also matches Audrey Hardy. They can't do that … or can they? The death will be revealed on air the last week of May. Get out your handkerchiefs.

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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