General Hospital
ABC Issues Statement On The Passing Of Claire Labine
Courtesy/Alchestron
Over the weekend, the daytime community continued to mourn the passing of nine-time Daytime Emmy winner, Claire Labine (pictured far right, next to Kate Mulgrew (Ex-Mary, Ryan’s Hope).
This imaginative storyteller passed away at the age of 82. She leaves behind a list of some of the most touching stories in the history of soaps that audiences who love the genre will never forget. Most of Labine’s success in her career was with the ABC Television Network where she co-created Ryan’s Hope, wrote many of General Hospital’s most revered storylines, and more.
Now ABC has issued a statement on the passing of Claire Labine, and what she meant to the network’s success during the highpoint of its ABC daytime block of shows and more.
ABC: “We are sad to learn of the death of our friend and former colleague Claire Labine. As creator of Ryan’s Hope and head writer of both General Hospital and One Life to Live in the 90s, Claire was an imaginative storyteller who inspired hope and sparked conversations through her stories and characters paving the way for a new generation of writers who would follow in her footsteps. We are proud and honored she was a part of our ABC Daytime family. We send our deepest condolences to her family and those closest to her.”
Share your continued thoughts and condolences on Labine’s passing in the comment section. But first after the jump. watch the opening and closing credits of the premiere episode of Ryan’s Hope from 1975, Bobbie learning B.J. is brain dead from GH, as well as Alan telling Robin she is HIV positive, all part of the iconic stories from Labine.
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One of the true greats of the soap genre. Her “Ryan’s Hope” was literate, witty and filled with dimensional, compelling characters. Then, later she saved GH and made it better than it had ever been (wish she was still here so she could do it again). She tried to fix OLTL in the 90s and GL in 2000, but was consistently undermined by the network know-nothings that were in charge. The soap industry needs more Claire Labines, writers with the same class, talent, integrity and heart (much like the late Agnes Nixon, another brilliant, irreplaceable gem). RIP.
OH so very sad–she was an amazing head writer and instilled a sense of realism into her stories.
This is the worst November of all time-Leonard Cohen, Leon Russell and Claire Labine have all died.
Ohhhhh…so sad and surprised at the passing of Leonard Cohen. Wish I’d had the opportunity to see him in concert. Hallelujah…
If there were more like Labine writing for daytime, maybe there would be more than 4 soaps still on the air. If anyone has not seen her work, I refer you to the following–(1) scene from RH between the show matriarch, Maeve Ryan, and show villainess, Rae Woodard, including in the 1981 Daytime emmy clips on youtube, (2) “Ryan’s Hope’s” last episode where Maeve sang ‘Danny Boy’ and everyone, in front of and behind the camera were in genuine tears. (3) From her ‘GH” days–Mary Mae Ward reciting a prayer (Grace Realized) to AIDS patient Stone and his girlfriend, Robin. Also, I vividly and fondly ALL the St. Patrick Day episodes on “RH.”
Claire was my cousin and that’s how I knew her. None of her success or fame was ever shown when we were with her. Rather an incredibly warm, considerate and funny human being who was as interested in our lives as though we were as important. She will be remembered!
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your cousin, Steve. I know she is resting in peace.
You and your family must be very proud. Sorry for your loss…
So sad that such an iconic writer is gone. She added so much to the soap landscape with her memorable storylines.
One of the great story tellers and Ryan’s Hope was the first soap opera I got hooked on. It was great reliving Ryan’s Hope when SoapNet network was on the air. Rest in Peace and prayers to her family and friends.
It’s good to see that ABC acknowledged her. The Stone and Robin sl is still relevant and cutting edge today. It surprises me too. I would’ve loved to see similar statements made for head writers Norma Monty and Ann Marcus, two 80s writers that helped keep GH great. I suppose this is what we call progress for the network?
The photo used above comes from my interview with Claire Labine and Kate Mulgrew from 2011 which can be found here http://www.totallykate.com/labine/interview.html
TotallyKate.com webmaster
Claire wrote my absolute favorite era of “GH.” What a talent! Rest in peace, dear lady.
Mine too-Sonny, Brenda, Ned, Lois, Stone, The Q’s-all of my favorites, too!
The stories that Claire Labine wrote for GH in the 90’s are the stories that got me hooked on the show. Robin/Stone’s story along with Ned/Lois and Sonny/Brenda are still the gold standard for me of GH storytelling. Those stories will forever be in my heart. Rest in peace Claire, you gifted the viewers with tales that will last a lifetime.
What can I say? I am at a loss for words. This lady came up with some of the best stories in our history of soaps. Well miss you, Claire.
I am curious as to which new generation of writers who have followed in her footsteps they are referring to??
THANK YOU Miss Claire. RIP.
Claire Labine is one of my all time role models. She inspired me to focus on writing and she helped me become a better, more empathetic person through the stories she wrote. I was just a 15 year old boy when she captivated me as she began her tenure at GH. Through Ned and Lois’s romance (still my all time favorite pairing), Monica’s breast cancer, Stone and Robin’s story, the infamous Lucy/Damian “bet” – but most especially through BJ’s heart – Claire created GH’s true golden era. The BJ story remains the best story ever portrayed on daytime television in my opinion. I am so grateful for Claire’s storytelling. May she rest in peace.
Ms. Labine was truly one of the best. Ryan’s hope was a gem in a class by itself; Claire left her stamp with her inimitable writing/story telling style and creativity with quality par excellence in any project she wrote for or collborated on. Her story telling for General Hospital was soap at its best. She is irreplaceable and will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family including those of us in her soap family.
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TONIGHT: GH’s Maurice Benard As John Gotti In Lifetime’s ‘Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter’
Fans and colleagues of Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) have been eagerly waiting to see the General Hospital star take on the role of famous mobster, John Gotti. Well, tonight (February 9th) is the night! Make sure to watch the Daytime Emmy-winner in Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter on Lifetime at 8pmEST/7CST.
In the log lines for the movie. it relates: “Executive produced by Victoria Gotti herself, the movie takes us deep into the world of what it was really like to grow up as the daughter of mob boss John Gotti, revealing the glamour, glitz and unique hardships of her world. Sharing never-before-revealed stories about her life, Victoria (Chelsea Frei) tells of a sensitive child growing up with a beloved father (Maurice Benard) she worried about constantly; the tragedy of her younger brother’s death; and her turbulent romance, forbidden by her father, with the man who later became her husband. Victoria had a front-row seat to a life the world became fascinated with, all while trying to reconcile the loving father she adored with a man the outside world was determined to bring down. . The film is based on Gotti’s book This Family of Mine: What It Was Like Growing Up Gotti. Victoria Gotti will appear on camera narrating.
Benard spoke with ABC Soaps In Depth about taking on the role and wanting to get the performance just right, where he expressed: “That’s up to the audience to decide. I played him like a real-life guy who’s loyal to his people and loves his family — and that’s kind of what the story is about. It’s through Victoria’s eyes and told with complete compassion.”
Photo: Lifetime
As to how playing Gotti compared to his role as Port Charles’ loveable mobster, Sonny Corinthos, Maurice added: “When I was shooting the role, I didn’t really know how different it was from Sonny. But my last day, I wrapped at about 1 in the morning in Canada, flew back and went straight to work as Sonny. I remember shooting the scene and thinking, ‘Wow, Sonny’s in about second gear, Gotti’s in about fourth or fifth gear!’ It’s two different energies.”
Check out the promo for tonight’s Lifetime Movie starring Maurice as John Gotti below, and the let us know if you will be watching, and if you caught it, what you thought of Maurice’s performance, and the movie via the comment section below.
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