All My Children
All My Children's Matthew Cowles Has Passed Away!
Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos
Heartbreaking and sad news to report this Memorial Day weekend! Reports are surfacing that none other than All My Children’s Matthew Cowles, who played the one and only Billy Clyde Tuggle passed away on Thursday, May 22nd.
According to manager, Tsu Tsu Stanton, Cowles was surrounded by his family – his wife The Good Wife’s Christine Baranski, and their two daughters by his side. Cowles was 69 years old.
Tsu Tsu Stanton tweeted the news, “#Matthew Cowles passed away on 5/22. I had the pleasure of being his manager. He was a very gifted and kind man who loved life and everyone.”
Broadway World posted an item on the actors passing citing: “Cowles was born in 1944 and his career spanned both the stage and screen. His Broadway roles include Malcolm (1966), The Time of Your Life (1969), and Sweet Bird of Youth (1975). His movie credits include The Juror (1996), American Loser (2007), Shutter Island (2010), and many more. His most recent short film, Family on Board (2014), is currently in post-production.” Matthew had numerous television credits but none more memorable than Pine Valley’s pimp, Billy Clyde Tuggle!
Matthew reprised his role of Billy Clyde last summer as part of Prospect Park’s online revival of the series. AMC executive producer, Ginger Smith was instrumental in getting Matthew back to the soap opera. On-Air On-Soaps had the first exclusive interview with Cowles upon his return, which now would turn out to be the final time we would chat.
Matthew’s former AMC co-star Cady McClain (Ex-Dixie, now Y&R’s Kelly) tweeted on his passing today, “So sad. What a lovely man… I adored working with him last year. So kind.”
On-Air On-Soaps sends our thoughts and prayers to Matthew’s family, and we are deeply saddened by the passing of one of the most talented actors ever to appear on soaps. Share your thoughts below!
All My Children
TODAY: ‘Tainted Dreams’ Begins To Stream Episodes On PopStar! TV Platform
Beginning today on Monday, September 23rd, the series Tainted Dreams, which shows you the behind-the-scenes antics of a fictional hit TV soap opera, will stream its first two seasons for free on the on the Popstar! TV platforms.
To view: you can download the Popstar! TV’s mobile app or visit www.popstaronline.com to watch Tainted Dreams or for more info visit https://www.tainteddreams.com/#home-section.
For those who need a refresher: Tainted Dreams follows the cast and crew behind the scenes of a hit TV soap opera called “Painted Dreams”, and of course, it’s filled with lots of twists and turns
In addition, there is a bonus episode on Popstar! TV that gives some background on how all the characters came to be a part of “Painted Dreams”.
Courtesy: NYCBrandEnt
Sonia Blangiardo, the executive producer and creator of Tainted Dreams shared in a statement: “We are thrilled that there is more life for the show and that the new exposure will attract new viewers for the series. We’re excited to be in great company with the other shows the platform will be streaming and couldn’t be happier to be working with Craig and Jim Romanovich who has always been a loyal soap supporter.”
Tainted Dreams features a cast that includes: All My Children veterans Alicia Minshew, Walt Willey, Michael Lowry, Bobbie Eakes, Terri Ivens and the late Larkin Malloy, General Hospital’s Natalia Livingston, As the World Turns‘ Colleen Zenk, Austin Peck, Marnie Schulenburg and Kelley Menighan, Guiding Light’s Grant Aleksander, One Life to Live’s Ilene Kristen, Tonja Walker, Nathan Purdee and James DePaiva, Big Brother’s Jessie Godderz, The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Dina Manzo, and more.
So, will you be checking out Tainted Dreams on its new platform? Comment below,
All My Children
Cameron Mathison Reveals Cancer Diagnosis and Shares Heartfelt Message
One of our the best guys we know, Cameron Mathison (co-host, Home & Family and Ex-Ryan Lavery, All My Children), revealed over the last 24 hours that he has been diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma – kidney cancer, but treatment for him will be underway and the prognosis is good.
Cameron first shared the news on Monday’s Home & Family in a special announcement enlightening viewers on his health condition (watch video below) and later took to his Instagram and social media to share more details. Of note: Mathison’s healthy lifestyle has indeed helped, and shown, that his cancer has not spread.
In addition, Mathison wrote: “About a month ago, I had an MRI for some gut issues I’ve been having, and during that MRI they fd a tumor on my right kidney. It’s consistent with Renal Cell Carcinoma … or kidney cancer. The good news is that it hasn’t spread to any other organs🙏🏼 They say my healthy lifestyle and diet has no doubt helped keep it from growing and spreading to other areas, as doctors think it’s been growing in me for minimum 10 years🙏🏼. I am extremely lucky that we found it early.” He thanked his doctor and his family, saying, “[wife] Vanessa, [kids] Lucas and Leila have been absolutely amazing with their love and support… as have my mom, dad, brother, and everyone at Home and Family, Hallmark, and ET❤️ My surgery is scheduled on September 12th, I was hoping to receive positive thoughts, prayers, or whatever you feel comfortable with, on 9/12 (my surgery is at 1pm PST) 🙏🏼.” He concluded, “Feeling very grateful and optimistic!”
Send positive vibes Cameron’s way as he goes through his medical procedure this week, share your comments below.
All My Children
8 Years To The Day Of All My Children & One Life to Live Being Canceled; Still Considered By Many Worst Move For Daytime
It’s hard to believe that 8 years ago today on April 14th, 2011, the soap world, its fans, and the cast members, learned of the heartbreaking news that ABC, in one swift move, decimated its daytime line-up when they announced the cancellations of long running series, All My Children (which would end at its 41st year), and One Life to Live (which would ends its run in its 43rd year).
At the time, ABC announced it would move to more lifestyle/entertainment series to replace these dramas. In its place came The Chew and The Revolution, neither show is still on the air today. Executives at that time pointed to research saying that times are changing and that their decision was “guided by extensive research into what today’s daytime viewers want,” and blame, in part, “the changing viewing patterns of the audience” for the axing of AMC and OLTL
Then ABC Daytime President, Brian Frons had joked to Deadline about the big announcement that he: “Pre-entered the witness protection program prior to today’s events.” He added that “The demise of the two venerable soaps was actually a year in the making. A year ago, we started to look at our projections where the ratings for the soaps would go. When those projections came in pretty discouraging, the network began to aggressively develop replacement shows, 15 of them. Four of the 15 were picked up to pilot: The Chew and The Revolution and two others, a talk show and a dating show. Originally, the idea was to cancel only one daytime drama. The way the ratings developed and the pilots turned out, the ratings developed negatively and pilots developed positively, so we decided to make a bigger shift.” Of note is that when it went off the air, One Life to Live was in third place among its competitors in the ratings.
The press release that came with the cancellations stated: “To honor the core, passionate audience and their rich history both shows will conclude in a manner that respects their legacies and the longstanding hopes of many of their viewers.”
Following the cancellations daytime reeled. The mainstream was sure it meant the endings of the soaps, period. However, four shows illustrated that is not true at all. For Days of our Lives, General Hospital, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless all remain, and still whether they are up or down in their numbers/ratings, they remain relevant and important to the enduring daytime viewing audience.
Sadly, as with any shows, the end of ABC’s AMC and OLTL meant loss of jobs for so many working in front of the camera and behind the scenes. One Life was the last soap opera in production in New York at the time. AMC was already being shot in LA to cut costs to save it.
Still in 2019, if you venture on to social media, especially Twitter, you see fans constantly missing its stars and the towns of Llanview and Pine Valley, wanting this wrong rectified. Although Prospect Park tried to revive the show with their online versions, eventually after legal battles that went on for a few years, ABC now retains the right to these properties,
The good news is that many favorites from AMC and OLTL have found success and been hired on other soap operas, bringing their followings with them, whether it be on-screen, or in the writing, producing, directing or crew departments.
So, do you think the loss of AMC and OLTL consolidated daytime and made the remaining shows stronger so they would not be touched or canceled? Do you think ABC should try to mount a resurrected AMC and OLTL or an amalgamation of the two? Do you remember where you were when you learned the two soaps were cancelled? Was this the worst misstep of all-time for daytime? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
GH’s Maurice Benard Launches ‘State of Mind’ Website
EP Ken Corday Shares Favorite All-Time DAYS Storyline Is Marlena’s Possession
General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
DYNASTY Ups Four To Series Regulars As Season Three Kicks-Off
Drew Barrymore Daytime Talker A Go: Set For Launch 2020
Crystal Hunt and Donna Mills Headline New PureFlix Streaming Comedy Series, ‘Mood Swings’
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: After Learning The Truth About Sasha; Nina Leaves Her Wedding To Valentin … With Jax
James Patrick Stuart Finally Gets His Photo In The Hallways at General Hospital: Watch What Happens!
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DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Stefan is Brain-Dead After Getting In Lani’s Line Of Fire
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THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke is “Slap” Happy … And Don’t We Love It?
DAYS Kate Mansi Talks ‘Chad & Abby in Paris’ With KTLA Morning News
GH’s James Patrick Stuart Performs “My Dear” As Valentin Serenades Nina
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke Bitch-Slaps Thomas!
DOOL App New Fall Season Promo: News Shows, Returning Favorites, More Backstage Content
GENERAL HOSPITAL: “He’s The Most Hated Man In Port Charles”
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RecapsOctober 6, 2019THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke is “Slap” Happy … And Don’t We Love It?
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General HospitalOctober 9, 2019GENERAL HOSPITAL: After Learning The Truth About Sasha; Nina Leaves Her Wedding To Valentin … With Jax
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General HospitalOctober 10, 2019James Patrick Stuart Finally Gets His Photo In The Hallways at General Hospital: Watch What Happens!
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General HospitalOctober 12, 2019General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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Days Of Our LivesOctober 6, 2019DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Stefan is Brain-Dead After Getting In Lani’s Line Of Fire
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General HospitalOctober 4, 2019GH’s James Patrick Stuart Performs “My Dear” As Valentin Serenades Nina
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Breaking NewsOctober 4, 2019Groundbreaking Star of ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Julia’, Diahann Carroll Dies At 84
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My condolences are with his family.Plus i’m glad that his fans were able to watch him at least one more time on the All My Children reboot.
Same here…he was one of my favorites!!!
I agree enjoyed seeing him on the reprise AMC. Rest in Peace.
I feel the same way. And Billy Clyde, though he still had the same personality, was a kinder gentler Billy. My deepest sympathy to his family. He will never be forgotten as long as anyone who watched AMC is still kicking around. Rest in peace.
I did not hear that he was sick. Gone way too soon.
R.I.P. Matthew. Prayers for Christine Baranski and their children. Great entertainer.
I loved Billy Clyde and never knew he was married to Christine. She’s one of my favorite actresses. Could we see Mary Anne Thorpe with Billy Clyde Tuggle? Nope but that’s why they are called actors.
Christine appeared with her husband on a few episodes of AMC. They were hilarious together.
Oh no, no, no! I love this actor, think he’s brilliant. I always said that Billy Clyde Tuggell was the best villain in soap opera history. He even wrote his own dialogue. I don’t have he words–this is just too sad.
I agree 100% percent Harry! I wanted to write something but couldn’t have said it better!
There will never be another colorful fun villian like Billy Clyde Tuggles…Mathew Cowles was one of the top greatest actors in daytime ever and one of my top all time favorite soap actor/characters!!!
ITA.
What a brilliant portrayal.
:(.
I know how you feel . I’m still in shock . Matthew was such the opposite of billy Clyde. I watched him on AMC many years ago when I first began watching soaps . I was just a kid then, but mathew’s billy clyde , left quite an impression !! My heart goes out to his wife and daughters and every fan out there who loved him!!!
An unforgettable soap villain. Sympathy to Christine and family
Matthew Cowles / Billy Clyde Tuggle AMC is a soap opera legend!
His villain performances has stayed with all the AMC fans for decades!
He made a mark that will always forever be ..
Condolences to all who love Matthew Cowles , he will never be forgotten ..
Sad news..Rest in peace..He was always riveting and a scene stealer over at AMC.
I am so sad to hear this! I loved him on AMC.
That makes me so sad. I liked him so very much and I will forever miss Billy Clyde. May he rest in peace.
Glad I got to see him perform again as Billy Clyde. Prospect Park did something right by bringing him back to AMC. He was wonderful as Billy Clyde.
So sad to hear. He was tremendous to watch, and I was thrilled to get to see him as Billy Clyde again. Condolences to his family.
What a shock to hear this news. On All My Children he was the character you loved despite his mean ways. He will be missed.
I am so sorry for your lost may god be with you a d your family your in my thoughts and prayers to
Such a talent loved him on All My Children glad to see him back on short lived return
So sorry on Matthews passing. He was excellent actor and character on AMC was much loved. Sincere sympathy to his family ……Billy Clyde, my goodness no one will ever forget him…RIP
RIP…Matthew Cowles….Billy Clyde Tuggle….may you rest in peace with the other greats from PineValley,Pa.
I am so sorry and offer my condolences ..I remember Billy Clyde way back on All My Children in the Dixie/Tad days …years ago..and then his return last year ..Rest in peace ..you were a great actor and person ..
I hadn’t watched All My Children in ages…and I mean years! But I do remember his character well. Very sad news…condolences.
Rebecca, I hope you try and find the reboot online….he was just as good the second time around!
I’ll look…thanks!
Mr. Cowles’ sense of fun playing the role made him “non-traumatic” for viewers, even way back, when we got a less kinder-gentler Billy Clyde. An actor who brought craft to his role, this is how I remember him. God bless his family.
He was a joy to watch. So much talent. My heart goes out to his family.
May God be with his family during this difficult time! He was so talented!
I am very sad about this, Matthew was a wonderful actor and rip my friend. We will all miss you.
❤Him can first remember seeing so many years ago on All My Children. One of the best characters to be brought on RIP Billy Clyde deepest sympathy to his loving family!
I was so taken aback upon reading of his passing, that I was at a loss for words. I have regained my composure. Billy Clyde Tuggell has had a cult following ever since he left Pine Valley. Many of us started a ‘Bring Back Billy Clyde’ campaign. When Prospect brought him back, and I heard his Southern slurred speech sputtered forth while wearing that three piece white suit with the carnation boutonniere while carrying a cane, I am going to admit something–I chocked up a little. Yes, because when I was about 12 Billy Clyde triggered my imagination while invoking my sense of fear as well as tickling my funny bone. How many soap villains can make you shudder and laugh at the same time? This is only something I can confess to fellow soap fans because only they (you all) get it. This comes from a place which makes us remain steadfastly loyal to a soap despite the fact that it is letting us down in so many ways (see GH). I gave up on AMC about 7 years before it was cancelled because it had gotten so bad it almost seemed like self-sabotage (again, see GH). But when it was finally cancelled, I was sad because I knew I could never go home again.
Billy Clyde Tuggell represents the best of AMC–he was brilliantly nuanced, he contained literary allusions and he skillfully blended humor with his evil doings. How many soap villains can make you laugh and shudder at the same time? Finally, I think I cried upon seeing his visage on Prospect’s AMC, as well as reading about his passing here on Michael Fairman’s blog, because I think I always sensed that he was truly a good and sweet man on top of being really a damn brilliant actor. I guess I am just going to miss knowing that he was out there somewhere, ready to come back while wielding that cane.
wow! beautifully expressed heartfelt sentiments that once again shows how characters on TV, in film, literature and the like can effect our emotions and our lives.
you captured Billy Clyde’s essence while simultaneously paying tribute to the man who brought him to life…
Harry you said it so much better than I could have. I watched him and Donna, on AMC even watched him on AMC on line,I usually don’t like the villains but Billy was a treasure. He made you laugh even when he made you shudder. Rest in peace and our prayers for his family.Think of the talent that was in that house. between him and Christine Baranski .best to them and their daughters.
Well said.
I can’t thank Prospect Park enough for attempting to give the fans more time with our favorite characters. Billy was great, and Matthew was brilliant.
Loved him on all my children .
I am so very sad to hear this news. His tremendous talent made Billy Clyde a classic, unforgettable character. Rest in peace Matthew. Know that you are loved by millions.
Deep love and Condolences to Christine and the girls. A good and kind man, a great actor and the most lovable villain who ever perpetrated evil in Pine Valley! So sorry for your loss, you are in my prayers.
Love, Trish
And with a tip of his feathered fedora, he took the classic “Clydemobile” on one last ride to the “Great Beyond…” Bye bye, BC….still unforgettable after all these years!
What a shame. Thank God for the PP reboot, if for nothing more than giving us the chance to see “Billy Clyde” one more time.
I knew he was married to Christine Baranski, but it was news to me that his first wife was Kathleen Dezina who played Estelle on AMC.
RIP .
Me too. No matter what he appeared in…he was always Billy Clyde Tuggle to me.
He was a great actor. Watched him for many years on “All My Children” and I was thrilled when he appeared on the online soap. I am so sorry for his loss to his family. Love watching his wife every week on “The Good Wife”. Such a talented family. May he rest in peace.
Billy Clyde Tuggle was my favorite soap character of all time. I was thrilled to see him back in the online version of AMC. Such a shock to hear of his passing. My sympathies to his wife and family and all who loved him.
What was his cause of death?
Don’t know him, but have enjoyed his wife’s acting. RIP
It was reported that his family was at his bedside when he died.So i’m thinking he was suffering from some kind of illness or something and his loved ones knew he was going to die soon.
One of those actors that you love to hate. He was one of the greats.
What a character actor, he was one of my favorites on All My Children. My sympathies to his wife, also a great actor, and his family and friends. I will miss him as I miss All My Children, but ALL good things must come to an end!
I am shocked and sad to hear of this news. I remember him from years afo on AMC, fabulous actor. Rest in peace.
Well I hate to hear it. I’m a big Billy Clyde Tuggle fan. I loved his character back in the day. You’ll be missed Billy Clyde. P.I.P. “PIMP IN PIECE”!!!!
My condolences to the family on his passing! I watched AMC for many years and all are near and dear to my heart!
I remember him from AMC back in the day and saw him in other shows.A talented actor gone to soon. My condolences to his family.
I was devastated when I found out last night.
When I saw him at the premiere of the AMC & OLTL reboots, I was ecstatic! And a little sad, because it was obvious to me how frail he was. I did not know what was wrong, but I am forever grateful that he was able to reprise Billy Clyde and somewhat redeem him. He was horrible and lovable at the same time and oh how he mangled the English language to pieces.
Harry you said it well, for many of us share your sentiments. And Doyle…Pimp in Peace – I love it, and I think Billy/Matthew would too.
When an actor can arouse such hatred in you for the way he is portraying a character, well, then I must say that that is a VERY FINE ACTOR. He was the best. You could hate him and laugh at him at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him and when I found out (quite some time ago) that he was married to one of my favorite actresses of all time, Christine Baranski, then that just ‘sealed the deal’. RIP dear Matthew and know that you gave your best and it was even better than that!
Cowles also played a very memorable heartsick hillbilly on Loving!!! I’ll never forget his overall-clad Eban Japes on that hellbent mission to Corinth….to retrieve his ladylove, “Lottiebird!” Given his real-life blueblood heritage, it made his believability as both a white-trash villain and the over-the-top procurer, Billy Clyde, all the more remarkable!!!!!
A remarkable man and a remarkable character he created in Billy Clyde. Indelible! My condolences to his wife Christine Baranski and his two daughters.
I really enjoyed al the evil you conjured up on All My children. You were my verybfavorite. My concolences to your wife and family. RIP for you shall be greatly missed!
He was memorable as Billy Clyde on ALL MY CHILDREN both on the abc-tv version and the short-lived Prospect Park horribly botched version.
It says in the article that Producer Ginger Smith was instrumental in getting Him to reprise his role for the on-line version. It’s a shame Ginger Smith didn’t have the common courtesy to tell the fans what in the world was going on with the On-line version by Prospect Park.
I am so sorry that he has passed, he was quite an interesting actor – but whenever I hear of anything reminding me of ALL MY CHILDREN, I get boiling mad at how the fans were never entitled to an explanation, no official statement, NOTHING – just empty promises from Ginger Smith saying that “many more faces will be returning” and absolutely NOTHING was delivered to the fans.