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As the World Turns’ Beloved Kathryn Hays Passes Away at 87

Photo: JPI

Heartbreaking news to report this Friday. Kathryn Hays, a mainstay of As the World Turns in the role of Kim Hughes has died.  The actress passed away on Monday March 25th at the age of 87 in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Hayes had played the role of Kim for 38 years on the CBS daytime drama series.  Throughout her enduring career, one of Kathryn’s other most notable roles was that of “Gem” in the original Star Trek.  She also appeared in many series and productions o the stage, screen, and TV.

Photo: JPI

In a statement, Hays’ longtime ATWT screen-partner Don Hastings (Bob Hughes) expressed: “Our relationship as Bob & Kim, was as close as Kathryn & my relationship except we were not married. We were more like brothers and sisters and we were great friends. Our biggest squabble was that she always wanted to rehearse and I wanted to take a nap. This is a huge loss to all who knew her.”

Kathryn is survived by daughter Sherri, son-in-law Bob, grandchildren Kate, Cameron and Garrett, and great-grandson Jack.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Kathryn Hays via the comment section below.

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She was one of the most underrated actresses of her day. The quiet strength she gave to Kim was extremely difficult to portray. What a monumental talent. She will be missed.

So sorry to hear this. RIP!! Loved Kim and Bob. Kathryn Hays was so wonderful as Kim.

She was a class act! I still remember many of her great moments, but my favorite was the time when the current town outcast Molly was having the world crash around her and bumped into Kim and tripped and fell. Kim turned around, said nothing, helped her pick up her stuff and looked at Molly in the eye and just gently touched her chin. Not many words at all just a look describing how Kim was telling Molly it will be okay! Powerful character portrayed by a powerful actress! RIP.

My name is Angela. I would like to give my condolences to the family of Miss Kathryn Hays. She is one of my favorite characters from As the world turns. She gave very compelling performances as Kim especially while Bob was getting close to another woman.She was very elegant and classy. I also had the pleasure of seeing her in a Bonanza episode. I watched as the world turns in the mid 80 to early 90 and on my phone about three months some of those same episodes that I watched years ago. I am saddened by her passing. She was a sweet woman and great actress.

She was regal as Kim

Gone, but not forgotten! One of my favorite characters on ATWT. I am so sad… You gave me many years of happiness on ATWT. RIP.

The perfect daytime leading lady. Loved it when she went all “kid-o” on somebody who needed to be straightened out.

Kathryn Hays was my all-time favorite daytime actress. I watched her as Kim for 30 of her 38 years on the show. Kim was my fantasy second mother (although I had a great adoptive mother in real life). She always made me so happy in all of her appearances on the show, and seeing her on so many television shows from the 1960’s too (“The Empath” episode from Star Trek being the most famous of them). Alan Locher had her and Don Hastings as guests on his youtube channel – so glad we got to see her again on his show. She meant so much to me and my heart is heavy with this loss ): R.I.P. “kiddo”, “toots”, the great Kathryn Hays.

A sad day indeed. An iconic actress, true soap royalty. I regret that ATWT is no longer on the air (for many reasons), but the possibility of a well-deserved tribute episode is thus moot.

A very classy lady. Lost another great one from golden days of soaps.

While life and death are arcs along the circle of life, and often played out in soap operas, I am still saddened by this news. I loved As the World Turns. It was the best daytime drama, and Miss Hays was among the greats who made it so. Oh, I think how she as Kim encouraged Bob (and all of us) to look forward in that final scene of the last episode. The world still turned but it was not the same. Years of strong stories and characters that were like family to viewers. Thank you, Miss Hays, for your talent, hard work, class, and time. God bless!

Great Lady and actress. Never a mean or spiteful word to anyone but she could hold her own when she had to with the likes of Susan or Lisa always trying to take Bob away from her. I loved how sweet she was with Nancy and always stood by Barbara after she lost her mother. I would say Kim had it all, could never find a bad word to say about her.

Sad news. Great actress.

Ms. Hays and Mr. Hastings will always be one of daytime’s most enduring couples. Miss ATWT as my grandmother was your biggest fan. She rarely missed an episode! Heaven has received a jewel and we are blessed from watching her performances thru an incredible 38 years. I know that Fairfield CT and her family will miss her but so will her soap fans.

Oh my goodness. I know that all of the actors and actresses I loved are going to be leaving us, but I’m still stunned when I see the news. Kathryn Hays, I just adored as Kim for years and years. NOBODY could give another character what-for and set them straight the way Kim could, and I would be right there rooting her on (and wishing I had it in me to do what she did)! And even after the show began tanking and the writing through the years was anywhere from indifferent to horrific (and even character-destroying), Ms. Hays could take nothing material, even outright bad material, and turn it into something that was at least watchable. I’m so grateful for the years I had her on my screen, and still scandalized she never even got an Emmy nomination, much less the statue, as far as I can remember. RIP, beautiful lady.

P.S. That top photo with this article, when she must have been in her 70s–Wow, is all I can say. Utterly gorgeous. Just stunning.

How I remember Kathryn Hays’ entrance to ATWT. She wasn’t the “nice” Kim we loved later on. She was a conniver out to steal her sister’s man! But she was so good, my mother and grandmother insisted I call them into the living room whenever Kim came onscreen. I loved her tempestuous relationship with John Dixon and her exasperation when trying to save niece Barbara from being her own worst enemy. So many great memories from a true lady and artist.

As a child I watched As The World Turns with my Mother. Kim and Bob were so important to the show.
I’m saddened to hear of her passing.

So sorry to learn of her passing…….she was a great actress and graced my TV for 38 years on As the World Turns…..As she aged, she never lost her beauty…..RIP

So sorry to learn of Katherine Hays passing……she was a great actress and graced my TV for 38 years on As the World Turns…..as she aged she never lost her beauty……sympathy to her family and friends…RIP

Kathryn will be missed…a warm, wonderful person who delighted the audience each weekday afternoon. My sincerest condolences.

I recall many years ago now, Kathryn visited Roanoke, VA and was a guest on the local CBS affiliate’s talk show “Panorama”. Afterwards,she was invited to guest-host the program for a week. The show’s regular hostesss was given a “walk-in role” on ATWT (as a nurse with a few lines)–all arranged by Kathryn! Kathryn was so impressed being a talk-show hostess for that one week, she returned to NY and asked the ATWT producers and writers to create a talk show for Kim in Oakdale. Hence this is how Kim’s Oakdale TV show “Patterns” became a part of the ATWT storyline.

OMG, I had no idea that that was how the “Patterns” storyline came about! How wonderful!

So glad I could share the story! I worked at the Roanoke, VA NBC affiliate and had a casual working rapport with the CBS affiliate which Kathryn visited and “guest-hosted”. Kathryn’s Roanoke visit was well publicized back in the day. Every viewer of “Panorama” was enamored having an ATWT star in town! It made BIG news in this small rural community in SW VA. At the time?….none of us even imagined Kathryn was being inspired to create “Patterns” on ATWT !

Great lady and actress.I can remember watching her just about every day.May you rest in peace.

So distraught here. She was not only a class act, but a fantastic actress! I remember being captivated by her performances during the Kim-Dan-Susan-John story in the ’70s (John Reilly, Marie Masters, Larry Bryggman and Ms Hays were ALL top-notch). She, Jacquie Courtney, Jeanne Cooper, Maeve McGuire, Nancy Pinkerton, and Ellen Holly remain my favorite daytime leading ladies to this day. Thanks, Kathryn Hays. You will be remembered fondly.

What a wonderful soul. I really enjoyed her on ATWT. She showed such class and style. A true icon of the daytime community.

As The World Turns

2024 Golden Globes: Justin Hartley and Amanda Seyfried Among First Round of Presenters

The 2024 awards season truly gets underway this Sunday night ,January 7th on CBS with the presentation of the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards honoring the best in motion picture and television as deemed by the voters of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).

The ceremony will be broadcast live and will air beginning at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST, from the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The ceremony will also be available on the CBS app and will stream on Paramount+. (Note, however, only Paramount+ subscribers who have Showtime can stream the event live; others can watch the show the next day.)

The first round of presenters was revealed on Wednesday and two soap opera alums are on the list including Justin Hartley (ex-This Is Us, The Young and the Restless, Revenge, Passions) and Amanda Seyfried (ex-Lucy, As the World Turns and ex-Joni Stafford, All My Children).

Photo: HFPA

Joining Justin and Amanda as presenters are: Angela Bassett, Will Ferrell, Michelle Yeoh,George Lopez, Julia Garner, Justin Hartley, Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams.  Previously, Jo Koy was named host for the telecast.

The Golden Globes are back on CBS for the first time since 1982. In addition, Dick Clark Productions is back after years away as the longtime Globes producers.

To review the nominees click here.

So, looking forward to the Golden Globes and seeing Justin and Amanda? Comment below.

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As The World Turns

Richard Roundtree, ‘Generations’, ‘ATWT” and ‘Shaft’ Star, Dead at 81

Motion picture and television leading man, Richard Roundtree, has passed away at the age of 81. The actor, best known for his role in the iconic film Shaft, and its sequels, died from complications from pancreatic cancer on October 24th in his home in Los Angeles.

In a statement, Roundtree’s manager, Patrick McMinn shared, “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film. The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”

During his extensive credits and career, Roundtree made two stops to two daytime soap operas. In 1990 till 1991, Roundtree played Dr. Daniel Ruebens on the defunct NBC soap opera Generations. He later appeared on As the World Turns from 2002-2003, taking on the role of Oliver Travers, the father to T. Marshall Travers played by Lamman Rucker.

Photo: NBC

Roundtree’s leading lady on Generations, Jonelle Allen took to her Facebook upon learning the news of the death of her former castmate and friend, expressing: “My Leading Man on Generations. I Am Very Sad. My Condolences To Your Family. Dearest Richard Roundtree.”

In a subsequent post, Allen shared a photo of their Generations’ characters, Daniel and Doreen about to lip-lock. Jonelle stated, “In the scene with him I kept thinking: ‘Shaft is about to kiss ME!!!’ Thank You.”

On Generations, Roundtree’s character of Daniel Reubens was a brilliant doctor, who was accused of killing someone by causing an explosion at a lab in 1974. He and his daughter, Maya, then went “underground” for the next 15 years. Maya was played by Viveca A. Fox.

Photo: AP

Fox, honored her former on-screen soap father with an Instagram post upon learning of his death. Vivica wrote: “GM Dawlings! My heart is sad this morning as late last night I learned that LEGEND Actor @officialrichardroundtree had passed. I had the blessing of working with Richard on alot of 1st in my acting career! He played my Dad on the soap opera #Generation‘s TV show #90210BeverlyHills Mr Roundtree thank u for your AMAZING GIFTS! U will truly be missed as u were the 1st African American Action Star #SHAFT I’ll never forget the time u stood for ME when a director was being a jerk to me! I’ll miss your smile, jokes, laughs & hugs! REST EASY KING! U DID WELL. #Classic #LEGEND #LeadingMan #Actor #SuperStar #Respect #RestInPeace”

Richard was also known for his roles in Roots and the Brad Pitt thriller Se7en. On television, Roundtree appeared on: Murder, She Wrote, A Different World, Beauty and the Beast, 21 Jump Street, MacGyver, Beverly Hill 90210, L.A. Law, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Alias, Desperate Housewives, Heroes, Grey’s Anatomy, Chicago Fire, and Private Practice and many more.

Share your condolences on the passing of Richard Roundtree via the comment section below.

 

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As The World Turns

Soap Alum John Wesley Shipp Shares Health Update

John Wesley Shipp, best known to daytime fans for his roles on As the World Turns, Guiding Light, One Life to Live et al, and primetime fans for his role in The Flash, shared a heartfelt health update via his Instagram.

While Shipp did not go into specifics, he did say he underwent surgery earlier in September for an urgent medical issue.

In his post, accompanying by his photo, John expressed: “Hello out there! Friends and contacts have written recently, like, “where are you? are you ok?” Well, here’s the deal: I had surgery early this month for a health issue that had to be dealt with immediately. All went well, but I’ve had to postpone a theatre production and personal appearances as the recoup will take some weeks. I do read and appreciate what you share with me, that you entrust me with your thoughts and feelings. You are ever on my mind and in my heart, and I look forward to getting active and out there again as soon as possible. Until then, remember to play nice, be kind, and stay engaged! Our futures depend on it.”

Photo: JPI

John’s soap resume is quite impressive having portrayed: Dr. Kelly Nelson/Victor Laszlo on Guiding Light, Doug Cummings on As the World Turns, Martin Ellis on Santa Barbara, Carter Jones on All My Children and Eddie Ford on One Life to Live. Shipp won two Daytime Emmys along the way.

More recently, John has appeared in primetime’s, Arrow, The Flash, Stargirl and countless other TV appearances.

Share your well-wishes for a speedy recovering to John via the comment section below.

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