As The World Turns
ATWT's Helen Wagner has died at age 91
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Very sad new tonight in the soap world to report. Helen Wagner who played Nancy Hughes, the matriarch of the Hughes Family on As the World Turns, for nearly 54 years has died. Associated Press and ATWT are reporting that Wagner died Saturday, May 1, 2010 and the cause of death has not been announced.
Wagner spoke the first words on As the World Turns when the show premiered on April 2, 1956, and she held the Guinness World Record for playing the same role on television for the longest amount of time, CBS said. While Wagner, who was born in Lubbock, Texas, was seen less often in later decades, no other network television performer came close to her run playing a single character. Her first words on the show’s premiere were “Good morning, dear.” She was still part of the cast, though with a small presence, in December 2009, when CBS announced that As the World Turns was being canceled and its last episode would air in September 2010.
“All of us at As the World Turns are deeply saddened by Helen’s passing,” said Christopher Goutman, Executive Producer of ATWT. “She is loved by generations of fans and while we will miss her greatly, Helen will always remain the heart and soul of As the World Turns.” Many know that final scripts are currently being written for the show finale to air in the fall that was going to heavily involve the mainstay families of Oakdale. Long time viewers were already predicting Nancy would have the last spoken words of the show. Just how this will impact the finale is yet to be seen. On-Air On-Soaps sends it’s thoughts and prayers to Helen Wagner’s family.
As The World Turns
As the World Turns Castmates Mourn the Loss of Elizabeth Hubbard
UPDATED: Monday, the soap world was saddened by the loss of one of the most respected actress ever in the genre, when the news broke of the death of Daytime Emmy-winner, Elizabeth Hubbard.
This powerhouse performer who was best known for her work as Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, and as Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns, died this past Saturday at her home in Connecticut from cancer.
Throughout this afternoon, several of Hubbard’s former As the World Turns castmates took to social media to share their reactions on the passing of this beloved daytime icon. In addition, Retro TV, which has been airing vintage episodes of The Doctors, also paid tribute to Hubbard.
Photo: CBS
Martha Byrne (ex-Lily, ATWT) shared on her Instagram: As many of you are finding out this morning, Elizabeth Hubbard passed away. First and foremost I want everyone to know I made sure she was aware of how much everyone loved her. I would share your comments from social media, videos and your fond memories of her as Lucinda, Althea, every time I saw her. She loved the audience and fought like HELL to bring truth and honesty to her performances. On a personal level there aren’t words to describe how much she meant to me. Only feelings, which override words in so many cases when it comes to love. I will be sharing more so we can all grieve together but here are our last words together only just a few days ago. I said, “Liz, do you know how much you have done for me?” She said, “You can do more.” Because of what she has done for me over the last 38 years, the strength and fearless nature in how she lived her life, she is right, I can AND WILL do more. I look forward to sharing more about her life, which encompasses so much more than her INCREDIBLE career on daytime television. She also said to me when I told her how much the fans loved her…”I tried.” She more than tried. She left it all on the screen. I’ll miss her every day but grateful the universe gifted me with such a force of nature, of which the world will not see the likes of again. ❤️”
Michael Park (ex-Jack) shared via Twitter: “If Liz was involved in a scene I was lucky enough to be in, I could always count on learning a little something and laughing a whole lot. She was a ferocious talent in love with her craft. One of the greats that will certainly be missed.”
Photo: NBC
Mary Beth Evans (ex-Sierra, ATWT and now Kayla, DAYS) expressed: “I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Elizabeth Hubbard for six years on As the World Turns, where she played my mother. What an amazing powerhouse this woman was … always striving for spontaneity and keeping it real. My favorite times with her were riding in the car from Manhattan to Brooklyn — the stories she would tell were so much fun. Rest in peace, sweet lady. #RIPLIZ #ATWT
Photo: CBS
Peter Boynton (ex-Tonio, ATWT) added: “Rest in peace, Boss! Working with/for you at ‘Walsh Enterprises’ was a highlight of my NYC years! Your encouragement and respect meant the world to me. I’m raising a glass to you and feel so lucky to have worked with you in that great ‘ATWT’ community. On angels wings. – Peter ‘Tonio Reyes’ Boynton.”
Scott Bryce (ex-Craig, ATWT) said, “She was astonishing. Liz RIP. Love you woman.”
Retro TV expressed: “We are saddened to hear of soap-opera legend Elizabeth Hubbard’s passing at age 89. A force to be reckoned with, Hubbard stole our hearts with her portrayal of Althea Davis on The Doctors. Please share your favorite memories with us as we remember the beloved Elizabeth Hubbard.”
In addition, Alec Baldwin who played Billy Aldrich on The Doctors wrote: “I worked on The Doctors with the great Liz Hubbard. An amazing woman and remarkable actress.”
Michael Fairman TV will continue to update this post as reactions continue from Liz’s colleagues.
What do you think about the remembrances shared thus far from Martha Byrne, Michael Park, Mary Beth Evans and Peter Boynton on working with the great Elizabeth Hubbard? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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We are saddened to hear of soap-opera legend Elizabeth Hubbard’s passing at age 89. A force to be reckoned with, Hubbard stole our hearts with her portrayal of Althea Davis on The Doctors. Please share your favorite memories with us as we remember the beloved Elizabeth Hubbard. pic.twitter.com/Ctb020q6bw
— Watch The Doctors (@watch_doctors) April 10, 2023
As The World Turns
Daytime Icon Elizabeth Hubbard Passes Away at 89
One of daytime drama’s most beloved and revered actresses, Elizabeth Hubbard, has passed away. The legendary Daytime Emmy-winning star was best known for her performances as Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors and Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns.
Elizabeth’s son, Jeremy Bennett, broke the heartbreaking news via his Facebook page, sharing, “I’m sorry to say with a broken heart mi mum passed over the weekend. Thank you for being an unmovable rock that guided me through life. I will try to honour your memory for as long as I live.”
Photo: NBC
Hubbard received 11 Daytime Emmy nominations throughout her career on the soaps. Of her 11 Daytime Emmy nods, Hubbard earned eight for her towering work as Lucinda Walsh on CBS’ As the World Turns, a role she played from 1984 till the the beloved soap went off the air in September of 2010.
However, Liz was the very first actress to win the Outstanding Lead Actress award in 1974 for her star-turn as Dr. Althea Davis on NBC’s The Doctors. She followed that two years later winning a Daytime Emmy for the TV movie, First Ladies Dairies: Edith Wilson.
Liz was born to be an actress and graduated from the distinguished Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England, She got her soap start with roles on Guiding Light, then Edge of Night, and eventually joined The Doctors as Althea. She played the role from 1964-1969, then again from 1970-1978 and one last time from 1981-1982. After The Doctors was cancelled, she went over to One Life to Live for a short run in the role of Estelle Chadwick.
Photo: JPI
Later, everything changed in Oakdale when As the World Turns wisely cast Hubbard as Lucinda Walsh, a defining role in her career. Lucinda was a tough-as-nails corporate business woman with a past, who guarded her heart, and carried on tumultuous relationships with her children and the men in her life.
Photo: JPI
Elizabeth’s final appearance on-screen was in the web series Anacostia in 2015 that reunited Hubbard with her ATWT on-screen adopted daughter, Lily, played by her dear friend, Martha Byrne.
We will continue to provide updates and reactions in the soap community on the death of Elizabeth Hubbard in the days ahead.
Share your condolences and remembrances for the great Elizabeth Hubbard vis the comment section. But first, we share the last times we had the opportunity to connect with Liz. One, on the red carpet at the Daytime Emmys along with Martha Bryne in 2018, and her participation as one of our ‘Doctors’ alums during our pandemic game show, ‘Soap-Opera-Know-It-All’, where she was gracious enough to be a part of the episode.
— Martha Byrne (@MarthaByrne10) April 10, 2023
As The World Turns
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This is so sad! I was looking forward to Helen delivering the last line on the show! She had already talked about it and said that she wanted it to be ” Goodnight Dear “.
Many Daytime fans were writing that those would be the last words on ATWT to close the show.
They definitely should have a funeral for the character. Maybe that will be the last ep instead, as a tribute to Wagner.
Maybe Julianne Moore will return yet again.
This presents more of a challenge for Goutman and Co. to get things right at the end of ATWT.
Somehow integrating Martha Byrne back to ATWT is going to be a challenge for them.
Also, all the more should there be an ATWT tribute clip at the Daytime Emmys.
I just cried when I read this. It has already been an emotional week for me as a beloved aunt passed away a few days ago. Helen Wagner was like a member of my family. I just remember commenting to my family and friends who also watch ATWT, on how good she looked during the episode involving Bob and Kim. She did not look a day over 60!!. Amazing!
Helen Wagner was a beautiful woman. The heart of ATWT. My thoughts are with her family and ATWT.
I’m sad that Nancy died. I was hoping she did the last scene in ATWT in september,just the way she began.