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. ❤️”

Photo: NBC

Photo: CBS

 

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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

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.

❤️ https://t.co/n9T45hgECf

— Martha Byrne (@MarthaByrne10) April 10, 2023

At Sunday night’s 29th Annual SAG Awards, the In Memoriam segment featured many a beloved soap star as well as so many familiar faces from film and television, who passed away in the past year.

Daytime dramas were well represented by remembering As the World Turns Kathryn Hays (ex-Kim), Days of our Lives’ John Aniston (ex-Victor) and Another World‘s Anne Heche (ex-Vicky/Marley).

Additionally, the SAG Awards package included: Ray Liotta (ex-Another World), Annie Wersching (ex-General Hospital), Stella Stevens (ex-General Hospital and Santa Barbara), Lisa Loring (ex-General Hospital and The Addams Family), Cody Longo (ex-Days of our Lives), Nichelle Nichols (ex-Y&R and Star Trek) and Bo Hopkins (ex-Dynasty).

Other notables included the late Olivia Newton John, Kirstie Alley, Raquel Welch, Barbara Walters, Richard Belzer, Leslie Jordan, Cindy Williams and more.

Irene Cara, who also passed away, not only was included in the montage, but her emotional song, “Out Here On My Own” from Fame was used as the backdrop for the In Memoriam tribute.

The 2023 SAG Awards ceremony aired live from the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on Netflix’s YouTube channel.

The In Memoriam Tribute package was produced by Patrick J. Doody, as well as the Sally Field tribute and nominee highlights.

So, were you glad to see many soap stars included in the 29th Annual SAG Awards In Memoriam Tribute? Comment below.