As The World Turns
Emmy Winner and Noted Soap Opera Head Writer; Hogan Sheffer Passes Away At 61
Over the last several hours, reports have broke that one of daytime’s most notable scribes has died. Hogan Sheffer, who was head writer at As the World Turns, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless has passed away at the age of 61.
Soap Hub, first reported the news via multiple sources, however, many writers who worked with Hogan during his tenure on the soaps have taken to social media to share their condolences and their grief and remembrances.
Sheffer’s appearance on the soap scene was unexpected, especially in a genre where it is often rare for new blood to take the reins at the head writer position. Proctor & Gamble had decided to bring in Hogan after his work as the Director of Screenplay Development for DreamWorks, not because of his writing credits for a previous network soap. He was given trial deal as a breakdown writer for the CBS soap and 10-weeks in became the beloved town of Oakdale’s new head writer.
Hogan and his then writing team were able to turn the classic, As the World Turns around. The show went up in the ratings and during his time with the series ‘World Turn’s’ won two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series, and he and the writing team picked up four Emmy victories all through 2000-2004.
Photo: JPI
Next, Sheffer landed in Salem as head writer of Days of our Lives along with Meg Kelly from 2006 through to the beginning of 2008. He would later join The Young and the Restless and team up with then head writers: Maria Arena Bell and Scott Hamner, and eventually stay with the show till 2012. During Sheffer’s time in Genoa City, Y&R also won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Writing in 2011.
On Sunday, former WWE and daytime writer Tom Casiello, who was extremely close with Sheffer… and who shared how Hogan gave him his start at writing in daytime, took to his Facebook page to pay tribute to a man who had such an impact on his life and many others. It is worth the read here.
Y&R writer, Sara Bibel tweeted: “Hogan Sheffer was a gamechanger for ATWT and daytime. Everyone I know who worked with him adored him. RIP”
And, iconic ATWT star, Martha Byrne (Ex-Lily) tweeted on Sheffer’s passing: “To say he was one of a kind would be a tremendous understatement. Our years at ATWT with Hogan at the helm were a rebirth for our beautiful show. Loved his writers, actors,crew. Blessed to have him on the first floor in Brooklyn ready to listen. Talented. Funny. Generous. RIP”
Colleen Zenk (Ex-Barbara, ATWT) also took to Twitter upon learning of the passing of Sheffer sharing: “I loved him, loved him, loved him… he was so good to me. Thank you for everything, Hogan. You were so loved. Especially, by me… Rest in peace…”
Michael Fairman TV will continue to bring you updates as the soap world mourns the loss of a creative force in our genre. Share your condolences and thoughts on the death of Hogan Sheffer via the comment section below.
6
He was only 61. I think I watched all of the soaps he wrote for and saw most of his material. With so many changes in the industry, he seems like a throw back to another era. A different time, and to these aging eyes a better one. Rest in peace and godspeed.
He was a good writer. I remember him from all his Head Writing stints. E especially Days because it was heralded as another of their umpteenth reboots. Stephanie came back as a race car driver. Billie cane back and was at odds with Hope. John was hit by a car in a rare outdoor shoot. That fly the skies story. And so on. Isn’t that also when Belle and Sean jumped off a ship holding Claire. That was hilarious even if it wasn’t him. And when he judged that next soap star competition. Sadly that was a car crash LOL.… Read more »
Typos. You can’t comment with them. You can’t comment without them LOL.
Like Michael and so many in the daytime drama industry, Hogan was indeed a breath of fresh air. He did so much for the industry and revitalized several shows that were floundering storyline wise.
May he RIP.
Sad news. Hogan certainly resurrected As The World Turns. I remember when he accepted the Emmy for ATWT. Daytime needs to take a chance with new writers to come in and help the remaining four daytime soaps. Quit recycling the same old writers.
You said a lot with that statement. I wholly agree with all of it.
As The World Turns
As the World Turns Alum Marnie Schulenburg Passes Away at 37
As The World Turns
ATWT Alum Alexandra Chando Cast in NBC Pilot Based on Dutch Show ‘Adam & Eva’
As The World Turns
Julianne Moore Pays Tribute to ATWT’s Kathryn Hays: “I Am in Indebted to Her and So Saddened by Her Loss”
The soap world has been in mourning since last Friday with the news of the passing of As the World Turns icon, Kathryn Hays (Kim Hughes). The beloved actress passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 87.
Now, Hays former on-screen stepdaughter and niece, Oscar winner, Julianne Moore (Ex-Frannie/Sabrina Hughes) took to Instagram over the weekend to share her heartfelt remembrance and grief of working with Hays early in her acting career on ATWT.
Photo: JPI
Moore shared: “The beautiful and gracious Kathryn Hays has passed away. I worked with Kathryn on As the World Turns at the beginning of my career and she treated me with such kindness and generosity, and demonstrated in her every action how to be professional on a set. I am indebted to her and so saddened by her loss. My thoughts are with her family – she spoke to me so often of her daughter. I hope they know what a profound influence Kathryn had on me, and so many others. RIP Kathryn ❤️❤️❤️ ”
Julianne had played twins Frannie and Sabrina from 1985-1988 and then returned to the CBS soap opera one final time in 2010 before ATWT made its final farewell.
What do you think of the kind words Moore shared on her thoughts on the passing of Kathryn Hays? Do you remember Julianne in scenes with Kathryn on ATWT, if so, what were some of your favorites? Comment below.
49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners Circle (Photos)
49th Annual Daytime Emmys Red Carpet Arrivals (Photos)
49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards: General Hospital, B&B’s John McCook and Y&R’s Mishael Morgan Take Top Honors
Peter Bergman Signs 5-Year Deal with The Young and the Restless
Lamon Archey and Sal Stowers Exit Days of our Lives
Y&R Daytime Emmy Nominees, Jason Thompson and Melissa Ordway, Test Positive for Covid-19
GENERAL HOSPITAL 15000th Episode: Laura Faces Being Ousted as Mayor as Port Charles Bands Together in Support of Her
Michael Bolton to Perform New Song & During In Memoriam Segment at 49th Annual Daytime Emmys
GH’s Finola Hughes, Marcus Coloma & Josh Swickard Talk On 15,000th Episode Milestone
NATAS President and CEO, Adam Sharp, Shares Insight Into 49th Annual Daytime Emmys Telecast
General Hospital’s Rebecca Herbst Shuts Down Rumors and Speculation
Presenters Announced for the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
General Hospital 15,000th Episode Milestone Promo
GH’s Finola Hughes, Marcus Coloma & Josh Swickard Talk On 15,000th Episode Milestone
Lamon Archey and Sal Stowers Exit Days of our Lives
General Hospital Crew Members Sue ABC Over Covid-19 Vaccine Mandate
B&B’s Ted King, ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’, ‘Penguin Town’ Big Winners at 49th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmys
Michael Bolton to Perform New Song & During In Memoriam Segment at 49th Annual Daytime Emmys
Soap Stars and Alums at Opening Ceremony of the 61st Annual Monte Carlo TV Festival (Photos)
Ariana DeBose & Nancy Lee Grahn Mutual Admiration Society Revealed
GH’s Finola Hughes, Marcus Coloma & Josh Swickard Talk On 15,000th Episode Milestone
General Hospital 15,000th Episode Milestone Promo
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Two Moms Unite To Keep Finn Alive … Or Will One Throw the Other Under the Bus?
THIS WEEK: Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland’s Y&R 40th Anniversary Episode To Air
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Who Killed Abigail?
CBS Dusts Off 80’s ‘Feel The Heat’ Promo Campaign for Y&R and B&B and Their Daytime Line-Up
Y&R’s Christel Khalil Stars in Rom-Com ‘We Need to Talk’ With James Maslow
ET’s Kevin Frazier & Nischelle Turner Named Hosts for 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Josh Kelly Makes His General Hospital Debut: What Are Your First Impressions of Cody?
Chris Van Etten Wraps Storyline and Exits General Hospital
-
General HospitalJune 17, 2022General Hospital’s Rebecca Herbst Shuts Down Rumors and Speculation
-
Days Of Our LivesJune 16, 2022Presenters Announced for the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
-
General HospitalJune 20, 2022General Hospital 15,000th Episode Milestone Promo
-
General HospitalJune 21, 2022GH’s Finola Hughes, Marcus Coloma & Josh Swickard Talk On 15,000th Episode Milestone
-
Breaking NewsJune 24, 2022Lamon Archey and Sal Stowers Exit Days of our Lives
-
Breaking NewsJune 16, 2022General Hospital Crew Members Sue ABC Over Covid-19 Vaccine Mandate
-
NewsJune 18, 2022B&B’s Ted King, ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’, ‘Penguin Town’ Big Winners at 49th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmys
-
Breaking NewsJune 21, 2022Michael Bolton to Perform New Song & During In Memoriam Segment at 49th Annual Daytime Emmys