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 Cast To Perform Virtual Reading Of Final Episode
As The World Turns
ATWT Alum and Two-Time Daytime Emmy Winner, Michael Park in Virtual ‘STOMP Out Bullying’ Chat
As The World Turns
ATWT and GL Casting Directors To Talk Casting Some Of Your Favorites In Upcoming Virtual Chat
DAYS Alum Molly Burnett Promoted To Series Regular on ‘Queen of the South’
ABC Previews General Hospital’s Halloween Episode
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Chrishell Stause Shares & Performs Emotional Tribute To Her Late Parents
Kiara Barnes To Perform Her Original Song On The Bold and the Beautiful
As the World Turns Cast To Perform Virtual Reading Of Final Episode
Days of our Lives Returns To Production After Temporary Halt Amid COVID-19
Y&R’s Peter Bergman Talks On Dina’s Death & How It Will Impact Jack, His Final Scenes With Marla Adams & Taping During COVID-19
GH’s Ingo Rademacher Shares Insight With His Son On Parenting & Anger On Maurice Benard’s “State of Mind”
Y&R Shares ‘Most Memorable Moments Of Dina Mergeron’: What Was Your All-Time Favorite?
Y&R Alum Max Ehrich Drops New Single Following Break-Up with Demi Lovato
James Scott Comments: “I Will Never. Never. Never. Never. Never, Go Back to Hollywood Let Alone DOOL”
ABC Previews General Hospital’s Halloween Episode
Marla Adams Talks Her Final Scenes As Dina Mergeron, The Alzheimer’s Storyline, and Her Touching Farewell
Gregory Harrison Is The New Gregory Chase On General Hospital
Kristian Alfonso Bids Farewell to DAYS as Final Episode Airs Today Sharing; “Thank YOU From The Bottom Of My Heart For Welcoming Me Into Your Homes All Of These Years”
Days of our Lives Shuts Down Production For Two Weeks Due to Positive COVID-19 Test
GH’s Ingo Rademacher Shares Insight With His Son On Parenting & Anger On Maurice Benard’s “State of Mind”
Y&R’s Peter Bergman Talks On Dina’s Death & How It Will Impact Jack, His Final Scenes With Marla Adams & Taping During COVID-19
Judi Evans & Vincent Irizarry Set For Virtual Guiding Light Beth & Lujack Reunion
‘This Is Us’ Cast, Julianne Moore, Allison Janney & More Ask NBC To Move President Trump’s Town Hall Opposite Joe Biden’s To A Different Time Slot
GH’s Ingo Rademacher Shares Insight With His Son On Parenting & Anger On Maurice Benard’s “State of Mind”
Y&R Shares ‘Most Memorable Moments Of Dina Mergeron’: What Was Your All-Time Favorite?
‘The Bachelorette’ Releases Two-Minute Hot Mess Promo Ahead of Tonight’s Season Premiere
The General Hospital Promo Featuring The Arrival of Kim Delaney
‘Tiger King’s’ Carole Baskin Gets Emotional In ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Preview Leading Into Tonight’s Competition
WATCH: Ellen DeGeneres Address Toxic Workplace Issues & How She is a ‘Work in Progress’ in Talk Show Season Opener
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Anne Heche. Jesse Metcalfe & Chrishell Stause Make Their Ballroom Debuts; While Tyra Banks Bows As New Host
Chandler Massey & Freddie Smith Discuss Their Departure From DAYS, New Beginnings & WilSon’s Journey
WATCH: Matt Bomer & Tuc Watkins in Official Trailer for Netflix’s Film Adaptation of ‘Boys in the Band’
The Bold and the Beautiful Shows How They Shoot Scenes With Blow-Up Dolls & Mannequins On Access Hollywood
-
Days Of Our LivesOctober 14, 2020James Scott Comments: “I Will Never. Never. Never. Never. Never, Go Back to Hollywood Let Alone DOOL”
-
General HospitalOctober 20, 2020ABC Previews General Hospital’s Halloween Episode
-
InterviewsOctober 16, 2020Marla Adams Talks Her Final Scenes As Dina Mergeron, The Alzheimer’s Storyline, and Her Touching Farewell
-
General HospitalOctober 14, 2020Gregory Harrison Is The New Gregory Chase On General Hospital
-
Days Of Our LivesOctober 14, 2020Kristian Alfonso Bids Farewell to DAYS as Final Episode Airs Today Sharing; “Thank YOU From The Bottom Of My Heart For Welcoming Me Into Your Homes All Of These Years”
-
Breaking NewsOctober 12, 2020Days of our Lives Shuts Down Production For Two Weeks Due to Positive COVID-19 Test
-
General HospitalOctober 18, 2020GH’s Ingo Rademacher Shares Insight With His Son On Parenting & Anger On Maurice Benard’s “State of Mind”
-
InterviewsOctober 19, 2020Y&R’s Peter Bergman Talks On Dina’s Death & How It Will Impact Jack, His Final Scenes With Marla Adams & Taping During COVID-19