All My Children
Legendary Casting Director Joan D'Incecco, Responsible For Casting Susan Lucci & Erika Slezak On Daytime, Dead at 89
Photo: NorthJersey.com/D'Incecco Family
The daytime world has also lost in December and in 2016, another iconic figure.
Longtime ABC casting director, Joan D’Incecco passed away in New Jersey at the age of 89.
For over 20 years, Joan was the casting director at All My Children. And it was D’Incecco who is credited with finding Susan Lucci to play Pine Valley’s Erika Kane, as well as Kelly Ripa as Hayley Vaughan. D’Incecco was honored by Susan Lucci when the iconic soap star finally won her Daytime Emmy after 19 tries and took the stage to accept her award. She saluted the legendary casting director citing that she “saw me as more than just an ethnic type … and saw that I could play Erica Kane.”
Following the news of Joan’s death, Susan Lucci told NorthJersey.com, “At the time I was told I could not work in television because I was too ethnic looking — I had dark eyes and an olive complexion — but Joan was able to look past that and was very warm and encouraging,” Lucci said, adding that Mrs. D’Incecco made good on her promise to call her back in six months. At the second meeting, with Mrs. D’Incecco, show creator Agnes Nixon and other producers in attendance, Lucci won the part of Erica Kane.
“Joan remained as accessible, warm and smart as the first day I met her,” said Lucci. The actress said she was able to get a message of gratitude to the casting director in the days before she died. D’Incecco introduced countless actors to TV audiences including a young Laurence Fishburne and Tom Berenger to One Life to Live and the one and only six-time Daytime Emmy-winning Erika Slezak (Viki).
Joan’s film work included the original Mel Brooks movie, The Producers as well as The Subject was Roses, which led to Jack Albertson winning an Academy Award for Best Actor and Patricia Neal being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
She was the winner of the Casting Society of America’s prestigious Artios Award in 1985, 1989, 1991, and 1992, and was nominated for the award three additional times throughout her career. Longtime fans of ABC Daytime fondly remember seeing D’Incecco’s name in the closing credits of AMC and OLTL.
Joan is survived by her son, John and his wife, Meg, and daughter, Nicole and her husband Ian; and her grandchildren; L.J., Benjamin and Sam and sister, Doris Mueller. Funeral services were held on December 19th, with amemorial service to celebrate Joan’s life planned for New York City in early 2017.
Share your thoughts on the passing of Joan D’Incecco, and her ability to find some of the greatest talent every to appear in daytime dramas in the comment section below. But first, watch Susan Lucci’s Daytime Emmy-winning speech where she shares her gratitidude for the legendary casting director!
All My Children
All My Children Alum Ben Jörgensen Reportedly Dead At 51
According to his former All My Children castmate, Brian Gaskill. there is sad news in the soap world today. Ben Jörgensen who played Kevin on All My Children and Chris on As the World Turns passed away on Tuesday at the age of 51, apparently via suicide, although unconfirmed as to his cause of death.
Gaskill, who played Bobby Warner while in Pine Valley shared via his Instagram: “Sad news to report. Ben Jörgensen who played Kevin Sheffield on All My Children has past away at 51 years old. My understanding is it was suicide. I have heard he suffered from Bipolar disorder but as I have not spoke to him in years I do not know all the details. I just want to remember the good times we had on the set of All My Children 24 years ago. He was a good guy and had the courage to play a gay teenager on tv back when it was nowhere near as common to have representation as it is today. He was part of an award winning storyline…but mostly we just had some good times back then…my condolences go out to his friends and family. Please everybody hang in there and reach out for help if you need it. ”
Since the time of Brian’s posting, friends, colleagues and fans have been posting tributes and condolences on the actor’s Facebook page. You can view that here.
In this heartbreaking photo below from Steven Bergman, during his time on As the World Turns, Ben is pictured with the late Nathaniel Marston, as well as Jaime Nicole Dudney and Terri Conn.
Photo: StevenBergman
On All My Children, Ben was part of the important social issue storyline brought into the ABC legacy soap opera by the iconic Agnes Nixon, who was always trying to move the needle forward in daytime, as the character of Kevin was a gay high school student facing bullying, ridicule and discrimination for his sexuality.
Share your thoughts on the passing of Ben via the comment section below.
All My Children
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All My Children
Michael B. Jordan Pays Tribute To Chadwick Boseman: “Since Nearly The Beginning Of My Career, Starting with All My Children When I was 16 Years Old You Paved The Way For Me”
Following the news of the tragic death of now motion picture icon, Chadwick Boseman late Friday, tributes and sentiments have poured in from celebrities, politicians and fans from all across the world.
Chadwick Boseman passed away late last week at the age of 43 from colon cancer – a battle he kept silent about for the last four years of life.
Photo: JPI
No one could be more intertwined with Boseman’s career than that of his fellow Black Panther star, Michael B. Jordan. For Jordan took over the role of Reggie Porter on All My Children from Boseman after the late actor lasted one week, following standing up to, and addressing concerns, of racial stereotypes in the way that the part was written. Reggie was introduced to Pine Valley as a gang member in 2003. As previously reported it was Boseman who helped the soap opera improve the role that Jordan took over with some recommendations.
Now Michael B. Jordan has written a heartfelt remembrance of Chadwick that he shared on his Instagram, and what he has meant to his life, including how he showed him how to be better, to honor purpose and create legacy.
Read below Michael’s post:
“I’ve been trying to find the words, but nothing comes close to how I feel. I’ve been reflecting on every moment, every conversation, every laugh, every disagreement, every hug…everything.
I wish we had more time.
One of the last times we spoke, you said we were forever linked , and now the truth of that means more to me than ever. Since nearly the beginning of my career, starting with All My Children when I was 16 years old you paved the way for me. You showed me how to be better, honor purpose, and create legacy. And whether you’ve known it or not…I’ve been watching, learning and constantly motivated by your greatness.
I wish we had more time.
Everything you’ve given the world … the legends and heroes that you’ve shown us we are … will live on forever. But the thing that hurts the most is that I now understand how much of a legend and hero YOU are. Through it all, you never lost sight of what you loved most. You cared about your family , your friends, your craft, your spirit. You cared about the kids, the community, our culture and humanity. You cared about me. You are my big brother, but I never fully got a chance to tell you, or to truly give you your flowers while you were here.
I wish we had more time.
I’m more aware now than ever that time is short with people we love and admire. I’m gonna miss your honesty, your generosity, your sense of humor, and incredible gifts. I’ll miss the gift of sharing space with you in scenes. I’m dedicating the rest of my days to live the way you did. With grace, courage, and no regrets. “Is this your king!?” Yes . he . is! Rest In Power Brother.”
What do you think of Michael’s tribute to Chadwick and how they have been interconnected dating back to 2003 and All My Children? Comment below.
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Days Of Our LivesOctober 14, 2020James Scott Comments: “I Will Never. Never. Never. Never. Never, Go Back to Hollywood Let Alone DOOL”
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InterviewsOctober 16, 2020Marla Adams Talks Her Final Scenes As Dina Mergeron, The Alzheimer’s Storyline, and Her Touching Farewell
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General HospitalOctober 14, 2020Gregory Harrison Is The New Gregory Chase On General Hospital
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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”
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PreviewsOctober 11, 2020THIS WEEK ON Y&R: Farewell to Dina As Marla Adams Wraps Her Run
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General HospitalOctober 18, 2020GH’s Ingo Rademacher Shares Insight With His Son On Parenting & Anger On Maurice Benard’s “State of Mind”
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What a gift she had, and how lucky we were to be the recipient of it.
Beautifully said, boes. Joan, may your spirit soar in the Upper World. You were a blessing to many in this world, those who enjoyed your talents and also those who knew you personally.
What a wonderful eye for talent. Erika Slezak, Susan Lucci, Laurence Fishburne and Tom Berenger!!!!!!!!
Rest in peace Mrs. D’Incecco.
A GREAT eye indeed!
This woman clearly knew how to assemble talented people. We watched those wonderful shows for years, for the writing, yes, but also for the actors/characters that brought those tales to rich vibrant life.
Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The characters were so multi-layered and complexed and the actors were wonderful at bring them to life.
I remember when this originally aired. Although I wasn’t a watcher of AMC, I cried right along with Ms. Lucci. I was also happy because the beautiful Shamar Moore handed out the award. Are there any Y&R fans out there who remember when Neil and Malcom use to work out and their sweaty bare chests would be on display for all the world to see. Now to me that is a wonderful way to wile away an afternoon. Soap Opera at its best
Joan was a wonderful and wonderfully talented woman. May she RIP
Daytime must’ve been so exciting back then to work in as well as watch!
In my opinion, I think the late seventies to the mid to late eighties were prime soap opera watching. They don’t make them like that anymore. Everyday after school, from seventh grade to 1984 senior year in H.S was for myself and my older sister, was always General Hospital. From 3:00 to 4:00 Mon-Fri we would be glued to the television set. GH now, I think is a shadow of its former self. The best was its heyday and for me that was the late seventies to the mid eighties. I’m sure we won’t see it like that again anytime… Read more »
David Lewis was good in the role of Edward Quatrain but John Ingle did a much better job.