Sad news to report this Monday.  The longtime star of CBS’ and then ABC’s The Edge of Night, Forrest Compton. has passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Forrest died on Sunday at the age of 94.

His death was reported and confirmed by Compton’s friends and an article in the Shelter Island Reporter.

Photo: CBS

As Edge of Night and longtime daytime fans know, Forrest played Monticello’s district attorney, Mike Karr.  He played this key role from 1971 until the show’s cancellation in 1984.  The show was originally titled “The Edge of Night” and eventually just became “Edge of Night”.   The soap which was steeped in murder mysteries ran on CBS from 1956–1975 and on ABC from 1975–1984,   In addition, Forrest along with his on-screen wife, Ann Flood (Nancy Karr) were one of the most popular duos in daytime.

Not only did Compton appear on EON, but he also had soap roles on As the World Turns, One Life to Live and All My Children.   In primetime, Forrest was best known for his role on Gomer Pyle: USMC opposite  Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton as Lieutenant Colonel Edward Gray.

In a heartwarming story where fan meets actor and helps him out (according to the Shelter Island Reporter) Compton was only slated to appear in two episodes a week for the next 13 weeks on The Edge of Night, when he needed an apartment in New York City near the studio, so when he heard about a one-bedroom on East 72nd he went to see Al, the super.  Forrest later learned that Al was such a devotee of  The Edge of Night that he locked his office door every day at 2 p.m. to watch uninterrupted. When Forrest mentioned that he had just been hired to play Mike Karr, the super said, “You’re getting that apartment.”’

Sharon Gabet who starred as Raven on Edge of Night, posted on Facebook, a tribute and remembrance of her former co-star: “Woody, as he was affectionately known to all of us on The Edge of Night, was a master professional, hilarious, smart, kind and gentle. I spoke with him a couple years ago on his birthday and he was active and happy in his retirement. Rest in peace, Woody, and give hugs and kisses to Larkin, Lois, Dennis, Nick, Joel, Irving and all the other EDGE alumni up there.  THE story about Woody. He was on EON when they were LIVE. It was brutal, but Woody was one of the best “straight face” men in the business. So he is doing a scene with Nancy his wife (the glorious Ann Flood – another “straight face” master). He walks in the kitchen and sits down and his line was supposed to be “Gee, it’s hard to get up in the morning.” as Nancy gave him his coffee. Instead, Mike Karr says on national TV, “Gee it’s hard to get IT up in the morning, Nancy.” There was pandemonium among the crew during the commercial break as you can imagine.”

Now below, watch the opening title sequence fro the The Edge of Night over the years, many of which feature Forrest as Mike Karr at the very opening or at the end as one of the series most well-known and beloved characters.

Then, share your condolences and remembrances on the passing of Forrest Compton in the comment section.

Robert Newman, best known to daytime soap fans as Josh Lewis on Guiding Light, sat down earlier this week for a wide-ranging interview on his career with Lauren Van Hemert via her You Tube Channel.

The timing of the posting of the interview as in-line with the date GL was officially canceled back on April 1, 2009.  The series began its historic run on TV from radio back on June 30, 1952, and ultimately aired its final episode on September 18, 2009.

Photo: JPI

From 1980 to 2009, Robert was one of the mainstays and key leading men of Springfield, and of course, the Josh and Reva (Kim Zimmer) love story is one of the most popular ever in the annals of daytime drama.

Right off at the top of the interview; Hemert noted that what she was asked most by fans of Newman’s and GL’s, when and if there will ever be a Guiding Light on-screen reunion.

Newman responded to the question: “I get that a lot.  That question is unfortunately in the hands of Procter and Gamble more than anything else … and they made it very clear over the years that they’re just not going to release the characters and copyrights to the show.”

Robert also added, “In terms of what you are talking about where there might be some sort of production, where there’s an actual reunion, and we see where Josh and Reva are today and that kind of thing (on their probably 15th marriage) … unless Procter and Gamble is somehow willing to shake loose the rights to the show, I don’t see it happening.”

Watch the full interview with the talented Mr. Newman below.

Then let us know, since P&G has made it very clear for the last several years they are out of the soap business completely, do you think its time they just sell the rights so viewers can see some sort of reboot down the line, especially for a show as beloved as Guiding Light? Comment below.

Saturday morning at 10amPST/1PMEST on Palm Springs iHub Radio, there will be a special hour tribute to the late soap veteran John Callahan who passed away last week at 66.

Callahan hosted his own show on the station, and to honor him the stations owner John McMullen, along with several of Callahan’s former All My Children co-stars including: Bobbie Eakes (Ex-Krystal), Walt Willey (Ex-Jack) , and Julia Barr (Ex-Brooke)  will also be part of the live broadcast special event, along with LIVE magazine TV host Melissa Neiderman, and other longtime friends and colleagues of Callahan’s.

As some know, John Callahan was a longtime resident of the Coachella Valley. From 2018 on he continued to be a part of the station with his weekly show all the way up until his death.

John’s soap resume was impressive, not only from his time as All My Children;s Edmund Grey, but also as General Hospital’s Leo Russell, Santa Barbara’s Craig Hunt, and Days of our Lives, Dr. Baker, plus his primetime roles including on Falcon Crest.

Following iHub Radio’s special broadcast, the tribute program will be available as an on-demand show via the iHubRadio.com home page.

So, let us know if you will be listening or caught the special broadcast honoring John today in the comment section below.