All My Children
Veteran Soap Opera Director Larry Auerbach Dies: Won Daytime Emmy For OLTL, Steered Love Of Life for Nearly 30 Years
Courtesy/DGA
Iconic daytime drama director Larry Auerbach has died.
Auerbach, who is considered by many to be a pioneer in daytime television, passed away today in La Jolla, California at the age of 91 from complications of glioblastoma. Auerbach helmed CBS’ Love of Life, from 1951 to 1980, which was its entire run. He directed the talents of Warren Beatty, Jon Voight, Jessica Walters, Christopher Reeve, and Roy Scheider, who would all work on the series during the early parts of their careers.
Following Love of Life, Auerbach directed on a number of New York based soaps including: All My Children, Another World , As the World Turns and One Life to Live. It was at OLTL where he was very well known for his work, after his 29 years at Love of Life, so much so that he received a Daytime Emmy for directorial achievement in 1984. It is estimated that Auerbach clocked over 3,000 hours as a daytime television director. He was considered such a soap opera expert that Dustin Hoffman consulted with him on the film Tootsie, in which the actor played a soap opera star.
Larry was also named a DGA Honorary Life Member in 2004, joining an elite group that includes Charles Chaplin, Walt Disney, Jack Warner, Lew Wasserman, and Jack Valenti and he received the union’s 1991 Robert B. Aldrich award.
DGA president Paris Barclay made the following statement today on the passing of Auerbach: “Larry emerged as a vigorous presence right after the merger that created the modern DGA, diving headlong into a long career of service to the Guild and his fellow members. Larry worked tirelessly, out of love for his Guild and his profession, to ensure better working conditions and stronger protection of creative rights for Guild members, and he was instrumental in raising the profile of daytime serial directors, the genre to which he dedicated his career. Under his watch as National Vice President and a member of the Eastern Directors Council, Larry helped organize the renovation of the New York headquarters, and he played a major role in ensuring greater health and fiscal security for Guild members through the DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans. He was a dynamo – a strong and powerful voice for our members for decades – and we will miss him greatly.”
Share your thoughts on the passing of Larry Auerbach below: Did you watch Love of Life? Do you remember his work from OLTL?
15
I was a little kid and watched Love of Life with my mother. So, I’m sure I saw his work. If he was directing OLTL during the 1980s, I certainly saw and enjoyed his work. That was the era of Karen, the housewife hooker, and the fabulous Marco Dane. The Buchanan clan came to town. We got our first glimpse of the evil and hard to kill Mitch Laurence. Niki Smith returned. Dorian got a family in Herb and Cassie. A lot happened during that decade. Thank you Mr. Auerbach for your wonderful work. RIP.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family…if there is a daytime hall of fame he should be part of it…he was behind the scenes but he is a daytime legend!!! I loved Love Of Life!!!
Loved <3 Vanessa and residents of Rosehill, USA.
A true legend. Thanks for making soaps truly great, back in the day.
Soaps owe a great deal to him, his work on Love of Life helped steer the genre in new directions.
When such a revered leader in the industry passes, it makes me wish for “the good old days.” We are reminded just how great they were, even if we did not realize it then. Thank you, Larry Auerbach.
I watched Love of Life and I was very sad when it was cancelled. Larry Auerbach was on camera on the final episode in the last sad scene and it is very memorable. The director’s work is always visible. He helped make Love of Life a great and memorable show.
Wasn’t he seen at the end of the last episode of LOL leaving the director’s booth & walking thru the set one last time? He is to be saluted as a giant of daytime drama.
Also the passing of Ann Marcus (93)..writer for Peyton Place (’66) along with many others LIAMST, DOOL, GH, OLTL, KL, ..many others.In addition to have been creator head writer for Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
Died December 3,2014
Thats more sad news…i didnt know she passed…very talented writer…thanks for letting us know!
As fans most of our attention goes towards the actors and the writers, occasionally to a producer but rarely do we ever focus on soap directors. What they do contributes greatly to our enjoyment of our soaps. So as we “fade to black” on this pioneer soap director, let as all take a moment on Monday as we watch our favorite soap to thank the directing team of the soap in a manner you chose. I will be raising a glass of eggnog and saying thank you for a job well done— and if I were a younger person I… Read more »
Very well said Mary SF. All the people who “male it happen” definitely desire our thanks.
That’s make it happen.
Y&R terrible, fix this show if possible, how on earth is this soap #1 #Baffeling
All My Children
TONIGHT: All My Children’s Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams Together Again on All-New Episode of ‘Our Kind of People’
The Fox drama, Our Kind of People (9 pm ET/8pm CT), will feature a reunion, of sorts, on tonight’s January 18th episode when Debbi Morgan (Ex-Angie, All My Children) once again shares screen-time with her former on-screen soap opera love, Darnell Williams (Ex-Jesse, All My Children).
While mum’s the word as to Williams role, we know that Debbi plays Angela’s Aunt Piggy on the series, and in last week’s installment, Piggy went to the police station to turn herself in for the murder of her ex-boyfriend years ago. However, Darnell’s character could hold the key as to what really went down in the murder.
Photo: JPI
Debbi spoke to TV Line about acting again with Darnell: “We were shooting the scene when Darnell’s character walks through the door for the first time. And it was the first time we see this character on the show, and I looked at him and shouted, ‘Jesse!’ The director had to yell cut and everyone fell out laughing. It was hilarious. I knew that wasn’t his name on Our Kind of People but I couldn’t help myself. We worked together for so many years as Angie and Jesse and that’s the first thing that came to my mind.”
Photo: FOX
For those who have not checked out Our Kind of People, it takes place in the aspirational world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful Black elite have come to play for over 50 years.
In story, strong-willed single mom Angela Vaughn (Ex-AMC star, Yaya Decosta) sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary hair care line that highlights the innate, natural beauty of Black women, but she soon discovers a dark secret about her own mother’s past that will turn her world upside-down and shake up this community forever. The show is a soapy, thrilling exploration of race and class in America and an unapologetic celebration of Black resilience and achievement.
The series is from writer and executive producer Karin Gist (Star, Grey’s Anatomy) and executive producer Lee Daniels (Empire, The United States Vs. Billie Holiday).
So, will you be watching Debbi and Darnell together on tonight’s Our Kind of People? Comment below.
All My Children
Three-Time Daytime Emmy Winner, Cady McClain, Reveals She’s ‘Back On Set’ But On Which Show?
All My Children
‘Selling Sunset’ and Soap Alum, Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim Split
THIS IS US: Milo Ventimiglia Delivers Heartbreaking Performance As Jack Grieves His Mother’s Death
Days of our Lives Preemption Schedule During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke Reels When Hope Says Douglas Saw Grandma Kissing ‘Santa Claus’
FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
Lisa Brown to be Honored In Virtual Interview With ’42nd Street’ Co-Star Lee Roy Reams
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Did You Think of the Life-Sized Duke and Ava Scene?
FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
Days of our Lives Preemption Schedule During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
TONIGHT: All My Children’s Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams Together Again on All-New Episode of ‘Our Kind of People’
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Did You Think of the Life-Sized Duke and Ava Scene?
ESPN Sports Personality and ‘General Hospital’ Guest Star, Stephen A. Smith Reveals COVID-19 Nearly Took His Life
All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon
GH’s Kristina Wagner On Felicia’s Concern Over Maxie’s Emotional State
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke Reels When Hope Says Douglas Saw Grandma Kissing ‘Santa Claus’
Remembering One Life to Live on the 10th Anniversary of its Final Episode on ABC
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Michael at a Crossroads; What Did You Think of Christian LeBlanc’s 30th Anniversary Episode?
‘Soapdish’ Series Adaptation in the Works for Paramount +; Whoopi Goldberg to Reprise Her Role
Y&R’s Christian LeBlanc and Michelle Stafford Talk On Their Enduring Friendship, Sharing Scenes & Preview Special Episode
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: A Shocked Brooke Exclaims: “Oh, My God! I Was Drinking Last Night!”
-
General HospitalJanuary 19, 2022FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
-
Days Of Our LivesJanuary 24, 2022Days of our Lives Preemption Schedule During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
-
All My ChildrenJanuary 18, 2022TONIGHT: All My Children’s Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams Together Again on All-New Episode of ‘Our Kind of People’
-
General HospitalJanuary 21, 2022(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
-
Days Of Our LivesJanuary 19, 2022DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Did You Think of the Life-Sized Duke and Ava Scene?
-
General HospitalJanuary 18, 2022ESPN Sports Personality and ‘General Hospital’ Guest Star, Stephen A. Smith Reveals COVID-19 Nearly Took His Life
-
Days Of Our LivesJanuary 22, 2022All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
-
NewsJanuary 24, 2022B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon