This year’s 79th Venice International Film Festival, finds a new president of the competition jury, and that is none other than Oscar-winning actress and former As the World Turns alum, Julianne Moore (ex-Frannie and Sabrina Hughes).

Moore spoke to the press on Wednesday during the first day of the festival which features films from all over the world, and is often times a beginning barometer of how these features will go over with audiences, and potentially, as future Oscar nominees in 2023.

Julianne has obviously been at the Venice International Film Festivals many times throughout her motion picture career, but she shared how amazing it is to be back, but this time having a key role in judging the competition: “The first time I was in Venice, I was an actress on an American soap opera, it was 1986. If I had known then I would be here as the president of the jury, I would have fallen in the canal!”

The seven-person jury presided over by Moore also includes: Argentina director Mariano Cohn, Italian director and screenwriter Leonardo Di Costanzo, French director Audrey Diwan, Iranian actress Leila Hatami, the British-Japanese author Kazuo Ishiguro, and Spanish director and screenwriter Rodrigo Sorogoyen.

So … who would have thought from Oakdale to Venice for the incomparable Moore!

Share your thoughts on Julianne’s beginnings on ATWT to her acclaimed motion picture career in the comment section below.

More departures announced for the upcoming primetime television season, and this one finds the exit of a beloved soap alum and key cast member of NBC’s Chicago P.D.

Three-time Daytime Emmy nominee, Jesse Lee Soffer (ex-Will Munson, As the World Turns) is leaving his role as Det. Jay Halstead on the crime show.  Soffer debuted in the part back in 2014, appearing in all 187 episodes.

According to Variety, Jesse will exit the show sometime this fall, which will mark his 10th season. Soffer confirmed the news with a tweet and a statement.

Jesse’s tweet expressed, “This is sad but true. Just want all the fans to know how grateful I am. You guys are why we do it! It has been an honor. Love you all”

In his statement Soffer shared: “I want to thank the incredible fans for their unwavering support during the past 10 years and want to express my deepest gratitude to Dick Wolf and everyone at Wolf Entertainment, Peter Jankowski, Matt Olmstead, Derek Haas, Michael Brandt, Rick Eid, Gwen Sigan, NBC, Universal Television, my fellow castmates and our incredible crew. To create this hour drama week after week has been a labor of love by everyone who touches the show. I will always be proud of my time as Det. Jay Halstead.”

The character of Halstead has been at the epicenter of Chicago P.D. since its very beginning.

Share your thoughts on Jesse departing Chicago P.D. via the comment section below.

This is sad but true. Just want all the fans to know how grateful I am. You guys are why we do it! It has been an honor. Love you all ❤️ https://t.co/UeQlHYxMMI

— Jesse Lee Soffer (@jesseleesoffer) August 30, 2022

Heartbreaking news to report.  As the World Turns alum, Marnie Schulenburg, has died at the young age of 37-years-old.

Schulenburg had been battling stage 4 metastatic breast cancer since 2020.

Soap fans remember her portrayals as Alison Stewart on As the World Turns from 2007-2010 and  as Jo Sullivan on Prospect Park’s reboot of One Life to Live in 2013.

According to Soap Opera Digest, Marnie passed away a few days shy of her 38th birthday.

The Flux Theatre Ensemble, in which Marnie participated and performed in shared their sorrow on Facebook noting: “We’re mourning the loss of Marnie Schulenburg, a beloved member of Flux’s family and an extraordinary actor who performed in and helped develop so many Flux shows, including MARIAN, HEARTS LIKE FISTS, PRETTY THEFT, and ANGEL EATERS. We love you so much, and we will miss you always.”

Marnie is survived by husband Zack Robidas and daughter, Coda, who is just two-years-old.

We will continue to update this story as remembrances are posted in Marnie’s honor.

Share you condolences to Marnie’s family and your thoughts in the comment section below.