List of The Edge of Night characters
The following is a list of characters from the Procter & Gamble daytime soap opera The Edge of Night, which ran from 1956 to 1984.[1][2]
A
Nadine Alexander
Nadine is a wealthy socialite, the mother of Raven Alexander and later the wife of Ansel Scott. In 1980, Molly Sherwood attempts to murder April Cavanaugh, the wife of Ansel's son Draper Scott, but accidentally poisons Nadine, who subsequently crashes her car and dies. Nadine leaves everything to Raven and Logan Swift's son Jamey, so Raven schemes to regain custody of Jamey from Logan.
Raven Alexander
- Juanin Clay (1976–1977); Sharon Gabet (1977–1984)[1][2]
Socialite Charlotte "Raven" Alexander is married to Kevin Jamison until his death in a car accident in 1978. She later marries and divorces Logan Swift, with whom she has a son, Jamey. In 1980, Molly Sherwood attempts to murder April Cavanaugh, the wife of Raven's stepbrother Draper Scott, but accidentally poisons Raven's mother, Nadine Alexander Scott. Nadine subsequently crashes her car and dies. Nadine leaves everything to her grandson Jamey, so Raven schemes to regain custody of Jamey from Logan. Raven marries dashing millionaire Schuyler Whitney, but in 1982 he is revealed to be impostor Jefferson Brown. Jefferson's attempts to kill her fail, and he is himself killed by Libby Webster. Raven is a happily wealthy widow after Jefferson’s death, until the real Schuyler arrives to reclaim his fortune. Penniless, she plots to seduce, marry and divorce him for the money. However she soon finds herself having real feelings for him. She and Schuyler have a daughter, Charlotte.
Over the course of the series, Raven has relationships with Draper, his father Ansel Scott, Eliot Dorn and Police Chief Derek Mallory. She briefly works as a private investigator, is considered a suspect in the deaths of her mother Nadine and later Eliot, is arrested for the murder of Peter Nevis, and goes to trial for the murder of her ex-husband Logan. Initially, wealthy Geraldine Saxon, the close friend of Raven's mother Nadine, refers to Raven as an "alley cat" and "uncouth slut", but the women eventually become close.[3]
Gabet was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1982 and 1984.[4][5]
Beth Anderson
- Nancy Pinkerton (1963–1967)[1]
Beth Moon marries John Paul Anderson and John Barnes, and is engaged to Lee Pollock. She works as a housekeeper for the Capice and Simms families. Beth is tried for the assault of Vera Simms, but is proven innocent.
Trent Archer
- Farley Granger (1979)[6]
Trent Archer is the superstitious leading man of Mansion of the Damned, a horror film shooting in Monticello which co-stars Nola Madison. He quits the movie after accidents, strange occurrences and deaths begin to plague the production.
The role was portrayed from September to October 1979 by film star Granger, who had been previously nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1977 for playing Will Vernon on One Life to Live.[7]
Gail Armstrong
- Millette Alexander (1958–1959)[1]
Artist who worked in advertising and portrait painting. Engaged to Dr. Hugh Campbell. Accused and later exonerated of jewelry theft. The first of three characters played by Millette Alexander on the show.
Winter Austen
- Lori Cardille (1978–1979); Stephanie Braxton (1979)[1]
Winter Austen works in a department store, and later for Nicole Travis Cavanaugh at the WMON TV station. Winter dates Logan Swift, Wade Meecham and Tank Jarvis. She shoots Wade to death but is found not guilty in trial, and pushes Tank to his death off a building roof. She attempts to kill Nicole with a pair of scissors at WMON, but falls to her death from a catwalk.
Jinx Avery
- Kate Capshaw (1981); Susan MacDonald (1981–1982)[1]
Jinx is an actress who marries Monticello Police Chief Derek Mallory. She attempts suicide, and later dies from a terminal illness.
B
Didi Bannister
- Mariann Aalda (1981–1984)
Lawyer. Married to Calvin Stoner. Sister of Troy Bannister. Dated Julius Newcombe. Hospitalized for nervous breakdown from plot of Louis Van Dine.
Troy Bannister
- Keith Grant (1982; 1984)
Brother of Didi Bannister. Low level hood associated with Eddie Lorimer. Accused then cleared of murder of Ted Loomis.
John Barnes

- Barry Newman (1964–1967)
John Barnes is a lawyer in Mike Karr's law practice who marries Beth Moon Anderson.
Betty Jean Battle
- Mary Moor (1956–1960)
Married to Jack Lane. Mother of Bud Lane. Daughter of Ella and Wynn Battle.
Ursula Bauer
- Rita Morley (1961–1962)
Chip Beemer
- Kipp Whitman (1978)
Low level criminal in Anthony Saxon's organization. Dated Winter Austen in the past. Stabbed Logan Swift. Shot to death by Raney Cooper.
Edith Berman
- Patricia Bright (1972–1973)
Married to Jake Berman. Mother of Joel Gantry and Lucy Wilson. Murdered by husband Jake.
Jake Berman
- Ward Costello (1972–1973)
Married to Edith Berman. Murdered wife Edith so he would be free to pursue Nicole Travis. Shot in arm by Johnny Dallas to frame Adam Drake with attempted murder. Shot to death by step-son Joel Gantry.
Marilyn Bollon
- Mary Alice Moore (1956–1957)
Secretary for Harry Lane at Lane Trucking. Dated Harry Lane and Douglas Manson. Bludgeoned to death by Harry Lane to stop her blackmail. Cora Lane framed for the murder.
Sid Brennan
- Meg Myles (1981–1982)
Manager of Sid's Tavern. Involved with Eddie Lorimer and left town with him after he reformed.
Jefferson Brown
- Larkin Malloy (1980–1982)[8][9]
Former government employee who assumed identity of Schuyler Whitney after plastic surgery at Dr. Bryson's clinic. Illegitimate marriage to Raven Alexander. Hired Rome Slade to kill Raven but changed mind and shot Slade to death. Killed Gunther Wagner and framed Gavin Wylie for crime. Killed Bobbie Gerard. Attempted to kill Raven multiple times in St. Moritz but was killed by Libby Webster before he could succeed.
Willie Bryan
- Edward Holmes (1957–1960)
Private investigator working with Mike Karr.
Maximillian Bryer
- Robert Pastene (1958–1959)
Motivational speaker and head of Bryer Foundation. Married to Mildred Bryer. Pushed Peggy Collins to her death from a rooftop. Used poison to murder wife Mildred and framed step brother-in-law Dr. Hugh Campbell. Arrested and jailed from crimes.
Mildred Bryer
- Claudia Morgan (1958–1959)
Wife of Maximillian Bryer. Stepsister of Dr. Hugh Campbell. Poisoned to death by husband Max.
Beth Bryson
- Doris Belack (1981–1982)
Wife of Dr. Kenneth Bryson. Stepmother of Valerie Bryson. Nurse at the Rexford Institute. Kidnapped Nancy Karr. Arrested and sent to prison.
Kenneth Bryson
- James Hawthorne (1981–1982)
Doctor and owner of Rexford Institute. Wife of Beth Bryson. Father of Valerie Bryson. Agreed to kidnapping of Nancy Karr but fell in love with her. Arrested and sent to prison where he died of a heart attack.
Valerie Bryson
- Leah Ayres (1981–1983)
Photographer. Daughter of Kenneth Bryson. Stepdaughter of Beth Bryson. Helped expose her father's crimes. Involved with Kelly McGrath and Schuyler Whitney
C
Abby Cameron
- Margaret DePriest (1965–1966)
Wife of Roy Cameron. Had affair with Phil Capice. Suspect in husband's murder but cleared.
David Cameron
- Norman Parker (1982–1983)
Agent for intelligence agency working as double agent. Killed Pascal, Nora Fulton, Patricia Devereaux, and Richard Scanlon. Electrocuted to death by Ian Devereaux.
Hugh Campbell
- Wesley Addy (1958–1959)
Scientist at Winston Grimsley's lab. Brother of Mildred Campbell. Framed for murder of sister Mildred. Was cleared of crime. Married Gail Armstrong after acquittal.
Phil Capice
- Earl Hammond (1957); Robert Webber (1957); Ray MacDonnell (1961–1969)
Married to Louise Capice. Adoptive father of Sarah Louise Capice. Had affair with Abby Cameron which ended his marriage. Drugged by Calvin Brenner.
Sarah Louise Capice
- Mary Breen (1961–1963); Christopher Norris (1968–1970)
Adopted daughter of Phil and Louise Capice. Dated Calvin Brenner who was really drugging her father.
Jennings Carlson
- Jeff Harris (1960)
Brother of Victor Carlson. Ran gambling operation with brother. Shot to death by Monticello police.
Victor Carlson
- Charles Baxter (1960); Byson Sanders (1960–1961)
Brother of Jennings Carlson. Ran gambling operation with brother. Had affair with Teresa Vetter and plotted to murder her husband George. Engaged to Judy Marceau. Stabbed to death by Teresa Vetter.
April Cavanaugh
- Terry Davis (1977–1981)
Married to Draper Scott. Mother of Julia Scott and unnamed daughter. Daughter of Margo Huntington. Sister of Miles Cavanaugh. Worked at WMON TV. Falsely convicted of murder of sister-in-law Denise Cavanaugh.
Denise Cavanaugh
- Holland Taylor (1977–1978, 1980)
Nurse Denise Norwood Cavanaugh is the jealous wife of Dr. Miles Cavanaugh. Their marriage is in shambles and he is attracted to reporter Nicole Drake, so Denise plots to kill herself and frame Miles. His sister April is arrested instead. Denise's father, Dr. Gus Norwood, confesses on his deathbed that he injected Denise to save Miles.
Miles Cavanaugh
- Joel Crothers (1977–1984)[10][11]
Dr. Miles Cavanaugh is married to nurse Denise Norwood Cavanaugh until she dies in a mercy killing by her father Dr. Gus Norwood. Miles next marries Nicole Travis until she is murdered in 1983. He and Beth Correll marry in the last episode of the series. Miles's sister is April Cavanaugh.
Crothers was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1979 and 1984.[5]
Luke Chandler
- Herb Davis (1973–1978)
Police lieutenant. Married to Ada Chandler.
Ron Christopher
- Burt Douglas (1968–1972)
Worked in advertising. Married then divorced then remarried Cookie Pollock. Had affair with Tiffany Whitney.
Harry Constable
- Dolph Sweet (1967–1968)
Owner of Riverboat Casino. Had affair with Ruth Tuttle. Stabbed to death by Ernie Tuttle.
Raney Cooper
- Kiel Martin (1977–1978)
Criminal. Worked with Tony Saxon. Blinded Mike Karr and framed Chip Beemer. Kidnapped Mike Karr. Kidnapped Deborah Saxon. Shot Tony Saxon to death. Killed in shoutout with police.
Beth Correll
- Sandy Faison (1983–1984)
Psychiatrist and radio host. Married to Dr. Miles Cavanaugh. Sister of Liz Corell.
Liz Correll
- Marcia Cross (1984)
Paleontologist. Sister of Beth Correll. Involved with Preacher Emerson.
D
Johnny Dallas
- John LaGoia (1972–1977)
Owner of restaurant The New Moon Cafe. Married to Laurie Ann Karr. Father of John Victor Dallas. Left town with son after Laurie Ann had mental breakdown.
Tracy Dallas
- Patricia Conwell (1974–1977)
Peter Dalton
- Stephen Elliott (1957–1958)
Virginia Dalton
- Cathleen Cordell (1957–1958)
Neil Davenport
- Earle Hyman (1970–1971)
Campaign manager for Colin Whitney's Senate campaign. Assisted Adam Drake in investigating the presumed dead Keith Whitney. Killed after being knocked unconscious by Keith Whitney, placed in car, and pushed over a cliff.
Camilla Devereaux
- Mary Layne (1982–1983)
Sister of Ian Devereaux. Involved with Gavin Wylie and Spencer Varney. Worked with Spencer Varney to steal Sky Whitney's fortune and left town.
Ian Devereaux
- Alan Coates (1982–1983)
Spy. Married and divorced Patricia Devereaux. Illegal marriage to Raven Alexander. Caused David Cameron's death by electrocution and then fled the country.
Patricia Devereaux
- Caroline Lagerfelt (1983)
Married and divorced Ian Deveraux. Stole secret documents from Ian. Strangled to death by David Cameron.
Joey Dials
- Joey Jerome (1979)
Teenaged criminal. Brother of Mickey Dials. Shot to death by police officer Steve Guthrie.
Mickey Dials
- Vasili Bogazianos (1979)
Bartender at The Unicorn. Leader of crime ring. Attempted to kill Paige Madison. Kidnapped Miles Cavanaugh. Fell to death through window while being chased by Steve Guthrie.
Jim Diedrikson
- David Allen Brooks (1981–1982)
Eliot Dorn
- Lee Godart (1978–1980)
Eliot is a deceitful younger man who marries haughty newscaster Margo Huntington. The marriage ends contentiously, and he implicates Margo in the murder of Wade Meecham and blackmails his ex-lover, Raven Alexander. Eliot becomes romantically involved with possessive Hollywood actress Nola Madison. Margo is bludgeoned to death, and her son-in-law Draper Scott is convicted of her murder. The killer is later revealed to be Nola, who murdered Margo in a jealous rage because she refused to divorce Eliot. As the owner of the Unicorn Bar, Eliot sexually harasses young waitress Jody Travis, and is subsequently stabbed in the back and killed by a mysterious assailant wielding a clown puppet. Suspects in the murder include Raven and puppeteer Kelly McGrath, but the killer also stabs Cliff Nelson and stalks Raven. The Clown Puppet Killer is revealed to be Molly Sherwood, who wanted to silence Eliot to cover up her murder of Nadine Alexander.
Noel Douglas
- Thom Christopher (1974–1975); Dick Latessa (1975–1976)
Con man. Married and divorced from Tiffany Whitney. Involved with Brandy Henderson and Tracy Dallas. Bludgeoned Geraldine Whitney and later disconnected her respirator in the hospital. Suspect in the death of Tiffany Whitney but he had already left Monticello.
Adam Drake

- Donald May (1967–1977)
Lawyer Adam Drake is Mike Karr's law partner who defends Nicole Travis against charges of murder. He falls in love with her and they marry. Over time he is also involved with Brandy Henderson, Cookie Pollock Thomas, and Roxanne Carey. Adam is framed for the murder of Jake Berman. He survives multiple attempts on his life by Walter Lepage while Adam is running for the Senate, and is shot by Van Rydell. Adam is shot to death by criminal underworld figure Raymond Harper, aka Colonel Blood, in 1977.[3]
Frank Dubeck
- Michael Conrad (1959–1960)
Criminal. Strangled Ruth Hakim to death and framed Jack Lane for the murder. Fell to death from airplane while struggling with Mike Karr.
Martine Duval
- Sonia Petrovna (1980–1981)
Professional dancer. Involved with Schuyler Whitney/Jefferson Brown and Gavin Wylie. Attempted suicide by jumping off bridge. Married Carlo Crown and left Monticello.
E
Chris Egan
- Jennifer Joan Taylor (1983–1984)
Police detective. Mother of Matthew Gantz. Divorced from Walter Gantz. Daughter of Mark and Caroline Egan. Involved with Miles Cavanaugh and Derek Mallory. Shot and blinded.
Del Emerson
- Robert Gerringer (1983–1984)
Del is the father of John "Preacher" Emerson who is engaged to be married to Geraldine Whitney.
Preacher Emerson
- Charles Flohe (1982–1984)
John "Preacher" Emerson manages the Video Disco and works at WEON radio. He is the son of Del Emerson, and is a suspect in the beating of Barbara Montgomery and the murder of Nora Fulton. Preacher falls in love with Jodie Travis, but ultimately leaves town with Liz Corell.
Dwight Endicott
- Alfred Drake (1982)
Owner of Endicott Art Gallery and importer of illegal art. Father of Grace Endicott. Responsible for death of Leonie Travis. Kidnapped Jody Travis.
Grace Endicott
- Ellen Tobie (1982)
Worked at Endicott Art Gallery. Daughter of Dwight Endicott.
F
Mark Fairchild
- Sam Schnacht (1974–1975)
Attorney. Assisted Morlock Sevigny in plot to extort money from Bill and Martha Marceau over adoption of Jennifer Sims. Assisted Morlock Sevigny in framing Martha Marceau for the murder of Taffy Sims.
Mark Faraday
- Bernie McInerney (1975)
Mark Faraday is a publisher who comes to Monticello in 1975 with his wife, Serena, and their son, Timmy. Serena suffers from multiple personality disorder, and Mark sues her for custody of Timmy when they separate. Serena's alternate personality, Josie, shoots Mark to death on the steps of the Monticello courthouse.
Serena Faraday
- Louise Shaffer (1975–1976)
Serena Faraday, the cousin of Nicole Travis, comes to town in 1975 with her publisher husband Mark Faraday their son, Timmy. Serena suffers from multiple personality disorder, with an alter named "Josie", for which she is treated by Dr. Quentin Henderson. She and Mark fight for custody of Timmy, which results in Josie shooting Mark to death. Serena is committed to a sanitarium, where she later dies.
Timmy Faraday
- Doug McKeon (1975–1978)
Timmy Faraday is the son of publisher Mark Faraday and his wife Serena. After his mother shoots his father to death, Timmy is taken in by Mike and Nancy Karr. Serena's sister Josephine Harper claims custody, but Timmy is later returned to the Karrs. He is sent away to summer camp in 1978, and never returns to Monticello.
Jim Fields
- Alan Feinstein (1969–1975)
Psychiatrist. Married to Liz Hillyer. Father of Jason Fields. Involved with Rosella Gray. Arrested and later exonerated in the stabbing death of Rosella Gray. Left Monticello for job in Canada and to rekindle strained marriage with Liz.
Shelley Franklyn
- Pamela Shoemaker (1983–1984)
Nora Fulton
- Catherine Bruno (1981–1983)
Murdered by David Cameron.
G
Joel Gantry
- Paul Henry Itkin (1973); Nicholas Pryor (1973–1974)
Private detective. Son of Edith Berman. Step-son of Jake Berman. Brother of Lucy Wilson. Murdered Jake Berman and framed Adam Drake for the crime. Arrested and admitted to the crime.
Walter Gantz
- John Bedford Lloyd (1983)
Ex-husband of Chris Egan and father of Matthew Gantz.
Emily Gault
- Margo McKenna (1980–1981)
Daughter of Leo Gault. Widow of Kirk Michaels. Attempted suicide and sent to sanitarium. Involved with Matt Sharkey. Became pregnant and tried to convince Draper Scott that he was the father. Left town when true paternity was discovered.
Leo Gault
- George D. Wallace (1980)
Doctor. Father of Emily Gault. Kept Draper Scott's true identity a secret when he had amnesia to help Emily. Died from a heart attack.
Johnny Gentry
- Craig Augustine (1981–1982)
Bobbie Gerard
- Mady Kaplan (1981)
Waitress at Sid's Tavern. Briefly worked as housekeeper in Whitney mansion. Helped clear Gavin Wylie in murder of Gunther Wagner. Murdered by Jefferson Brown while he was pretending to be Schuyler Whitney.
Ed Gibson
- Larry Hagman (1961–1963)
Police officer and later lawyer. Married to Judith Marceau. Brother of Marjory Gibson. Shot. Vanished from Monticello.
David Gideon
- John Cullum (1966–1967); Byron Sanders (1967)
Sybil Gordon
- Priscilla Gillette (1957–1958)
Secretary for Mike Karr. Secretly working for criminal J.H. Phillips. Claimed affair with Mike Karr to discredit him. Strangled to death by Ollie, a cohort of J.H. Phillips.
Rosella Gray
- Carol Richards (1970–1971)
Involved with Dr. Jim Fields. Stabbed to death by Keith Whitney while waiting in Jim Fields' bed in attempt to seduce him.
Lloyd Griffin
- James Mitchell (1964)
Police captain. Married to Katie Griffin. Provided information to criminal Otto Zimmerman. Killed in shootout with police chief Bill Marceau.
Louise Grimsley
- Lisa Howard (1956–1961); Mary K. Wells (1961–1970)[1]
Married and divorced from Phil Capice. Adoptive mother of Sarah Louise Capice. Daughter of Winston Grimsley. Step-daughter of Mattie Lane Grimsley.
Winston Grimsley
- Walter Greaza (1956–1973)[1]
Financier. Widower from first wife. Married to Mattie Lane. Father of Louise Grimsley Capice. Adoptive grandfather of Sarah Louise Capice. Step-father of Sarah Lane and Jack Lane. Arrested and tried for the murder of Lyn Wilkens Warren who was blackmailing him.
Steve Guthrie
- Denny Albee (1976–1980)
Police detective. Involved with Deborah Saxon. Bodyguard for Nicole Travis and Paige Madison. Suspended from police after he shot Joey Dials to death. Moved to Arizona.
H
Margo Huntington
- Ann Williams (1978–1980)[1][2]
In September 1978, newscaster Margo Huntington comes to Monticello with her manager Wade Meecham and buys the WMON television station. She takes an immediate liking to Dr. Miles Cavanaugh, who is married to Nicole Cavanaugh, a reporter at the station. Revealing herself as April's biological mother, Margo attempts to broker a baby when April is unable to have one of her own, and interferes with a job offer made to April's husband Draper Scott that would move the couple out of town. Margo marries Eliot Dorn, a deceitful younger man, but the marriage ends contentiously. A vengeful Margo refuses to give Eliot his freedom by divorcing him. Draper finds Margo bludgeoned in her apartment, and she dies in the hospital before she can exonerate him. Draper is convicted of murder. The actual killer turns out to be possessive movie star Nola Madison, who had started a relationship with Eliot and was furious that Margo would not divorce him.[12]
J
Kevin Jamison
- Dick Shoberg (1972–1975); John Driver (1975–1978)[1][2]
Kevin Jamison is married to Raven Alexander until his death in a car accident in 1978.[3]
K


Laurie Ann Karr
- Kathleen Cody (1966–1968); Emily Prager (1968–1972); Jeanne Ruskin (1973–1975); Linda Cook (1975–77, 1984)
Laurie Ann Karr is the daughter of lawyer Mike Karr and his wife Sara. As an adult, she marries Vic Lamont and Johnny Dallas.
Mike Karr
- John Larkin (1956–1962); Laurence Hugo (1962–1971); Forrest Compton (1971–1984)[2]
Original lead character Mike Karr is a police officer turned lawyer who rises to eventually become the District Attorney of Monticello. Based on the earlier Perry Mason on radio (who was voiced by Larkin),[13] Mike is initially married to Sara Lane, but is widowed in 1961 and marries Nancy Pollack in 1963.
Nancy Karr
Nancy Pollock is a newspaper reporter for The Monticello News who marries widowed lawyer Mike Karr in 1963. She later becomes a television newscaster and novelist.
M
Brian Madison
Brian, the son of movie producer Owen Madison and actress Nola Madison, is in love with his half sister Paige. Eventually it is revealed that Brian's father is movie producer Eddie Vaughn, and not Owen, freeing him and Paige to be together.[12]
Nola Madison
- Kim Hunter (1979–1980)[1][2]
Fading movie star Nola Patterson Madison comes to Monticello with her producer husband Owen and adult children Paige and Brian to film the horror movie Mansion of the Damned. Troubled by alcoholism, Nola obsesses about Owen's infatuation with police detective Deborah Saxon. The movie set is plagued by accidents, strange occurrences and the deaths of the director and publicist. Disguised as a strange old woman named Martha Cory, Nola stalks Deborah and sends her poisoned candy, and drugs and gaslights Dr. Miles Cavanaugh. Nola's son Brian and stepdaughter Paige are tortured by their secret love for each other, and the revelation that Brian is not Owen's son clears the way for him to be with Paige. Nola becomes romantically involved with manipulative playboy Eliot Dorn, who is going through a messy divorce from newscaster Margo Huntington. Margo is bludgeoned to death, and her son-in-law Draper Scott is convicted. Deborah later finds Margo's wig among Nola's belongings, and confronts her. Nola unravels, and confesses that she killed Margo in an unplanned, jealous rage because Margo would not divorce Eliot. Nola then seized the opportunity to frame Draper. Owen and Detective Steve Guthrie escort Nola to the police station.[12]
Hunter, known for portraying Stella Kowalski in the original production of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire,[14] and later winning both an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for the 1951 film adaptation,[15][16] was initially contracted for a short term role.[17] The writers ultimately extended Nola's story. Hunter said in 1999 that the offer to do a soap opera was a "peculiar suggestion" at the time, but she found the character "interesting". She said that the live to tape, five episode per week pace was "exhausting", but the job was an "extraordinary experience" that she did not regret doing.[17]
Hunter was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1980 for her portrayal of Nola.[5][12][18] Judith Light won that year for portraying housewife-turned-hooker Karen Wolek on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live.[12] J. Bernard Jones of Daytime Confidential commented that "Head writer Henry Slesar shrewdly wrote Nola as a combination of Stella Kowalski from A Streetcar Named Desire and Norma Desmond [from Sunset Boulevard]: drunk, neurotic, jealous, egotistical, vengeful, lonely, sad, murderous, tragic and ultimately broken."[12] Jones called Hunter's performance "stunning", and wrote "Keep your eyes on Hunter, who dominates every frame, going from mildly tipsy to staggering drunk to slightly detached insanity, yet never losing her wit or intelligence. Hunter does bravura work in an episode that was a brilliant denouement to one of Edge's most confounding murder mysteries and magnificent send-off for one of the series most memorable characters and actresses."[12]
Owen Madison
- Bruce Gray (1979–1980)[1][2]
Owen is a movie producer married to actress Nola Madison, a fading star troubled by alcoholism. He brings his family to Monticello to film Mansion of the Damned and quickly falls in love with police detective Deborah Saxon.[12]
Paige Madison
- Margaret Colin (1979)[1][2]
Paige, the daughter of movie producer Owen Madison and stepdaughter to his wife, actress Nola Madison, is in love with her half brother Brian. Eventually it is revealed that Brian's father is movie producer Eddie Vaughn, and not Owen, freeing him and Paige to be together.[12][19]
Derek Mallory
- Dennis Parker (1979–1984)[10][11]
Monticello Chief of Police Derek Mallory has a fling with Raven Alexander.
Martha Marceau
- Teri Keane (1964–1975)
Martha Spears Marceau is the wife of Police Chief Bill Marceau. Morlock Sevigny and Mark Fairchild plot to extort money from Bill and Martha Marceau over the adoption of Jennifer Sims, and frame Martha for the murder of Taffy Sims.
Bill Marceau
- Mandel Kramer (1959–1979)
Monticello Police Chief Bill Marceau and his wife Martha are extorted over the adoption of Jennifer Sims.
Kramer was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1979.[5]
Wade Meecham
- Dan Hamilton (1978–1979)
N
Cliff Nelson
- Ernie Townsend (1979–1984)
S
Deborah Saxon
- Frances Fisher (1976–1981)[1]
Detective Deborah "Red" Saxon is the daughter of mobster Tony Saxon. She is convinced that Raven Alexander murdered Eliot Dorn, but when the killer is revealed to be Molly Sherwood, Deborah turns in her badge and leaves town.
Ansel Scott
- Patrick Horgan (1976–1977)[1]
Ansel, the father of Draper Scott, marries Nadine Alexander.
Draper Scott
- Tony Craig (1975–1981)[1]
Assistant District Attorney Draper Scott has a relationship with his step-sister Raven Alexander and marries April Cavanaugh. He is wrongly convicted of the murder of his mother-in-law, Margo Huntington, and is subsequently presumed dead when the train transporting him to prison crashes. At the same time, Deborah Saxon elicits a confession from movie star Nola Madison that she killed Margo.[12] Draper survives the crash but suffers from amnesia, and is cared for by Dr. Leo Gault and his fragile daughter, Emily. Dr. Gault keeps Draper's identity a secret because Emily has grown attached to him. The Gaults' housekeeper, Molly Sherwood, schemes to keep Draper and April apart for Emily's sake.
Molly Sherwood
- Jane Hoffman (1980); Laurinda Barrett (1980–1981)
Molly Sherwood is the housekeeper for Dr. Leo Gault and his daughter Emily, and later works for April Scott. Molly wants Draper to be with Emily and attempts to kill April, but Nadine Alexander Scott, Raven Alexander's mother, is accidentally killed instead. The Clown Puppet Killer murders Eliot Dorn and stabs Cliff Nelson, and puppeteer Kelly McGrath is framed for the killings. The real culprit is revealed to be Molly, who killed Eliot to cover up Nadine's death. She kidnaps April and believes she has shot Raven to death, but the gun is loaded with blanks. Molly holds April hostage in a basement and prepares to kill her, but Raven appears at the door, and the shock causes Molly to fall down the stairs to her death.
Calvin Stoner
- Irving Allen Lee (1977–1984)[10][11]
Detective Calvin Stoner works closely with Monticello Police Chief Derek Mallory, and marries lawyer Didi Bannister.
T
Jodie Travis
- Lori Loughlin (1980–1983); Karrie Emerson (1984)
Jody is the younger sister of Nicole Travis who becomes romantically involved with Gavin Wylie and Preacher Emerson.
Nicole Travis
- Maeve McGuire 1968–1977; Jayne Bentzen (1978–1981); Lisa Sloan (1981–1983)[2]
Nicole Travis Stewart Drake Cavanaugh is the shopkeeper daughter of gangster Ben Travis, who finds herself implicated in the murder of Stefanie Martin. She falls in love with her defense attorney Adam Drake and marries him, later marrying Dr. Miles Cavanaugh. In 1983, Nicole is murdered with poisoned makeup by criminal mastermind Louis Van Dine.[20]
V
Eddie Vaughn
- Stratton Walling (1979)
Eddie Vaughn is Nola Madison's ex-lover, who helps her stage accidents and strange occurrences on the set of her film as a publicity stunt. He is trapped in a fire set by Nola, and later dies of his injuries. His will reveals that he is the father of Nola's son Brian, not her husband Owen.
W
Gunther Wagner
- David Froman (1980–1984)[21]
Gunther is the loyal manservant and bodyguard to millionaire Schuyler Whitney. In 1982, it is revealed that Gunther is actually his twin brother Bruno, and that Schuyler an impostor named Jefferson Brown. The real Gunther and Schuyler come to Monticello and remain until the series finale in 1984.[21]
Geraldine Whitney Saxon
- Lois Kibbee (1970–1971, 1973–1984)
Geraldine is the widow of Democratic senator and presidential hopeful Gordon Whitney and later of mobster Tony Saxon. She is mother to Colin Whitney and his younger brother Keith, who is eventually revealed to be a serial killer. Geraldine's plea for Keith to stop his killing spree results in his fatal fall down the stairs of a lighthouse. At first Geraldine considers Raven Alexander, the daughter of her close friend Nadine, an "alley cat" and "uncouth slut", but eventually the women become close.[3]
Kibbee was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1984.[5]
Schuyler Whitney
- Larkin Malloy (1980–1984)[8][9]
Dashing millionaire Schuyler Whitney arrives in 1980 and sweeps Raven Alexander off her feet. In 1982, it is revealed that Schuyler is actually impostor Jefferson Brown, accompanied by the nefarious Bruno Wagner, posing as his twin brother Gunther Wagner, Schuyler's loyal manservant and bodyguard. The real Gunther and Schuyler come to Monticello in 1982 and remain until the series finale in 1984, with Schuyler marrying Raven during that time.
Malloy was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1984.[5]
Gavin Wylie
- Mark Arnold (1980–1983)
Other characters
Actor | Character | Duration |
---|---|---|
Dixie Carter | ADA Olivia Brandeis "Brandy" Henderson | 1974–76 |
Michael Stroka | Dr. Quentin Henderson | 1975–76 |
Jerry Zaks | Louis Van Dine | 1983–84 |
Chris Weatherhead | Alicia Van Dine | 1983–84 |
Larry Hagman | Det. Ed Gibson | 1961–63 |
Tom Keena | Philip Seward | 1979–80 |
Jaques Roux | Dr. Calmette[22] | 1976 |
Mildred Clinton | Judge Sussman | 1975–76 |
Dorothy Lyman | Elly Jo Jameson | 1972–73 |
Ward Costello | Jake Berman | 1972–73 |
Amanda Blake | Dr. Julianna Stanhower | 1984 |
Frank Gorshin | Smiley Wilson | 1981–82 |
Alfred Drake | Dwight Endicott | 1982 |
Lew Resseguie | Sgt. Sam Dwyer | 1980 |
Ted Tinling | Vic Lamont | 1969–75 |
Elizabeth Farley | Kay Lepage Reynolds Lamont | 1973–75 |
Paul Vincent | Ashley Reynolds | 1972–73 |
Alan Feinstein | Dr. Jim Fields | 1969–75 |
George Petrie | District Attorney Peter Quinn | 1963–74 |
Bernard Barrow | District Attorney Ira Paulson | 1974–75 |
Judson Laire | Judge Blackwell | 1973 |
James Ray | Bart Fletcher Floyd Porter | 1967–68 1974 |
Mari Gorman | Taffy Simms | 1973–74 |
Alberta Grant | Liz Hillyer Prentiss Fields | 1966–74 |
Patricia Conwell | Tracy Dallas Micelli | 1974–77 |
Lou Criscuolo | Danny Micelli | 1973–77 |
Leslie Ray | Babs Werner Micelli | 1974 |
Jay Gregory | Morlock Sevigny | 1974–75 |
John LaGiola | Johnny Dallas | 1973–77 |
Rosemary Rice | Mrs. Nick Bryce | 1964 |
Lucy Martin | Tiffany Whitney Douglas | 1970–71, 1973–76 |
Bruce Martin | Keith Whitney aka Jonah Lockwood | 1970–71 |
Johanna Leister | Dr. Phoebe Smith Jamison #3 | 1972–76 |
Heidi Vaughn | Dr. Phoebe Smith Jamison #1 | 1965–67 |
Niles McMaster | Dr. Clay Jordan | 1975–77 |
Thom Christopher Dick Latessa | Noel Douglas | 1974 1974–76 |
Bennett Cooperman | Benny Hayes | 1979–80 |
George Hall | Ernie Tuttle #2/John | 1970–78 |
Robert Dryden | Oliver Barbour | 1966 |
Kate Wilkinson | Mrs. Perkins | 1966 |
Stephen Elliott | Peter Dalton[23] | 1950s–1966 |
Edward Holmes | Willy Bryan[24] | 1950s–1966 |
Frances Chaney | Jeanne Culpepper[25] | 1950s–1960s, 1967 |
Cathleen Cordell | Virginia Dalton[25] | 1950s |
Richard Janaver | Lloyd Conway[25] | 1950s |
Barbara Joyce | Jane Conway[25] | 1950s |
Phil Sterling | Johnny the Hitman | 1968 |
Phil Sterling | Vic Ratner[26] | 1950s |
House Jameson | John H. Phillips | 1957–58 |
Jane White | Nurse Lydia Holliday, R.N. | 1968–69 |
Lester Rawlins | Orin Hillyer | 1966–68, 1972–73 |
Irene Dailey | Pamela Stewart | 1969–1970[27] |
Alice Hirson | Stephanie Martin | 1969–70 |
Anne Revere | Dorothy Stewart #1 | 1969–70 |
John Cullum | David "Giddy" Gideon #2 | 1966–67 |
Scott Glenn | Calvin Brenner | 1969 |
James Mitchell | Lloyd Griffin | 1964 |
Barbara Berjer | Irene Eagon Wheeler | 1964–65 |
Richard Thomas | Ben Schultz Jr. | 1961 |
Ernest Graves | ADA Walter Palmerlee #2 | 1958 |
Ian Martin | Commissioner | |
Leon Morenzie | Judge | 1974–75 |
William Post Jr. | Mr. Hull Walter Lepage | 1964 1974–75 |
Bill Macy | Cab driver | 1966 |
Barry Newman | John Barnes | 1964–65 |
Fred J. Schollay | Lobo Haynes | 1972 |
Hugh Reilly | Dr. Simon Jessup | 1972–73 |
Fran Sharon June Carter | Elaine "Cookie" Pollock Thomas Christopher | 1962–64, 1964–72 1964 |
John Gibson | Joe Pollock #1 | 1962–71 |
Kay Campbell | Rose Pollock #3 | 1964–69 |
Anthony Roberts | Lee Pollock #3 | 1964–67 |
Keith Charles | Rick Oliver | 1966 |
Val Dufour | Andre Lazar | 1965–66 |
Alan Manson | Ken Emerson | 1964–68 |
Antony Ponzini | Tony Wyatt | 1965–66 |
Millette Alexander | Gail Armstrong Laura Hillyer Julie Jamison Hillyer | 1958–59 1966–67 1967–68 |
Lela Ivey | Mitzi Martin | 1981–84 |
Cyd Quilling | Sean Murphy Claire Day |
1983 |
Pamela Shoemaker | Shelley Franklin | 1983–84 |
John O'Hurley | Greg Schaeffer | 1983–84 |
Sonia Petrovna | Martine Duval Crown | 1980–81 |
Julianne Moore | Carmen Engler | 1984 |
Karen Needle | Poppy Johnson | 1982–83 |
References
- Schemering, Christopher (September 1985). "The Edge of Night". The Soap Opera Encyclopedia. Ballantine Books. pp. 85–92. ISBN 0-345-32459-5.
- Waggett, Gerard J. (November 1997). "The Edge of Night". The Soap Opera Encyclopedia. Harper Paperbacks. pp. 254–266. ISBN 0-061-01157-6.
- Waldo, Garren (September 19, 2019). "The Edge of Night Wayback: Remember Geraldine Whitney". Soap Hub. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- "ABC Tops Daytime Emmy Nominations". Times-Union. Associated Press. May 20, 1982. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- Schemering, Christopher (September 1985). "Appendix 1 - The Emmys". The Soap Opera Encyclopedia. Ballantine Books. pp. 285–301. ISBN 0-345-32459-5.
- "Farley Granger Dead at 85". Soap Opera Digest. April 5, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- "1977 Emmy Winners & Nominees". Soap Opera Digest. New York City: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on October 10, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
- "Veteran Soap Actor Larkin Malloy Dead At 62". CBS News. September 30, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- Brounstein, Diane (September 29, 2016). "Soap Opera Leading Man Larkin Malloy Passes Away". Soap Hub. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- Mulcahy, Kevin, Jr. (December 1, 2011). "World AIDS Day Tribute". We Love Soaps. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- Mason, Charlie (November 6, 2022). "On the Anniversary of His Death at Just 44, a Loving Tribute to a Soap-Hopping Leading Man Taken From Us by AIDS Only Months After His Castmate". Soaps She Knows. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- Jones, J. Bernard (December 31, 2008). "Night of the Hunter". Daytime Confidential. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- Lackmann, Ronald W. (2000). The Encyclopedia of American Radio: An A-Z Guide to Radio from Jack Benny to Howard Stern. Facts On File. ISBN 0-8160-4137-7.
- Simonson, Robert (September 12, 2002). "Kim Hunter, Stage Great and Original Stella, Is Dead at 79". Playbill. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- "The 24th Academy Awards: 1952 (Actress in a Supporting Role)". Academy Awards. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- "Winners & Nominees: 1952". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- The Interviews: Kim Hunter on The Edge of Night. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. Interviewed by Marc Wallace. October 27, 1999. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via YouTube.
- "1980 Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees". Soap Opera Digest. Archived from the original on August 18, 2004. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
- Pavlica, Carissa (November 18, 2022). "Margaret Colin Talks Her Hallmark Debut, Shares Memories of Edge of Night, Independence Day". TV Fanatic.
- Waldo, Garren (September 25, 2019). "The Edge of Night History: Remember Nicole Travis". Soap Hub. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- Jones, J. Bernard (February 10, 2010). "Edge of Night's David Froman Dead at 71". Daytime Confidential. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- The Edge of Night credits. Event occurs at 1:09. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- Edge of Night 1950s closing credits. Event occurs at 00:41. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- Edge of Night 1950s closing credits. Event occurs at 00:44. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- Edge of Night 1950s closing credits. Event occurs at 00:47. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- Edge of Night 1950s closing credits. Event occurs at 00:55. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- Hevesi, Dennis (October 6, 2008). "Irene Dailey, Actress of Stage and TV, Dies at 88". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
External links
- The Edge of Night Character Profiles
- The Edge of Night Character Biographies
- The Edge of Night Storylines: 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984