Jill Larson
ON SOAP OPERA DIGEST AND WEEKLY ONLINE
SOAP STAR STATS
Jill Larson (Opal, AMC)
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— ABC
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Vital Statistics
- Birthdate:
- October 7
- Birthplace:
- Minneapolis, MN
- Years on Show:
- 1989-present
- Marital Status:
- Jill Larson was formerly married to a Frenchman she met while traveling; the union lasted eight years
- Children:
- Larson is the proud mom of Anni-Ming Larson, whom she adopted in June, 1996
THE 411
Jill Larson started her acting career at the age of 11, when she began a long affiliation with the esteemed Minnesota Children’s Theater Company. After leaving the company, she moved to Paris, where she worked as an au pair, but was soon enmeshed in a thriving modeling career. She later settled in New York and enrolled at Hunter College, earning a degree in communication. Larson's impressive theater career includes several Broadway credits, most notably Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka's "Death and the King's Horseman". She made her daytime debut in 1986 on AS THE WORLD TURNS as the Barbara Walters-esque Judith Clayton, then joined ONE LIFE TO LIVE in 1988 as loony bomber Ursula Blackwell. The following year, she was cast on AMC as Opal, assuming the role made famous by Emmy-winner Dorothy Lyman. In 1996, she became a mother when she traveled to China to adopt daughter Anni-Ming, who is a favorite guest at the AMC studio.
ET CETERA
—Grew up with Dorothy Lyman, who originated the role of Opal
—Is ordained to officiate at weddings
—Is allergic to hair spray — a challenge given her character's penchant for high-flying 'dos!
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Other Soap Roles
SANTA BARBARA (Garnette, 1990)
ONE LIFE TO LIVE (Ursula Blackwell, 1988-89)
AS THE WORLD TURNS (Judith Clayton, 1986)
TV Roles
Felicia Brompton, KATE & ALLIE, 1988
Film Roles
"White Squall" (Peggy Beaumont, 1996)
"Wise Guys" (Mrs. Fixer, 1986)
MEMORABLE QUOTES
"My response was: Do you think that someone with a big hairdo doesn't feel pain, doesn't have serious problems in her life?" — On an edict from producers before a "serious storyline" that Opal's look be toned down, Soap Opera Weekly, 7/6/99
"It's just the last thing I ever imagined for myself ... But our imaginations are really puny compared to the miracles that await us around every corner." — On adopting Anni-Ming, Soap Opera Digest, 2/11/97
"When I went in for wardrobe, I said, 'My God, I don’t have to act at all. I just put this stuff on.' — On Opal's unique fashion sense, Digest, 6/12/90
