Robin Strasser
ON SOAP OPERA DIGEST AND WEEKLY ONLINE
SOAP STAR STATS
Robin Strasser (Dorian, OLTL)
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— ABC
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Vital Statistics
- Birthday:
- May 7, 1945
- Birthplace:
- New York, NY
- Marital Status:
- Single
- Kids:
- Two adult sons, Nicholas and Benjamin
The 411
Soap viewers were first introduced to the dazzling Robin Strasser when she created the vixen Rachel Davis on ANOTHER WORLD in 1967. Since then, the lively and sometimes controversial actress has become a virtual fixture in daytime.
Strasser's interest in performing was palpable at an early age. Born and raised in New York City, she graduated from the prestigious High School of Performing Arts. She then attended Yale School of Drama on a full scholarship. Upon graduation, Strasser began her foray in daytime TV and performed in plays, including The Shadow Box and Chapter Two. Her AW character was so popular that she appeared in the short-lived spin-off, SOMERSET, in 1970.
After leaving AW in 1972, Strasser continued to do theater, as well as movies, TV movies and prime-time guest spots. She returned to soaps in 1976 when she took on the role of ALL MY CHILDREN's Dr. Christina Karras from 1976-79. The actress then began her longest daytime stint as ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Dorian, which she played from 1979-87, 1993-2000 and again from 2003-present. During her first hiatus from Llanview, Strasser continued to make a name for herself in prime-time, playing KNOTS LANDING's Dianne and starring in several movies of the week. When she left OLTL in 2000, however, her exit was more controversial; she felt as if she was forced out when her contract negotiations came to a head.
Still, Strasser managed to bounce back and signed on as PASSIONS's 300-year-old witch, Hecuba, that same year. She also spent time in France and continued to work in theater and TV. Since returning to OLTL in February 2003, Strasser has enjoyed several front-burner storylines, including Dorian's marriage to evil Mitch, a hot romance with con artist David and her character's continued rivalry with Viki as the ladies battle over Clint. Somehow, the busy Strasser still found time to star in a production of the play The Tale of the Allergist's Wife in 2004 and also began producing videos on women's health issues in 2005.
When she's not working, Strasser does fund-raising for AIDS, is on the Advisory Board of the American Menopause Foundation and is a spokesperson for the National Osteoporosis Foundation. In her spare time, she loves yoga, cooking, collecting antiques and doting on her dogs: a Maltese, Bisou, and a mixed breed, Roc-qui.
Et Cetera
10 Random Facts
— Her middle name is Victory In Europe, shortened to Vee. It's in honor of her being born on the day when Germany surrendered World War II.
— Won a Best Actress Emmy in 1982 and a Soap Opera Digest Award for Lead Actress in 1996; also won a Digest Award for Scene Stealer in 2001 (for PASSIONS's Hecuba)
— Both she and her character suffer from claustrophobia.
— Doesn't drink alcohol
— Records a weekly telephone hotline message, which can be heard at (212) 414-5300
— Has remodeled and renovated 18 homes and apartments
— Was once wed to Laurence Luckinbill, who is the father of her sons and current husband of Lucie Arnaz. This makes Strasser's sons step-grandchildren to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and distant cousins of Thad Luckinbill (J.T., YOUNG AND RESTLESS)
— Organized and produced the CD One Life, Many Voices, which featured her OLTL co-stars singing the tracks. Profits from it help aid Hurricane Katrina victims.
Other Roles
Other Soap Roles
PASSIONS (Hecuba, 2000-01; 2002)
KNOTS LANDING (Dianne Kirkwood, 1990)
ALL MY CHILDREN (Dr. Christina Karras Martin, 1976-79)
SOMERSET (Rachel Davis Matthews Frame Clark, 1970)
ANOTHER WORLD (1967-71; 1972) (Rachel Davis Matthews Clark Frame Cory Cory Cory Hutchins)
TV Roles
DHARMA & GREG (Teensy Manhart, 2001 and 2002)
GROSSE POINTE (Lila Van Guilden, 2000)
CIVIL WARS (guest star, 1992)
MACGYVER (Queen Morgana, 1991)
COACH (Elaine Tewksbury, 1990)
THE YOUNG RIDERS (Grace Rollins, 1990)
MURPHY BROWN (Vladia, 1989)
CHINA BEACH (Dr. Joan Friedman, 1989)
MURDER, SHE WROTE (Sylvia Gagliano, 1988)
HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN (Kathleen Reynolds, 1988)
WIDE WORLD OF MYSTERY (Gina, 1974)
THE ROOKIES (Laura Page, 1974)
THE DELPHI BUREAU (Jane, 1973)
TV Movie Roles
ME AND MY HORMONES (1996)
BLOODLINES: MURDER IN THE FAMILY (1993)
LADY BOSS (Abigaile Stoner, 1992)
WHITE HOT: THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER OF THELMA TODD (Jewel, 1991)
BLIND FAITH (Felice Richmond, 1990)
BABY M (Betsy Stern, 1988)
GLITZ (Nancy Donovan, 1988)
AND THE BONES CAME TOGETHER (Joyce, 1973)
Film Roles
Shoot Or Be Shot (Mrs. Steinman, 2002)
Picture This (1999)
Loose Women (Mrs. Hayes, 1996)
The House That Cried Murder (Barbara, 1973)
Memorable Quotes
ROCKIN' ROBIN
"When I look at pictures of myself [from years ago], I just have to quietly smile because I never at any point thought of myself as a beautiful or even pretty woman. Now, I look and go, 'Oh, my God. Look at that shot. I look beautiful!' And I know that I never felt it then. That's why this acknowledgement at this time in my life is especially flattering and validating." — Soap Opera Digest, 10/25/05
"Since I came back, the dark side has not been explored. People like to see Dorian happy. I have no problem with that. I love the humor. I love the involvement that the Cramer women have. But I think Dorian has more colors that are possible to explore, and I know that as an actress — and I'm gonna blow my own horn here — I'm really adept at turning at a second from light-hearted to 'I could stick a knife right in her back, I'm so angry.' " — Digest, 9/20/05
"I never would've left unless I felt I'd been slammed up against a wall." — Digest, 5/27/03, on returning to OLTL after a three-year absence.
"[One exec] once told me not to say that I wasn't working next week because then the fans wouldn't watch. I said, 'If you're afraid the fans won't watch if they know I'm not working, then how 'bout putting me to work?' " — Digest, 1/2/01
"I got to my [going away] party quite late, and by the time I got there, I was an emotional wreck. It was like going to a funeral and being the body in the coffin and then singing at the wake." — Digest, 1/2/01
"I like when Dorian takes on the giants and doesn't get down with the ants or the aunts. I don't want to be Auntie Dorian. I think that I should be somebody that even my nieces know they better not mess with!" — Digest, 4/29/97
"I have a weakness for very tall men. And if they have a sense of humor, the stakes get even higher." — Digest, 3/12/96
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