Kelly Nelson and Morgan Richards wed on Guiding Light, Lucas Jones was born on General Hospital, John Abbott passed away on Young and Restless and other memorable soap moments that took place on August 18.
1 of 5
In 1981, Kelly Nelson (John Wesley Shipp) and Morgan Richards (Kristen Vigard) wed on Guiding Light. The ceremony took place at an outdoor spot near and dear to the couple's hearts, Laurel Falls. The lovebirds had a somewhat rocky road to the altar, thanks in no small part to the machinations of Nola Reardon, who wanted Kelly for herself and, after drugging him, convinced him that they had slept together and that the baby she was carrying was his (it was not). Once Nola's scheme came to light, Kelly and Morgan happily exchanged vows.
2 of 5
Photo credit: CBS
In a landmark moment in 1988, As The World Turns’s Hank (Brian Starcher) came out as gay to Iva. Hank was daytime's first openly gay male character. Colleen Zenk (pictured), who played Barbara on the show, recalled to Soap Opera Digest in 2024, "At that point, we were still in the throes of the AIDS crisis and [Head Writer] Douglas Marland was so brave to introduce that character."
3 of 5
Photo credit: ABC
In 1989, Lucas Jones was born on GH. The baby is pictured here with his adoptive parents, Bobbie (Jacklyn Zeman, l.) and Tony (Brad Maule), as well as Robert (Tristan Rogers), who for a time was believed to be Lucas's biological father, and Robert's then-significant other, Katherine (Edie Lehmann). Lucas's biological parents are Cheryl Stansbury and Julian Jerome.
4 of 5
Photo credit: JPI
In 2006, John Abbott (Jerry Douglas, pictured with Peter Bergman as Jack Abbott) passed away on Young and Restless. Though Douglas, who passed away in 2021, continued to appear intermittently as a ghost, this marked the end of his regular tenure on the show, which had kicked off in 1982. John was one of the show's mainstay patriarchs and his demise had ripple effects across the Abbott family, which are arguably still being felt today.
5 of 5
Photo credit: JPI
In 2008, Jana Hawkes (Emily O'Brien) and Kevin Fisher (Greg Rikaart) wed on Young and Restless. The ceremony took place at an ashram in Malibu. Amber served as Jana's maid of honor, with Kevin selecting Daniel as a best man. Michael was a groomsman, and his wife, Lauren, was also in attendance, along with the groom's mother, Gloria, Colleen and Jeffrey. The officiant turned out to be Lowell "River" Fisher, played by Michael Gross — Michael's long-lost father!
In 1981, Kelly Nelson (John Wesley Shipp) and Morgan Richards (Kristen Vigard) wed on Guiding Light. The ceremony took place at an outdoor spot near and dear to the couple's hearts, Laurel Falls. The lovebirds had a somewhat rocky road to the altar, thanks in no small part to the machinations of Nola Reardon, who wanted Kelly for herself and, after drugging him, convinced him that they had slept together and that the baby she was carrying was his (it was not). Once Nola's scheme came to light, Kelly and Morgan happily exchanged vows.
In a landmark moment in 1988, As The World Turns’s Hank (Brian Starcher) came out as gay to Iva. Hank was daytime's first openly gay male character. Colleen Zenk (pictured), who played Barbara on the show, recalled to Soap Opera Digest in 2024, "At that point, we were still in the throes of the AIDS crisis and [Head Writer] Douglas Marland was so brave to introduce that character."
In 1989, Lucas Jones was born on GH. The baby is pictured here with his adoptive parents, Bobbie (Jacklyn Zeman, l.) and Tony (Brad Maule), as well as Robert (Tristan Rogers), who for a time was believed to be Lucas's biological father, and Robert's then-significant other, Katherine (Edie Lehmann). Lucas's biological parents are Cheryl Stansbury and Julian Jerome.
In 2006, John Abbott (Jerry Douglas, pictured with Peter Bergman as Jack Abbott) passed away on Young and Restless. Though Douglas, who passed away in 2021, continued to appear intermittently as a ghost, this marked the end of his regular tenure on the show, which had kicked off in 1982. John was one of the show's mainstay patriarchs and his demise had ripple effects across the Abbott family, which are arguably still being felt today.
In 2008, Jana Hawkes (Emily O'Brien) and Kevin Fisher (Greg Rikaart) wed on Young and Restless. The ceremony took place at an ashram in Malibu. Amber served as Jana's maid of honor, with Kevin selecting Daniel as a best man. Michael was a groomsman, and his wife, Lauren, was also in attendance, along with the groom's mother, Gloria, Colleen and Jeffrey. The officiant turned out to be Lowell "River" Fisher, played by Michael Gross — Michael's long-lost father!
