Five Things That Happened On June 11 In Soap History

In 1982, future Daytime Emmy winner Eileen Davidson made her Young and Restless debut as Ashley Abbott. Of landing the role, Davidson recalled to Soap Opera Digest in 2023, "The audition I don’t remember, but I was called back for a screen test, and on that day, I lost a contact lens. So I was left with only one good eye, which made me feel very off-balance. I was supposed to walk between Terry Lester [ex-Jack], who was sitting on the sofa, and the coffee table, and he put his legs up, so I couldn’t get by. I just kind of kicked them off of the table as I walked by, and that kind of established the rapport between the siblings. I think everybody was kind of excited about that, but I just innately knew the sibling dynamic because I had several in real life. It didn’t throw me when he was putting obstacles in my way.”

In 1982, Anthony Geary (ex-Luke Spencer, General Hospital) picked up his first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor. He would go on to collect a record-setting eight wins as the Port Charles antihero. At the 9th annual ceremony, other big winners included Robin Strasser as Dorian Lord on One Life to Live in the Outstanding Lead Actress category, David Lewis (ex-Edward Quartermaine, GH) for Outstanding Supporting Actor, and Dorothy Lyman (ex-Opal Gardner, All My Children) as Outstanding Supporting Actress. Guiding Light won Outstanding Daytime Drama Series.

In 2018, Carly Corinthos (Laura Wright) was sentenced in her trial for the attempted murder of Nelle Benson, who she allegedly pushed down the stairs of the Quartermaine mansion. Carly was relying on an insanity defense, hoping she would be sent to Shadybrook, a relatively cushy mental institution. She was in for a rude awakening when instead, the judge decided that Carly would be remanded to Ferncliff, a spot for the criminally insane. Nelle could barely contain her glee.

In 2019, a hospitalized Will Horton (Chandler Massey) and Sonny Kiriakis got engaged (again) on Days of Our Lives. Will told his beloved, "I hope you will give me a pass for not getting down on one knee, but... I wanna marry you again." Replied Sonny, "Well, I could never love you more than I do right now, okay, married or not, so if you're doing this for me..." Will assured him, "I'm doing it for me. I want everyone to know, especially our daughter, that the most amazing, kind, wonderful man in the world wants to be my husband. I love you, Sonny. You're the love of my life-- even if that life only lasts a few more days, there's nothing in the world that would make me happier. So... Jackson Steven Kiiriakis, will you do me the honor or marrying me?" Beamed Sonny, "I never could say no to you. Why would I start now? Yes, I will marry you."

In 2020, the newly engaged duo of Justin Kiriakis (Wally Kurth) and Kayla Brady Johnson (Mary Beth Evans) discussed wedding dates. Justin suggested July, then remembered that one of Kayla's weddings to Steve had taken place that month. Kayla assured him she was fine with a July wedding and they decided to wed on the 10th. "I'm counting the days," Kayla told Justin.