Ryan's Hope Cast List
- Another World, Ryan's Hope, TexasAlexandra Neil (born Dianne Alexandra Swift Thompson; April 7, 1955 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States) is an American actress. Neil has portrayed characters on numerous soap operas such as Texas, Ryan's Hope, Another World, Guiding Light, As the World Turns and One Life to Live. Her other work on television includes guest leads on "Blacklist", "Madoff", Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Madigan Men, The Sopranos, Ed, Dudley (CBS pilot), and Laurel Canyon (NBC Pilot). Ms. Neil's film credits include "listen Up Philip", "The Longest Week", Afterschool, Twelve, Simon Killer, Pretty Happy, nonames,The Science Of Love, 508 Nelson, Something's Gotta Give, Marci X, Suits, Longtime Companion, See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Manhunter and Wall Street, among others. Neil appeared on Broadway in Tom Stoppard's "Rock'n'Roll" and in Match (opposite Frank Langella), and in plays at Barrow Street Theater, EST, WPA, Jewish Rep, LaMama, SoHo Rep and St. Clements' (New York City). She has also appeared regionally at CATF in the World Premiere of Susan Miller's play 20th CENTURY BLUES, at the Huntington Theatre in the American Premiere of Christopher Shinn's NOW or LATER, at Pioneer Repertory Theater in the World Premiere of Bess Wohl's play IN, also at Alley Theater, Houston; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Actors' Theater of Louisville; Syracuse Stage; the Hartman Theater, and the Philadelphia Company, among others. Ms. Neil has taught acting at Michael Howard Studios, NYU Tisch, National Theater Institute, The Williams College Summer Theater Lab, and Brooklyn College. She currently teaches at the Freeman Studio in New York City. Her play "Strange Fits" was read at the Atlantic Theater in 2009, and workshopped in 2010 at New York Stage and Film. Neil is a graduate of Williams College.
- Falcon Crest, Ryan's HopeAna Alicia (born December 12, 1956) is a Mexican-American former actress who performed in theatre and on televison. She is known for playing scheming vineyard heiress Melissa Agretti on the long-running primetime soap opera Falcon Crest for seven seasons. She got her television start spending a year on the daytime soap-opera Ryan's Hope and also performed in few single episode guest-starring roles on various televisions shows or in television movies most years from the late-1970s to the mid-1990s.
- American Horror Story, ER, Ryan's HopeBorn on August 16, 1958, in New York City, Angela Bassett was brought up by a single mother in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bassett's early life was marked with struggles, which she overcame through her intense passion for the arts. She pursued a Bachelor's degree in African-American studies from Yale University, followed by a Master's degree in Fine Arts from Yale School of Drama, under the guidance of renowned theatrical producer Lloyd Richards. Bassett's breakthrough came in 1993 when she portrayed Tina Turner in the biographical film What's Love Got to Do With It. Her riveting performance earned her a Golden Globe award for Best Actress, as well as an Academy Award nomination, making her the first African-American to receive such recognition. This marked the beginning of a prolific career that spanned several decades, during which Bassett distinguished herself in a variety of roles across genres, including drama, action, and comedy. Some of her notable films include Waiting to Exhale, Vampire in Brooklyn, and Black Panther. In addition to her film career, Bassett made significant contributions to television. She showcased her versatility in series like ER and American Horror Story, earning her critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. Moreover, she extended her talents behind the camera, directing episodes for American Horror Story and the television film Whitney. Despite the fame and success, Angela Bassett remained grounded, using her platform to advocate for causes close to her heart, such as education and health awareness.
- Ryan's Hope, Loving, The Secret StormBernard Elliott "Bernie" Barrow (December 30, 1927 – August 4, 1993) was an American actor and collegiate drama professor. He was best known as an actor for his role as Johnny Ryan, a publican and the patriarch of an Irish-American family on the television soap opera Ryan's Hope, on which he appeared from 1975 until the show's demise in 1989. Born in New York City, he received a bachelor's degree at Syracuse University in 1947, a masters at Columbia in 1948, and a doctorate from Yale Drama School in 1957. He taught theater at Brooklyn College for three decades. He directed summer stock and community theater throughout these years as well. Before starring on Ryan's Hope, he played the role of "Earl Dana" on Where the Heart Is in 1969–1970, Dan Kincaid on The Secret Storm from 1970 to 1974 and Ira Paulson on The Edge of Night in 1974–1975. After his 13-year run with Ryan's Hope, he was cast in 1990 in the role of Louie Slavinsky on Loving, and continued with the role even after his diagnosis with lung cancer. Barrow died at the age of 65 in New York City. Before Ryan's Hope, Barrow had a small part in one of the most-watched TV episodes of its time. In the series Rhoda, Barrow played the judge who married Rhoda Morgenstern and Joe Gerard in the 1974 episode Rhoda's Wedding. He was nominated four times for an Emmy Award for Daytime Supporting Actor (1979, 88, and 92), taking the award in 1991.
Brent Spiner
Star Trek: The Next Generation, Alphas, ThresholdBorn on February 2, 1949, in Houston, Texas, United States, Brent Spiner spent his formative years honing his acting capabilities, which ultimately propelled him into the limelight. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston and began his career in theater, nurturing his raw talent into a skill that would later captivate millions worldwide. Best known for his paradigm-shifting role as Lieutenant Commander Data in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Spiner has exhibited his versatility across numerous film, television, and theater roles. His portrayal of Data, an android striving to understand humanity, affirmed his acting mettle and established him as a stalwart of science-fiction. It led to reprising the role multiple times across various Star Trek series and films - a testament to his enduring relevance in pop culture history. Beyond Star Trek, Spiner's career is punctuated with a diverse list of compelling performances. He has played memorable roles in films such as Independence Day and its sequel, and garnered accolades for his performance on Broadway in 1776. Always expanding his horizons, Spiner also ventured into the world of music with his album Ol' Yellow Eyes Is Back.Cali Timmins
Another World, Ryan's Hope, Katts and DogCali Timmins (born April 27, 1963) is a Canadian former actress, best known for her work in the soap Ryan's Hope as Maggie Shelby, a role she played from 1983 to 1989. She also had a leading role in the cult classic Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone as Nova. She also played the first Paulina Cantrell Cory in Another World from 1990 to 1991. She has done guest spots in a variety of TV shows, Frasier, Cybill, Highlander: The Series, and Forever Knight, amongst others. Three of her siblings, Michael, Margo, and Peter, are in the Canadian country rock band Cowboy Junkies. Their grandfather, Noah Timmins, was the pioneering Canadian mining executive who gave his name to the city of Timmins, Ontario.- Ryan's Hope, Snoops, StatCasey Patrick Biggs (born April 4, 1955) is an American actor, best known throughout the Star Trek community for starring as the Cardassian Damar, on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
- 7th Heaven, Ryan's Hope, The Bad News BearsCatherine Mary Hicks (born August 6, 1951) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Annie Camden on the long-running television series 7th Heaven. Other notable roles include Dr. Faith Coleridge on the soap opera Ryan's Hope (1976–1978), her Emmy Award-nominated performance as Marilyn Monroe in Marilyn: The Untold Story (1980), Dr. Gillian Taylor in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), and Karen Barclay in Child's Play (1988).
- Ryan's Hope, Garrison's GorillasCesare Danova (March 1, 1926 – March 19, 1992) was an Italian-American television and screen actor.
- Bobby's World, The Hogan Family, Ryan's HopeChristine Ebersole (born February 21, 1953) is an American actress and singer. She has appeared in film, television, and on stage. She appeared on Broadway in the musical 42nd Street, winning a Tony Award, and appeared both off-Broadway and on Broadway in the musical Grey Gardens, winning her second Tony Award. She has co-starred on the TBS sitcom Sullivan & Son, in which she played Carol Walsh, and earned an Emmy Award nomination for her work in One Life to Live. Ebersole also appeared in the critically maligned 1988 cult film Mac and Me.
- Psych, L.A. Law, Ryan's HopeCorbin Dean Bernsen (born September 7, 1954) is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, as Dr. Alan Feinstone in The Dentist, as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych, and as Roger Dorn in the films Major League, Major League II, and Major League: Back to the Minors. He has also appeared regularly on other shows, including General Hospital and Cuts.
- Desperate Housewives, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice LeagueDana Delany, celebrated as one of Hollywood's most versatile actresses, carved a distinctive niche for herself with her prolific acting skills. Born on March 13, 1956, in New York City, she grew up in Stamford, Connecticut as the daughter of Mary and Jack Delany, both of whom worked in the television industry. This early exposure to the world of entertainment undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping her future career aspirations. Delany graduated from Wesleyan University, majoring in theater, which laid the foundation for her professional journey. Delany's acting career took flight in the late 1970s, but it was in 1988 when she achieved substantial recognition. She landed a role in the critically acclaimed television drama China Beach, where she portrayed Army Nurse Colleen McMurphy. Her performance won her two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, solidifying her position as a powerful performer. Following this success, Delany expanded her repertoire, showcasing her versatility through roles in various genres, including comedy, drama, and action, in both film and television. Beyond acting, Delany has demonstrated a profound commitment to social issues. She is known for her active participation in causes such as women's health and LGBTQ+ rights. Her advocacy work extends to the realm of arts and culture, where she supports organizations dedicated to promoting theater and film. Despite her celebrity status, Delany consistently uses her platform to champion these causes, further contributing to her multifaceted persona. With a career that spans over four decades, Dana Delany remains a compelling figure in the entertainment industry.
Daniel Hugh Kelly
Ryan's Hope, From the Earth to the Moon, Memphis BeatDaniel Hugh Kelly (born August 10, 1952) is an American stage, film and television actor. He is best known for his role on the 1980s ABC TV series Hardcastle and McCormick (1983–86) as ex-con Mark "Skid" McCormick, co-starring with Brian Keith.- Sledge Hammer!, Ryan's Hope, ImpastorDavid Rasche (born August 7, 1944) is an American theater, film and television actor who is best known for his portrayal of the title character in the 1980s satirical police sitcom Sledge Hammer! Since then he has often played characters in positions of authority, in both serious and comical turns.
- Home Improvement, HerculesEarl John Hindman (October 20, 1942 – December 29, 2003) was an American film and television actor, best known for his role as the kindly unseen* neighbor Wilson W. Wilson Jr. on the television sitcom Home Improvement (1991–99). *He was always filmed with the lower portion of his face obstructed with an object of some kind. Long before this role, however, he played villains in two 1974 thrillers, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three and The Parallax View. He also appeared in the films Who Killed Mary What's 'Er Name? (1971), Greased Lightning (1977), The Brink's Job (1978) and Taps (1981), and played the part of J.T. in the Lawrence Kasdan film Silverado (1985). Hindman's most famous and enduring pre-Home Improvement role was as Bob Reid in Ryan's Hope. He played the role from 1975–84 and later returned for its final episodes in 1988–89. Ex-police officer Bob Reid was everybody's best friend who never got the girl and was the long-suffering brother of the soap's serial bride Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge. Hindman's wife (Molly McGreevey) was also on the soap 1977–81 as Polly Longworth, best friend to media tycoon Rae Woodard. His voice was heard on the Disneyland Railroad from 2002 until 2016 and on the Walt Disney World Railroad from 2002 until late 2010.
Felicity LaFortune
Ryan's HopeFelicity LaFortune (born December 15, 1954 in Oak Park, Illinois, United States) is an actress and singer, best known for appearing on daytime soap operas Ryan's Hope as Leigh Kirkland Fenelli (1983–1985, 1988–1989) and All My Children as Laurel Banning Dillon (1993–1996). In 2000, LaFortune filled in for Hillary B. Smith as Nora Hanen Buchanan on One Life to Live while Smith was on leave from the show. She was in the award-winning musical Light in the Piazza on Broadway.- Ryan's HopeDisambiguation: This is also the full name of Frankie Foster, a fictional character based on Lauren Faust.Frances Helen Foster (née Brown; June 11, 1924 – June 17, 1997) was an American film, television and stage actress. In addition to being an actress, Brown was also an award–winning stage director.
- Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Ryan's Hope, Great PerformancesGeorge Hearn (born June 18, 1934) is an American actor and singer, primarily in Broadway musical theatre.
Gerit Quealy
Ryan's HopeGerit Quealy is an American writer, editor, and actor.She is the co-author of Wedding Flowers (2003) and Wedding Cakes and Flowers (2006), and an editor of Fifty Things to Do When You Turn Fifty (2005). Quealy has also written for the Vows column of The New York Times, as well as the Style desk of the Times.Quealy was formerly a Wilhelmina model and an associate editor of Flair magazine. From 1983 to 1985 (and briefly in 1987), she played Jacqueline Dubujak Novak on the ABC daytime serial Ryan's Hope.- Ryan's Hope, NakiaGloria Mildred DeHaven (July 23, 1925 – July 30, 2016) was an American actress and singer who was a contract star for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
- Ryan's HopeHelen Gallagher (born July 19, 1926) is an American actress, dancer, and singer.
- Dennis the Menace, Ryan's HopeHerbert Anderson (March 30, 1917 – June 11, 1994) was an American character actor from Oakland, California, probably best remembered for his role as Henry Mitchell, the father, in the CBS television sitcom Dennis the Menace, which was based on the Hank Ketcham comic strip of the same name.
- Another World, Ryan's Hope, LovingIlene Kristen (born Ilene Schatz on July 30, 1952) is an American actress, best known for her role in the ABC soap operas as Delia Ryan on Ryan's Hope (1975–1979, 1982–1983, 1986–1989), and as Roxy Balsom on One Life to Live (2001–2012).
- Another World, Ryan's Hope, Jack and MikeJacqueline Victoire Brookes (July 24, 1930 – April 26, 2013) was an American film, television, and stage actress, best known for her work both off-Broadway and on Broadway.
- Ryan's Hope, Sons of ThunderJames Wlcek (born February 22, 1964), sometimes credited as Jimmy Wlcek or Jim Wlcek, is an American actor born in New York City. He began his acting career in 1986 with an episode of Tales from the Darkside. In 1987, he auditioned for a part on All My Children; however he did not get the part because he was not old enough. After his audition tape was sent to the producers of Ryan's Hope, he landed the role of Ben Shelby. He was working for Keebler Cookies at the time, in the warehouse loading trucks on the graveyard shift. Wlcek was nominated for Outstanding Male Newcomer Daytime for his role as Ben Shelby on Ryan's Hope in 1988. During the time he spent on Ryan's Hope he acted in the play Liars by Elliot Meyers directed by Shellen Lubin at the Producers Club Theatre. Eight months later, he was cast as Linc Lafferty on As the World Turns. He stayed there for the next two years. A year later he came out to Los Angeles and acted in several commercials. In 1997 he got the role of Trent Malloy in a two-hour Walker, Texas Ranger movie called Sons of Thunder. The role became a recurring one for Jimmy, who went on to guest star in several more episodes of the long-running series. In 1999, a spin-off series called Sons of Thunder was created with Jimmy in one of the lead roles. Despite ratings higher than those of the show it replaced, the show was canceled after five episodes because CBS felt it was too expensive.His last name is pronounced "Will-Check"; the Slavic translation is "Little Wolf." He is a highly trained martial arts expert, demonstrating his skill on episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger. In 2018, Jimmy received an award from the Los Angeles county Sheriff's department for assisting in saving the life of an inmate.
- Ryan's Hope, Love of Life, The Charles Grodin ShowJohn Gabriel (born Jack Monkarsh; May 25, 1931 – June 11, 2021) was an American actor, singer-lyricist, and producer who is best known for his role as Seneca Beaulac in Ryan's Hope (1975–1985, 1988–1989), and for which he received an Emmy Award nomination in 1980. Gabriel, who played the Professor in the original, unaired Gilligan's Island pilot, was the father of actress Andrea Gabriel. He appeared on Broadway in The Happy Time in 1968, and produced the shortlived eponymous television series Charles Grodin starring Charles Grodin in 1995.
- Mad About You, Episodes, The DoctorsJohn Pankow (born April 28, 1954) is an American actor. He may be best known for his role as Ira Buchman for all seven seasons of Mad About You, and later for his role as series regular Merc Lapidus on Episodes.
Judith Barcroft
Ryan's HopeJudith Barcroft (born July 6, 1942 in Washington, D.C.) is an American Broadway and soap opera actress. She began her soap career in 1966 by creating the role of Lenore Moore on Another World, a role she played until 1971. In 1970, she made a cameo appearance as Lenore on the AW spin-off, Somerset. Lenore was in a popular romance with attorney Walter Curtin (Val Dufour) who defended Lenore for the murder of Wayne Addison (Robert Milli) but who secretly was guilty of killing Wayne himself. Her storyline had Lenore being a bitter enemy with Liz Matthews (then Nancy Wickwire) who was in love with Wayne but blamed Lenore for stealing his affections. After leaving Another World, she took over the role of Ann Tyler on All My Children. As the daughter of the wealthy Phoebe and Charles Tyler, she married handsome lawyer Paul Martin. After Ann gave birth to a baby who died suddenly, she underwent a mental breakdown, forcing Paul and Phoebe to commit her to a mental hospital. She played the role for six years, leaving All My Children in 1977. The following year, she appeared on The Edge of Night, playing Louise Cavanaugh (Miles and April's mother in dream sequences) for a few episodes. That same year, she stepped in for Marie Masters in the role of Dr. Susan Burke Stewart on As the World Turns while Masters was on emergency leave. It was at this time that Barcroft took a three-year hiatus from acting, returning to daytime in 1981 on Ryan's Hope in the role of Barbara Wilde, a soap actress desperate for publicity. Barbara briefly dated Seneca Beaulac but sued him for malpractice after blaming him for going forward with a medical procedure that threatened to destroy her career. In 1983, she returned to As the World Turns for a brief stint as D.A. Sara Comstock, which she repeated the following year. She then returned to The Edge of Night in a completely different role, playing Laurie Karr's psychiatrist, Eleanor Prentice, until the show was canceled in the winter of 1984. In 1987, the producers of One Life to Live asked her to temporarily fill in for Erika Slezak as Victoria Lord Buchanan. Her final appearance on soap operas was in 1988, playing a pharmacist for one day on Another World. Judith has been married to soap opera writer Wisner Washam since June 15, 1969. They have a son, Ian Washam, and a daughter, Amy Masterson. Her Broadway credits are: Mating Dance, Dinner At Eight, Plaza Suite, All God's Chillun Got Wings, Elephant Man, Betrayal, and Shimada.- Ryan's HopeJudith Chapman (born Judith Shepard on November 15, 1951) is an American actress, best known for soap opera roles, particularly as Natalie Bannon Hughes in As the World Turns, Charlotte Greer on Ryan's Hope, Ginny Blake Webber on General Hospital, Sandra Montaigne on One Life to Live, Anjelica Deveraux Curtis on Days of Our Lives, and as Gloria Abbott Bardwell on The Young and the Restless Also recently joined the cast of Days of our Lives as a brand new character, Diana Cooper in January 2019.
- As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Ryan's HopeJustin Deas (born March 30, 1948 in Connellsville, Pennsylvania) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Tom Hughes #10 on As the World Turns, his role as Keith Timmons on Santa Barbara, and for his role as Buzz Cooper Sr. on Guiding Light. He held the record for most Daytime Emmy Awards in the acting categories for six Emmys until 2012 when Anthony Geary surpassed him, garnering seven.
