22 The Guiding Light Actors Who Have Passed Away

"Guiding Light" is a landmark in American television and radio history, celebrated as the longest-running soap opera with a combined 72-year presence on air. Its origins trace back to the personal experiences of creator Irna Phillips, who, after the tragic loss of a stillborn child at age 19, found comfort in the radio sermons of Chicago evangelist Preston Bradley. These spiritual messages inspired Phillips to develop "The Guiding Light," which debuted as a radio series centered around a pastor. Despite its enduring popularity, CBS announced the cancellation of "Guiding Light" on April 1, 2009, concluding its run later that year. The series featured notable actors such as Kim Zimmer, Beth Chamberlin, and Maureen Garrett, whose performances left an indelible mark on the soap opera genre. As we look back in 2024, we honor the legacy of the many cast members who have passed away, acknowledging their significant contributions to the world of entertainment. Today's tribute video commemorates their lasting impact on the industry.
#TheGuidingLight

[@TollBooth104]

I’d so rather watch GL and ATWT instead of the talk shows that are on now.

[@Ms.NIkaDM]

Ditto

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

Sadly, in a few years, there will be no more soap operas left on daytime TV.

[@robinbryant1815]

We all would unfortunately they cost too much too produce

[@user-oi2bn7tm7v]

AMEN 🙏

[@user-oi2bn7tm7v]

AMEN 🙏

[@user-oi2bn7tm7v]

Guiding Light was my favorite soap opera Reva and Josh sure miss this soap opera wish they would have a station to play old soap operas. I watched it till it was cancelled 😞

[@DebLindley-xg8gz]

I'm truly surprised there isn't such a channel with everything else that's out there.

[@user-oi2bn7tm7v]

@@DebLindley-xg8gz yeah but you tube shows a lot of GL I’m going to watch some of As The World Turns trying to to find some with Betsy and Steve and Kim and Bob

[@DebLindley-xg8gz]

@@user-oi2bn7tm7v I didn't realize that. Don't have You Tube TV.

[@foofookachoo1136]

Type in Guiding Light. U can watch a few episodes!! But I do wish they would start it from the very beginning!! Hope u find it, and enjoy it!!

[@tamiparker3749]

I couldn’t agree more with everything you’ve written ❤

[@julieschoolcraft1503]

I can’t believe how many are gone. I remember most of them. I watched for years especially during the Phillip and Beth story.

[@CoffeeAndPrayerWithJoyce-fc9wx]

me too

[@loririnaldi3408]

Philip was so handsome!

[@YFus825]

I would much prefer having GL and ATWT back instead of all of the silly talk shows.

[@Theresa-eh5ue]

Me too.

[@jennifer60515]

Me too.

[@laverneb.6130]

Same here! Those soaps were favorite past times, watched with my mom.

[@hazelbelle80]

I absolutely agree with this!!

[@AprilThompson-ix8br]

Me too! I loved As the world turns and Guilding light!

[@lindarobison8425]

I loved guiding light and as the world turns

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

Towards the last few years of the soaps, the storylines were really terrible.

[@yvonnestoneroad8821]

I watched and loved both shows

[@janetjaken1389]

They were both my soaps forever 💕

[@lindagurreri3946]

me tooo

[@lucindabarney]

Me too

[@pegallen6983]

I watched this show my entire teenage years. Lujack, Beth, Alan Michael and Mindy were the main storylines that grabbed me every day

[@carverhighalumni]

Yes they were so popular then when I was a teenager myself!!!

[@lizkrinsky5209]

Don't forget Nola!

[@pegallen6983]

@@lizkrinsky5209 Oh yes! I could never forget Nola Reardon

[@katherinemoon8514]

The Beth and Philip love story! I remember them dancing at their prom to Truly by Lionel Ritchie.

[@pegallen6983]

@@katherinemoon8514 I don't know how I could have forgotten about Phillip!

[@BB-sr7ou]

Roger Thorpe was the greatest soap villian. I loved when he'd show up to parties uninvited and watch the responses of the other characters. Roger was hated and he loved it.

[@kellythornton6241]

I miss this show

[@LBF522]

I hated it when they started cancelling the soaps.

[@COJAZZ3]

Can't believe it's It's been 15 years since it was cancelled.

[@bernadetteGardnerPittman]

I love me some Alan Spaulding the original Alan

[@Mimi12307]

He was classic!! So sad when he died, so young! He and Beverlee McKinsey were amazing when onscreen! Immensely talented actors!

[@SheilaRiley-ug9pb]

I started watching Guiding Light when Nola and Quinton began and stayed with it. I miss it

[@user-ht5uy9jk8c]

I watched Guiding Light till it got cancelled

[@sheriheffner2098]

Me too. Since 1981.

[@user-cy7uu2kr8c]

Me too…

[@jennyfletcher5573]

Me too

[@jennyfletcher5573]

1983

[@cindychristian1700]

So did my mom!

[@kathyo9420]

My mother and I were addicted to this show, thanks to my grandmother who had been along for the ride since it's days on radio. And she knew EVERYTHING about it.

[@nicolemjackson3118]

I remember 'Nola' & 'Quinten' passing away close together...

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

They both died in 2021.

[@angelamwatts]

I knew that Quinten died but didn't know that Nola died until I saw this video. Wow, I was a faithful watcher of GL in the 1980s

[@kimir1633]

I miss the old days...truly a great time in my life

[@foofookachoo1136]

Wasn’t it, though??!! I VERY MUCH miss it!!

[@LindaZelinski]

I started watching the Guiding Light and As the World Turns as a little girl with my mother and continued to watch until the end. I still love and miss it 😢

[@sherondalewis8053]

One of my favorite soaps growing up! Used to run home from school to watch this! Reva Shane was no joke on that show!

[@Marmaluna68]

I miss the Bauer barbeque

[@jennyfletcher5573]

Every July 4th ❤

[@nedrahandy5969]

Me too!!!❤

[@annhite8595]

famous bauer burger

[@LisaMarieMJ]

4th of July tradition that I always looked forward to!

[@carolharris2401]

I did not know Jerry Verdorn passed away. RIP to all the actors

[@doristhompson9028]

My mother and I watched GL everyday. Couldn't wait to see what would happen next. We loved it. I miss those times, and the show. The characters were so interesting.

[@lindadugan2025]

I watched guiding light from when I was little till the very end. My favorite soap ever💜

[@DLFfitness1]

Loved the 80’s lineup.

[@iloveejbgssnoopy]

so many Memories and so special Guiding Light was to me and still it. All the actors/actresses were amazing and so special.

[@megank3412]

This show ROCKED in the 80s! I loved me some Lujack!❤

[@joann33483]

Alexandra was Alan's sister, not his mother. Loved this show.

[@katchinchillz]

I'm 55 and started watching Guiding Light at the age of 14 and I really miss it

[@vickywood5234]

Michael Zaslow was my favorite.

[@sunnyangiebeenestork1899]

Mine, too--I had a major, massive crush on him!

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

Michael Zaslow appeared on the first episode of Star Trek, the Original Series and was first crewman to be killed on the show.

[@user-vh1qg1fd1h]

Didn't he play Roger Thorpe

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

@@user-vh1qg1fd1h Everyone knows that!!!

[@jennyfletcher5573]

Good Ole Roger Thorp. I miss these soaps.

[@paulvee1299]

Lisa Brown’s hurts the most.

[@lizkrinsky5209]

She was fabulous as Nola.

[@michaeltownsend4128]

Charita Bauer was The Guiding Light! I always found it fascinating that Charita & Bert had the same last name Bauer!

[@victoriavancartier7379]

It was never the same after her death....Mary Stuart made no difference at all as an addition to the cast....no history there that really meant anything at all....

[@foofookachoo1136]

I know!! Do u happen to know if her last name was also spelled, “Bauer” ?? I bet that’s never happened on any other soap, or this one again, either!! I had to rewind this a little again, to hear what her actual last name was, and just couldn’t believe it!! LOVED this show!!!

[@tammy5654]

For me, there was no one better than the GREAT Michael Zaslow. As a teenager, I had a HUGE crush on him. Loved the Roger Thorpe vs. Alan Spaulding storyline. Although, Alan was rich, powerful & influential, Roger ALWAYS managed to have Alan in the palm of his hand.(lol) This made Roger even more sexy to me as an amorous teenage girl at the time. I'll never forget writing a fan letter to the CBS Network for Michael and later receiving a lovely, authentic signed photo with a kind message. I was completely blown away and I treasured that photo with every part of my being. Everything I've ever heard &/or read of Michael Zaslow described him as a kind & caring man, which was quite different from his character of Roger Thorpe. He was a wonderful & very convincing actor. He, and Anthony Herrera's character of James Steinbeck on ATWT represented the two ABSOLUTE BEST and MOST deliciously villainous & exciting villains on daytime tv for me. Of course, Roger was always my very favorite of the two. Michael's portrayal of Roger Thorpe was OUTSTANDING, and his storyline always kept me interested and glued to the tv set. Michael Zaslow was absolutely GREAT, and I'll always remember his Roger Thorpe character as one of the greatest characters of daytime tv. He is sorely missed. God bless you ALWAYS Michael Zaslow. ❤❤

[@22lyric]

I never watched GL but saw You Light Up My Life and fell in love with him. SO sad.

[@rjs1602]

I LOVED James Steinbeck and was so saddened when I heard of his passing.

[@janleslie7163]

I hated it so bad when they killed off Roger he was so convincing as the evil Roger who was after Holly. What a sad way he died 😢

[@tishasmith4928]

What a beautiful comment you wrote. He was everything you said! My mom loved her some Roger Thorpe.

[@MrsGator7]

How I loved Josh Lewis!

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

Robert Newman, who played Josh Lewis was very handsome.

[@MrsGator7]

@@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc still is

[@user-oi2bn7tm7v]

@@MrsGator7 You got that right 😁

[@Katclem47]

Loved, loved, loved this soap opera! Guiding Light and As The World Turns were my absolute faves. Roger Thorpe was the best "villain" hands down, on any soap. So sad he suffered and passed away from such a terrible disease like ALS. RIP to all of these talented stars.

[@foofookachoo1136]

Agree with all u said!!!

[@dtfg-33]

It was my favorite soap. Watched it til the end!!

[@tammybrown4901]

I watched it till the end one of my favorites

[@user-eh9qh4od4u]

I love guiding light and I watched the show until it was canceled ,but I love to see Kim Zimmer on the soap general hospital and bring back 🔙Robert newman as Ashland Locke

[@Ms.NIkaDM]

My favorite soap. Watched til the end 🥰

[@NelsonAspen]

Mary Stuart was my mentor from the time we met on SFT in 1983 until her death. But she is with me every day. What a trailblazer and multitalented lady. Glad so many of her soap moments are captured here on KZbin.

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

I didn't know that you were a famous journalist.

[@nelsonaspen3947]

@@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc Mary is loving profiled in a dramatization of my early soap days in the new novel "Dancing Between the Raindrops." She is also in the upcoming sequel, "Dancing Between the Raindrops: The Hollywood Years." She changed and influenced my life in so many wonderful ways!

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

@@nelsonaspen3947 I'm glad that Mary Stuart had such a positive influence over you. Mary was adored by so many fans.

[@rosewalker-cz3tj]

I only knew Mary Stuart as Joanne Tate on SFT. My mom watched it faithfully..But I dont remember her on GL and I watched it right to the end....

[@NelsonAspen]

@@rosewalker-cz3tj She came on post-SFT as Meta Bauer and I write a character history for her to research the role! She was one in a zillion. 💓

[@user-rz8bu6vl8x]

I loved Ross and Billy ❤

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

I was wild about Jay Hammer, who played Fletcher Reade on the show.

[@mysonotnormallife6178]

So was I, I loved fletcher

[@Chilly_chic]

Guiding light was one of several soap opera's I grew up watching with my mom, as the world turns, bold and the beautiful. Were the top three we watched together.

[@kathysellinger3927]

I love this show and As the World Turns.

[@foofookachoo1136]

YES!! These 2 were my favorites!! My late mom got me on these, as these were 2 and f her favorites!

[@EveretteMartin-mw6dy]

I loved watching Guiding Light, wish it was still on. 📺📺

[@tammybrown4901]

I just loved this soap opera sure miss it😢

[@samanthamaharrey]

I'm 83 and remember in high chair listening on the radio!

[@jackgross6133]

Dang!,....lol

[@user-nu3hq9tt4k]

Guiding Light and ATWT were my favorite soaps.

[@hazelbelle80]

I loved GUIDING LIGHT ❣️

[@patty-cf7jj]

I saw Lisa Brown on Broadway. My sister and I were huge fans and bought tickets just to see her. And she Iva Snyder on ATWT, NOT Eva..

[@alabamatrixie7379]

Wasn't she wonderful! I loved both Nola and Iva

[@lizliney3270]

Saw her in 42nd street. Great tap dancer

[@Martha-ct8em]

Superb writing, and actors one of the greatest of all times🎥🎬

[@kimmysue42569]

Watched with my grandmother until it was canceled 😞. These actors were such talented people.

[@mackenzieb97]

Get rid of the AI narrator. It's terrible!

[@LULOHANFYAH]

Putting in 3 pictures of "Blake" while discussing the amazing Ellen Holly is just lazy.

[@jen1274]

90,210 😂

[@LisaMarieMJ]

Agreed!

[@user-pw8ei9no5q]

I didn't know, until a few years ago, that Lisa Brown's first husband played Floyd on Guiding Light.

[@kinglord7707]

My grandmothers favorite soap opera!!!! Roger Thorpe rivalry with The Spauldings and tormentor to his wife Holly is one of the great storylines in Soap history

[@saraanderson6615]

I liked ATWT and GL taped them even and watched them on the weekends when I didn’t have to work. I had a big crush on the actor that played Josh ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kendrag.]

I enjoyed watching Guiding light wow! so many gone time flies thank all of you R.I.P. 🕊🕊🕊

[@alanna8983]

One that was forgotten in this is tribute is TJ Hargrave. He played TJ Werner, the adopted son of a doctor couple. Hargrave left acting and became an employee of a financial firm that had offices in the World Trade Center. Hargrave died in the WTC on 9/11.

[@maryannmeade3506]

I told my kindergarten teacher that I liked attending during the morning session, as I didn't like missing As The World Turns and The Guiding Light.

[@DebLindley-xg8gz]

LMAO 🤣 In College I did my very best to schedule all my classes around the soap operas, I'm a junkie 😅

[@maryannmeade3506]

My mom came home from the parent-teacher conference with a good anecdote. I had told my teacher that Lisa, wife of Dr. Bob Hughes ,killed the housekeeper with a candlestick.

[@DebLindley-xg8gz]

@@maryannmeade3506 omgosh, I hope that teacher got a good laugh. But I wonder if that was the actual 1st thought.

[@DebLindley-xg8gz]

Kids really do say the darndest things. I'm still chuckling over your comment 😄

[@maryannmeade3506]

I saw that episode with my grandmother in 1962. All true

[@pmtspmts8441]

Gl was awesome during 80s and early 90s and then lost its way and I still miss the show .. Tks for posting ..if yiu can remember watching this in the 70s.. smile.. we are getting old

[@yessumyessum6624]

Depressing indeed...

[@joycheek6756]

I was watching the GL since the mid 60s with my mom and grandma

[@lynnleedy1786]

😊 we are getting old.

[@libranharmony7449]

Was a die-hard fan of the show for many, many years... Actually grew up watching it with my beloved Grandmother (and best friend). Knew all the characters, good and bad alike- and Grandma and I were tuned in to CBS every weekday at 3 PM to catch up on 'the latest'. So fond of these memories!!! Thank you for the show, the stars who made the show as great as it was, and for contributing to the wonderful memories I will always have of my very dear, deeply devoted Grandmother.

[@KGMaz]

Watched it for almost 25 yrs and got my mom hooked

[@user-rz8bu6vl8x]

Me too! I was so upset when they took it off the air😮

[@KGMaz]

@@user-rz8bu6vl8x I feel that, guiding light and as the world turns was two of my favorites

[@jennyfletcher5573]

My mom got me hooked 😅

[@patty-cf7jj]

The opposite for me. My mother watched it was the beginning so I grew up on it.

[@patty-cf7jj]

Beverly Hills ninety thousand two hundred and ten? 😂 ITS A ZIP CODE! It’s stated “nine o two one o.” I’m assuming this is a robot speaking?

[@pattysalegna-killeen821]

Loved this soap

[@TennesseeMelanie]

Charita Bauer WAS The Guiding Light.

[@sparkle0623]

I remember when afternoons were filled with soaps. I watched Y and R, DOOL, AS THE WORLD TURNS, and Guiding Light. Now everything is just boring except Y and R.

[@mdot1955]

Thank you for sharing this. I miss my old time shows.

[@evelynbeightel2246]

I loved the Guilding Light

[@trishaandrews8420]

I watched the Guiding Light on and off from 1985 until its cancelation in 2009. I sometimes have dreams about it.

[@melindashalkey3513]

This brought back many positive memories for me. it was very tastefully done. Thank you. My sympathies to the families, friends and fans of these talented actors,

[@sebastainknight]

Brings back Soo many memories. I been watching watching GL since the late 70s until it ended. Lol I was a child ...but back in the day, you watched what your parents looked it. That's the way it was! And you know what iam glad I did. Not just me, kids would be out playing during summer break, but when 2pm rolled around. Play time was over. We all went in for lunch, and to watch GL and ATWT

[@DebLindley-xg8gz]

"While taking a nap?" That's what my 4 siblings and myself were supposed to be doing while laying on the floor after lunch, in the summer..LOL

[@Nigelsmom2136]

Your thumbnail is misleading. Neither Jordan Clarke nor Melissa Hayden have passed away.

[@shayshaykidd1740]

Loved lily and holden

[@godsgiftoflove75]

Weren’t they on As the World Turns?

[@74cwhite]

My great grandmother listened to it when it first came out on the radio, my grandmother also watched it, as well as my mother and I. 4 generations of us watched. In my opinion, it was the best soap opera followed by As The World Turns.

[@sharonsandlin9830]

My parents separated in 1975 and per my mom, who started a part time afternoon job, my brother and I had to come in the house and stay inside after school. I started watching Guiding Light!! I was 10! I stuck with the show pretty consistently until the end. Now I've been watching General Hospital for 10 years!

[@teresaspencer2047]

You missed Larkin Malloy, who played Kyle Hanson back in the 1980's.

[@Williamwestp24]

I think you meant Kyle Sampson.

[@teresaspencer2047]

@Williamwestp24 I stand corrected However, it's been over 30 years since Mr.Malloy was on GL, so I think I can be excused from mispronouncing the characters name, right? 😉

[@Williamwestp24]

@@teresaspencer2047 Whoa just making a correction no pun tended. Its all out of ❤.

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

Larkin Malloy died of a heart attack in 2016 at age 62.

[@foofookachoo1136]

They missed a lot of the PROMINATE ONES!! I don’t know WHY!! ??

[@lisacharles4439]

I loved Guiding Light!! It was my favorite Soap

[@lynnerhea302]

Bring back so many memories!

[@bst6791]

My mom watched this one, and As The World Turns, and All My Children, and Ryan's Hope and The Edge of Night.

[@terrywilliams6125]

My mom,watced all of these soaps everyday,they were her favorite, young and the restless,bold and the beautiful, guiding light,as the would turns,all my children, until she passed away 2 years ago,Rip forever 🙏🙏

[@tj921able]

May all these great talents RIP. TY for sharing this. God Bless You & stay safe.

[@ichi1957]

at 6:45, you say Alan had a complex relationship with his mother Alexandra, she was his sister.

[@ericwoodward7042]

I remember these shows were my child hood. Mom and my gran watched this faithful.

[@gemalangford5996]

Michael zaslow was on one life to live also even returned to play his role with als

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

The Guiding Light producers fired Michael Zaslow when he was diagnosed with ALS.

[@chrishaynes8555]

Reva was my favorite

[@tinawashington1091]

All actors listed were superb the older ones frequently were on multiple shows during 50’s 60!s and beyond very talented people. I’m so happy for them they were blessed to have talent and be profitable in a career they loved. May they all rest in eternal peace Thank you for the memories

[@TiggyTabbycat]

This was my soap. I watched it with my mother and continued watching it until it ended. My youngest son Named Jacob Edward Ross.

[@mercywilliams2698]

I remember finding out my grandfather was part of this program in advertising for P&G beginning in radio in 1930’s. My mother remembered visiting Irna Phillips..🌈🌟🦋

[@michellethomas7140]

My Mama started following this show first on Radio, and didn’t miss it until its last show! When VCRs became a thing in every home , Mama had a tape that was just for “Her Stories!” Everyone knew not to call during her stories cause she won’t answer!!!! When my oldest brother and his best friend were teenagers (long before I was born) late 50s, they took a straight pin to the antenna wire that ran up the wall behind the TV and interrupted the tv transmission, completely scrambling the picture. Mama came unglued on those boys, the story is legendary in the family. I recently talked with the guy who’s really family and reminisced about the story, he’s in his 80s and is still very proud of that stunt!!! Mama’s there in Heaven with all her favorite Soap Stars, and I’m happy for her! We shared these stories at her funeral! Rest in Peace all!

[@angelamwatts]

You forgot to mention Larkin Malloy who played Kyle Sampson on GL.

[@GalaxyTheCrazyQuilt]

My mom watched this all through the 70s😢

[@cocoaorange1]

OMG, Alex was his sister, not mother.

[@tishasmith4928]

My mom and i used to watch this together. This was her favorite soap. Good ol days! What an amazing cast and show!

[@annebarnes9687]

I will miss this show.

[@nancyhuffman5802]

Michael Zaslow was such a nice guy, he was friends with Eddie Mekka.

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

You mean Eddie Mekka, who played Carmine on Laverne and Shirley?

[@EveretteMartin-mw6dy]

I love Vanessa & Fletcher 😂😂

[@stacystoltz8722]

Great show 👍

[@iwillstom]

People couldn’t handle the redemption of Roger Thorpe today.

[@amytortoriello9997]

I miss this show si much

[@frankieturner630]

My mom used to watch that soap opera all the time. The actor that played Alan Spalding. Was also on Dark Shadows for a while the old TV show.

[@WolfModig]

Chris Bernau was the original Alan

[@stacydavis1682]

@@WolfModig And, he was the best Alan. Beverly was also the best Alexandra.

[@WolfModig]

@@stacydavis1682 agreed, I have never like Marj in any role she's done she comes off as a Harpy, Beverlee had class and style

[@zenseed75]

We were robbed of more years with these actors. Loved this show. RIP. So many losses.

[@jamesryan6008]

You actually pronounced it "one Life to Life". I wont comment on how you said "Beverly Hills 90210"

[@iamprolife2010]

Unfortunately, it is not a human narrating but an artificial intelligence.

[@jennyfletcher5573]

Michael also appeared on OLTL

[@bobfortvsoaps4638]

This video is such a mess. How irresponsible to use a thumbnail of Melissa Hayden, who I believe to be very much alive and thriving (Morgan Englund mentioned in a recent interview that he stays in touch with her.). This video is fraught with errors, fraught with mispronunciations, fraught with inaccuracies (Christopher Bernau's section is particularly egregious), and fraught with the overuse of the term fraught... This video is a prime example of how AI still needs to come.

[@1127brighton]

Yes, this video is an embarrassment to a great show.

[@sheriheffner2098]

I loved it when Bridget had Baby Peter. And she and the little boy who portrayed little Peter looked like they loved each other. I used to be a member of Guiding Light Fan Club and I think it was in 1995 the little boy was at a Fan Club gathering and he was sitting with Melissa and printing his autograph. He started on the show as an infant and stayed until he was around Four. He was Roger Thorpe's Grandson. And I LOVED Michael Zaslow. The robotic voice got all of the names wrong.

[@hazelbelle80]

ME TOO!!! I loved it!!!