Guiding Light-Character Profiler: Roger Thorpe

Today we begin to look at one of the most powerful characters on Guiding Light. If you have ever watched the show it is hard to not know who Roger Thorpe is. He arrived in the 70s and proved to be a very terrible man raping multiple women and left as a super villain. But in the 80s he returned and showed us the side of Roger that made him more complex and sympathetic. Michael Zaslow brought his A game every time Roger was on the screen. He is truly one of the best actors to ever played on soaps. We all know the injustice that happened to him towards the end, but now I want to take the time to look at the life of his character, Roger Thorpe. Share your memories in the comments below. Also check back on Christmas because the conclusion to this will be posted at this time!

[@NunyaBiznuss]

Zaslow's Roger Thorper led many men to watch Guiding Light. Great actor, great character, loved him as a villian.

[@novusmundi]

He made me watch it as a kid during the kidnapping his daughter and falling off the cliff storyline.

[@RonnyCarlton]

He was phenomenal

[@wiled5]

I was the same way about James Steinbeck on ATWT. He was evil also

[@rufusgoldstein2655]

I watched him as a kid. Great complex character

[@teresahegerich8835]

​@wiled5 His character was fun to watch too.

[@theclassica91classic60]

The great Michael Zaslow at his best! Try as I might, I will never forget the callous treatment he received from Guiding Light in the end. Absolutely heartless!

[@patriciasmith4627]

Michael Zaslow was one of the most talented actors of all times. He was able to make you love him and then just when we thought he changed he turned back to his cunning ways. I was unable to watch GL during his last year or two due traveling for business. What did GL due that was so terrible to him?

[@TheNighthawk66]

@@patriciasmith4627 Fired him because he was sick.

[@patriciasmith4627]

That was disgusting. The program was at it's best when his was on.

[@brigittebedolla4719]

@@patriciasmith4627 At least One Life to Live didn't shaft him. They brought back his David Renaldi character and he played it even when he more visibly ill.

[@dawnofdestruction7381]

I agree, it still angers me

[@heidifedor]

Guiding Light shouldn’t have fired him. They Should have gone with an ALS storyline. One Life To Live did with his character from that show.

[@mrhaha1980]

They lost a lot of viewers because of that

[@dawnofdestruction7381]

I HATE how he was treated he deserved better from them truly

[@scootover7]

I didn't watch Guiding Light until around the 80's. I enjoyed Roger Thrope, Beth, Phillip and Rick. Roger Thorpe one of the best villains on daytime TV.

[@mrhaha1980]

RIP!!! You were one of the all time best characters in soap history.

[@aphillyate1]

Roger Thorpe had his tentacles in every story from 90-95. He is a rightful legend!

[@TheSpasticAvenger]

The great Michael Zaslow, (ALS sucks) he was one of the best actors ever.

[@LujackLvr]

Thank you for this. Though I never saw Michael Zaslow's Roger during his 1971-81 run, I did see him during his 1989-96 tenure. My heart aches when I think of the way MZ was treated by the GL execs in the last few months; however the chemistry between him & Maureen Garrett [Holly] was something to treasure & I will miss him [and the two of them] forever.

[@lisa8817]

The character and the actor behind him--what treasures.

[@fiyeroselphaba]

that was amazing!!!! the song at the end was so appropriate for Holly and Roger!!!! One thing though...Roger worked for Holly's father and was hired to keep her occupied because her father had no time for her

[@robhaskins]

He was mesmerizing on the screen. I'm glad I discovered this channel.

[@laminage]

RIP Michael Zaslow, Daniel Pilon & Beverly McKinsey.

[@rickmarone2382]

I always like Roger Thorpe character especially when he came back under the mask i can remember watching it and my mom saying that it was him and she was right

[@gordoncravens944]

Lmao I remember my Mom saying the same thing back in 89??..I just remember some dude with a mask..then during the wedding him swinging off the Balcony... Dramatic lol... Excellent bad guy...Raped Holly..She falls in love lmao...thing of it is...we've all seen this stuff happening in real life...lol

[@dolemitedavis]

Forget Luke and Laura. Roger and Holly are the best supercouple EVER.

[@treylorinza6719]

Bullshit

[@katie9918]

You gotta wonder how Roger’s life would have been different had things worked out with Peggy. She was probably the only person who had a chance of nurturing the decency inside of him.

[@DeepScreenAnalysis]

These are terrific character profiles! I'm looking forward to ones for Holly and Reva. This Roger Thorpe one is gripping!

[@laminage]

Roger may have loved Peggy but for him it was always "Holly" no matter who she was with Ed, Ross, Fletcher, Daniel, it was always Roger for her and Vice Versa. It's like that Mariah Carey Song "Always Be My Baby."

[@harlee490]

Thank you Spaualdfield for showing "Rolly" in loving, playful couple side at the end....purr-fect ending!

[@suuzq35]

Michael zaslow, simply the Best villain ever!!!

[@chrismcevoy860]

Rest In Peace Roger Thorpe and Michael Zaslow.

[@harlee490]

The best one yet! I have been waiting for this forever since you announced it! Can wait for PT.2! Got go post it. I wish I knew how to embed it on the site instead just a link.

[@MRInvincible569]

MZ was the only reason I watched.

[@kona2860]

I have been waiting for such a long time for a profiler on RogerThorpe! Prefect beginning Alex introducing Roger Thorpe! Roger, the best villian ever on Guiding Light! I loved every woman Roger was involved in, except Amanda! Holly was my favorite. When I like a couple together, I tend to have a problem when they are involved with someone else. Roger and Holly are the only two, ever, that I enjoy watching with other characters romantically. Can't wait for the conclusion! Thank you!!

[@dawnofdestruction7381]

The GREATEST LOVABLE VILLAIN EVER in ANY DAYTIME SOAP and he was done dirty IMO...GL failed with his story line and failed him when they ended his contract due to his disease, they should have kept him and allowed him to EDUCATE everyone about ALS which is all he wanted to do when he was diagnosed...he cared about others and wanted to help and GL bailed on him...then didn't even honor him until 6 years later and we had to hear about his enlightenment via Sebastian...I wanted to see the character arch via MICHAEL HIMSELF....my dad used to tease us when he came home from work yelling WHAT THE HELL DID ROGER DO TODAY, I REALLY LIKE THAT GUY and of course we would regale him with all of Rogers dirty dealings and he would pretend to be offended....then giggle Roger is my kind of guy...except for the rape of Holly he was pretty pissed off about that...of course....I just wish Michale Zaslow was treated better by a brand that he literally put on the map....it hurt deeply they rid themselves due to his illness and waited so long to give him the respect he deserved

[@MrJawstherevenge87]

love these so much

[@steaveadams7937]

Roger back hand the shit outta Alexandria when she slapped him, we need him today!

[@dontabaltimore1974]

RIP Michael Zaslow you were a wonderful actor brother appreciate you

[@teresahegerich8835]

Roger made JR Ewing look like a choir boy, lol! What a great actor Zaslow was. And Garrett played off him so well.

[@keeganthorpe]

I loved the Roger vs Billy storyline.

[@garyatkins7142]

my mom cussed this man so much but she kept watching 😂🤣

[@laminage]

The Clip of Roger in the Park dressed in All Black had such a GQ Vibe to it. Back in the day, GL Actors were next to Y & R some of the best dressed on TV.

[@damianjones7881]

I missed this show so much .Its my one favorite soap opera.

[@laminage]

Isn't it kind of surreal to know that Beverly Mckinsey and Michael Zaslow worked with each other on Love Of Life. Also, did you guys know that Michael Zaslow was on an Episode of Star Trek.

[@laminage]

I stand corrected. Either way Michael Zaslow was The Original Superstar Soap Villian. Did you hear about Days Of Our Lives being cancelled possibly. Let them move to ABC.

[@angelmarie2281]

staytunedfor Days is safe for now. Meghyn Kelly's show is replacing an hour of Today.

[@3240tq]

Darnell ep2 star terk 1966 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@laminage]

After seeing Maureen Garrett and Michael Zaslow together, it's no wonder she wasn't able to do have other leading men. I must say I was surprised and impressed that she Came Out. I wish someone would do a Documentary about what it's like being Gay and playing a Straight Character. I wish she could do Crystal Chappell's Webseries Venice.

[@AnitaReddinger-xe6zq]

Me too I definitely agree with you and your comment too I definitely liked Roger on the show guide light and make a good villain on the show guide light i definitely enjoyed it and RIP we love him and miss him to and enjoy watching him

[@laminage]

Isn't it heartbreaking about Celine Dion. She is Quebec's Premier Diva who had one of the most remarkable Rags To Riches in Music History.

[@Aarona13760]

great job!

[@Robansuefarm]

07:00 Just one of the many times Michelle attracted Danger before she even met Danny. Amazing Rolly video at end to the perfect song.

[@Junkay2]

Roger Thorpe had more long-lost children than anybody I know! ;)

[@J_Ru31352]

Not so many like some other characters in any form.

[@dawnofdestruction7381]

HB had quite a few

[@laminage]

My pleasure. Here's another fun fact. On the UK Soap Opera Coronation St., a Character in 1975 was born and although her Mother Diedre wanted to name her Leonora, her Husband Ray Langdon took her across town, got her Baptized as Tracy. While Blake went from being Bad to Good, Tracy went from being Good To Bad. When she was a Teenager, Tracy #3 was hollered at by her Adoptive Father Ken because her Mother Diedre went to Paris for New Year's and didn't tell him although they were separated.

[@JohnWilliams-bb8gs]

Do you happen to have the full episode where Hart finally realized Roger was behind the theft of his farm? If so, I would love to see it posted. Thanks in advance!

[@EKhoiirBoii08]

They writers should have kept the character of Togrr around instead changing character's personalities like Annie and adding pointless characters like Cassie. When I was young I thought Cassie was cool but I see it as GL jumping the shark smh

[@cristalabron8323]

Love him

[@laminage]

When she was "Born" in 1975, she was christened Christina Blake Bauer but she returned to Springfield around 1989, Blake who as then played by Elizabeth Denehy called herself Blake Lindsay, Blake which is her Middle Name and Lindsay which was the name of her Late Stepfather John Lindsay. She didn't want anyone to know who she was. Also, isn't it strange that Blake's Real Name Is Christina and Remy's Wife is also named Christina.

[@SentieriOnLine]

WOW... Just wondering where did you find Roger & Peggy's wedding video!!!!

[@Spauldingfield]

The clip was in the anniversary special that aired in the 90's (1991 or 1992 I think)

[@SentieriOnLine]

Spauldingfield Great!!! Thank you. You did a fantastic job as always!!

[@Spauldingfield]

Thank you! That means a lot!

[@laminage]

Sadly enough, it resulted in alot of Psychological Damage since her "Real" Father Left and her Adoptive Father went off on her she can't have a succesful relationship with a Man and makes life for all of them unberable.

[@patriciasmith4627]

Michael was the best actor any of the had. Guiding Light was at it's best when Michael. was on. He was treated.badly because he was sick. So mean.

[@3240tq]

ผมคิดถึงเขามาจนทุกวันนี้ ตอนแรกย้อนดูstar terk 1966 ไปเจอตอยที่ 2 the man trap เห็น Micheal ครั้งแรกคือรักเลย และก็ได้ตามดูวีดีโออื่นๆของเขา ขอให้ไปสู่สุขตินะ Darnell ของผม❤

[@fiyeroselphaba]

Make Lizzie January's profile...or Nola! Nola would be so cool!

[@wiled5]

Did u see my comments on your Abby Blume profile video?

[@Spauldingfield]

I did. Thank you for leaving comments.

[@wiled5]

@@Spauldingfield Like I said, I remember seeing her on tv as a kid with my mom and I realized that we both have special needs. I was blind as a baby and got cataracts and wore contacts until I was eleven and got special bifocals that could help me see, whereas Amy had her challenges, she learned sign language, she was deaf and got her cochlear implant. I would love to meet her someday in Texas and get acquainted with her and tell her about my challenges. She was a great actress. I wish for a surgical cure for blindness. I also would have liked for her to be my sign language tutor in grade school (we had a black sign language tutor in grade school in Europe, she was nice).

[@gordoncravens944]

Ultimate Very Shrewd Bad Guy Lol

[@sandyprimus9831]

He was the best baddie,

[@katie9918]

There's a little misinformation in the early part of this profile.

[@Tigger97498]

Something I always wondered did the show also have Chrissy's middle name as Blake or was that a newly created thing when she came to town in 88 as Blake?

[@marcelparker6755]

Probably the latter. From what I heard, when "Blake" came to town back in '88, she was supposed to be a brand new character... then they wrote her as Holly and Roger's daughter when they both came back later on.

[@bsheffer1]

Definitely Nola!

[@Tigger97498]

Hollys married not middle typo there lol

[@MalcomJuliaMorgan]

wasnt it revealed once thay he had a different last name and thorpe was a fake name?

[@Spauldingfield]

Honestly, I do not know. I know his father Adam has the last name Thorpe so if that is the case that means the same was true for Adam.

[@Tigger97498]

Ok thanks I knew her Blake Lindsey name was for her middle name and Holly's midle name just couldnt remember if in the 70's they actually named her Christina Blake or if it was newly created history for her return in the 80's. That had always drove me crazy not knowing so thank you!

[@damianlatimer5753]

Tigger97498 it's Christina Blake Thorpe

[@DarkLady13]

Damn, the good old days!