10 Soap Opera Patriarchs We've Loved and Lost

Traysoblue took the words right out of my mouth.

H.B. Lewis (played by none other than Larry Gates) and Henry Chamberlain (the charming and regal William Roerick) left great absences on Guiding Light.

And for a "patriarch" that wasn't the most lovable, but was certainly a force to be reckoned with, I'll always keep the light on for Roger Thorpe (and the incomparable Michael Zaslow)

As you can probably see, I've got a bit of a Guiding Light bias...

Great list Jamie but there was one omission that of Jim Matthews (Hugh Marlowe) on Another World. He was the Another World's version of Tom, and Chris in the pecking order of Irna Phillip's shows. The role was very understatedly played by Hugh for thirteen years. Although he did not originate the role, he was the only Jim Matthews I knew. The death of the character was written in a few months after Hugh died. He was not the presence of some of the others on the list such as Mac Cory, however he was the patriarch of the original family of Another World and played a rather large part up till his death.
These roles were some of the great roles in daytime history. Much is talked about the great dames of daytime but these were the great men of daytime (and nighttime as Jock Ewing was). Their presence and absence was intensely felt for many years. Still to this day Mac Cory's death is one of daytimes ultimate losses and Doug Watson's absence from the world cuts as deep . One sure way to get me to cry is to go back and rewatch the scenes of Rachel finding out he had passed away. It is hard to think of Thanksgiving without remembering Mac. It was his favorite holiday and he would give these wonderful speeches and toast to the audience.
Part of Thanksgiving is to reflect not only on what you have today but what in your life you have experienced. These men have held great positions in our lives and it is apropo to remember them on this day.

It must take a whole lot of patience to run a blog.

The title of the post clearly says "TEN Soap Patriarchs".

Why are people complaining about those patriarchs who were left off the list? They weren't intentionally omitted. They were just not included. There IS a difference.

The title of the post clearly says "TEN Soap Patriarchs".

Why are people complaining about those patriarchs who were left off the list? They weren't intentionally omitted. They were just not included. There IS a difference.

It is bound to happen if someone makes a list, someone is going to critique it. I made mention of Hugh Marlowe, who I felt belonged on the list. I wanted him to be remembered along with the rest of those men because he deserved to be. I appreciated his character and missed him when he was gone.

Cordelia~

I agree with you wholeheartedly! Victoria Wyndham had me loving to hate her when Rachel's character really was a villain -- long before we all loved to hate J.R. Ewing.

You (and Jamey) are correct -- Douglass Watson's death created a real void that was never truly filled. That was in part due to the chemistry that Douglass Watson had with Victoria. Pairing Rachel Cory (who was no longer a villain) with Carl Hutchens (who was a villain) was interesting but the chemistry between the actors was not the same.

i cant believe no one has mentioned him, but i'd like to see jimmy lee holt come riding a harley back into town and take over ELQ.