Irna Phillips

Irna Phillips (July 1, 1901 - December 22, 1973) wrote and created many of the first American soap operas. She is considered by many to be the mother of the genre.

Related Topics:
July 1 - 1901 - December 22 - 1973 - American - Soap opera

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Phillips got her start in show business doing voice over and acting work for WGN radio in Chicago, her hometown. She started writing radio serials for WGN, which quickly spread across the country. Her most famous radio shows were Today's Children, The Brighter Day, and The Guiding Light.

Related Topics:
Chicago - Today's Children - The Brighter Day - The Guiding Light

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She is best known for creating soap operas for television, like Guiding Light (1937-1955 on radio, and 1952-present on television), The Brighter Day (1948-1956 on radio and 1954-1962 on television), As the World Turns (1956-present), and Another World (1964-1999).

Related Topics:
Soap opera - 1937 - 1955 - 1952 - 1948 - 1956 - 1954 - 1962 - As the World Turns - Another World - 1964 - 1999

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She also created Love is a Many Splendored Thing (1967-1973), the short-lived Our Private World (1965), the radio version of Young Dr. Malone, and Days of Our Lives (1965-present). Irna was creative consultant of Peyton Place (1964-1969). She was an unofficial consultant on A World Apart, which was created by her adopted daughter Katherine (some of the story elements were reportedly based on Phillips' own life).

Related Topics:
Love is a Many Splendored Thing - 1967 - 1973 - Our Private World - 1965 - Young Dr. Malone - Days of Our Lives - Peyton Place - 1964 - 1969 - A World Apart

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She is recognized as one of the most important pioneers in television history, and as the originator of the daytime TV drama (i.e. television soap opera). She was also the mentor to Agnes Nixon, the creator of All My Children and One Life to Live, and William J. Bell, the creator of The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. As of 2004, only two (Passions and General Hospital) out of the nine daytime soaps have no ties to the Phillips legacy.

Related Topics:
Television - Drama - Agnes Nixon - All My Children - One Life to Live - William J. Bell - The Young and the Restless - The Bold and the Beautiful - 2004 - Passions - General Hospital

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~