Helen Wagner, best known for playing Nancy Hughes on As the World Turns for more than a half-century, has died. She was 91.
Wagner, who acted up until her death, died Saturday, the show's New York-based production company, TeleNext Media Inc., announced. She spoke the first words on As the World Turns when it premiered in 1956, and holds the Guinness World Record for playing the same role on television for the longest time (54 years). She was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2004.
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"All of us at As The World Turns are deeply saddened by Helen's passing," executive producer Christopher Goutman said. "She is loved by generations of fans and, while we will miss her greatly, Helen will always ...
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CBS' As the World Turns marks 50 years on daytime television next month. I'm not April foolin' you! So fire up your FauxVo because ATWT will celebrate its golden anniversary with two special episodes: On Friday, March 31, the residents of Oakdale are reimagined as characters from classic TV shows like I Dream of Jeannie and The Beverly Hillbillies. On Monday, April 3, seven of the soap's divas board a chartered bus for a road trip. Their sentimental journey includes lotsa vintage ATWT clips and even some action adventure. "I stand up to an 8-foot-tall, 350-pound black bear!" Colleen Zenk-Pinter (Barbara) enthuses to TVGuide.com. "It was so much fun. It really was."
Having screened a preview tape, this suds fan can vouch for Pinter's point. Between the bear battle and the sight of 87-year-old Helen Wagner (Nancy) fleeing from a flaming bus, this is can't-miss stuff. Who knew Nancy — an ATWT staple
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