Alan Spaulding

Last updated
Alan Spaulding
Guiding Light character
Portrayed by
Duration1977–84, 1986–90, 1994–2009
First appearanceNovember 7, 1977
Last appearanceSeptember 16, 2009
Created by Bridget and Jerome Dobson
Introduced by Allen M. Potter
In-universe information
OccupationCEO of Spaulding Enterprises
Executive at Spaulding Enterprises
Part owner of the Lewis Construction building
Owner of The Springfield Journal
Board member at Cedars Hospital
President of Spaulding Enterprises
Temporarily owned Lews Oil
Former President of Advantage Systems
Owner of The Mirror newspaper
Parents
  • Brandon Spaulding
  • Penelope Winthrop
Sisters Alexandra Spaulding
Half-sisters
  • Victoria Spaulding
  • Amanda Spaulding
Wife
Sons
DaughtersPeyton Spaulding
Grandsons
  • Rafe Rivera
  • James Spaulding (GL)
  • James Spaulding (adoptive)
  • Zach Spaulding (adoptive)
Granddaughters
Nephews
  • Lujack Spaulding
  • Nick McHenry
NiecesVicky Spaulding

Alan Spaulding is a fictional character on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light . He was played by Christopher Bernau from the time of the character's introduction in 1977 until 1984, and from 1986 to June 1988, when Bernau left the role due to health problems. David Bailey briefly portrayed the role in 1979. Daniel Pilon stepped into the role from 1988 until the character was sent to prison in 1990. From 1994 to the series 2009 conclusion, the character was played by Ron Raines. Jeff Branson briefly played a young Alan in a flashback scene [1] during Carrie Carruther's murder investigation. [2]

Contents

Storylines

Alan Spaulding resides in Chicago with his wealthy family prior to his move to Springfield. At the time, he is married to Elizabeth, and they are the adoptive parents of Phillip Spaulding (though Elizabeth believes Phillip to be her biological son). Shortly after the Spauldings' arrival in Springfield, Alan has an affair with Phillip's governess, Diane Ballard; When Elizabeth senses impropriety between Alan and Diane, she terminates Diane as Phillip's governess, but Alan immediately hires her as his executive assistant at Spaulding Enterprises.

Elizabeth eventually tires of Alan's philandering and divorces him. Alan begins to date the much younger Hope Bauer whom he eventually marries. They have a son, Alan-Michael Spaulding, but divorce after Alan's affair with Rita Bauer, who is married to Hope's uncle, Ed.

Jennifer Richards comes to town, and it is revealed that Amanda Wexler was Alan and Jennifer's illegitimate daughter, a secret Amanda's adoptive mother, Lucille, is desperate to keep. It comes out when Jennifer goes on trial for Lucille's murder.

Alan's affair with Rita may have resulted in a child as it is suggested that Rita is pregnant when she leaves town. Alan is blackmailed by several people who threaten to reveal that Phillip was adopted; his biological parents are Justin Marler and Jackie Marler, maiden name Scott, who later marries Alan. (Eventually the truth is revealed, that Alan and Elizabeth's son was stillborn, and that Alan, who did not believe that Elizabeth could handle the trauma, arranges to replace the deceased baby with another while Elizabeth was under anesthesia during the C-section delivery. The revelations cause Elizabeth to leave Springfield for good, and alienate Phillip from Alan for a time.)

Under duress, he helps Roger Thorpe escape from Springfield although crooked dealings between the two make them lifelong enemies. Alan is a major suspects in Diane Ballard's murder and goes on the run, even though he was innocent. Alan is instrumental in bringing Reva Shayne to town to help him break up Billy Lewis and Vanessa Chamberlain, the latter of whom Alan wants to marry.

Alan was very close to his sister Alexandra growing up, and planned a masked ball in her honor when she comes to town. She initially seeks revenge for his part in their father, Brandon, taking away her illegitimate son, and blackmails him into giving her control of Spaulding when she learns of his dealings with Beth Raines' adoptive father, Bradley. Alan disappears in the jungle during the "Dreaming Death" scare that takes the lives of several Springfield residents.

Two years later, Alan turns up alive, having plotted with India Von Halkein and her father to take over Spaulding. Alexandra and Alan battle but eventually come to an understanding. Alan and Vanessa once again become involved and are briefly engaged, but his fascination with Reva leads to Vanessa leaving town and ending their relationship for good.

Alan learns that new Spaulding employee Blake Lindsey is really Christina Thorpe, Roger's daughter. In the middle of Blake and Philip's wedding, the truth about Roger is revealed, and Alan accidentally shoots Philip while aiming at Roger. He is sent to prison, periodically appearing as he reveals to Philip the secret that Beth Raines, his long-time love, had not drowned, but is still alive, and living with amnesia.

Alan is released early due to good behavior. He shows up in Springfield but remains in hiding while returning to prison on occasion to fool his family into thinking he is still incarcerated. Alan attempts to recover his power at Spaulding.

Aiding Alan in his schemes is Roger Thorpe, whom he promises a future at Spaulding if he can cajole Alexandra into returning Alan's stocks. Alan pretends to be dying in order to gain sympathy. Alexandra relents into returning his shares but is livid when she learns the truth. She eventually forgives him, and they agree to co-chair the company while giving the now adult Alan Michael the C.E.O. position.

When Amanda returns to town, it is revealed that she is not Alan's daughter, but his sister through an affair her mother Jennifer had with Brandon. Philip returns to town and reveals that one of the family members with the initial "A" had framed him for murder in order to get him out of the way. Although Amanda is the obvious suspect, it turns out to be Alan. With Alan Michael married to Lucy Cooper and out of town, Alexandra off to Europe with her son, and Amanda leaving for California with her new husband, Roger, Spaulding Enterprises is left to Philip and Alan for several years, only changing when Alexandra returns.

Alexandra's return brings out the presence of another Spaulding son. Augustico "Gus" Aitoro was the product of an affair between Alan and a Spaulding maid, and knowing that Alan wasn't ready for the responsibility of a family, the young Alexandra arranged for Gus to be adopted. Gus, brought up in a working-class family, doesn't accept the wealthy Spaulding lifestyle, but time brings them closer.

Alan marries Beth Raines, but after a miscarriage, they divorce. Alan soon marries Doris Wolfe due to blackmail regarding Tammy Winslow's death and Alan's involvement. Alan is shot during the reception by his new stepdaughter, Ashlee Wolfe, and remains in critical condition for several weeks. He awakens as a new man full of love and forgiveness, but he soon reverts to his old self. Alan's ex-wife Beth Raines is expecting his child; due to Cassie, he is unaware of this and believes, along with Beth and Rick Bauer, that the child is Rick's, whom Beth married.

Alan and Doris annul their marriage, contrasting the storyline of Alan-Olivia-Phillip when she was married to Alan and pregnant[ clarification needed ]. They believe it is Alan's child but it is Phillip's. Alan and Olivia divorce, and she remarries Phillip has Emma.

Alan plans to have Jonathan Randall killed and make it look like a hit and run. However, Tammy Lane Winslow pushes Jonathan out of the way and sacrifices herself to save her true love. Alan is not convicted of this crime, but everyone knows he did it. This leads to the down-spiraling of Cassie Winslow's sanity at the loss of her daughter. She continues to blame Alan for Tammy's death and is seeking vengeance.

He saves Reva's life, and to keep each other from telling anyone[ clarification needed ], Reva moves into the Spaulding mansion.

Alan volunteers to have a transplant to save his son Phillip's life. While recovering, Alan attends the Lewis/Cooper wedding.

Alan dies on a bench in front of a lake. He is cremated and his remains put in the same lake where he died.

The Spaulding Empire

The Spaulding family tree

Related Research Articles

<i>Guiding Light</i> American radio and television soap opera

Guiding Light is an American radio and television soap opera. Guiding Light aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio between January 25, 1937, and June 29, 1956. With 72 years of radio and television runs, Guiding Light is the longest-running soap opera, ahead of General Hospital, and is the fifth-longest-running program in all of broadcast history; only the American country music radio program Grand Ole Opry, the BBC religious program The Daily Service (1928), the CBS religious program Music and the Spoken Word (1929), and the Norwegian children's radio program Lørdagsbarnetimen (1924–2010) have been on the air longer.

The 32nd Daytime Emmy Awards, commemorating excellence in American daytime programming from the 2004 calendar year, was held on Friday, May 20, 2005, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City & Sponsored by Procter & Gamble. CBS televised the ceremonies in the United States. Creative Arts Emmy Awards were presented on May 14, 2005, while nominations were announced on March 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivia Spencer</span> Fictional character

Olivia Spencer is a fictional character on the popular CBS daytime soap opera, Guiding Light. The character was introduced to audiences in the summer of 1999 as the fiancée of the late Prince Richard Winslow. Crystal Chappell originated the role and played it until the end of the series. For her portrayal, the actress was nominated five times for Outstanding Supporting Actress at the Daytime Emmy Awards, winning the award in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lizzie Spaulding</span> Soap opera character

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Spaulding Lewis is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. The role was last portrayed by actress Emme Rylan from February 7, 2006 to September 18, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillip Spaulding</span> Soap opera character

Phillip Granville Spaulding is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. Phillip has been portrayed by three different actors, most notably by Grant Aleksander.

The Guiding Light (TGL) was a long-running American television soap opera.

The Guiding Light (GL) is the longest-running American television soap opera. This article covers the show in the 1980s.

<i>Guiding Light</i> (1990–1999)

The Guiding Light (TGL) is the longest-running American television soap opera.

Guiding Light (GL) is an American soap opera from 2000-2009. It was the longest-running American soap opera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katherine Chancellor</span> Soap opera character

Katherine Chancellor is a fictional character from the CBS Daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless, portrayed by Jeanne Cooper. Created and introduced by show creator William J. Bell in January 1974, Cooper's Katherine was introduced in an effort to increase the show's struggling ratings. When Bell's plan proved successful, Cooper was signed to a contract. Cooper went on to become one of the longest-running cast members in the show's history, ending her nearly 40-year run on May 3, 2013, five days before her death.

Alan-Michael Spaulding is a fictional character on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. The character is the son of wealthy businessman, Alan Spaulding, and his former wife, Hope Bauer. Alan-Michael was born on-screen on September 23, 1981, but this was subsequently revised to 1970 when he turned 17 years old and then later to 1965 or 1966 during his brief dalliance with Marina Cooper in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beth Raines</span> American soap character

Beth Raines is a fictional character from the long-running American soap opera, Guiding Light. Beth is the stepdaughter of the late Bradley Raines and daughter of Lillian Raines. She is the mother of Lizzie, James, and Peyton Spaulding and is known for her tumultuous relationship with her husband Phillip Spaulding. The character was originally portrayed by actress Judi Evans from her introduction in 1983 until 1986 and then by Beth Chamberlin who portrayed the character on and off from her re-introduction in 1989 until the finale in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marah Lewis</span> Soap opera character

Marah Lewis is a fictional character on the CBS daytime soap opera, Guiding Light. The character is the daughter of the popular supercouple, Josh Lewis and Reva Shayne. Marah was born on-screen in June 1987, but this was subsequently revised to 1985 and 1983 when she turned three years old in 1988 and sixteen years old in 1999 respectively.

Doris Wolfe is a fictional character on CBS's daytime drama Guiding Light. She has been portrayed by Orlagh Cassidy from February 23, 1999 to September 18, 2009. Doris is perceived as a no-nonsense politician who will do just about anything to get ahead in life, often referred to as a "woman people love to hate."

Alexandra Spaulding is a fictional character from Guiding Light, an American soap opera on the CBS network.

Christina Blake Marler is a fictional character from the CBS daytime soap opera Guiding Light with the role last portrayed by Elizabeth Keifer from August 19, 1992 to September 18, 2009.

Annie Dutton is a fictional character in the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. Cynthia Watros is the actress most closely identified with the role; she played Annie from November 29, 1994, until February 23, 1998. The role was later recast, after Watros left for other career ventures, with Signy Coleman, who portrayed Annie from July 30, 1998, until July 20, 1999. Coleman also briefly reprised the role from January 14 to 21, 2003. Annie is often considered one of Guiding Light's greatest villains and one of its more exciting characters. Annie has also been the main rival to heroine Reva Shayne. The two have long fought over the affections of Reva's then-husband, Josh Lewis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shayne Lewis</span> Soap opera character

Shayne Lewis is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. He is the second child of supercouple Joshua Lewis and Reva Shayne. In 2008, Jeff Branson stepped into the role to critical acclaim and soon won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2009, having the distinction of winning the final award in the show's last year on television. Branson previously appeared on the show in 2004 as a young version of Alan Spaulding in a flashback scene during Carrie Carruther's murder investigation.

Melinda Sue "Mindy" Lewis is a fictional character in the town of Springfield on the CBS daytime drama, Guiding Light, originated and, most notably, portrayed by actress, Krista Tesreau.

The Jerome family is a fictional family from the original ABC Daytime drama General Hospital. The family was first introduced in January 1987. As one of the most powerful families in organized crime, the Jeromes rose to popularity due to their longstanding feud with antihero Duke Lavery and his heroine wife, Anna Devane. However, by the spring of 1990, all of the major family members had been (presumably) killed off of the series. In 2013, the family was revived as part of an ongoing storyline.

References

  1. "Meet the New Shayne Lewis! | SOAPnet". Archived from the original on 2011-09-01. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  2. "TV Guide, TV Listings, Online Videos, Entertainment News and Celebrity News".