Richard Abbott (One Life to Live)

Last updated

Richard Abbott
One Life to Live character
Portrayed by
  • Luke Reilly (1977–79)
  • Keith Langsdale (1980)
  • Robert Gribbon (1980–81)
  • Jeffrey Byron (1986–87)
Duration
  • 1977–81
  • 1986–87
First appearanceJanuary 1977 (January 1977)
Last appearanceJanuary 1987 (January 1987)
Classification Former; regular
Created by Gordon Russell
Introduced by
In-universe information
Occupation
  • Journalist
  • Businessman
Family Lord
Parents
Spouse Becky Lee Hunt (1978–81)
Uncles
First cousins
Other relatives Powell Lord III

Richard Abbott is a fictional character on the American soap opera One Life to Live . The role was originated in January 1977 by actor Luke Reilly. The nephew of Victor Lord and first cousin to Victoria Lord, the role last appears in January 1987 portrayed by actor Jeffrey Byron.

Contents

Casting

Actor Jeffrey Byron was the last actor recast to play Richard Abbott in 1986. Jeffrey Byron.JPG
Actor Jeffrey Byron was the last actor recast to play Richard Abbott in 1986.

Luke Reilly originated the role of Victor Lord's nephew Richard Abbott onscreen January 1977, and played the role through 1979. [1] Robert S. Woods originally auditioned for the recast of Richard with One Life to Live executive producer Joseph Stuart and opposite fictional cousin Victoria Lord Riley (Erika Slezak). Stuart cast Woods to play new character and featured protagonist Bo Buchanan, and Richard was played by newcomer Keith Langsdale. [2] Langsdale first appeared onscreen in February 1980, fired from the show in April and replaced with Robert Gribbon in episodes beginning June 1980. [3] Gribbon went on to play Richard continually through 1981. In January 1986, actor Jeffrey Byron assumed the role and last appeared in 1987. [4]

Character development

Introduced as the charming son of Victor Lord's sister, Gwendolyn Lord Abbott (Joan Copeland), Richard (Reilly) comes to Llanview and soon begins work with cousin Viki Lord Riley (Erika Slezak) in the Lord family-owned newspaper The Banner. Becky Lee Hunt (Jill Voight) arrives in Llanview soon afterward in pursuit of a country music career, falling in love with wealthy Richard. Dorian Lord (Claire Malis, Robin Strasser) and Edwina Lewis (Margaret Klenck) both pursue Richard, but he proposes marriage to Becky Lee. [5] [6]

A jealous Edwina travels to Becky Lee's native North Carolina and finds of she's already married. Edwina returns to Llanview with Becky Lee's estranged husband Luke Jackson (Marshall Borden). Meanwhile, Richard and Becky Lee marry onscreen November 7, 1978. Viki's husband and Banner editor-in-chief Joe Riley (Lee Patterson) then offers Richard a job managing the newspaper's European bureau in Paris. Before leaving town, Richard's skull is fractured in a fight with Luke in October 1979. Luke is later killed in a shootout with Llanview Police Captain Ed Hall (Al Freeman Jr.). Richard undergoes major brain surgery and soon leaves town with his new wife. [7]

The married couple returns to Llanview in February 1980, with Richard (Keith Langsdale) and Becky Lee's (Mary Gordon Murray) falling apart. Richard enlists reformed prostitute Karen Wolek (Judith Light) to investigate Becky Lee's escapades. Karen finds out Richard is cuckolded by Tina Clayton's (Andrea Evans) ex-boyfriend Johnny Drummond (Wayne Massey). Richard divorces Becky Lee and returns to Paris in September 1981. [8]

A debonair Richard (Jeffrey Byron) comes back to Llanview in January 1986 and becomes romantically involved with newly discovered cousin Tina, who assumes the last name of her estranged father Victor Lord. After proposing marriage, Tina accepts in June 1986, but backs out of the engagement to court Cord Roberts (John Loprieno). [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Lord</span> Soap opera character

Victoria Lord is a fictional character and matriarch of the Lord family on the American soap opera One Life to Live, played for over 41 years by six-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress Erika Slezak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorian Lord</span> Soap opera character

Dorian Lord is a fictional character and matriarch of the Cramer family on the American daytime drama One Life to Live, played most notably and for the longest duration by actress Robin Strasser. Strasser was cast by series creator Agnes Nixon and debuted on the episode first-aired on April 13, 1979. For most of the show's history, the character is the show's primary antagonist and Byronic hero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Lord</span> Soap opera character

Victor Dalby Lord is a fictional character and patriarch of the Lord family from the American soap opera One Life to Live.

One Life to Live is an American soap opera that was broadcast from 1968 to 2013, on the ABC network from 1968 to 2012. The series starts with One Life to Live storylines (1968–1979). The plot continues in One Life to Live storylines (1980–1989). The plot in the next decade is outlined in One Life to Live storylines (1990–1999) and the story concludes in One Life to Live storylines (2000—2013).

One Life to Live is an American soap opera created by Agnes Nixon. During the 1980s, the show was broadcast on the ABC television network and episodes were an hour long.

Tony Lord (<i>One Life to Live</i>) Soap opera character

Tony Lord is a fictional character from the American soap opera One Life to Live. The elder child of Victor Lord and brother to heroine Victoria Lord, actor George Reinholt originated the role in April 1975. The character was featured continually through 1979, from 1981 to 1983, and last appeared in episodes in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Wolek</span> Fictional character

Karen Wolek is a fictional character appearing on the American soap opera One Life to Live between May 1976 and February 1983. The role was most notably performed by Judith Light beginning on October 21, 1977. Karen ultimately departs for an off-screen life in Canada, coinciding with Light's departure from the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Wolek</span> Soap opera character

Larry Wolek is a fictional character from the American soap opera One Life to Live, played for 35 years by actor Michael Storm. Storm is the second longest running cast member of the ABC Daytime production after actress Erika Slezak, and he briefly crossed over in the role on premiere episodes of All My Children in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vince Wolek</span> Soap opera character

Vince Wolek is a fictional character from the American soap opera, One Life to Live. Actor Antony Ponzini originated the role from the debut episode in 1968 through 1975, and briefly reappeared in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lord family</span>

The Lord family are fictional characters from the American soap opera One Life to Live. They were introduced in the show's July 15, 1968 debut episode on ABC, and featured for the entirety of its run until the series ended on August 19, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathy Craig</span> Soap opera character

Cathy Craig is a fictional character on the American soap opera One Life to Live. Introduced onscreen in January 1969, the character role is the first ongoing antagonist to lead heroine Victoria Lord and last appears in November 1978.

Joe Riley (<i>One Life to Live</i>) Soap opera character

Joe Riley is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera One Life to Live originated on the debut episode by actor Lee Patterson. Patterson regularly appeared in the role from the inception of the serial July 15, 1968, through 1970, from 1972 through October 3, 1979, and briefly in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Toland</span> Soap opera character

Mark Toland is a fictional character from the American soap opera One Life to Live. He was portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones from February 1971 until the character's onscreen death in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buchanan family</span>

The Buchanan family is a long-running family of fictional characters on the American soap opera One Life to Live. The ensemble was originally inspired by the Ewing family on the primetime soap opera Dallas, and appeared from September 1979 through the end of the serial in August 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marco Dane</span> Soap opera character

Marco Dane is a fictional character from the American soap opera One Life to Live. The role was played by actor Gerald Anthony from its debut in 1977 through 1986, and from May 17, 1989, until 1990. Anthony crossed over in the role on sister soap opera General Hospital on September 2, 1992 as Marco, remaining in the role through December 24, 1993.

Ed Hall (<i>One Life to Live</i>) Soap opera character

Ed Hall is a fictional character from the American soap opera One Life to Live, played by Al Freeman Jr.

Irene Manning (<i>One Life to Live</i>) Soap opera character

Irene Manning is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera One Life to Live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riley family</span> Fictional characters on One Life to Live

The Riley family are fictional characters on the American soap opera One Life to Live present at its debut in 1968. The Irish Catholic American clan is formed around the relationships and descendants of protagonist Joseph "Joe" Riley.

References

  1. ↑ Jon-Michael Reed (September 30, 1983). "Guiding Light tunes in 'hot' plot". Tri-City Herald . Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  2. ↑ Waggett, Gerry (2008). The One Life to Live 40th Anniversary Trivia Book. New York City: Hyperion Books. p. 272. ISBN   9781401323097.
  3. ↑ Lynda Hirsch (April 29, 1980). "Sexy Scenes in Bedroom Upset Some Actors in Daytime Dramas". Youngstown Vindicator . Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "One Life to Live". St. Joseph News-Press . July 19, 1986. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  5. ↑ "One Life to Live recap (1977)". ABC. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  6. ↑ Jon-Michael Reed (October 13, 1977). "What's Happening on the Soapies". Ocala Star-Banner . Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  7. ↑ "One Life to Live recap (1978)". ABC. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  8. ↑ Mary Ann Cooper (January 27, 1980). "Speaking of Soaps". Bulletin Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.