109-605: Susan Victoria Lucci (born December 23, 1946) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Erica Kane on the ABC daytime drama All My Children during that show's entire network run from 1970 to 2011. The character is considered an icon, and she was called "Daytime's Leading Lady" by TV Guide , with The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times citing her as the highest-paid actor in daytime television. As early as 1991, her salary had been reported as over $ 1 million
218-457: A BA degree in drama . Susan Lucci began her television career with bit parts on the daytime soap operas Love Is a Many Splendored Thing and The Doctors . She also appeared in an uncredited role in the 1969 film Goodbye, Columbus and had a minor role in the 1969 comedy-drama Me, Natalie . Lucci is best known for appearing as Erica Kane on the ABC soap opera All My Children , from January 16, 1970, to September 23, 2011. Erica
327-562: A game show . In 1991 she starred in the thriller The Woman Who Sinned . She later starred in Double Edge (1992), Between Love and Hate (1993), French Silk (1994) and Seduced and Betrayed (1995). In 1995, Lucci played Elizabeth 'Ebbie' Scrooge in the Lifetime Fantasy television film, Ebbie . This film was an updated version of A Christmas Carol . Lucci played a Scrooge -like department store owner visited by Marley and
436-503: A grizzly bear on location in Canada, airdate September 4, 1985 Erica's next love interest is the Tibetan monk Jeremy Hunter ( Jean Leclerc ). The Jeremy Hunter character was created as a polar opposite of Erica, in part, because he swore a vow of celibacy which contrasted with her sexuality. He is described as "caring, creative, vulnerable, nurturing, patient, and tender." The maternal nature of
545-417: A 1989 television commercial for the sugar substitute Sweet One, intended to portray her as the opposite of her villainess character, yet throwing one of Erica Kane's characteristic tantrums, shouting, "Eleven years without an Emmy! What does a person have to do around here to get an Emmy?" Her name eventually became part of the language, used as an avatar for artists who receive numerous award nominations without
654-761: A 2018 episode of General Hospital Maxie Jones is seen on the phone arguing with someone over a bill, and later warns Nina Clay that Erica Kane might be calling her about Maxie's negotiations, suggesting Erica is still alive and working in the fashion industry at this point. The Associated Press reported in 1986 that 60 students at California State University, Fullerton of a group of 100 could recognize Erica Kane but not historical figures such as Alexander Hamilton , Geoffrey Chaucer and Desmond Tutu when asked by English instructor Judith Remy Leder. In 2024, Charlie Mason from Soaps She Knows placed Erica at first place on his ranked list of Soaps' 40 Most Iconic Characters of All Time , writing, "Even if you'd never watched
763-587: A Drama Series for his work on The Young and the Restless . He was nominated for a People's Choice Award in 2016 for his work on Criminal Minds . Moore was born in Oakland, California , the son of Marilyn Wilson, a teacher, and Sherrod Moore. Moore's father was African-American and his mother, who was born in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, was of Irish and French-Canadian descent. His mother, who had
872-470: A ceremony presided over by Don Pardo ), but the wedding was interrupted by real-life game show host (and "current husband") Gene Rayburn . The sketch ended with Kane being mauled by a panther owned by Siegfried and Roy (portrayed by Kevin Nealon and Dana Carvey ). The Erica Kane character provided inspiration for three songs, all of which were named after her. Alternative rock band Urge Overkill titled
981-489: A child, and I think if you do that now, you would perhaps hurt your character," said former All My Children head writer Megan McTavish. McTavish later rewrote the story so the doctor, Greg Madden ( Ian Buchanan ), transplants the aborted fetus into his infertile wife. They raise the child, Josh Madden ( Colin Egglesfield ), as their son without Erica's knowledge. Inkling Magazine pointed out how unrealistic this storyline
1090-437: A damn about what she needs. "This is not the ending I wanted," Erica says to Opal. "Oh, you've done it, now you'll never get it back," Opal tells her. "Just watch me," says Erica. As Erica goes after Jack, JR fires his pistol, ending the show. It is implied that the bullet has hit Erica as she is last to be shown before the screen blacks out. In a conversation between Kate Howard and Todd Manning on General Hospital , Erica
1199-489: A degree in mathematics, worked as a teacher in Bahrain and Denmark. Moore moved with her to Denmark as an infant, and then to Bahrain when he was four, where he attended a British private school until the age of seven. His grandmother is from Quebec City , Canada. Moore cites civil unrest, interracial relationships being taboo, and racism in the U.S. in the 1970s as part of the reason his mother moved abroad with him. Returning to
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#17328950593141308-422: A divorce, freeing her to be with Dimitri. Erica and Dimitri carry on a long relationship involving two failed marriages and a miscarriage. The pairing was imbued with fairytale elements that were reflected in the wardrobe designs for Erica's wedding dresses. Once Erica and Dimitri separate for a final time in 1997, Erica reunites with Jackson. They become engaged right before Mike Roy is revealed to be alive. Erica
1417-426: A higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia during their own pregnancies. The petite form of [Susan Lucci as Erica] seems to fit that description well. Also, given the character's storyline, which included shooting her sister's mother, Goldie, and the attraction she feels for Jack, her husband's brother, she could have had high blood pressure from stress. That hypertension increases the risk of toxemia." Erica overcomes
1526-467: A job as a hostess at his restaurant, the Chateau, in exchange for letting his son go. Erica and Nick develop a romance. The relationship displays antagonistic yet loving qualities. It is the first time Erica meets her match in a man. Erica sees Nick as both a father figure and a lover. Though he loves her, he refuses to marry her, which infuriates Erica. She begins a romance with Tom Cudahay (Richard Shoberg) in
1635-537: A lesbian. In late 2018, Lucci had an emergency procedure to place two arterial stents in her heart after blocked arteries were discovered due to chest pain. Lucci postponed making her experience public until shortly before the American Heart Association's annual Go Red for Women fashion event in February 2019. Other awards and honors include: Erica Kane Erica Kane is a fictional character from
1744-406: A lot of people can identify with that." She always controls her business whether involved with a man or not. Some of the jobs she has been given during her storylines include a high fashion model, a cosmetics tycoon, and a magazine publisher. When Charles Pratt, Jr. took over as head writer of All My Children in 2008, one of his goals for improving the series involved making Erica the focus of
1853-410: A man with money while Erica wanted love, independence, and fame. "What Erica and Rachel have in common is they thought if they could get their dream, they'd be satisfied," Nixon said. "But that dream has been elusive." After the success of One Life to Live , a series Nixon created in 1968, ABC asked her to create another soap opera for them. She used the story bible for All My Children to create
1962-503: A minute. Winning is definitely better." The entries Lucci submitted for the 1999 Daytime Emmy Awards involved scenes from Erica's storyline where she helps Bianca deal with her anorexia. Shemar Moore Shemar Franklin Moore (born April 20, 1970) is an American actor. His notable roles include Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless (1994–2002, 2004–2005, 2014, 2019, 2023), Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds (2005–2016), and
2071-956: A model, Erica discovers a half-sister named Silver. Unlike Mark, Silver is the product of a secret marriage between Eric and a woman named Goldie. Silver secretly plots against Erica while pretending to form a bond with her. Silver is later exposed as an impostor named Connie, but the real Silver shows up soon after, only to be killed. "Erica truly believes when she gets married that it's going to last. She's one of those people—when she says those vows, she means them. She's really very old-fashioned in that she gets married instead of just saying 'I've been married enough, I'm going to just live with someone.' She's still searching for that home with mommy and daddy and children. The home she didn't have." Megan McTavish, Soap Opera Weekly The character has been married to multiple men, some more than once. Seven of her marriages to six different men have been valid, while four of her other marriages are invalid. Generally,
2180-405: A new actress, Alicia Minshew , as Kendall's birth year was revised to 1976. The later story between Erica and Kendall displayed each character's point of view as they both deal with the ramifications of how Kendall's conception traumatized them, which Lucci praised. A reconciliation later occurs for the characters wherein they bond as mother and daughter. In a topical 1972 storyline, Erica aborts
2289-463: A pedestal, refusing to acknowledge his flaws. From the start of the series, the lack of a relationship with her father serves as motivation for Erica's actions. She is an example of the Nixon staple of the "lost daddy's girl." Eric abandons her and her mother before the start of the show, when Erica is nine years old. As a result, she develops a severe abandonment complex. Since Eric leaves his family for
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#17328950593142398-646: A pitcher and an outfielder all four years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a minor in Theater Arts. Moore is best known for his role as Malcolm Winters on the CBS television soap opera The Young and the Restless for more than a decade. In November 2004, he returned to The Young and the Restless after originally planning to leave the show, but after a few months he dropped back to recurring status and left in September 2005. In 2007, he said, "My time
2507-489: A pretty hot combination, and he seems strong and capable enough of being with her." In the story, after becoming engaged to Chris, Erica cheats on him with Jack and Chris is killed. She and Jack marry in 2005. They form a family unit including all of their combined children. The union does not last, as they grow apart and Erica cheats on him with Jeff Martin. All My Children hired Mario Van Peebles in 2008 to portray Samuel Woods, Erica's new love interest. The writers based
2616-532: A relationship with a beautiful girl, but she is crazy. The group contacted All My Children's producers about doing a cameo on the show. They appeared in the April 25, 2008 episode as activists rallying for Erica's release from prison. During the appearance, the group performed "Erika Cain." They also taped a video for the song with Susan Lucci. Rapper Lil' Kim at times refers to herself as "the black Erica Kane." Mattel created two dolls based on Erica Kane as part of
2725-489: A soap a day in your life, you knew the name of the mercurial supermodel-turned-cosmetics mogul that Susan Lucci played from 1970–2011". Susan Lucci hosted the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live on October 6, 1990. In one sketch, Lucci played Kane as a contestant on the fictional game show "Game Breakers". She seduced fictional game show host Jack Morgan (portrayed by Phil Hartman ), thus enabling her to soundly beat her opponent. Morgan came close to marrying Kane (in
2834-502: A soap opera. In 2023, Lucci received Lifetime Achievement Award at the 50th Daytime Emmy Awards . In 2024, after seven years acting hiatus, Lucci returned to screen in the black comedy film, Outcome starring opposite Keanu Reeves , Jonah Hill and Cameron Diaz . Lucci also has her own line of hair care products, perfumes, lingerie and skin care, called The Susan Lucci Collection. Lucci married Austrian -born chef and food-service manager Helmut Huber on September 13, 1969. They are
2943-404: A song after the character on their album Saturation . The late R&B musical artist Aaliyah recorded a song about drug addiction called "Erica Kane", where the character's name was used as a metaphor for a cocaine . The song was released posthumously on the album I Care 4 U . The band B5 also recorded a song about Erica Kane titled "Erika Cain." The song talks about how they're in
3052-496: A successful career in Hollywood, Erica also longs for a life of fame and a successful man. This motivation is maintained in the character decades into the series. "Susan added a lot of Erica's background," Behr said. "Rather than playing it as if Erica's just a rotten character, she added the pathos of this child who was deserted by her father. Every time she did a scene about how 'My father loves me. I know that he loves me and nobody
3161-470: A supporting role in the film Diary of a Mad Black Woman . He also appeared in the romantic comedy The Seat Filler with Kelly Rowland and Duane Martin . In 2005, Moore began playing Derek Morgan in the original cast of Criminal Minds . In March 2016, he left the role, after 251 episodes, in episode 18 of season 11, "A Beautiful Disaster". In February 2017, it was announced that Moore would star in CBS 's new series titled S.W.A.T. , based on
3270-528: A win (e.g., "Peter O'Toole was the Susan Lucci of the Oscars."). After 18 nominations, she finally won in 1999; Lucci received a standing ovation upon receiving the award, which was presented by Shemar Moore . When ABC cancelled All My Children on April 14, 2011, after 41 years on the air, Lucci said in an interview: "It's been a fantastic journey. I've loved playing Erica Kane and working with Agnes Nixon and all
3379-509: A year. During her run on All My Children , Lucci was nominated 21 times for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series . She won only once, in 1999, after the 19th nomination; her status as a perpetual nominee for the award had attracted significant media attention since the late 1980s. Lucci has also acted in other TV series, as well as occasionally in film and on stage. She had multi-episode guest appearances on
Susan Lucci - Misplaced Pages Continue
3488-462: A young, innocent, sweet little Irish girl. That's not what comes out. She's much more sophisticated – at least she gives that appearance. She was perfect to play Erica." After a meeting with a casting director, they promised to call her back in six months. One of hundreds of people they called back in, Lucci progressed on from each reading of the part until she received the role. "I saw the audition tapes, and she just stood out," said Agnes Nixon. "There
3597-444: Is alive, making their marriage invalid, and forces Erica to choose between him and Mike. She chooses Mike. They plan to marry but before they can he is shot. On his deathbed, he and Erica exchange vows. "Get away from me, you disgusting, disgusting beast! You may not do this! Do you understand me? YOU MAY NOT come near me! I am ERICA KANE! And you are a filthy beast!" (primal scream) Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, fighting off
3706-524: Is considered to be the most popular character in American soap opera history. TV Guide calls her "unequivocally the most famous soap opera character in the history of daytime TV," and included her in their 2013 list of The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time. Agnes Nixon created Erica Kane in the 1960s as part of the story bible for All My Children , a light-hearted soap opera focusing on social issues and young love. Nixon unsuccessfully attempted to sell
3815-501: Is considered to be the most popular character in American soap opera history. TV Guide calls her "unequivocally the most famous soap opera character in the history of daytime TV," and included her in their 2013 list of The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time. Lucci was nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Emmy for her work on All My Children almost every year beginning in 1978. When Lucci did not win
3924-529: Is digging her various daughters out of trouble." He described the couple as "a very odd but natural coming together of two people [who are] pushed apart by the attitudes of society." On July 25, 2011, Erica stabs David after she escapes from the clutches of her look-alike Jane Campbell that posed as her. She is taken to Oak Haven and there she first sees Janet "from another Planet" Green Dillon , then Annie Lavery , then Marian Colby Chandler, and finally she sees Dixie Cooney Martin . On August 11, 2011, Jane takes
4033-474: Is done on Y&R . I did eight solid years as Malcolm." During his time on The Young and the Restless , Moore was the host of the syndicated version of the series Soul Train from 1999 until 2003, and he appeared in the 2001 feature film The Brothers . He portrayed Detective Jesse Reese on the television series Birds of Prey from 2002 to 2003. Moore played Emery Simms in the 2004 film Motives alongside Vivica Fox and Golden Brooks , and had
4142-505: Is going to tell me differently,' she colored it with the knowledge that she had really been deserted. It worked so well that the writers reached the point where they said we have to play this out." In 1989, Eric makes his first appearance as Erica goes in search of him and finds him working as a clown at a circus. She attempts to help him out of his current circumstances, but he ends up betraying her and leaving Pine Valley . The 1993 arrival of Kendall Hart ( Sarah Michelle Gellar ) prompted
4251-420: Is his mother, attempts to destroy Erica in order to steal her fame for himself. Erica discovers the truth and is eventually able to form a relationship with him. In 2009, All My Children let Egglesfield go and killed off Josh. Zach Slater ( Thorsten Kaye ) shoots him and Erica is then forced to decide whether or not to donate Josh's heart to a seriously ill Kendall. "The first thought that came to my mind when I
4360-534: Is later developed into a strong bond. The writers layered their interactions with "raw edges" and humor. "Erica idealized her father. Heflin said. Whenever Eric disappoints Erica, she blames her mother. "Then, of course, would come the moment of breakdown when she would cry on [Mona's] shoulder," Helfin said. "So it's more or less human. Really, more human and less saccharine than most of the mother/children relationships on soaps. It has an awful lot of bit in it." After Mona's death in 1994, Erica continues to put Eric on
4469-534: Is mentioned as someone else Todd could have talked to about the job he was offering to Kate, implying she survived the final episode of All My Children . On the June 20, 2013 episode of the Prospect Park version of All My Children , Opal Cortlandt tells Dimitri Marick , one of Erica's ex-husbands that Erica was out of town last seen getting on an airplane to some exotic location without saying when she would be back. In
Susan Lucci - Misplaced Pages Continue
4578-445: Is not unlovable. One of Erica's defining features is her extreme self-centered point of view. Erica is described as "imaginative, adventurous, and brilliant", yet writers detailed her as appearing "scarcely rational enough to cope with adulthood." Despite this, the character represents independence and power. "I think of Erica as a go-getter," Lucci said, "someone who's impatient to have a terrific life and have it yesterday. I think
4687-700: Is the embodiment of "the bitch goddess," a soap opera archetype that "transformed and defined" the soap opera genre. Irna Phillips , Nixon, and William J. Bell created the archetype in the 1960s and it became one of their defining legacies. The archetype is an assertive Cinderella who goes after material things. This was a change from the heroines of the radio soap operas who waited to be rescued by men. Erica started out as "a conniving teenage vixen " and transformed into "the femme fatale incarnate." The characters in this category are outrageous, exaggerated, financially disadvantaged and determined to change that. Other characters in this archetype are Lisa Grimaldi ( As
4796-446: Is torn between them. Though she chooses Jack, she and Mike engage in sex one last time before he leaves Pine Valley. Jack finds out and breaks things off with her. In 1999, a car accident with David Hayward ( Vincent Irizarry ) leaves Erica's face disfigured. This storyline unintentionally mirrored a similar car accident Lucci was involved in, in 1966 which almost permanently scarred her face. Like Erica, she needed plastic surgery. In
4905-598: Is used as a roadblock for are Jeff Martin and Mary Kennicott, Linc Tyler and Kitty Shae, and Chuck Tyler and Donna Beck. Erica's first two marriages, first to Dr. Jeff Martin in 1971 and then to Phil Brent in 1975, end because both men want her as a housewife instead of a career woman. Also, Erica is more interested in marrying them to spite Tara. Lucci described Jeff as a "trophy" and gaining Phil as "a matter of pride for Erica." The marriage to Jeff ends when she leaves him for her modeling manager, Jason Maxwell, who Mona later kills in self-defense. Erica and Phil marry to give
5014-540: The 2003 film and 1975 television series of the same name. The show has now filmed eight seasons. In June 2021, it was announced that Moore had joined the cast of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 , as Randall Handel. He also stars as the "Unnecessary Action Hero" in a series of commercials for Paycom . Moore worked as a model during his college years. He is signed to DNA Model Management in New York City. Moore appeared on
5123-455: The chic suburbanite, the subtle single, the traditional family person, the successful professional, and the elegant socialite . Erica was in the chic suburbanite category which comprised "flashy," achievement-oriented characters with little interest in family and friends. Like others in this category, Erica was written as "flamboyant, frivolous and carefree, with little commitment other than [her] own selfish enjoyment of life." Overall, Erica
5232-470: The American ABC Daytime soap opera All My Children . The character was portrayed by actress Susan Lucci from her debut on January 16, 1970, until the last broadcast television episode on September 23, 2011. Lucci was expected to guest star on Prospect Park 's continuation of All My Children in 2013, but the appearance never came to fruition due to the show's second cancellation. Erica
5341-471: The Kendall and Josh characters were not created yet. In the storyline, Erica becomes pregnant with Travis Montgomery's child and develops toxemia . The story was written to inform and educate the audience on the details of the condition. Inkling Magazine looked into the plausibility of her developing toxemia and found it believable. The magazine said, "[W]omen who were born small for their gestational age have
5450-529: The March 2009 issue of Men's Fitness magazine. Moore dated soccer player Shawna Gordon from 2014 to 2016. In 2018, he dated Quantico actress Anabelle Acosta . On January 9, 2023, he announced the due date of his first child with his girlfriend, Jesiree Dizon, was February 8, 2023. The couple's daughter was born January 24, 2023. Moore formed a retail clothing company known as Baby Girl LLC. The company's profits are used to help fight multiple sclerosis ,
5559-575: The Senate. Charles Pratt, Jr. took over as head writer of All My Children in 2008. The next year, he decided to put Erica and Ryan Lavery ( Cameron Mathison ) together as a couple. News outlets labeled her a "cougar" since Erica is older than Ryan. Pratt defended the story and said what they have "isn't a relationship that's borne out of anything except true respect and a growing affection for each other as Erica becomes Ryan's pillar of support. [He] offers her an escape from what her life has become, which
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#17328950593145668-589: The Stars with dance partner Tony Dovolani . She said that Dancing had asked her to appear before, but she had turned it down, in part, because of the travel it would have required of her (at the time Dancing taped in Los Angeles while All My Children taped in New York). Lucci later changed her mind, in part, because of the experience of fellow All My Children star Cameron Mathison , who finished fifth in season 5 . She
5777-506: The U.S. in 1977, the family moved to Chico, California , where his mother worked at a clinic, before later moving to Palo Alto . A gifted and talented child, Moore attended The Nueva School in Hillsborough, California before graduating from Gunn High School in Palo Alto. Moore was awarded an athletic scholarship to attend Santa Clara University where he played varsity baseball as both
5886-514: The United States. The location shoot involved activities never seen in daytime soap operas up to that point, such as snorkeling and horseback riding. They used the steady-cam technique, which was new at the time. The cameraman Nick Udack "could walk or jog along side us on the beach," Shoberg said. "The steady-cam had a gyroscope that would keep it from bouncing when you took steps". The stumbling blocks designed for Erica and Tom's marriage involve
5995-465: The World Turns ), Rachel Davis ( Another World ) and Belle Clemons ( The Secret Storm ). "You gotta go where the action is, Mona . Isn't that right, Erica?" When there is any. I mean, Pine Valley isn't exactly the corner of Hollywood and Vine . Erica is a headstrong and selfish 15-year-old when All My Children begun in 1970. Although Nixon designed her as one of the bad characters, she
6104-524: The actor to star in one of Eric's films. Erica represses all memory of the rape until 16-year-old Kendall, a child conceived by it and revealed to be Erica's first born daughter she gave up for adoption to the Harts, appears in 1993. Viewer reaction to the discrepancy created by Erica's having a 16-year-old daughter conceived in a 24-year-old rape prompted the series to immediately adjust Kendall's age to 23. The mother-daughter relationship between Erica and Kendall
6213-445: The award after several consecutive nominations, her image in the media began to be lampooned, as she became notoriously synonymous with never winning an Emmy. NBC 's Saturday Night Live exploited this by asking her to host an episode; during her monologue, the show's cast, crew, and even stagehands nonchalantly carried (and utilized; for example, as hammers and doorjambs) Emmys of their own in her presence. In addition, she appeared in
6322-462: The baby she conceives with her first husband, Jeff Martin ( Charles Frank ). This is the first legal abortion aired on American television prior to the landmark Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling as Erica sought an abortion in the state of New York which had legalized the procedure in July 1970. Erica was chosen for this storyline as a way to prevent controversy. Since she was a bad girl and not one of
6431-592: The baby they conceive a name. In the 1970s, pregnancy on a soap opera was romanticized so it was more influenced by the emotions and actions of the characters than by modern medicine. Since Phil and Erica do not conceive their baby for love, they are "rewarded" with a miscarriage, which was typical of loveless unions in that time. Phil wants a divorce after their baby's stillbirth. Though her interest turns to pursuing richer men like Linc Tyler, she refuses to let him go because she does not want Tara to have him. Erica agrees to divorce Phil after his father, Nick Davis, offers her
6540-406: The baby, they get married. She becomes attracted to his brother, Jackson Montgomery ( Walt Willey ), but does not act on the feeling until after she and Travis divorce. They have "a very hot romance" and fall in love, but Erica remarries Travis in 1990 at their daughter Bianca's insistence. Travis and Erica's second marriage is not a happy one. "I think after they got back together," said Lucci, "it
6649-443: The benevolent mother/grandmother, and the career woman. Erica was established as the rival to Tara Martin's young-and-vulnerable romantic heroine. As the rival, Erica was written as money and status-conscious as well as sexually aggressive. Erica was generally positioned as the antagonist keeping true love pairings, such as Tara and Phillip Brent, apart. By the late 1970s, a different set of character types were established, including
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#17328950593146758-481: The blame for stabbing David so Erica can remain free. During the last few episodes of the show Erica is offered a chance to write a movie about her book (much to the dismay of Jack who wants to marry her). This leads to a falling-out between the two at Stuart Chandler's welcome home party. As Jack leaves the party, Erica admits in front of everyone that she needs and loves Jack, to which he replies by bitterly telling her, Rhett Butler -style, that "frankly," he doesn't give
6867-496: The character was balanced by his physical and public power. Their relationship was written to reflect a form of protective dominance. Within the storyline, from the summer of 1985 to the summer of 1986 Jeremy rescues her from Adam, his father and Latin American terrorists, all of whom kidnap and attempt to sexually assault Erica. He also saves her from Natalie Marlow, who holds her at gun point. The relationship does not go both ways as they break up when Erica attempts to rescue him. In
6976-598: The comedy film Young Doctors in Love . During the 1980s, she made guest-starring appearances in prime time series, such as The Love Boat , Fantasy Island and The Fall Guy . In 1984 she played her first leading role in the supernatural horror film Invitation to Hell directed by Wes Craven . In 1986, Lucci played the role of Darya Romanoff in the Golden Globe – and Emmy Award –winning made-for-television movie Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna . The same year she played
7085-624: The company's Daytime Drama Collection. They released the first one in 1998. Mattel modeled that doll after the character's appearance during the Crystal Ball, an annual event in All My Children' s storylines. After that doll met with success, they released the second in 1999 called the Champagne Lace Wedding Erica Kane Doll. This one was based on the character as she was during the 1993 wedding to Dimitri Marick. Over
7194-480: The episodes she sent in last year, she was crying 75 percent of the time," he said. "She drowned her chances in a tsunami of tears. Lucci eventually won the Daytime Emmy Award in 1999, receiving a two-minute standing ovation at the win and again after the show in the press room. A reporter in the press room questioned whether she would miss the attention she got for losing, to which Lucci responded, "Oh, not for
7303-425: The fetus actually starts attaching itself to the uterine lining." In the storyline, Greg harbors an obsession with Erica, which motivates him to choose her for the transplant in the first place. Greg and Josh make their first appearances in 2005. Greg's wife recently died and he moves to Pine Valley for closer proximity to Erica under the guise of opening a clinic. Josh follows him soon afterward and, not knowing Erica
7412-428: The heroines, her choice would not be viewed as something the show supported. The show also protected themselves from controversy by writing Erica as mentally blocking out the abortion and, for a time, believing she miscarried. Viewers loved the story and Erica became a symbol of free choice. Erica develops a potentially fatal infection after having the abortion. "Erica's abortion was simply because she didn't want to have
7521-465: The hopes of making Nick jealous. Even though it works, Nick fails to act on his jealousy and instead moves to Chicago. On Erica and Tom's wedding day she hopes he will come back to interrupt the ceremony, but he does not. All My Children shot Tom and Erica's honeymoon on location in St. Croix, the location where Nixon wrote the bible for the series. This was the first daytime location shoot filmed outside of
7630-408: The incredible people involved with All My Children . I'm looking forward to all kinds of new and exciting opportunities." Lucci publicly criticized ABC Daytime president Brian Frons over the cancellation of All My Children in the epilogue of her autobiography All My Life . Lucci has appeared in a number of television series and television movies. In 1982, she appeared in a cameo appearance in
7739-461: The initial reaction by his famous mother Cher . Erica's other relatives include half-siblings Mark Dalton ( Mark LaMura ) and Silver Kane (Mary LeSeene). In 1977, Mark and Erica begin a romance, which leads Mona to reveal Mark had also been fathered by Eric Kane, who had engaged in an affair with Mark's mother, Maureen Dalton Tiller, Eric's secretary. In 1982, while working in New York City as
7848-614: The lead role as Antoinette Giancana, Salavatore 'Sam' Giancana 's daughter's in the crime made-for-television movie, Mafia Princess . The following year she starred in another horror film, Haunted by Her Past . She later starred in the crime dramas Lady Mobster (1988) and The Bride in Black (1990). In 1990–1991, she began a series of guest spots on the nighttime soap opera Dallas . She hosted NBC 's Saturday Night Live in October of that year; in one skit, she appeared as Erica Kane competing on
7957-481: The lead role of Sergeant II Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson on S.W.A.T. (2017–present) all on CBS . Moore was also the third permanent host of Soul Train from 1999 to 2003. Moore is also known for playing G.U.N. Agent Randall Handel in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 , a role he will reprise in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 . Moore has won eight NAACP Image Awards as well as the 2000 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in
8066-423: The man producing a film adaptation of Raising Kane. Adam sends Mike away to Tibet to separate him and Erica. While Mike is away, Adam offers Erica the lead role in the movie if she marries him. She agrees and they marry in 1984, but Adam casts another actress in the role. After Mike returns, Adam tests Erica's feelings for him by faking his death. She responds to his supposed demise by marrying Mike. Adam reveals he
8175-417: The medical difficulties and gives birth to Bianca. As she grows up, Erica sees her through Reye's syndrome and anorexia nervosa . In 2000, All My Children cast Eden Riegel in the role of a teenage Bianca. The character comes out as a lesbian to her mother. Erica has trouble accepting the revelation, but eventually does. This storyline was inspired by the real life coming out story of Chaz Bono , and
8284-496: The new program. The Erica character officially debuted in 1970 once All My Children made it onto the air. At the time, soap operas featured mostly older casts. To add a contemporary feel to the show, Nixon focused on younger characters, while also mixing in older ones so as not to lose traditional viewers. The youths on All My Children were Tara Martin ( Karen Lynn Gorney ), Phillip Brent ( Richard Hatch ), Chuck Tyler ( Jack Stauffer ), and Erica Kane (Susan Lucci). For those parts,
8393-410: The number of times Erica has been married is named as ten, though the total of her valid and invalid marriages, plus her 1991 vow renewal with Adam Chandler, would come up to eleven. Along with the marriages, the character is also given a number of other love interests. The motivation behind the multiple romances stems from the character's need to fill the void her father left when he abandoned her. As
8502-516: The parents of two children: actress Liza Huber and a son, Andreas Huber. The couple were married 52 years until Helmut's death on March 28, 2022; he was 84 years old. Lucci's autobiography, All My Life: A Memoir , was published in 2011. She is a registered Republican and has hosted fundraising events for Rudy Giuliani . She is a supporter of LGBT rights and equality, her support spurred by an All My Children storyline in 2000 in which her character Erica's daughter, Bianca Montgomery , came out as
8611-524: The powerful woman she should be, is important." When All My Children debuts, the Kane family consists of Erica, her mother, Mona ( Frances Heflin ), and her absent father, film director Eric Kane (Albert Stratton). Mona spoils Erica to fill the void Eric left behind. Despite this, the writers scripted the relationship between Mona and Erica as tumultuous, with Mona disapproving of Erica's behavior and Erica blaming Mona for her father's desertion. The relationship
8720-400: The press. In 1983, when Lucci lost to All My Children newcomer Dorothy Lyman (Opal), Warrick said, "It seemed impossible that Susan wouldn't win this year. We are all very puzzled, amazed, and disgruntled." She later added, "It was a slap in the face to Susan that Dorothy should walk off with it after being on the show such a short time. And of course her role was so outrageous and so, well, it
8829-407: The probability of the story. In an interview with Soap Opera Digest , he said, "Actually, my father is an obstetrician/gynecologist and my brother is a doctor, as is one of my best friends, and their collective opinion is that this is possible; it is possible to take a fetus out of one woman and place it into the womb of another woman, but it's only possible within the first week of pregnancy, before
8938-423: The reveal that, prior to the series' debut, Erica had been raped at age 14 by Eric's friend, film star Richard Fields. Eric had allowed Richard, who had a "crush" on Erica, to be alone with her and had done nothing to prevent the rape from occurring. A revisitation of the event during Erica's 2004 alcohol intervention storyline introduced the fact Eric had actually offered up Erica for sex with Richard to convince
9047-533: The same as her last two since Erica puts her modeling career ahead of starting a family with Tom. They divorce after he discovers that she uses birth control pills. Erica becomes involved with Mike Roy (Nicholas Surovy and then Hugo Napier), the man writing her biography, Raising Kane. "He was Erica's first great love," Lucci said. "They were very different. He was very intellectual and she was not, and still he loved her for who she was." Mike and Erica fall in love and are kept apart by Adam Chandler ( David Canary ),
9156-455: The series Dallas , Hot in Cleveland and Army Wives . Lucci hosted Saturday Night Live in 1990. After the cancellation of All My Children , she hosted the 2012-2014 true crime series Deadly Affairs and starred (as Genevieve Delatour ) in the 2013–2016 Lifetime series Devious Maids . In 1996, TV Guide ranked her number 37 on its 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time list. She
9265-403: The series begins, Erica's romantic role is as the rival keeping the "true love" pairings apart. The first story she is used this way in is the teenage love quadrangle between Erica, Phillip Brent, Tara Martin, and Chuck Tyler. In that story, Erica is used as one of the devices separating Tara and Phil. She breaks them up in 1970, but does not get him for herself until years later. Other couples she
9374-584: The series to NBC , then to CBS , and once again to NBC through Procter & Gamble . With Procter & Gamble unable to make room for the new series in its line up, she put All My Children on hold. Nixon became head writer of Another World where she used the model of the Erica character to create a brand new character: Rachel Davis . Nixon said Rachel was Erica's "precursor to the public." She detailed Rachel's goals as less "stratospheric" in nature since her primary motivation involved marrying Dr. Russ Mathews or
9483-409: The series. In portraying Erica, the actress drew on the "self-centered" and "haughty" traits she recognized in herself while in college. Lucci said, "I love playing her. I enjoyed playing her when she was a 15-year-old high school girl, the naughty girl in town, and I enjoy playing her now, when she's still the naughty girl, but she's broadened her area of operation to include the entire world." Over
9592-453: The setting for Erica's attempt to break Jeremy out of prison. In 1987, Erica becomes involved with the politician Travis Montgomery ( Larkin Malloy ). Erica and Travis are portrayed as sexually equal and infused with elements of romance and fantasy. Erica becomes pregnant with his child, but does not tell him for fear that it will disrupt his political career. In 1988, when Travis finds out about
9701-473: The show again. "[A]bove all, the show is, and should always revolve around, Erica," he said in an interview with Soap Opera Digest . "I can see the temptation to split her off and put her in jail and put her on the run. We did it on Ugly Betty ! But to me, she is the Scarlett O'Hara of this show and she must always be that, be the center and the heart of the show. Challenging that character that way, making her
9810-444: The show wanted to cast unknown actors. In 1969, Susan Lucci responded to a casting call for All My Children . She initially auditioned for the role of Tara Martin. The "character that we were all interested in was not Erica, but Tara," said Doris Quinlan, the show's former executive producer. "She was the sweet young ingenue — the one with all the problems that everyone was supposed to care about... I certainly couldn't cast [Lucci] as
9919-599: The sixth season of Lifetime drama series, Army Wives in 2012. Lucci also hosted and narrated Deadly Affairs , a prime-time series airing on Investigation Discovery from 2012 to 2014. On November 15, 2012, Lucci appeared on The Colbert Report in a segment reflecting the soap-opera-like nature of the Petraeus scandal . In 2013, Lucci began starring as Geneviève Delatour in the Lifetime comedy-drama series, Devious Maids created by Marc Cherry . Her comedic performance
10028-404: The story on Martha Stewart 's insider trading scandal. Erica buys Chandler Enterprises stock based on privileged information Adam Chandler shares with her. U.S. Attorney, Sam Woods brings charges up against her. They develop an attraction while he prosecutes her and she goes to prison for the crime. The relationship goes no further than dating before Sam leaves Pine Valley to campaign for a seat on
10137-486: The story, Jeremy is convicted for a crime he did not commit, so Erica stages a wedding ceremony in prison as a way to break him out by escaping on a helicopter from the roof. Jeremy refuses to let her help him escape, ending their relationship. During the story where Jeremy rescued Erica from Adam, All My Children went on location to Canada to film the scenes. Later, the show again went on location, this time to New York's West Chester County's Wingdale hospital, which provided
10246-552: The storyline, Erica and David fall in love while he helps her through her recovery. The obstacles designed to come between them are her continued feelings for Dimitri and his inability to fully give himself to a woman because of what happened to his father when he loved his mother too much. They become engaged to be married but Erica calls it off. She next falls in love with Chris Stamp ( Jack Scalia ). "I really think that she found someone very special in Chris Stamp," Lucci said. "They are
10355-461: The three ghosts on Christmas .Television critic Lynne Heffley from Los Angeles Times gave it a positive review writing: "Soap queen Susan Lucci of “All My Children” is fun to watch as a severely tailored, unsmiling boss, spreading misery wherever she goes on Christmas Eve, whether firing a security guard or deciding the store’s traditional window display has got to go." In 1998 she returned to thrillers with Blood on Her Hands . In 1999, she played
10464-504: The title role of Annie Oakley in the revival of Irving Berlin 's musical Annie Get Your Gun . Michael Logan of TV Guide said, "Susan Lucci didn't just take Great White Way by storm: she took it by tornado, hurricane and tsunami, too." In 2004, she guest starred in two episodes of the ABC comedy series Hope & Faith opposite Kelly Ripa . In 2005 she guest-starred on That's So Raven . Lucci competed in season 7 of Dancing with
10573-434: The years, Erica developed into different character archetypes . Soap operas once featured only one-dimensional characters who were either good or bad. By the 1970s, characters were written with more depth, fitting into archetypes consisting of the young-and-vulnerable romantic heroine, the old-fashioned villain, the rival, the suffering antagonist, Mr. Right, the former playboy, the meddlesome and villainous mother/grandmother,
10682-471: The years, Susan Lucci became known for gaining Daytime Emmy Award nominations for her portrayal of Erica, but never winning. Almost every year from 1978 to 1998, Lucci received nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama series and never won. Her negative reactions to the losses, including pounding her fist on the table and leaving one ceremony in tears, were mentioned in tabloids. Her losses also caused her fellow castmate Ruth Warrick to speak out to
10791-410: Was a caricature. That's not in any way to put down what Dorothy did, but it really was a supporting role rather than a leading role." The losing streak became a "long-running gag" in the entertainment community. Jay Leno on The Tonight Show used it as a joke as did Saturday Night Live . The author of The Emmy , Tom O'Neil, attributed the losses to the material she submitted for consideration. "In
10900-406: Was a kid who was one-dimensional, who was the rotten seed, and she turned her into a very fascinating character- the character that everybody loves to hate." Characterized as the "naughty girl in town" from the start, her motivations stem from her relationship with her father. Her abandonment by him led her to be written as sexually aggressive with men. She needs to receive love from men to prove she
11009-409: Was because "the techniques by which abortion is performed don't exactly lend themselves to excising an embryo viable enough to survive in another woman's womb ." The magazine said more likelihood existed in the possibility that Madden harvested Erica's eggs during the procedure, though an invasive surgery like that going unnoticed appeared unlikely as well. Egglesfield gained different information on
11118-478: Was designed as antagonistic and complex, with Kendall, unaware of the rape, seeking revenge against Erica in feeling she "abandoned" her as an infant, while wanting her mother's approval. Kendall's attempted seduction of Erica's love interest, Dimitri Marick , creates conflict between him and Erica, and Kendall also brings Richard Fields to town to torment her mother. Kendall later makes peace with her mother and leaves town in 1995. She returns in 2002, portrayed by
11227-676: Was named one of VH1 's 200 Top Icons of All Time and one of Barbara Walters 's Ten Most Fascinating People. Susan Lucci was born in Scarsdale, New York , to parents Jeanette (1917–2021) and Victor Lucci (1919–2002). Her father was of Italian ancestry, and her mother was of Swedish descent. She lived in Yonkers, New York , before moving with her family at age 2 to Elmont, New York , and then at age 5 to another Long Island town, Garden City, New York . Lucci graduated from Garden City High School in 1964 and from Marymount College, Tarrytown in 1968, with
11336-535: Was never a question, ever." Before being cast as Erica Kane, Lucci did not have much success in her acting career. A casting director discouraged her from pursuing roles on television because her hair, skin, and eyes were too dark. Though Lucci's olive complexion held her back from other acting opportunities, it worked in her favor while up for the role of Erica. "Agnes Nixon, the show's creator, really wanted somebody dark to play this part. She has always been ahead of her time," Lucci said. Lucci debuted in episode 10 of
11445-675: Was never the same again. There was always this rift. He became bitter and sort of cruel to Erica." Their second marriage ends after Travis catches her cheating on him with Jack. During the custody hearing over Bianca, Jack refuses to lie about their affair, resulting in Erica losing custody of her daughter. In 1991, Adam reveals to Erica that they are still married. He blackmails her into staging another wedding ceremony and living with him as his wife. During this marriage, she meets and falls in love with Dimitri Marick ( Michael Nader ). She fights her feelings for him while he pursues her despite their marriages to other people. Adam eventually grants Erica
11554-423: Was not intended to come off as evil or menacing. Since Nixon created All My Children as a "light hearted" soap opera, the series' villains, Erica included, came across as more fun and funny, than wicked. Over time, Erica evolved into a "heroine-vixen" who still did bad things, but was also a character the audience rooted for. Former associate producer Felicia Minei Behr said, "The Erica that [Lucci] started with,
11663-416: Was told the storyline and read the script was Sophie's Choice ," said Lucci. Erica reluctantly agrees to the transplant. Lucci said she believed this decision would "haunt" Erica because, if Kendall's life was not in the balance, she would have put more effort into saving Josh. Erica's youngest child, Bianca Montgomery , enters the series in 1988. At that time, Bianca is Erica's first and only child since
11772-596: Was voted off the show on November 5, 2008, rather than November 4 due to election night, finishing sixth in the competition. From 2010 to 2014, Lucci made several appearances as herself, the arch rival of Wendie Malick 's character, Victoria Chase, on the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland , including the February 1, 2012 episode entitled " Life with Lucci ". She appeared in Gloria Estefan 's music video " Hotel Nacional " in February 2012. She guest starred in multi-episodes of
11881-546: Was well-received by television critics. The series ended in 2016 after four seasons. In 2015 she appeared in the comedy-drama film, Joy directed by David O. Russell . In 2017, Lucci played one of Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard 's grandparents (with Henry Winkler ) in Sia 's music video, " Santa's Coming for Us ". Also in 2017 she guest-starred in an episode of Hulu comedy series, Difficult People . She also appeared in television ads for Progressive Insurance that were styled as
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