Helen Wagner: 1918-2010
We have terribly sad news to report: Helen Wagner, who played Nancy Hughes on As The World Turns since the show's very first episode in 1956, has passed away. She was 91.
Helen held the Guiness World Record for greatest longetivity in the same role. She played Nancy for 54 years.
Christopher Goutman, executive producer for As The World Turns said, "All of us at ATWT are deeply saddened by Helen's passing. She is loved by generations of fans and while we will miss her greatly, Helen will always remain the heart and soul of As The World Turns."
Helen's passing is particularly sad, as ATWT is set to end its historic run in September. How the show plans to address Nancy's passing, if at all, remains to be seen.
Helen was a native of Lubbock, TX. Upon arriving in New York, Helen started landing theater roles. Over her career, she appeared in Broadway productions of Oklahoma!, Sunny River, The Bad Seed, and Love of Four Colonels. Prior to landing the role on ATWT, Helen appeared for five years on The World of Mr. Sweeney.
Helen, as Nancy, spoke the program's first words, "Good morning, dear." While Nancy rarely had front burner story -- the most recent being her second husband's battle with Alzheimer's in the mid '90s -- she was always present to dish out advice. And pour coffee ... at least in the show's early years (fun fact: Show creator Irna Phillips once fired Helen because she didn't like how she poured coffee. She was eventually hired back).
In addition to her world record, Helen holds a place in history for being on screen when Walter Cronkite interrupted ATWT's 1963 broadcast with the news of President Kennedy's assasination. Helen continued performing the show (which was broadcast live at the time), unaware of the tragedy that had just occured.
Helen Wagner left behind a legacy that will likely never be matched, and will surely never be forgotten.
Good night, dear.
Photo Credit: CBS
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Comments (12)
I've been watching ATWT for 51 yrs. I remeber when Nancy said thoses famous words. at first the Saop was only for 15 min, as I remember then it went 1/2 hour then to Color & expanded to an hour. What a joy this soap is. Helen Wagen RIP, when she played Nancy, her & husband Don had 3 children. Penny, Bob & Dan or Don I can't remember which lol.
Then Lisa (Eileen Fulton) came to Oakbrook & ATWT was nerver the same. The whole cast was wonderful. I will also be very sad to see a top soap go.
my name is sharon im 40 years old i always thought she was a very pretty lady,modest and graceful she was a joy to watch she will be greatly missed
God Bless and God Speed to a great lady! i also hope ATWT gives proper tribute to this great lady and gentle spirt
I'm truly sadden by her passing. I remember my mom watching her Stories while I sat quietly in the corner playing Jacks! : ) A lot of us grew up Nancy and her family. I hope Mr. Goutman gives this woman tribute she deserves. Thanks Ms. Wagner for all of the years you shared Nancy with us. : (
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It was sad to here that helen wagner has passed always she will be missing.condolences to her family and ATWT family I watching her on ATWT she was a class acts to in enjoyed all always.
The executives at CBS killed her. She obviously lost her will after they cancelled our beloved show and couldn't bare to outlive it.
CBS is cruel and heartless.
I was so sad to see the passing of another great actress. Helen Wagner will be missed. I have enjoyed seeing her over the years as head of the family. My prayers and condolences to both of her families.
I just don't know how much more of this I can take. In the last couple of years the greats have been leaving us. Langly and Myrtle from AMC. Asa and Clint from OLTL. This year Palmer on AMC, Alice on DAYS, Adam retiering from AMC and now this! So much loss in such a short amount of time. I am glad Mrs. Wagner got a chance to celebrate the shows 54th, as the show has been cancelled(CBS makes me sick!!!) I've only watched the show for 7 or 8 years but I do know the history and RESPECT the history of the show. I was so looking forward to see if they would have her speak the final words as she spoke the first words. I hope Mrs. Wagner knew how much she was loved by the fans and how much we enjoyed her. God Blees her and her family and the As The World Turns family on this great loss. ATWT better have a tribute worthy of such a fantastic lady and actress.
This is so sad, I give my prayers to all her friends and family. I hope the show gives her a good farewell, because she is one of the many great actoresses that held the show so long. She will be in my prayers.