The series "Guiding Light": actors and roles

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The Guiding Light drama series is a creation of American cinema. Since 1937, it was broadcast on the radio, and in 1952 it was first released on blue screens. The final series was released in 2009. It is worth noting that during the existence of the project nominated 375 times for various awards, of which 98 times were very successful.

Guiding Light on Radio

The authorship of the radio shows belongs to the former American teacher Irna Phillips. After graduating from teaching, she plunged headlong into radio work. The main occupation was writing scripts for small radio shows.

Initially, the duration of the broadcast was 15 minutes. After a while, the duration reached an hour.

Thorny path to blue screens

Irna's talent helped the series to go to television screens and settle in the minds and souls of viewers for a long time. Pathwas long and thorny. The first series were filmed several times on the same film. This was dictated by insufficient funding. Therefore, some moments have not been preserved to this day.

Watching the film from the first series, you can contemplate the development of cinema. The original picture was black and white. After a while, the image acquired color. Progress has touched not only the picture, but also the sound design. Stereo sound gave additional comfort while watching the series

All for the audience and the Guinness Book of Records

During the work on the series "Guiding Light" the actors literally became related to their characters. For 57 years, they starred in more than 15 thousand episodes. The project entered the Guinness Book of Records as the longest TV series.

The duration of each episode is 60 minutes, therefore, you can fully see the series no earlier than in a year and a half. At the same time, you will have to spend 24 hours a day watching. But spending all the time at the blue screen is impossible. Therefore, it will take much longer to watch the movie.

The plot of the series "Guiding Light"

According to the actors who starred in the series "Guiding Light", the description of the series comes down to the main idea of the plot. The light that was visible in the priest's window never went out. He beckoned to himself lost souls. The city in which the events take place was fictitious.

Subsequently, watching the life of one person becomes boring for viewers. In order not to loseaudience and develop the plot, the authors introduce additional characters. From now on, the film follows the lives of three families in the city of Springfield, which is also fictional.

Even when it was broadcast on the radio, the project attracted a lot of attention. This became possible thanks to the raising of such acute social topics as:

• teenage pregnancy;
• alcoholism;
• cancer.

It is worth noting that previously these topics were bypassed. They tried not to touch them in order to show a beautiful fairy tale, and not the real life of people.

Kevin Bacon's first big role

Not all the actors involved in the Guiding Light series could boast of a large list of regalia and roles performed. Some actors started their careers with this project. One of them was Kevin Bacon. During the year he worked in the series, playing the role of a teenager. His character T. D. Werner is not a role model, because he did not hesitate to drink alcohol and was a participant in almost all offenses in the state.

Having finished work in the series in 1981, the actor has not sunk into oblivion. He continued to work for the benefit of himself and American cinema and has now achieved considerable success. Kevin has starred in many famous films:

• "Apollo 13";
• "X-Men: First Class";
• "Frost vs. Nixon";
• "This foolish love".

This is not a complete list of his works. Thanks to his talent and hard work, Kevin Bacon can be proud of the star laid in his honor on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Paul Wesley's film debut

In 1999, the film Guiding Light, whose actors and roles were already remembered and loved by the audience, needed fresh strength. The writers introduced a new character. He is played by Paul Wesley. Getting a role in the series for him was a real success. He was 17 when filming started.

A high school student came to the casting in the series "Guiding Light", the actors of which have already shone on the blue screens of the country. What was his joy when it turned out that he was suitable for the role of Max Nickerson.

For the sake of working on the series, he had to leave his native school and transfer to Lakewood Prep in Howell. The need for translation was due to the fact that studying at a new school made it possible to combine lessons and an acting career. Paul worked on the show until 2001.

During this time, he managed to finish a semester at Rutgers University College, where he entered in 2000. The training did not last long due to the fallen glory. Directors noticed him. After receiving several roles, the actor decided that further education was not needed.

For his role in the series, Paul Wesley wins the YoungStar Awards for Best Young Actor in a Daytime TV Series.

Matt Bomer in Guiding Light

Matt Bomer moved to New York after graduation, where he attended various auditions and auditions. Among others was the selection in the film "Guidinglight". The actors of the series had by that time become the favorites of the public, and Matt himself. After passing the casting, the actor joined the film family for three years.

The process of filming took almost all the time and effort of the actor. So Matt had to quit his part-time job. He served as a courier in one of the twin towers. Thus, it can be said that the series saved his life. After all, the dismissal took place shortly before the sad events of September 11.

In addition, the series brought the actor his first popularity. She had a positive impact on his future work. He was invited to other projects.

Guiding Light - Little Life

The actors lived a little life while the film "Guiding Light" was filmed. The roles performed by them did not go unnoticed by viewers. Most of the actors have been on set for years.

During the filming of the film, they did not just become a team. The actors became related and became one. It is unlikely that any of them regrets that they once agreed to participate in the project.

American actress Beth Chamberlin spent 20 years working on the show. The award for the role of Beth Bauer was a nomination for a Daytime Emmy Award. The actress worked in the project from 1989 until its closure in 2009.

Robert Newman and Kevin Bacon starred in the film. Their work on the series lasted 25 years. For Kevin Bacon, it was, again, his film debut.

Last role of Mary Stewart

Filming in the series "Guiding Light" actors did not always start their careers. For the famous American actress andsinger Mary Stuart role in the series was the last. The beginning of her career as an actress dates back to 1940. Starting with episodic roles, she did not give up and achieved popularity.

The actress gave the last 6 years of her life to the Guiding Light project. Mary passed away in 2002.

Kim Zimmer and James Earl Jones in Guiding Light

Actress Kim Zimmer owes Guiding Light three Emmy awards. She was named Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1985, 1987 and 1990. Kim joined the series in 1983 and starred until 1990. After a five-year hiatus, she returned to the series again. Kim left the project only in 2009 due to its closure.

It's hard to imagine, but actor James Earl Jones, famous for voicing Mufasa in the cartoons "The Lion King" and "Garfield" and Darth Vader in the cult movie "Star Wars", also could not pass by the series. He worked there in 1966. It is also interesting that he became the first African American who was entrusted with a non-episode role in the series.

In 2009, the audience's interest in the film faded significantly. In this regard, it was decided to complete the project. For a long 57 years, the creators of the Guiding Light project captivated the minds of viewers. Actors and roles in it remained in the memory and hearts of the audience for many years. Nowadays, everyone can find a series on the Internet and enjoy watching.