Emily McLaughlin was an American actress who is best known for her role as Jessie Brewer on General Hospital, The Twilight Zone, and Young Doctor Malone.
Personal and Family Life
Emily McLaughlin was born on December 1, 1928, in White Plains, New York. She was married twice, first to Robert Lansing from 1956 until their divorce in 1968, with whom she had one child, and later to actor Jeffrey Hunter in 1969, though their marriage lasted only four months due to his untimely death. She also had two children, Robert Lansing, Jr. and Mary Ann Anderson. Emily studied drama and dance under renowned instructors Sanford Meisner and Martha Graham.
Career Highlights
Known as the “Queen of Daytime Soaps,” McLaughlin was a prominent figure in soap opera history, having been a founding cast member of General Hospital since its premiere in 1963 and speaking its first line. Her negotiations with ABC-TV in the 1960s were pivotal in securing billing rights for actors in daytime serials. Though her role diminished in the late 1980s, she remained a beloved star in the industry until her final appearance in February 1991.
Death and Legacy
Emily McLaughlin passed away on April 26, 1991, in Los Angeles due to cancer. Her legacy in daytime television is notable, with a career spanning nearly three decades on General Hospital, where she left an indelible mark on the genre. She was honored with a caricature at the Brown Derby in Hollywood in 1988, becoming the first daytime actress to receive this accolade.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Twilight Zone | 1959-10-02 | Doris Richards |
| Young Doctor Malone | 1958-12-29 |