Who’s Still Alive From ‘Ryan’s Hope’?
When Ryan’s Hope premiered on July 7, 1975, it felt like something entirely new in the world of daytime TV. Instead of documenting the flashy problems of wealthy clans, the show, created by Claire Labine and Paul Avila Mayer, followed the ups and downs of a working-class Irish-American family living in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, focusing on tight-knit families, tangled romances and shifting generational values.
Over its 13-year run, Ryan’s Hope gave rise to some breakout stars. Now, as the beloved soap celebrates 50 years since its inception, it’s a perfect time to catch up with some of the standout performers who are still with us:
Kelli Maroney (59)
Kimberly Harris
ABC/Everett Collection; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Kelli Maroney may have started off charming soap fans as Kimberly Harris on Ryan’s Hope, but her career quickly took a turn toward cult-classic films. After leaving the show in the early ’80s, she made her mark in memorable roles like Cindy in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Samantha in the sci-fi favorite Night of the Comet. Fans of ’80s horror and B-movies know her well from Chopping Mall and The Zero Boys, where she became a bona fide scream queen.
While she never completely left the spotlight, Maroney carved out a unique place in genre circles, often appearing at fan conventions and in documentaries like In Search of Darkness. Over the years, she’s popped up in everything from Murder, She Wrote to True Blood and is still acting today in indie films and short features, often nodding to her horror roots.
Kate Mulgrew (70)
Mary Ryan
ABC/Everett Collection; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Kate Mulgrew made her TV debut as Mary Ryan, the fiery daughter in Ryan’s Hope. She was cast at just 20 years old and quickly became a fan favorite. After leaving the soap in 1978, she never slowed down. She headlined her own spin-off, Mrs. Columbo, appeared in countless TV dramas, and eventually made history in Star Trek: Voyager as the first female captain to lead a Star Trek series.
More recently, she earned new acclaim as Red in Orange Is the New Black, a role that earned her an Emmy nomination and introduced her to a whole new generation of fans. Mulgrew has also remained active in theater, published two memoirs and returned to her Star Trek roots in Star Trek: Prodigy. Off-screen, she’s been an advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness and women’s rights.
Daniel Hugh Kelly (72)
Frank Ryan
Everett Collection; Valerie Macon/Getty Images
Long before he was known for Hardcastle and McCormick, Daniel Hugh Kelly brought charm to the role of Frank Ryan, a role he played from 1978 to 1981, serving as one of the show’s most popular recasts. After leaving the series, Kelly moved fluidly between TV, film and theater, landing lead roles in shows like I Married Dora, Second Noah and the prequel western Ponderosa.
Fans of cult classics might also remember him in Cujo or Star Trek: Insurrection, while others saw him turn up in dozens of guest roles, from The West Wing to Supernatural. In the late 2000s, he returned to daytime TV on As the World Turns as the mysterious Col. Winston Mayer.
Louise Shaffer (82)
Rae Woodard
Everett Collection
Louise Shaffer brought a powerful presence to Ryan’s Hope as the ambitious Rae Woodard. She played Rae from 1977 to 1984 and returned for the show’s final episode in 1989. Shaffer’s performance earned her two Daytime Emmy nominations, and she took home the award in 1983.
After her run on Ryan’s Hope, she shifted behind the scenes and became a successful scriptwriter for shows like General Hospital, Loving and As the World Turns. In recent decades, she’s also built a career as a novelist, publishing several books including The Ladies of Garrison Gardens.
Ilene Kristen (72)
Delia Reid Ryan
Everett Collection; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for NATAS
Ilene Kristen was Delia Reid Ryan, the fiery and often hilarious troublemaker of the series. She originated the role in 1975 and returned multiple times throughout the show’s run, making Delia one of the most unforgettable characters in soap history. After Ryan’s Hope, Kristen found lasting success on One Life to Live as Roxy Balsom, a similarly bold and messy character who earned her two Daytime Emmy nominations. She’s remained active in theater, digital series, music and even reprised Delia on General Hospital decades later, reintroducing the character to a new audience.
Remind 
Best in Soaps
June 2017
A sudsy issue that celebrates all your favorite soaps and stars that have kept us hooked for years!
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