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It is with a very heavy heart that I report on the death of Agnes Nixon, 93. She was one of the pioneering writers of soap opera, forming her craft under the tutelage of lrna Phillips who created Guiding Light. See below for more on Irna Phillips.

Agnes Nixon created All My Children and One Life to Live. She remained a very active force on the show's production for the life of both shows, which ran for over 40 years each, and touched the heart of all her cast and crew.

I had the opportunity to meet Ms. Nixon once or twice at events like the Daytime Emmy's over the years, and shake her hand. She was always extremely gracious and kind.

Back around 1995 or so, I asked All My Children star, Michael E. Knight (Tad Martin), how old Agnes Nixon was at that time, as she was still very involved in the show's production. "Well, that's just it," he replied. "She looks so much younger than she is."

According to a report by TMZ, Nixon's son said she had just finished writing her memoir, "My Life to Live," last week. The 5th anniversary of the last airing of All My Children was likewise last week.

Today, TVLINE caught up with Susan Lucci, who played the feisty and insatiable Erica Kane on All My Children. Lucci's parting comment was: "...one more thing. Because this is Agnes. When Bobby spoke to me, I wanted to personally put a small tribute to her on my personal [Instagram] account. So I had my autobiography with me today — I was in meetings — and I knew there was a wonderful picture of Agnes and me in there together. During one of those meetings, we had spoken of it... I knew when I got back in the car, I was going to take my phone out and take a picture of the picture so I could post whenever Bobby told me that it would be OK to do that. So I got in the car and I took my book in my hand and it fell open to the picture of Agnes and me. And that is Agnes. That was Agnes smiling on me, Agnes and her Irish superstition and her spirit and the little elf in her. That was Agnes, letting me know she was still with me."

"I am devastated to learn that we have lost Agnes. I adored her and admired her--and I am forever grateful to her! May this liveliest and loveliest of women rest in peace," Lucci posted on Instagram.

All My Children's Walt Willey (Jackson Montgomery) had this to say about his former boss via Facebook: "Agnes Nixon was, to me, the epitome of class, erudition, and grace. Though tiny in stature, her creative genius filled her with a glow that fairly shown around her. She always had time for her actors, her 'children,' and truly loved them. She was tough and honest and I cherish every moment I ever spent in discussion with Agnes or just observing her as everyone in the room came to her as if to a most benign monarch. Agnes, you honored and delighted me every time we had anything to do with one another. You will be greatly missed."

"The Great and the Least,
The Rich and the Poor,
The Weak and the Strong,
In Sickness and in Health,
In Joy and Sorrow,
In Tragedy and Triumph,
You are ALL MY CHILDREN."

Nixon, whose poem above formed the basis for All My Children, died from complications of Parkinson's and pneumonia at her home in Pennsylvania Wednesday morning, September 28, 2016. She was 93 years old.

RIP Agnes Nixon. Your legacy lives on...

More comments on the death of All My Children and One Life to Live creator, Agnes Nixon, who passed away this morning at age 93...

Josh Duhamel (who won a Daytime Emmy Award for his role as Leo du Pres on All My Children), "Sad to hear of the passing of Agnes Nixon. I'm thankful everyday that she created ALL MY CHILDREN and the character that gave me my first shot in the business. She will be missed."

Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, General Hospital), "1st pro acting job was on #OLTL Where would I've begun without her? #AgnesNixon May she live on after death like any great soap character."

Aiden Turner (Aidan, All My Children) " Sad to hear of the passing of #agnesnixon. It was an honor to be "one of her children" thank you for all the memories ."

Robin Strasser (Dorian Lord, One Life to Live), "Few can match the accomplishments of #AgnesNixon Her genius was a gift to many! She was generous, exacting, imaginative! Truly incomparable!"

Eden Riegel (Bianca Kane, the first gay character to kiss a same sex partner in daytime history), "So sad to hear that Agnes Nixon has passed away. She told stories that made the world better. She touched our humanity. I will miss her. "

Cameron Mathison (Ryan Lavery, All My Children), "RIP Agnes Nixon. It was such a pleasure to know you and be a part of your Pine Valley family. "

Bryan Cranston. "I am saddened to hear of the passing of #AgnesNixon. Talented and kind, she gave me my start 33 yrs ago on "Loving." Sweet passage dear one."

About Irna Phillips, the mother of the modern serialized drama and Agnes Nixon mentor:

Phillips created (and co-created) radio and TV soap operas including:
Painted Dreams (radio 1930–1932)
Guiding Light (radio 1937–1956, television 1952–2009)
The Road of Life (radio 1937–1959, television 1954)
Young Dr. Malone (radio 1939–1960, television 1958–1963)
The Brighter Day (radio 1948–1956, television 1954–1962)
These Are My Children (1949)
As the World Turns (1956–2010) a sister show to Guiding Light (character crossovers)
Another World (1964–1999) a sister show to As the World Turns (character crossovers)
Our Private World (1965) a spinoff of As The World Turns
Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (1967–1973)

Phillips also was a creative consultant on Peyton Place (1964–1969), and was an unofficial consultant on A World Apart, which was created by her adopted daughter Katherine. Irna Phillips was also a story editor on Days of Our Lives.

Phillips was also the mentor to Agnes Nixon, the creator of All My Children and One Life to Live, William J. Bell, the creator of The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, and James Lipton who acted for over ten years on "The Guiding Light" and was head writer for "Another World", "The Edge of Night", "The Guiding Light", "Return to Peyton Place" and the creator of "The Best of Everything" and "Capitol."

 

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