Long Time ‘Guiding Light’ Cast Members — Find Out What Happened To The Soap Stars !
Star Kim Zimmer is still acting, this time with her real-life son!
The Guiding Light cast has enamored viewers since it’s very first episode back in 1952. This much-loved soap opera was set in the fictional Midwestern town of Springfield and originally centered on the middle-class Bauer family.
Through the years, the show expanded and added many new characters and story lines and continued to fascinate and intrigue audiences until it’s ending in 2009.
We looked back at our favorite cast members to see what they’ve been up to. Come join us for a ride down memory lane.
Kim Zimmer as Reva Shayne
Arguably one of the biggest stars in the Guiding Light cast is Kim Zimmer who played the role of Reva Shayne. She started the show in 1983 and was a regular until the show ended in 2009. She is the cast member with the most episodes… an astounding 1,945!
Prior to her start on the Guiding Light cast, Zimmer appeared in the movie Body Heat (1981) and was a series regular on the series The Doctors (she played the role of Nola Aldrich). After landing the role as Reva Shayne in Guiding Light, she continued to appear in other shows. She was a regular on the soap opera Santa Barbara (playing Jodie Walker) and on the soap opera One Life to Live.
Most recently, her acting credits include the 2019 show Venice the Series anda guest appearance in the 2022 mini-series This Show Sucks Truth + Consequences. She also appeared in the 2023 movie Bleeding Love along with her real-life son, Jake Weary.
Zimmer told People how much she enjoyed working with her son on the film and how dedicated he is as an actor. Zimmer said, “I just remember watching him work with a bunch of these little kids and he was so involved and so good with those kids and stayed in it every take. Those kids were driving you crazy, but you stuck with it!”
Beth Chamberlin as Beth Raines: Guiding Light cast
Beth Chamberlin appeared in over 1,590 episodes of the Guiding Light cast as character Beth Raines. Prior to that role, she had guest appearances on several shows including Silk Stalkings, Days of our Lives and Columbo.
But it was her long-last role in Guiding Light that made her a well-known actress. She appeared on the show from 1989 to its ending in 2009. She received an Emmy award for her role. In addition to Guiding Light, Chamberlin had guest appearances in several shows including Blue Bloods, Law & Order and House of Cards. Most recently she was in the show Venice the Series and La Reina del Sur (2022-23)
In addition to acting, Chamberlin is the producer and star of The Kettlebell Way, series of exercise DVDs.
MUST READ: ‘Days of Our Lives’ Star Stacy Haiduk Dishes on Her Characters Kristen and Susan
Maureen Garrett as Holly Norris
Maureen Garrett landed her role as Holly Norris in 1976 and has been on an astounding 1,200 episodes of Guiding Light. In addition to that soap opera, Garret was also a regular on the soap opera Ryan’s Hope in which she played the role of Elizabeth Jane Ryan from 1981-2. She also appeared in the TV movies The Audrey Hepburn Story and A Wedding Story: Josh and Reva.
Garrett and her partner, Janet Morgan, share three sons.
Robert Newman as Joshua Lewis: Guiding Light cast
The dashing Robert Newman joined the cast of Guiding Light in 1980, where he stayed for over 25 years and appeared in 879 episodes, playing the character of Joshua Lewis. Prior to that role, he had a guest appearance on another soap opera, General Hospital.
But it was his role as Joshua Lewis in Guiding Light that anchored his career; he won two Emmy awards. While in that role, he also had other acting jobs including playing Kirk Cranston on Santa Barbara and he had guest appearances on shows like Hunter.
After Guiding Light ended in 2009, he continued to act and had guest appearances in shows like NCIS before landing regular roles in Venice the Series and The Young and the Restless. His most recent acting credits including guest spots in Law & Order and appearing in the 2023 movie Mystic Christmas.
Beth Ehlers as Harley Cooper
In 1987 Beth Ehlers landed the role of Harley Cooper and she was in over 650 episodes during her long career with the show. Prior to that, Ehlers was in the TV show The Best Times and appeared in several movies including The Hunger and Hiding Out. After leaving Guiding Light in 2008, she transferred to the show All My Children where she played the role of Taylor Thompson. From there she appeared in the series River Ridge as Coryn Foster. Most recently, she’s been in the podcast series Forever and a Day as Melanie Walters.
MUST READ: Eva LaRue Talks New ‘General Hospital’ Character, ‘All My Children’ Reboot & More!
Frank Dicopoulos as Frank Cooper, Jr.: Guiding Light cast
Like Beth Ehlers, Frank Dicopoulos joined the cast of Guiding Light in 1987. He played the role of Frank Cooper, Jr. for 568 episodes. Prior to that, he had guest appearances on shows like Falcon Crest and Dynasty. But it was Guiding Light that put him on the map.
While playing Frank Cooper, Jr. he had appearances in the film Surrender and the TV movie Murder in Black and White. After Guiding Light ended, he had a part in the 2016 movie Chuck and then landed a regular role as Andrew Rutledge in the podcast Forever and a Day.
Ron Raines as Alan Spaulding
Ron Raines joined Guiding Light in 1986 and played the role of Alan Spaulding for 556 episodes, until the show ended in 2009. After that, he continued to act and had parts in One Life to Live, Beacon Hill, and the Blacklist. His most recent acting appearance was in a 2022 episode of The Guilded Age.
Michael O’Leary as Dr. Rick Bauer: Guiding Light cast
Joining the cast of Guiding Light in 1983, Michael O’Leary played the role of Dr. Rick Bauer for 536 episodes. Prior to Guiding Light, O’Leary had guest appearances in CHiPs, Greatest American Hero, and Gimme a Break! Of course, he was most well-known for his role as the Dr. Rick Bauer in Guiding Light.
While playing that role, he also continued to act in other shows including guest appearances in Law & Order and Doogie Howser M.D. When Guiding Light ended in 2009, O’Leary continued to get bit parts in shows like New Amsterdam, FBI and Venice the Series.
His most recent acting credit was in the 2023 series Terror Lake Drive.
MUST READ: ‘Gimme a Break!’ cast: Surprising Facts About Nell Carter and her TV Family
Grant Aleksander as Phillip Spaulding
Joining the Guiding Light cast in 1983, Grant Aleksander played the dashing Phillip Spaulding for 532 episodes. In addition to playing that part, Aleksander also played the role of Alec McIntyre in All My Children. He also had guest appearances in other shows including Hardcastle and McCormick, The Fall Guy and Capitol.
After Guiding Light ended in 2009, Aleksander played the role of Adam Clark in the series Tainted Dreams.
Justin Deas as Frank ‘Buzz’ Cooper, Sr.: Guiding Light cast
Justin Deas joined the Guiding Light cast in 1992 and played the part of Frank ‘Buzz’ Cooper, Sr. While in that role, he had appearances in several films including The Drum Beats Twice, Polycarp and iMurders.
After Guiding Light ended in 2009, Deas continue to act and appeared in several movies including The Price for Freedom, Cries of the Unborn and his most recent film, 2019’s The American Criminal.
For all things Soap Opera, click here!
