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: