Anna Stuart
Encyclopedia
Anna Stuart is an American
actress. Stuart has been primarily featured in roles in daytime soap opera
s.
.
In 1981, she filled in for Maeve Kinkead
on Guiding Light
as Vanessa Chamberlain while Kinkead was on maternity leave, and in April 2002 she filled in for former
Another World
co-star Linda Dano
as Rae Cummings on One Life to Live
while Dano was on leave.
Since 2002, she has played the role of Mary Smythe on All My Children
where she played opposite former Another World castmate Mark Pinter
. Originally only meant to be written in for a few episodes, the fan base that Stuart had earned on Another World migrated over to All My Children, and Stuart was asked back for more episodes in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2009.
In 2010, Stuart debuted on the internet based soap opera Gotham.
, which she played from 1983 to 1986 and from 1989 to 1999. Stuart took storyline dictated sabbaticals from her role as Donna in 1990 and 1993, only to return fairly quickly, as Stuart proved to be a favorite amongst fans. The role of Donna Love was as a savvy businesswoman, and was rewritten in the early 1990s to accommodate a May–December romance with Matthew Cory (Matt Crane
), which proved to be very popular. As the 1990s went on, however, the character was written in such a way that longtime viewers did not recognize Donna. Stuart was quoted in Soap Opera Digest
after Another Worlds cancellation as saying that if the show had not been canceled in 1999 when it was, she would have left the role due to her disapproval regarding her character's direction.
After the show's cancellation, Stuart, along with several other cast members played their characters on the soap opera As the World Turns
in an attempt to lure fans of Another World to watch the other soap (also a Procter & Gamble
soap).
When Stuart left the show for the first time in 1986, the role of Donna was recast with Philece Sampler
, who first became known as Renee Dumonde DiMera Banning Marshall on Days of our Lives
in the early 1980s. The recast was panned by soap periodicals and after two years, Sampler's contract was terminated when Stuart expressed interest in returning to Another World.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress. Stuart has been primarily featured in roles in daytime soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
s.
Career
Stuart got her start on The Doctors as Toni Ferra Powers, a role she played from 1971 to 1977. It was her stint on The Doctors that first made a name for Stuart in the genre. She followed up her work on The Doctors originating the role of Dr. Gina Dante Lansing on rival soap General HospitalGeneral Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
.
In 1981, she filled in for Maeve Kinkead
Maeve Kinkead
Maeve Kinkead is an American soap opera actress.- Acting :After numerous roles on stage, Kinkead's first major role was as Angie Perrini on the soap Another World. She portrayed Angie from 1975 to 1980....
on Guiding Light
Guiding Light
Guiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
as Vanessa Chamberlain while Kinkead was on maternity leave, and in April 2002 she filled in for former
Another World
Another World (TV series)
Another World is an American television soap opera that ran on NBC from May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999. It ran for a total of 35 years. It was created by Irna Phillips along with William J...
co-star Linda Dano
Linda Dano
Linda Dano is an American soap opera actress. A longtime performer in daytime dramas and a bestselling author and businesswoman, Dano was married for over 20 years to advertising executive Frank Attardi....
as Rae Cummings on One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
while Dano was on leave.
Since 2002, she has played the role of Mary Smythe on All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
where she played opposite former Another World castmate Mark Pinter
Mark Pinter
Mark Pinter is an American actor probably best known for his numerous roles in daytime soap operas.-Education:Pinter received his Master of Fine Arts from the Hilberry Repertory Theatre of Wayne State University.-Acting:...
. Originally only meant to be written in for a few episodes, the fan base that Stuart had earned on Another World migrated over to All My Children, and Stuart was asked back for more episodes in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2009.
In 2010, Stuart debuted on the internet based soap opera Gotham.
"Another World"
Stuart is most known for her role as Donna Love Hudson on Another WorldAnother World (TV series)
Another World is an American television soap opera that ran on NBC from May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999. It ran for a total of 35 years. It was created by Irna Phillips along with William J...
, which she played from 1983 to 1986 and from 1989 to 1999. Stuart took storyline dictated sabbaticals from her role as Donna in 1990 and 1993, only to return fairly quickly, as Stuart proved to be a favorite amongst fans. The role of Donna Love was as a savvy businesswoman, and was rewritten in the early 1990s to accommodate a May–December romance with Matthew Cory (Matt Crane
Matt Crane
Matthew Crane is an American actor, usually credited as Matt Crane.-Private life:He was born in Kimberton, Pennsylvania. He is the brother of Anthony Crane, former J. Crew model...
), which proved to be very popular. As the 1990s went on, however, the character was written in such a way that longtime viewers did not recognize Donna. Stuart was quoted in Soap Opera Digest
Soap Opera Digest
Soap Opera Digest is a weekly magazine covering American daytime soap operas. It features onscreen and offscreen news about the series, interviews with and articles about performers, storyline summaries and analysis, and related promotional information...
after Another Worlds cancellation as saying that if the show had not been canceled in 1999 when it was, she would have left the role due to her disapproval regarding her character's direction.
After the show's cancellation, Stuart, along with several other cast members played their characters on the soap opera As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
in an attempt to lure fans of Another World to watch the other soap (also a Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
soap).
When Stuart left the show for the first time in 1986, the role of Donna was recast with Philece Sampler
Philece Sampler
Philece P. Sampler is an American voice actress and television actress, whose credits include various characters in anime. She also goes by the aliases of Sue Beth Arden, Victoria Pryne, and Debra Cunningham...
, who first became known as Renee Dumonde DiMera Banning Marshall on Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
in the early 1980s. The recast was panned by soap periodicals and after two years, Sampler's contract was terminated when Stuart expressed interest in returning to Another World.
Television filmography
- All My ChildrenAll My ChildrenAll My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
as Mary Greenlee Smythe (2002–2005, 2009) - One Life to LiveOne Life to LiveOne Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
as Rae Cummings (April 25, 2002). Stuart appeared for only one day when former AW co-star Linda DanoLinda DanoLinda Dano is an American soap opera actress. A longtime performer in daytime dramas and a bestselling author and businesswoman, Dano was married for over 20 years to advertising executive Frank Attardi....
fell ill. - As the World TurnsAs the World TurnsAs the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
as Donna Love (1999–2002) - Another WorldAnother World (TV series)Another World is an American television soap opera that ran on NBC from May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999. It ran for a total of 35 years. It was created by Irna Phillips along with William J...
as Donna Love (1983–1986, 1989–1990, 1991–1993, 1993–1999) - Guiding LightGuiding LightGuiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
as Vanessa Chamberlain (1981). Stuart appeared for a few months while Maeve KinkeadMaeve KinkeadMaeve Kinkead is an American soap opera actress.- Acting :After numerous roles on stage, Kinkead's first major role was as Angie Perrini on the soap Another World. She portrayed Angie from 1975 to 1980....
went on maternity leave. - General HospitalGeneral HospitalGeneral Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
as Dr. Gina Dante Lansing (1977–1978) - The Doctors as Toni Ferra Powers (1971–1977)