Dixie Cooney Martin
Encyclopedia
Dixie Cooney Martin is a fictional character
from the American daytime drama All My Children
. The character's run lasted from July 1988 to June 1996, again from July 3, 1998 to February 26, 2002, from December 23, 2005 to January 31, 2007 with appearances from May to June 2008 and April 2010 before returning on May 17, 2011. Initially portrayed by actress Kari Gibson from July to October 1988, Dixie was portrayed for most of her existence on the show by actress Cady McClain
.
The decision to kill off the character in 2007 attracted much criticism and controversy, with TV Guide
being dismayed by the choice and calling her what was the heart and soul of the show.
McClain was eventually brought back to the series, but as a ghost. Her return was on May 2, 2008 and lasted through June 12, 2008. McClain recently returned to All My Children on March 4, 2010. McClain's short return ended and last aired on April 20, 2010. On April 25, 2011, it was announced that McClain would reprise her role of Dixie full time on a contract basis as a series regular beginning in the spring of 2011. Her first airdate was May 17, 2011.
Dixie was a sympathetic character and the niece of industrialist Palmer Cortlandt
(James Mitchell
). She was first married to villainous billionaire and Cortlandt's arch-enemy Adam Chandler
(David Canary
) in 1989 after giving birth to their son, Adam Chandler Jr.
, but the marriage was not happy and they divorced in late 1989. Dixie then married Tad Martin
in December 1989, but after repeated misunderstandings brought on by Palmer, as well as Tad's biological mother Opal Gardner
(at the time Palmer and Opal were dating, they later married and divorced), Tad and Dixie separated. At first they realized their break up was a mistake, but Tad had a one night stand with Brooke English
and Dixie found out. Hurt, Dixie divorced Tad. But even the divorce did not keep them apart, and they reconciled. Tad proposed again and they planned to remarry. On the day of the wedding, Tad was lured into the woods by Billy Clyde Tuggle, and Tuggle tried to kill him, but both characters fell from the bridge fighting and into the raging river. Both were presumed dead, although Tuggle was the only body to be pulled from the river.
Soon after, Brooke learned as a result of her liaison with Tad, that she was pregnant. Early in 1991, she gave birth to a son, Jamie Martin. Dixie remarried in 1991 to Craig Lawson, a Pine Valley businessman, but this union quickly collapsed and by the Spring of 1992 they had divorced. Later in 1992, Dixie married the much younger Brian Bodine, but this was not a happy union either. Later that same year, Brian was arrested for murdering Dixie's brother, Will, and this led to the couple's divorce in 1993.
. Tad regained his memory, but as usual he and Dixie crossed wires and ruined their chances at a happy reunion. He soon married Brooke English, his former lover and mother of his son Jamie. But Tad and Brooke were not an ideal couple and soon separated. Tad had an affair with Dixie again and in 1994 he divorced Brooke and remarried Dixie. Tad and Dixie were quite happy at first, but Tad had an affair with his old girlfriend, Liza Colby and Adam Jr., now 8 years old, saw Tad kissing Liza. He told Dixie and she packed her things, took Adam Jr. and left Pine Valley, but not before getting a quick divorce from Tad.
. could see his father more. Tad made a play for her and soon Tad and Dixie were an item again. Tad asked Dixie to marry him and in August 1999 Tad and Dixie married a third time. This marriage was much happier than their first two marriages. Tad's son Jamie came to live with them and Adam Jr., now referred to as Junior, and Jamie became very close and developed a brotherly relationship which as of 2007 still lasts. But Dixie's medical health hit a decline. She suffered kidney failure and miscarried her and Tad's baby in 2000. The miscarriage devastated her and Tad was little comfort;, he had not cared for the baby, knowing the risk having a baby was to Dixie's health.
Late in 2001 Tad and Dixie separated again. In January Dixie had a one night stand with Dr. David Hayward
then fled to Jamaica. Here she got a "quickie" overnight divorce from Tad. But Dixie resented this and went back to Pine Valley to beg forgiveness. Tad forgave her and they had a night of passionate sex
. Afterwards Tad and Dixie made plans to marry again but Dixie learned she was pregnant. Knowing Tad would not want her to have a baby due to the risk it would be to Dixie's health, she fled Pine Valley on February 28, 2002 and went to a special clinic in Switzerland
for the birth. In May she finally wrote to Tad informing him of her pregnancy and Tad made plans to fetch her home. But then tragedy struck. On May 10, 2002 while driving to the airport in the rain Dixie lost control of her car and went over a cliff. The car wreckage was found the next day but no trace of Dixie's body was found. After a long search Dixie and her unborn baby were declared dead. Tad and J.R were devastated. On May 22, 2002, all of Pine Valley held a memorial service in honor of Dixie.
In February 2006, Dixie returned to Pine Valley and hid from Tad while there was an explosion at Erica Kane's ball. Then she went to Wildwind, where her half-sister, Di Henry
(Kelli Giddish
), was staying. Dixie confronted her about stealing her life, which she did. It was revealed that Dixie's daughter Kate survived the accident as well, but that Dr. Greg Madden (Ian Buchanan
) was responsible for coercing Dixie into giving her up for adoption. She and Tad finally met face to face on April 14, 2006. Dixie and J.R. met face to face a week later. At first everyone was bitter, and Tad turned completely against her when he learned about her giving away their baby. Dixie became close friends with Zach Slater
and Zach pledged to help her find Kate.
On July 4, 2006 Dr. Madden was found murdered in Pine Valley Park and in August Zach and Dixie were arrested and charged with the crime. While several people in Pine Valley had a reason to hate and kill Madden, Zach and Dixie were the main suspects. To make things even worse, Tad Martin was the court's key witness against Dixie and Zach. Dixie and Zach falsely claimed to have an "affair" as their alibi. Kendall Hart Slater really found Dixie in bed with her husband, exacerbating the already wide rift between them. On October 5, Zach and Dixie were acquitted and Zach reconciled with Kendall. Tad and Dixie soon got close again.
to die, but fourth total. It was later revealed in April 2009 by Alexander that he did not make the attempt on Dixie's life.
On January 31, 2007, before moving on to the afterlife
, Dixie saw Tad in the park with Kathy Mershon (a child who had recently been given to the custody of Julia Santos
), and immediately recognized the girl as her long-lost daughter Kate. Delighted at the sight of Tad playing with her daughter—who was clearly safe and completely healthy—Dixie was able to leave her earthly life behind her, content and satisfied.
It was reported that Dixie would return to the show for a short stint to help Tad reunite with their daughter, Kate. McClain returned to the role on May 2, 2008. She again departed on June 12, 2008.
It had also been revealed that Dixie might not have died from the Satin Slayer; Tad and JR search for the person who actually committed the crime. Their search was pushed aside when other story lines came about, at the time of the investigation it was hypothesized that Adam Chandler was trying to kill Babe with the poisoned pancakes.
In March 2010, McClain again returned to the role as Dixie on March 4, 2010. Her short-stint ended on April 20, 2010. In April 2010, Dixie's beloved Uncle Palmer passed away. Dixie welcomed him into Heaven.
On May 17, 2011, Dixie is revealed to be alive again, this time in an undisclosed location. In July, it is revealed that David Hayward has been keeping Dixie and allowing her loved ones to believe that she is dead. Dixie is being kept at the same location as Erica Kane, who is being held captive, by an insane fan. Dixie soon escapes and heads to Pine Valley where she is seen by her daughter Kathy and Brot. A blind Angie encounters Dixie and feels an immediate connection to her. On July 22, 2011 a drunken JR comes across Dixie in the park. Brot takes Dixie to be evaluated at Oak Haven but she escapes with the help of fellow residents Marian Chandler, Janet Dillon
, and Annie Lavery
. There she sees friend Erica Kane
who is of course very surprised to see her. She then goes to Erica's daughter Kendall Slater's house with Janet and Marian. After she hears David Hayward
's name she runs out. She eventually ends up in the park where she comes upon Tad, thus reuniting the couple for the first time in four years. On August 10 2011 Dixie meets Tad's wife Cara Castillo Martin. On August 11 2011 David finds her in the park and tries to get her. Dixie is shocked to learn that JR is drinking again, which he attributes to her absence. She briefly meets her son's ex-wife Marissa Tasker
but has not been formally introduced to her seven-year-old grandson A.J onscreen. On August 23 2011 Dixie sees Amanda Martin and Angie Hubbard at Tad's house.
Dixie and Tad become engaged on September 21, 2011.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the American daytime drama 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...
. The character's run lasted from July 1988 to June 1996, again from July 3, 1998 to February 26, 2002, from December 23, 2005 to January 31, 2007 with appearances from May to June 2008 and April 2010 before returning on May 17, 2011. Initially portrayed by actress Kari Gibson from July to October 1988, Dixie was portrayed for most of her existence on the show by actress Cady McClain
Cady McClain
Cady McClain is an American actress, singer, and author.-Early career:McClain's professional acting career began in 1979 at the age of 10, when she was featured in a commercial for Band-Aid bandages....
.
The decision to kill off the character in 2007 attracted much criticism and controversy, with TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
being dismayed by the choice and calling her what was the heart and soul of the show.
McClain was eventually brought back to the series, but as a ghost. Her return was on May 2, 2008 and lasted through June 12, 2008. McClain recently returned to All My Children on March 4, 2010. McClain's short return ended and last aired on April 20, 2010. On April 25, 2011, it was announced that McClain would reprise her role of Dixie full time on a contract basis as a series regular beginning in the spring of 2011. Her first airdate was May 17, 2011.
Character history
Dixie Cooney came to Pine Valley in a truck with her brother, Will Cooney, in search of their Uncle Pete Cooney who had made a “name” for himself after leaving Pigeon Hollow, West Virginia, years ago. Little did they know that “name” was Palmer Cortlandt, one of the Valley’s richest men. Dixie and Will found work at Cortlandt manor as a maid and stable-hand. They did not realize the identity of their new employer until both saw a face they had not seen in years, their sister: Della Cooney. Palmer welcomed them all into this house.Dixie was a sympathetic character and the niece of industrialist Palmer Cortlandt
Palmer Cortlandt
Palmer Cortlandt is a fictional character on the long-running ABC soap opera All My Children, played by James Mitchell from 1979 to 2010. A major character until 1982, when health issues forced him to reduce his work load, Mitchell continued to appear regularly on the show until May 2007 when he...
(James Mitchell
James Mitchell (actor)
James Mitchell was an American actor and dancer. Although he is best known to television audiences as Palmer Cortlandt on the soap opera All My Children , theatre and dance historians remember him as one of Agnes de Mille's leading dancers...
). She was first married to villainous billionaire and Cortlandt's arch-enemy Adam Chandler
Adam Chandler
Adam Chandler, Sr. is a fictional character from the daytime drama All My Children, portrayed by David Canary from December 1983 through his departure on April 23, 2010. Adam Chandler was one of the most devious and powerful individuals within the town of Pine Valley, Pennsylvania...
(David Canary
David Canary
David Hoyt Canary is an American actor, who starred in both soap operas and prime time television. He is best known for his roles as the ranch foreman, Candy Canaday on Bonanza and identical twins Adam Chandler from 1983 to 2010 and Stuart Chandler from 1984 to 2009 on the daytime serial, All My...
) in 1989 after giving birth to their son, Adam Chandler Jr.
J.R. Chandler
Adam "JR" Chandler, Jr. is a fictional character from the daytime drama All My Children. He was portrayed by actor Jacob Young. Since his teenage years, the character has been commonly known by the nickname "JR", a variation of the suffix "Jr." The series has altered the character's birth date...
, but the marriage was not happy and they divorced in late 1989. Dixie then married Tad Martin
Tad Martin
Thaddeus James "Tad" Martin is a fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children. Tad is portrayed by actor Michael E. Knight. Knight has portrayed the role on and off from 1982 until the series finale in 2011. Tad represents the good on the show All My Children, often butting...
in December 1989, but after repeated misunderstandings brought on by Palmer, as well as Tad's biological mother Opal Gardner
Opal Cortlandt
Opal Sue Cortlandt is a fictional character on ABC's daytime drama All My Children. She was portrayed by Dorothy Lyman from 1981 to 1983, but is most notable for being portrayed by Jill Larson since December 13, 1989...
(at the time Palmer and Opal were dating, they later married and divorced), Tad and Dixie separated. At first they realized their break up was a mistake, but Tad had a one night stand with Brooke English
Brooke English
Brooke Allison English is a fictional character on the television soap opera All My Children. After being originated by Elissa Leeds in 1976, she was portrayed by Julia Barr from 1976 to 1981 and from 1982 to 2006. Harriet Hall temporarily played the role in 1981...
and Dixie found out. Hurt, Dixie divorced Tad. But even the divorce did not keep them apart, and they reconciled. Tad proposed again and they planned to remarry. On the day of the wedding, Tad was lured into the woods by Billy Clyde Tuggle, and Tuggle tried to kill him, but both characters fell from the bridge fighting and into the raging river. Both were presumed dead, although Tuggle was the only body to be pulled from the river.
Soon after, Brooke learned as a result of her liaison with Tad, that she was pregnant. Early in 1991, she gave birth to a son, Jamie Martin. Dixie remarried in 1991 to Craig Lawson, a Pine Valley businessman, but this union quickly collapsed and by the Spring of 1992 they had divorced. Later in 1992, Dixie married the much younger Brian Bodine, but this was not a happy union either. Later that same year, Brian was arrested for murdering Dixie's brother, Will, and this led to the couple's divorce in 1993.
Dixie from 1993-1996
Dixie got the shock of her life when she learned Tad was still alive and had been living in California as Ted Orsini. He had suffered amnesiaAmnesia
Amnesia is a condition in which one's memory is lost. The causes of amnesia have traditionally been divided into categories. Memory appears to be stored in several parts of the limbic system of the brain, and any condition that interferes with the function of this system can cause amnesia...
. Tad regained his memory, but as usual he and Dixie crossed wires and ruined their chances at a happy reunion. He soon married Brooke English, his former lover and mother of his son Jamie. But Tad and Brooke were not an ideal couple and soon separated. Tad had an affair with Dixie again and in 1994 he divorced Brooke and remarried Dixie. Tad and Dixie were quite happy at first, but Tad had an affair with his old girlfriend, Liza Colby and Adam Jr., now 8 years old, saw Tad kissing Liza. He told Dixie and she packed her things, took Adam Jr. and left Pine Valley, but not before getting a quick divorce from Tad.
Dixie 1998-2002
In 1998 Dixie returned to Pine Valley so that Adam JrJ.R. Chandler
Adam "JR" Chandler, Jr. is a fictional character from the daytime drama All My Children. He was portrayed by actor Jacob Young. Since his teenage years, the character has been commonly known by the nickname "JR", a variation of the suffix "Jr." The series has altered the character's birth date...
. could see his father more. Tad made a play for her and soon Tad and Dixie were an item again. Tad asked Dixie to marry him and in August 1999 Tad and Dixie married a third time. This marriage was much happier than their first two marriages. Tad's son Jamie came to live with them and Adam Jr., now referred to as Junior, and Jamie became very close and developed a brotherly relationship which as of 2007 still lasts. But Dixie's medical health hit a decline. She suffered kidney failure and miscarried her and Tad's baby in 2000. The miscarriage devastated her and Tad was little comfort;, he had not cared for the baby, knowing the risk having a baby was to Dixie's health.
Late in 2001 Tad and Dixie separated again. In January Dixie had a one night stand with Dr. David Hayward
David Hayward
Dr. David Hayward is a fictional character from the ABC daytime drama All My Children, as portrayed by Vincent Irizarry from: November 27, 1997 - March 2, 1998, July 8, 1998 - November 28, 2006, October 23, 2008 - September 13, 2010, and returned on November 22, 2010.The character has been a top...
then fled to Jamaica. Here she got a "quickie" overnight divorce from Tad. But Dixie resented this and went back to Pine Valley to beg forgiveness. Tad forgave her and they had a night of passionate sex
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
. Afterwards Tad and Dixie made plans to marry again but Dixie learned she was pregnant. Knowing Tad would not want her to have a baby due to the risk it would be to Dixie's health, she fled Pine Valley on February 28, 2002 and went to a special clinic in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
for the birth. In May she finally wrote to Tad informing him of her pregnancy and Tad made plans to fetch her home. But then tragedy struck. On May 10, 2002 while driving to the airport in the rain Dixie lost control of her car and went over a cliff. The car wreckage was found the next day but no trace of Dixie's body was found. After a long search Dixie and her unborn baby were declared dead. Tad and J.R were devastated. On May 22, 2002, all of Pine Valley held a memorial service in honor of Dixie.
Return from the grave
In 2005 Dixie's half sister Di Henry came to Pine Valley. No one there knew her so she convinced everyone she was really Dixie. She told an amazing story about surviving the car crash and that she had been living in secret in Switzerland for the past four years. Her plan worked at first but she began to fall in love with Tad and became attached to Junior, now called J.R. She and J.R. bonded and became close. But in October Di's lies were found out and everyone turned against her. On Christmas Eve in 2005 it was revealed that Dixie herself was still alive and Di knew this all along.In February 2006, Dixie returned to Pine Valley and hid from Tad while there was an explosion at Erica Kane's ball. Then she went to Wildwind, where her half-sister, Di Henry
Di Henry
Diana "Di" Henry was a fictional character on ABC's daytime drama All My Children. She was portrayed by Kelli Giddish from March 15, 2005 to September 19, 2007...
(Kelli Giddish
Kelli Giddish
Kelli Giddish is an American actress. She is known for her role as Diana Henry on the ABC's daytime drama All My Children . She is also known for her leading roles in the short-lived TV series Past Life and Chase...
), was staying. Dixie confronted her about stealing her life, which she did. It was revealed that Dixie's daughter Kate survived the accident as well, but that Dr. Greg Madden (Ian Buchanan
Ian Buchanan
Ian Buchanan is a Scottish television actor who appeared on the soap opera All My Children as Dr. Greg Madden.His first major work in the United States was playing the characters Duke Lavery on the soap General Hospital from 1986 to 1989, and Ian McFyfer in series three and four of the comedy...
) was responsible for coercing Dixie into giving her up for adoption. She and Tad finally met face to face on April 14, 2006. Dixie and J.R. met face to face a week later. At first everyone was bitter, and Tad turned completely against her when he learned about her giving away their baby. Dixie became close friends with Zach Slater
Zach Slater
Zachary "Zach" Slater is a fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children. He was portrayed by actor Thorsten Kaye from May 20, 2004 to November 19, 2010; Thorsten returned to the role on August 5, 2011 to September 23, 2011...
and Zach pledged to help her find Kate.
On July 4, 2006 Dr. Madden was found murdered in Pine Valley Park and in August Zach and Dixie were arrested and charged with the crime. While several people in Pine Valley had a reason to hate and kill Madden, Zach and Dixie were the main suspects. To make things even worse, Tad Martin was the court's key witness against Dixie and Zach. Dixie and Zach falsely claimed to have an "affair" as their alibi. Kendall Hart Slater really found Dixie in bed with her husband, exacerbating the already wide rift between them. On October 5, Zach and Dixie were acquitted and Zach reconciled with Kendall. Tad and Dixie soon got close again.
Second "death" and returns
On January 29, 2007, Dixie collapsed after eating peanut butter pancakes laced with a drug known to bring on V-Tach. She appeared to have died with Tad at her side (January 30, 2007 episode of AMC). This makes Dixie the third victim of the Satin SlayerAlexander Cambias, Sr.
Alexander Cambias, Sr. is a fictional character from the ABC daytime drama All My Children, as portrayed by Ronald Guttman, from July 23, 2003 until August 2003. Guttman returned to the role on February 23, 2007 and left April 27, 2007...
to die, but fourth total. It was later revealed in April 2009 by Alexander that he did not make the attempt on Dixie's life.
On January 31, 2007, before moving on to the afterlife
Afterlife
The afterlife is the belief that a part of, or essence of, or soul of an individual, which carries with it and confers personal identity, survives the death of the body of this world and this lifetime, by natural or supernatural means, in contrast to the belief in eternal...
, Dixie saw Tad in the park with Kathy Mershon (a child who had recently been given to the custody of Julia Santos
Julia Santos
Julia Keefer is a fictional character from the ABC daytime drama All My Children. She was portrayed by actress Sydney Penny from 1993 to 1996 as a series regular, with guest appearances in 1997 and 2002, and from 2005 to 2008...
), and immediately recognized the girl as her long-lost daughter Kate. Delighted at the sight of Tad playing with her daughter—who was clearly safe and completely healthy—Dixie was able to leave her earthly life behind her, content and satisfied.
It was reported that Dixie would return to the show for a short stint to help Tad reunite with their daughter, Kate. McClain returned to the role on May 2, 2008. She again departed on June 12, 2008.
It had also been revealed that Dixie might not have died from the Satin Slayer; Tad and JR search for the person who actually committed the crime. Their search was pushed aside when other story lines came about, at the time of the investigation it was hypothesized that Adam Chandler was trying to kill Babe with the poisoned pancakes.
In March 2010, McClain again returned to the role as Dixie on March 4, 2010. Her short-stint ended on April 20, 2010. In April 2010, Dixie's beloved Uncle Palmer passed away. Dixie welcomed him into Heaven.
On May 17, 2011, Dixie is revealed to be alive again, this time in an undisclosed location. In July, it is revealed that David Hayward has been keeping Dixie and allowing her loved ones to believe that she is dead. Dixie is being kept at the same location as Erica Kane, who is being held captive, by an insane fan. Dixie soon escapes and heads to Pine Valley where she is seen by her daughter Kathy and Brot. A blind Angie encounters Dixie and feels an immediate connection to her. On July 22, 2011 a drunken JR comes across Dixie in the park. Brot takes Dixie to be evaluated at Oak Haven but she escapes with the help of fellow residents Marian Chandler, Janet Dillon
Janet Dillon
Janet Dillon is a fictional character on the daytime soap opera All My Children...
, and Annie Lavery
Annie Lavery
Annie Novak, more commonly known as Annie Lavery , is a fictional character on ABC's daytime drama All My Children. She has been portrayed by Melissa Claire Egan since July 10, 2006...
. There she sees friend Erica Kane
Erica Kane
Erica Kane is a fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children.The character has been portrayed by actress Susan Lucci since the show first aired in January 1970, until the last broadcast television episode aired in September 2011. Erica is considered to be the most popular...
who is of course very surprised to see her. She then goes to Erica's daughter Kendall Slater's house with Janet and Marian. After she hears David Hayward
David Hayward
Dr. David Hayward is a fictional character from the ABC daytime drama All My Children, as portrayed by Vincent Irizarry from: November 27, 1997 - March 2, 1998, July 8, 1998 - November 28, 2006, October 23, 2008 - September 13, 2010, and returned on November 22, 2010.The character has been a top...
's name she runs out. She eventually ends up in the park where she comes upon Tad, thus reuniting the couple for the first time in four years. On August 10 2011 Dixie meets Tad's wife Cara Castillo Martin. On August 11 2011 David finds her in the park and tries to get her. Dixie is shocked to learn that JR is drinking again, which he attributes to her absence. She briefly meets her son's ex-wife Marissa Tasker
Marissa Tasker
Marissa Tasker is a fictional character on the soap opera All My Children She has been portrayed by actress Brittany Allen from April 21, 2009 to December 21, 2010...
but has not been formally introduced to her seven-year-old grandson A.J onscreen. On August 23 2011 Dixie sees Amanda Martin and Angie Hubbard at Tad's house.
Dixie and Tad become engaged on September 21, 2011.