Leah Laiman
Encyclopedia
Leah Laiman is an American soap opera
writer and romance novel
ist.
's Head Writer
, Pat Falken Smith
, quit the show with the entire writing team. Aiming for more control, the Executive Producer
, Gloria Monty
, decided to replace Falken Smith and her team with daytime novices and hired Laiman, along with novelist Thom Racina
. The pair began working on the show during its heyday, leading up to Luke Spencer
and Laura Webber
's widely publicized 1981 wedding, which famously included Elizabeth Taylor
at her own request. After three years on GH, Laiman followed Racina to Days of our Lives
to work with Sheri Anderson
where the three wrote Bo and Hope's marriage in England, co-created the character of Steve "Patch" Johnson
and John Black
.
In 1986, Laiman became head writer and created the character of Jack Deveraux
and developed the popular romance of Steve Johnson and Kayla Brady
. After Days of our Lives, Laiman moved to One Life to Live, where she stayed as staff writer from 1990 through 1997 and served as head writer from 1990 to 1991 and then again from 1996 to 1997. In 1998, she took a job at the ailing NBC Daytime
serial Another World
. She and executive producer Christopher Goutman
were credited by some with improving the show, but ultimately the show was cancelled in June 1999.
Her next job was at As the World Turns
. Behind the scenes conditions quickly deteriorated when Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin
, Executive in Charge of Production for the show, pressured Laiman to write many storylines that she didn't want to write. In 2000, Laiman was fired from ATWT and turned to writing novels for five years. Laiman was rehired on As the World Turns in 2005 as an associate head writer.
As the World Turns
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Guiding Light
One Life to Live
Writers Guild of America Award
NOMINATIONS
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,...
writer and romance novel
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
ist.
Background
This Emmy Award winning writer got her start on daytime television during the early 1980s when 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....
's Head Writer
Head writer
A head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an...
, Pat Falken Smith
Pat Falken Smith
Patricia Falken Smith was a television writer, most famous for her stints as head writer of several soap operas, including General Hospital and Days of our Lives.-Biography:...
, quit the show with the entire writing team. Aiming for more control, the Executive Producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
, Gloria Monty
Gloria Monty
Gloria Monty was an American TV producer working primarily in the field of daytime drama.She died of cancer at the age of 84.-Education:...
, decided to replace Falken Smith and her team with daytime novices and hired Laiman, along with novelist Thom Racina
Thom Racina
-Personal:He hails from Kenosha, Wisconsin, went to school in Albuquerque and Chicago, where he got a MFA in Theatre Arts and Directing.He is close friends with Sally Sussman Morina.-Positions held:Another World*Breakdown Writer: 1988*Script Writer: 1987...
. The pair began working on the show during its heyday, leading up to Luke Spencer
Luke Spencer
Lucas "Luke" Lorenzo Spencer, Sr. is a fictional character in the American television soap opera General Hospital, and has been played by Anthony Geary since 1978.-Early years :...
and Laura Webber
Laura Spencer
Laura Spencer is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Laura was portrayed by Stacy Baldwin from 1974 to 1976, and since then has been played by Genie Francis, first from 1976–1982, and then from 1992–2002...
's widely publicized 1981 wedding, which famously included Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
at her own request. After three years on GH, Laiman followed Racina to 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...
to work with Sheri Anderson
Sheri Anderson
Sheri Anderson is an American television writer and producer who is the author of the new fiction novel series, Salem's Secrets, Scandals and Lies, based on the television series Days of our Lives and being released in conjunction with their 45th Anniversary. She previously worked primarily on...
where the three wrote Bo and Hope's marriage in England, co-created the character of Steve "Patch" Johnson
Steve Johnson (fiction)
Steven Earl "Patch" Johnson is a fictional character on NBC's daytime drama Days of our Lives. He has been portrayed by Stephen Nichols from June 13, 1985 to October 23, 1990 and from June 9, 2006 to February 17, 2009.-Fictional character history:...
and John Black
John Black (fiction)
John Black is a fictional character on the NBC soap opera Days of our Lives, played by Drake Hogestyn since January 10, 1986, with brief interruptions from October 26, 2007 to January 8, 2008, and most recently January 23, 2009 to September 26, 2011...
.
In 1986, Laiman became head writer and created the character of Jack Deveraux
Jack Deveraux
Jack Harcourt Deveraux, Sr. is a fictional character on the soap opera Days of our Lives. He is the most prominent member of the Johnson family and is most famously played by Matthew Ashford. After a four-year absence, the character has recently returned to "Salem" to reconnect with his estranged...
and developed the popular romance of Steve Johnson and Kayla Brady
Steve Johnson and Kayla Brady
Steve "Patch" Johnson and Dr. Kayla Brady Johnson are a supercouple on the American soap opera Days of our Lives. Steve is portrayed by Stephen Nichols and Kayla is portrayed by Mary Beth Evans. On the Internet message boards[5] the couple is often referred to by the portmanteau "Stayla"...
. After Days of our Lives, Laiman moved to One Life to Live, where she stayed as staff writer from 1990 through 1997 and served as head writer from 1990 to 1991 and then again from 1996 to 1997. In 1998, she took a job at the ailing NBC Daytime
NBC Daytime
NBC Daytime is the schedule for the NBC television network's daytime television programming which consists of morning news program Today and soap opera Days of our Lives...
serial 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...
. She and executive producer Christopher Goutman
Christopher Goutman
Christopher Goutman is an American soap opera producer, writer, actor, and director. He has played minor roles on Search for Tomorrow, Texas and The Edge of Night. After leaving acting, he began to direct on All My Children, As the World Turns, Guiding Light, and Another World...
were credited by some with improving the show, but ultimately the show was cancelled in June 1999.
Her next job was at 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...
. Behind the scenes conditions quickly deteriorated when Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin
Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin
Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin is an American daytime television producer.-Biography:A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Mary Alice Dwyer had the nickname "Mickey" since childhood. Online she is commonly referred to by her initials, "MADD"...
, Executive in Charge of Production for the show, pressured Laiman to write many storylines that she didn't want to write. In 2000, Laiman was fired from ATWT and turned to writing novels for five years. Laiman was rehired on As the World Turns in 2005 as an associate head writer.
Positions held
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...
- Co-Head Writer (July 1998–25 June 1999)
- The Last AW Writing Team: Leah Laiman (Head WriterHead writerA head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an...
, Jean PassananteJean PassananteJean Passanante is an American television screenwriter best known for her work in daytime soap operas.Passanante got her start as an actress doing bit parts in the 1980s, including John Sayles's Return of the Secaucus 7. In 1985 she married writer Jack Shannon...
(co-Head Writer), Stephen DemorestStephen Demorest-Positions held:All My Children*Associate Head Writer: April 8, 2005 - January 14, 2008Another World*Associate Head Writer: March 1999 - June 25, 1999As the World Turns*Associate Head Writer...
, Melissa SalmonsMelissa Salmons-Positions held:*One Life to Live *The Young and the Restless * Liquid Television * Another World * Guiding Light * As the World Turns...
, Laura Maria Censabella, Judy Tate, Tom WigginTom WigginTom Wiggin is an American actor, writer and entrepreneur.-Career:In a career that has spanned four decades, Wiggin has acted professionally on stage, TV and in films. He has also written for two soap operas and had one screenplay optioned...
, Tom KingTom King (writer)Tom King is an American television writer and story board artist best known for his work on the animated children's shows The Ren and Stimpy Show, SpongeBob SquarePants, Camp Lazlo, Chowder and The Fairly OddParents...
, Maura PendersMaura Penders-Positions held:Another World* Associate Head Writer * Script Writer Days of our Lives * Associate Head Writer...
, Richard CullitonRichard CullitonRichard Culliton is an American television writer known for his work on soap operas. He has won four Writers Guild of America Awards, including one as a Head Writer, and two Daytime Emmy Awards. He is an alumnus of Northwestern University...
, Shelly AltmanShelly AltmanShelly Altman is an American soap opera writer.-Positions held:Another World*Associate Head Writer: 1995 - 1999General Hospital*Writer: August 2011-Present, Co-Head Writer: October 24 2011-PresentOne Life to Live...
, Carolyn CullitonCarolyn CullitonCarolyn Culliton is an American daytime serial writer and an alumnus of Northwestern University. Her husband is acclaimed daytime serial writer Richard Culliton...
, Richard J. AllenRichard J. AllenRichard J. Allen is an American television soap opera writer. He is the chairman and professor of the film department at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.-Positions held:Another World...
, Sofia Landon GeierSofia Landon GeierSofia Landon Geier is a television soap opera writer and actress. She is also credited as Sofia Landon or Sophia Landon...
, Lynn MartinLynn MartinLynn Martin may refer to:*Lynn Martin , U.S. TV writer*Lynn Morley Martin , U.S. politician...
, Gillian SpencerGillian SpencerGillian Spencer is an American soap opera actress and writer.She has had roles on soaps such as The Edge of Night, The Secret Storm, Guiding Light, As the World Turns and on One Life to Live as the original Victoria Lord/Niki Smith 1968-1970.Spencer appeared in the 1968 feature comedy What's So...
, Mary Sue PriceMary Sue PriceMary Sue Price is an American playwright and scriptwriter for the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital. She has won two Emmys as a member of the General Hospital writing team.-Education:...
, Edwin Klein, Gordon RayfieldGordon Rayfield-Career:*All My Children**Head writer: ; **Breakdown writer: June 2002 - December 2002*Another World**Breakdown writer: 1998 - 1999*As the World Turns...
, Courtney SimonCourtney SimonCourtney Simon is an American writer and actress. Simon is sometimes credited as "Courtney Sherman" or "Courtney Sherman Simon".- Acting roles :...
, Eleanor LabineEleanor LabineEleanor Labine is an American TV writer, the daughter of Claire Labine and the sister of Matthew Labine.-Positions held:Another World*Associate Head Writer General Hospital*Associate Head Writer Guiding Light...
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...
- Associate Head Writer (3 March 2005 - end of 2005 and November 2009 – September 17, 2010)
- Head Writer (August 1999 - August 2000)
- Co-Head Writer (Winter 2006 - January 24, 2008; April 18, 2008 - November 2009) (replaced by David Krizeman)
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...
- Breakdown Writer (1991)
- Head Writer (1986–1989)
- Co-Head Writer (1984–1986)
General Hospital
General 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....
- Associate Head Writer (1980–1984)
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...
- Breakdown Writer (1993)
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...
- Co-Head Writer (1996–1997)
Awards and nominations
Daytime Emmy Awards- NOMINATION (2000 & 2006; Best Writing; As the World Turns)
- WIN (2001; Best Writing; As the World Turns)
- NOMINATION (1990; Best Writing; One Life to Live)
- NOMINATION (1984, 1985, 1987; Best Writing; Days of our Lives)
- NOMINATION (1983 & 1984; Best Writing; General Hospital)
Writers Guild of America Award
Writers Guild of America Award
The Writers Guild of America Award for outstanding achievements in film, television, and radio has been presented annually by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America, West since 1949...
NOMINATIONS
- (1998 & 2005 Season; As the World Turns)
- (1994 Season; Guiding Light)
- (1987 & 1991 Season; Days of our Lives)