Vivian Carlson
Encyclopedia
Vivian Carlson was a character in the now-defunct American
Soap Opera
. Love of Life
. She was played from 1959 through 1971 by actress Helene Dumas.
and Alan (or so was thought at the time).
Vivian was a dominating woman, and because she was one of the wealthiest people in Rosehill, New York, she was able to spoil her grandchildren. She thought that her daughter was a saint, and as such, erected a shrine to her, after her untimely death in a car accident.
When Vanessa Dale
met and married Bruce, some time after Gaye's death, Vivian was appalled. She had felt that Bruce was wrong in marrying someone new so soon after her daughter's death. With that in mind, she tried to sue Bruce for custody of her grandchildren, it failed miserably. However, her husband, Henry Carlson
, whom she dominated with relish, grew to like Vanessa. As did her grandson, Alan, who missed having a mother figure after Gaye's death.
Barbara however, like her grandmother, had no liking for her stepmother, after she told Bruce about an attempted elopement with a doctor that she wanted to marry. However, things would get worse. It was discovered that the headmaster of Winfield Academy, where Bruce taught, had slept with Gaye Carlson Sterling, who was anything but a saint; resulting in Alan's birth. Van had found out and kept the findings a secret, because she didn't want anyone to have their feelings hurt.
However the headmaster, who was feuding with Bruce, exposed the dirty secret, and both Carlsons found out. Upon discovery that her sainted daughter was nothing of the kind, Vivian had a very emotional breakdown. The one person who stayed by her through all the dark hours was Vanessa, the woman she hated for taking Gaye's place in Bruce's heart. When she got a grip on herself, Vivian found out that she was indeed grateful for Vanessa's unconditional support, given all that she had done to her, and the two women became friends.
Vivian stayed around for a while, but wasn't mentioned much after 1971.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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,...
. Love of Life
Love of Life
Love of Life is an American soap opera which aired on CBS Daytime from September 24, 1951 to February 1, 1980. It was created by Roy Winsor, whose previous creation Search for Tomorrow had premiered three weeks before Love of Life, and who would go on to create The Secret Storm two and a half years...
. She was played from 1959 through 1971 by actress Helene Dumas.
Interfering in-law
Vivian was the former mother in-law of Bruce Sterling. He was married to her daughter, Gaye, and from that union bore two children, BarbaraBarbara Sterling
Barbara Vento Latimer was a fictional character on the now cancelled American Soap Opera, Love of Life. Barbara was played by various actresses, but actress Nina Reader is the most identified actress to play her.-Character's background:...
and Alan (or so was thought at the time).
Vivian was a dominating woman, and because she was one of the wealthiest people in Rosehill, New York, she was able to spoil her grandchildren. She thought that her daughter was a saint, and as such, erected a shrine to her, after her untimely death in a car accident.
When Vanessa Dale
Vanessa Dale
Vanessa "Van" Dale Raven Sterling, was the main character and the lead heroine in the now-defunct American Soap Opera Love of Life. She was originally played by Peggy McCay; then by actress Bonnie Bartlett and Audrey Peters played Vanessa to the show's end.-The Good Sister:Vanessa, or "Van" as she...
met and married Bruce, some time after Gaye's death, Vivian was appalled. She had felt that Bruce was wrong in marrying someone new so soon after her daughter's death. With that in mind, she tried to sue Bruce for custody of her grandchildren, it failed miserably. However, her husband, Henry Carlson
Henry Carlson
Henry Carlson was a fictional character in the now-cancelled American Soap Opera Love of Life. He was played by actors Tom Shirley and Jack Stamberger...
, whom she dominated with relish, grew to like Vanessa. As did her grandson, Alan, who missed having a mother figure after Gaye's death.
Barbara however, like her grandmother, had no liking for her stepmother, after she told Bruce about an attempted elopement with a doctor that she wanted to marry. However, things would get worse. It was discovered that the headmaster of Winfield Academy, where Bruce taught, had slept with Gaye Carlson Sterling, who was anything but a saint; resulting in Alan's birth. Van had found out and kept the findings a secret, because she didn't want anyone to have their feelings hurt.
However the headmaster, who was feuding with Bruce, exposed the dirty secret, and both Carlsons found out. Upon discovery that her sainted daughter was nothing of the kind, Vivian had a very emotional breakdown. The one person who stayed by her through all the dark hours was Vanessa, the woman she hated for taking Gaye's place in Bruce's heart. When she got a grip on herself, Vivian found out that she was indeed grateful for Vanessa's unconditional support, given all that she had done to her, and the two women became friends.
Vivian stayed around for a while, but wasn't mentioned much after 1971.