One of the legendary actors of daytime television, 'As the World Turns' star Helen Wagner, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2010. She was 91 years old and still an active member of the CBS soap opera.

In fact, Helen Wagner was daytime marvel. She was on 'As the World Turns' when it premiered on April 2, 1956, and continued in the role of Nancy Hughes ever since. She's in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest run by an actor in a television show.

Announcing Wagner's death, 'As the World Turns'' executive producer Christopher Goutman said, "All of us are deeply saddened by Helen's passing. She is loved by generations of fans and while we will miss her greatly, Helen will always remain the heart and soul of 'As the World Turns.'"

Here's a scene from 2009, showing just how Helen remained an important part of the soap's legacy:




I had the privilege of interviewing Helen Wagner when 'As the World Turns' celebrated its 50th anniversary on the air in 2006. She made it clear that Nancy Hughes had evolved over time. "She's grown up. She started off being a demanding soul and she'd tell everybody exactly what to do and how to do it, and she was kind, but she was 'taking care of things.' I think she's learned how to be more tolerant; she's matured, she's mellowed, she's gotten less possessive of her family. ... She wasn't independent, but she was not under [her husband, Chris'] thumb by any means. She wasn't in need of being liberated. She was a homebody by choice."

In a year when 'Days of Our Lives' star Frances Reid also succumbed, daytime has lost two of the true legends of the genre.