In 1960, Patricia Bruder took over the role of Ellen from actress Wendy Drew on AS THE WORLD TURNS and played the part through 1995, when the character disappeared from the canvas without explanation (although we later learned that Ellen had moved to Atlanta to work in AIDS-related fundraising). Unlike today's storylines which are resolved in a matter of weeks, the saga of Ellen and her illegitimate son, Jimmy aka Dan Stewart, lasted for over a decade, and included a stint in prison for Ellen after she killed housekeeper Franny Brennan, who had threatened to reveal Ellen's secret in order to stop her from marrying David Stewart.
DAYTIME SOAP OPERAS
