Longtime 'Another World' Star Michael M. Ryan Dead at 87

Michael M. Ryan debuted on NBC soap opera Another World during
the show's first year on the air.

Actor Michael M. Ryan, who played John Randolph on NBC soap opera Another World during the show's first 15 years, passed away March 1 at K.C. Hospice House. He was 87.

Ryan was born in Wichita, Kansas on March 19, 1929. He attended St. James grade school and Lillis High School, then enlisted in the United States Navy. He later graduated from St. Benedictine College, and received a degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown.

After college, Ryan went to New York to study acting with Stella Adler. He performed Shakespeare at Central Park, and went on to play numerous roles on stage and screen. His film credits included Tootsie, Hamlet, The Strangler and Body Heat.

On April 1, 1963, Ryan took on the title role of new NBC daytime drama Ben Jerrod. The show lasted just under three months.

FLASHBACK: 'Another World' The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice (Part 21)

Victoria Wyndham as Rachel Davis Matthews
Clark Frame on Another World.

ANOTHER WORLD: The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice

The Soap Box
Vol. IV No. 8 August 1979
by Bryna Laub

(continued from Part 20)

In maximum security, Steven had no business privileges so he gave Alice power of attorney. He didn't realize her condition had deteriorated so badly that Tim, seeing a chance to further his own aims, concealed it from Steven. And as Alice continued to draw away from reality in an attempt to shut out the horrors of where Steven was, Tim managed to slip a transfer of the power of attorney into the routine papers she signed for him, putting him in complete control of Steven's personal stock holdings.

Ignoring Steven's explicit orders that she forget about the house, Rachel walked in on a deeply distraught Alice and informed her Steve had agreed she and Jamie should move back into the house. Rachel further wounded Alice by reminding her she and Steve were happy in this house where Steve had his only child with him. Alice, in growing horror, hysterically threw Rachel out.

FLASHBACK: 'Another World' The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice (Part 20)

Steven and Alice married again on May 4, 1974, in a special one-hour
episode that aired on Another World's 10th anniversary.

ANOTHER WORLD: The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice

The Soap Box
Vol. IV No. 8 August 1979
by Bryna Laub

(continued from Part 19)

Steven immediately removed all his legal business and files from John's office and hired Tim McGowan as his attorney. Tim, not satisfied that John had lost over three-quarters of his practice, now twisted the knife in John's back by calling his remaining clients, implying Steven's dropping John should make them question John's competence as an attorney. Almost overnight John found himself virtually out of business.

With Steven's sentencing on perjury charges only a few weeks away, Alice insisted they go ahead with their remarriage so that even if he went to prison, they would have the solace of being husband and wife again. At Alice's insistence they were married again on the terrace of their home.

FLASHBACK: 'Another World' The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice (Part 19)

ANOTHER WORLD: The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice

The Soap Box
Vol. IV No. 8 August 1979
by Bryna Laub

(continued from Part 18)

Actually, Rachel was aware she had little chance of winning an alienation of affections suit without concrete proof but she hoped the prospect of a scandal replete with lurid publicity would drive Alice away again. But inasmuch as Steven had confiscated her copy of the tape recording of his reunion with Alice and Eliot had destroyed the original, the judge declared there was no case and refused to hear it.

Steven, however, realized his case against Rachel was equally shaky and decided to do something about it. He flew to San Francisco and paid Gerald to return to Bay City and testify against Rachel.

Expecting her father to appear in her behalf at the divorce hearing, Rachel was destroyed when he took the stand and proceeded to crucify her. According to Gerald, Rachel had decided to embark on a break-up-Steve-and-Alice campaign and had enlisted him to follow her instructions, including the set-up at Steven's apartment.