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Claire Labine | |
|---|---|
| Born | Claire Vaughan Wood (1934-06-28)June 28, 1934 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | November 11, 2016(2016-11-11) (aged 82) Somers, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Education | University of Kentucky(BA) Columbia University(MFA) |
| Occupation(s) | Screenwriter, producer |
| Years active | 1971–2001 |
| Spouse | Roland Labine(divorced) |
| Children | 3,Matthew, Eleanor andJohn |
Claire Vaughn Labine (néeWood; June 28, 1934 – November 11, 2016) was an American soap opera writer and producer.[1][2]
Labine’s first television writing job was forCaptain Kangaroo in 1967, she was fired in 1970.
1971 saw her first real foray into daytime television securing the head writing position on “Where The Heart Is” with her future writing partner of nearly 25 years Paul Avila Mayer. That job lasted until the show’s cancellation in 1973.
1973-1975 was spent writing forLove of Life which got the attention of ABC.
In 1975 she began what was to become her best known and acclaimed work creating and head writingRyan's Hope for ABC. She sold the show to ABC after skyrocketing costs, and was soon fired, rehired, fired then rehired again in 1987 until the shows final demise in 1989.
In 1993, Labine returned to daytime as head writer ofABC'sGeneral Hospital. She brought the show much critical acclaim, and won her seventhDaytime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for her work on the show. She chose to depart the show in early 1996. During this time, she created a proposedGeneral Hospitalspin-off,Heart and Soul, about two families, one black, one white, both show business families. The black family was three generations of jazz musicians. Next door was a theatrical family. The show was not picked up by ABC orNBC; Wendy Riche's competingPort Charles was ABC's choice instead.
Labine co-wrote, withJudith Pinsker, the 1995New York Times bestsellerGeneral Hospitaltie-in novelRobin's Diary, based in theAIDS storyline between charactersStone Cates andRobin Scorpio.[3]
In 1996, Labine was offered thehead writer role atAs the World Turns but turned it down because she and her sonMatthew Labine were trying to get HEART & SOUL [aka Union Place] on the air. "I had to turn it down because we were in the middle of that development. I said toProcter & Gamble, 'I am gratified by this offer, but if I have any chance at all...' I didn't think there was much chance but I thought it was worth a go to do our own show. And they were very lovely about it."
In late 1996, she was made head writer of ABC'sOne Life to Live because she had a year and a half left on her contract with ABC. She remained with the show until early 1998.
Most recently, Labine had a short stint at CBS'Guiding Light. She was head writer of the show from 2000 through 2001. Labine shared the reins of GL with her children,Matthew Labine and Eleanor Labine. Rumors abounded throughout Labine's tenure at GL that she, executive producerPaul Rauch, and executive in charge of productionMary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin had frequent arguments about the show's direction.
At one point, it was announced in the soap press that the Labines were departing, only to have the announcement recanted a week later.[4] P&G did eventually replace the Labines the following year with writersLloyd Gold and Christopher Dunn.
In November 2009, Labine gave WeLoveSoaps.net an exclusive interview during which she discussed her struggles with ABC duringRyan's Hope, her enjoyment of writingGeneral Hospital, and her less enjoyable experiences onOne Life to Live andGuiding Light. She discussed details about her aborted project,Union Place, and insights into her illustrious career.[5]
Labine died on November 11, 2016, at her home inSomers, Connecticut, at the age of 82. No cause of death was disclosed.[2]
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9 Wins
12 nominations
National Academy Of New York Arts And SciencesSilver Circle Recipient
Wins
Nominations
| Preceded by | Where the Heart Is (withPaul Avila Mayer) mid 1970 – March 1973 | Succeeded by Show Ended |
| Preceded by | Love of Life (with Paul Avila Mayer) March 1973 – July 1975 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by None | Ryan's Hope (with Paul Avila Mayer) July 1975 – July 1982 | Succeeded by Mary Ryan Munisteri |
| Preceded by | Ryan's Hope (with Paul Avila Mayer) January 1983 – December 1983 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Tom King &Millee Taggart | Ryan's Hope (withMatthew Labine & Eleanor Labine) February 1987 – January 1989 | Succeeded by Show Ended |
| Preceded by Bill Levinson | General Hospital (with Matthew Labine: November 3, 1995 – March 1, 1996) October 11, 1993 – March 1, 1996 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | One Life to Live (with Matthew Labine) June 1997 – March 29, 1998 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Guiding Light August 7, 2000 – July 2001 | Succeeded by |
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