The loss of a legend. Agnes Nixon, the creator of such soap opera staples as All My Children and One Life to Live, died at her home in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, September 28, her son told TMZ. She was 88.
The “grande dame of daytime drama” had been suffering from complications with Parkinson’s disease and pneumonia, according to TMZ. Her son told the site that she had just completed her memoir, My Life to Live, this past weekend.
“It is with a heavy heart I mourn the passing of television pioneer Agnes Nixon, someone I was proud to call a friend,” Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Company, said in a statement. “Agnes’ impact on daytime television and pop culture is undeniable. She was the first to champion socially relevant topics, and the towns and characters Agnes brought to life leave an indelible imprint on television that will be remembered forever. On behalf of Walt Disney and ABC, I want to extend our deepest condolences to her family.”
Nixon had a long and storied career that included writing and producing on series including As the World Turns, Another World, Guiding Light and Search for Tomorrow. She also won several daytime Emmy awards for her work.
She created ABC’s One Life to Live in 1968. Two years later, she introduced the world to ABC’s other long-running series, All My Children.
Susan Lucci, who played Erica Kane on All My Children, shared a sweet remembrance of the late daytime titan via Instagram on Thursday.
“I am devastated to learn that we have lost Agnes,” the 69-year-old actress captioned a snapshot of the pair. “I adored her and admired her — and I am forever grateful to her! May this liveliest and loveliest of women rest in peace.”
Lucci’s castmate Cameron Mathison told TVLine that Nixon was truly one of a kind.
“Most of my memories of her are from when I had the opportunity to travel with her for different events and appearances,” the actor said. “I just remember how incredibly sharp and witty she was for being in her eighties. She constantly cracked me up and yet at the same time so elegant and sweet. She will be missed.”
Nixon is survived by four children, including filmmaker Robert Nixon.
