Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 – March 6, 1993Image may be NSFW.
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By Patrick Erwin
As an actor:
– Doug appeared in a 1956 episode of Playhouse 90 called Forbidden Area (as Marland Messner, his real name).
– In 1973, he appeared on As The World Turns, playing Lisa’s doctor, Eric Lonsberry, during the infamous “phantom fetus” storyline.
– Doug also appeared on the Irna Phillips soap The Brighter Day.
As a writer:
– Doug’s writing career began in his late 50s, after stints as a director and producer of various plays and musicals.Image may be NSFW.
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– After attending a soap-writing seminar sponsored by Procter & Gamble, he was hired as an associate writer to Harding Lemay on Another World (mid-1970s).
– Doug became head writer of The Doctors (1976-1977).
– He was hired by Gloria Monty to become head writer for General Hospital. During his stint at GH (1977-1979), he created the Quartermaines and wrote for Luke and Laura.
– After briefly writing ATWT in 1979, P&G hired Doug as head writer for Guiding Light, where he remained until a creative conflict with producer Allen Potter prompted him to resign in 1982.
– Later in 1982, he co-created A New Day in Eden for Showtime, and in 1983, he and Agnes Nixon co-created Loving for ABC.Image may be NSFW.
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– Doug became head writer of As The World Turns in 1985, and remained head writer at ATWT for eight years, until his death in 1993.
Daytime Emmy Awards:
– Won in 1975 as part of the writing team of Another World; won as head writer for Guiding Light in 1981 and f1982.
– Nominated for best writing for ATWT in 1986, 1989, 1991 and 1993.
– Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.
