AMCHistory

MONTGOMERY, Barbara Portrayed by: Susan Pratt (1987-1991; 1995; 1997-98, 2007-present) Family: Molly Montgomery (Daughter); Matthew Sean Montgomery (Son) Marriages: Travis Montgomery; Tom Cudahy; Travis Montgomery 1987: Barbara Montgomery knew her ex-husband, Travis Montgomery, would not be where he was without her. She had been an executive at his company, and the director of his senatorial campaign. Though they were now divorced, the couple always had a mutual respect for each other. It was no secret that Barbara still loved Travis. This fueled the verbal spars between she and Travis’ new lover, Erica Kane. Shrewd business woman Barbara Mongtomery (Susan Pratt) came to Pine Valley determined to win back her first husband, Travis Montgomery. She did not know she would have competition. 1988: Barbara became good friends with Tom Cudahy while he stood vigil over his comatose wife, Skye Cudahy. Their friendship was becoming something much more. They attended Stuart and Cindy Chandler’s wedding together. Unbeknownst to them, Skye awoke from her coma and caught Barbara in Tom’s arms. She fell back into a coma and suffered from psychosomatic paralysis. Tom and Barbara could not deny their feelings. Skye had a break from reality and left to confront Barbara. Skye pulled out a gun. Luckily, Tom arrived and was able to convince Skye to let Barbara go. Skye was admitted to Oak Haven Sanitarium. Barbara wanted to solidify her position in Tom’s life. She saw her only threat to be Tom’s ex-wife and mother of his daughter Laura, Brooke Chandler. Barbara convinced Tom that she was the perfect child caregiver. In fact, Barbara did not have a clue about being a domestic woman. She had always been a businesswoman. One day, she was supposed to be taking care of Laura when she got an emergency business call. She let Laura play outside alone. Laura ran into the street to chase a ball. At that moment, she was struck down by a drunken police officer driving home from a party. Barbara rushed Laura to the hospital, but she was already brain dead. Overcome with grief, Tom broke up with her. Travis turned to Barbara when Adam Chandler attempted a buy out of his company. Adam tried to lure Barbara to Chandler Industries, but she remained faithful to Travis. Adam Chandler (David Canary) wanted Barbara for her insights into Travis' company. Barbara found herself at odds with the latest Mrs. Chandler, Tom Cudahy's ex-wife Brooke Chandler (Julia Barr). 1989: Travis suffered from amnesia after being mugged in Sea City. He believed he was still married to Barbara. Barbara relished at the idea of defeating Erica. They began an affair. But, Travis had a sudden change of heart. He left Pine Valley to find himself. Barbara learned she was pregnant with Travis’ child. She had no one to turn to but Tom. Tom selflessly offered his services to Barbara. He was going to take responsibility for Travis child. Barbara reluctantly agreed to go along with the ruse. On the day they were to marry, Barbara went into early labor. Tom helped her deliver a healthy baby girl, Molly Cudahy. Barbara (Pratt) was content to let Tom (Richard Shoberg) help her raise Molly. In reality, she was Travis' (Larkin Malloy) daughter. 1990: Barbara and Tom’s happiness was shattered when Molly was diagnosed with leukemia. When Barbara did not match for a bone marrow transplant, she realized she had a big decision to make. She finally told Travis that Molly was his daughter. Travis knew there was only one thing they could do. They needed to conceive another child, in hope that the child would be a perfect match. But, Barbara was happily married to Tom, and Travis had remarried Erica. They put their marriages aside, hoping their one-night-stand would save Molly. Barbara tested her unborn child to make sure that it would be a match for Molly. When Erica got wind, she realized what had happened. Erica confronted Barbara. Then, she proceeded to tell Tom the truth about Barbara’s unborn child. Their marriage was over. 1991: Barbara gave birth to Matthew Sean Montgomery. Sean’s bone marrow was able to save Molly, and her leukemia went into remission. The ordeal had brought Travis and Barbara back together. After remarrying, the Montgomery’s made plans to move to Seattle. Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) told Tom (Shoberg) the truth about Sean. The truth meant the end of both women's marriages. 1997-98: Barbara and Travis returned to Pine Valley to take Bianca Montgomery home when she ran away to be with Erica. Erica discovered Bianca’s eating disorder. She blamed Barbara, accusing her of loving her own children more than she loved Bianca. Barbara agreed to be a part of an intervention to convince Bianca to get help. 2000: Barbara suffered a devastating loss when Travis died suddenly of a massive stroke. Though her children were by Travis in his last moments, Bianca was not. She was visiting Erica in Pine Valley. 2007: Barbara returned to Pine Valley. Sean Montgomery (Brent Webber) was none to happy to see his mother (Pratt) back in Pine Valley.

BANNING, Laurel (Carla Delaney Benton) (deceased) Portrayed by: Kristen Jensen (1992-93); Felicity LaFortune (1993-96) Family: Michael Delaney (Brother); Lily Benton Montgomery (Daughter) Marriages: Denny Benton; Jackson Montgomery; Trevor Dillon 1993: Laurel Banning was desperate. The tuition bill for her daughter, Lily Benton’s, special school for children with autism was due. She needed money, a lot of it, and fast. Laurel was one of her many assumed identities that she has created not only to embezzle money for her daughter, but to escape her abusive ex-husband, Denny Benton. Laurel began working at the Mason Foundation. She became good friends with the foundation’s chair, Natalie Dillon. It pained Laurel to lie to her, but she needed the money. When she learned her deception was about to be uncovered, Laurel went on the run. In hot pursuit, Natalie got in a fatal car accident. Denny found Laurel and confronted his runaway wife. Laurel and Denny got in a heated confrontation over Lily. When Laurel told Denny that Lily was not his child, he attacked her again. She grabbed a bookend and implanted a fatal blow. Jackson Montgomery discovered Laurel looming over Denny’s dead body. Jackson helped Laurel dispose of the body. They then went on the run until they could exonerate her. A surprise witness testified that Laurel acted in self-defense. Laurel thought she loved Jackson. After they married, he adopted Lily. Back in Pine Valley, Laurel wanted to make amends with the Dillons. Timmy Dillon had fallen into drugs while grieving for his mother. While on an LSD high, he wandered into the middle of a crowded street. Laurel pushed him out the way on incoming car, saving his life. Trevor Dillon, Natalie’s husband, reached out his hand in gratitude. Jack (Walt Willey) and Laurel (Felicity LaFortune) found love as fugitives. Jack almost lost his career as a result. 1994: Jackson and Laurel’s marriage had a rocky start because of Jackson’s hefty work schedule. Laurel spent her days caring for Trevor’s children. That was of course until Trevor met Jane Cox. Jane was strangely protective of Trevor’s children, especially Amanda. Laurel confided her apprehensions with Jackson, but he brushed them off. Laurel investigation into Jane’s life revealed that she was none other than Janet Green, Trevor’s psychotic sister in law, and Amanda’s biological mother. Somehow, Janet had figure out that Laurel knew the truth and cut the breaks in her car. Laurel got in a car accident that left her paralyzed when she tried to warn Trevor. Jackson met her at the hospital. There, she confided everything about Janet to him. Luckily, Jackson was able to stop Trevor from marry Janet in the nick of time. Jackson admitted that he had a one-night stand with Erica. Laurel and Jackson amicably divorced. 1995: All the time Laurel was spending with Amanda and Timmy brought her and Trevor together. Knowing no one would love his children as much as Laurel did, Trevor proposed to Laurel. On the day they were to marry, Janet made a surprise entrance. In her hands was a bomb. But upon seeing Amanda standing with Laurel, she ran out of the church to disarm it. Laurel watched helplessly at a lightning bolt struck down an unsuspecting Janet. Laurel and Trevor breathed a sigh of relief realizing that Janet was dead. Laurel welcomed her little brother, Michael Delaney to Pine Valley. He was a teacher at Pine Valley High School. Laurel was the only person that knew his secret: he was gay. When Laurel confided in Trevor, he freaked out. Michael had taken Timmy and Jamal Cudahy on a camping trip. Trevor insisted that Timmy come home. He did not want Timmy left alone with Michael. Laurel (LaFortune) already had the love of his children, so it was not a suprise when Trevor (James Kiberd) asked her to marry him. 1996: Michael sued the Pine Valley school board when he was let go because of parental concerns of his sexuality. Laurel was her brother’s staunches supporter. They made an appearance on “The Cutting Edge” to talk about discrimination in Pine Valley. Unknown to everyone at the studio, a drunk Jason Sheffield was lurking in the rafters with a gun. Jason’s little brother, Kevin Sheffield, came out as gay. Jason wrongly blamed Michael and was intent on making him pay. But because of his state of mind, he missed Michael and instead shot Laurel in the head. She was rushed to the hospital, but there was nothing any of the doctors could do. Laurel was dead.

MARTIN, jr.; Joseph “Joey/Jake” Portrayed by: Unknown (1979-1982); Michael Scalera (1982-88); Michael Brainard (1988-91, 1994, 1995); Michael Lowry (1996-2000); J. Eddie Peck (2000-03) Family: Kate Martin (Grandmother); Joe Martin (Father); Ruth Martin (Mother); Jeff Martin (Half-Brother); Tara Jefferson Martin (Half-Sister); Bobby Martin (Half-Brother); Tad Martin (Adoptive-Brother); Phil Brent (Adotpive-Brother) Marriages: Emily Ann Sago; Gillian Andrassy 1979: Joseph “Jake” Martin, jr. was born on Christmas ever of 1979. Joe and Ruth worried about his health because of Ruth’s advanced age. A new procedure called amniocentesis confirmed that Jake was in good health. He was nicknamed "Joey" for his childhood. Though Ruth (Mary Fickett) had an adoptive son, she never thought she would be blessed to have one of ther own. 1982: Joey had found his mother’s gun, and was playing with it in the living room when his grandmother Kate Martin came in to check on him. He pulled the trigger; not knowing the gun was real. Kate was injured, but survived. Ray Gardner managed an early parole and immediately set his sites on revenge. At a party in the Cortlandt Manor, Ray tried to kidnap Joey. His plot was foiled when Chuck Tyler was almost killed by an unidentified sniper. At the end of the year, the Martins were all almost killed by Ray when he planted a bomb under the Martin home. He would run away with the device after learning his daughter, Jenny Gardner was staying at the there. The device went off in Ray's arms, killing him instantly. Joey (Michael Scalera) had the family only few could ever wish for. But like his older siblings, he could not seem to keep himself out of trouble (Ray MacDonnell (Joe), Mary Fickett (Ruth), and Kay Campbell (Kate) also pictured). 1985: Joey had found a floppy disk in Tad’s jacket pocket. Joey took the disk, and hid it in his toy chest for later play. Little did he know, the disk was a pimp, Barton Crane’s, black book. Kate died peacefully in her sleep. All of Joey’s siblings returned to mourn the loss of their beloved grandmother. Tad (Michael E. Knight) and Joey (Michael Brainard) shared a close bond. He was his best man at all three of his weddings to Dixie Cooney, including this one in 1989. 1990: Joey was dating Emily Ann Sago. Emily Ann was devastated when she learned the truth about her parentage. Her biological father, Billy Clyde Tuggle revealed that her real mother was a prostitute. Emily Ann turned to Joey for comfort. They eloped so that Emily Ann could leave her family. Joey quickly realized the mistake he had made. Joey was going to file annulment papers until Emily Ann revealed she was pregnant. The teenagers tried to make the best of their marriage. Emily Ann’s continued trauma caused her to miscarry. At the end of the year, Joey lost his best friend and brother Tad. Billy Clyde had lured him to a bridge rigged to explode. Joey and the other Martins did their best to let go of Tad in spite of the fact that no body was ever found. Joey (Brainard) married his high school sweetheart Emily Anne (Liz Vassey) despite protests from both their families. 1991: Joey and Emily Ann’s marriage went sour. He had reservations about breaking off his marriage because of the ordeal Emily Ann had gone through in the last year. She became fixated on his relationship with Katie Kennicott. Emily Ann was sure that they were having an affair. She took Katie hostage at gunpoint. Joey pleaded with his wife to let Katie go. Emily Ann’s break from reality was too much for Joey. He was forced to institutionalize her at Oak Haven Sanitarium. 1994: Joey made an appearance at Tad and Dixie’s second wedding. 1995: Joey returned to Pine Valley for the Martin family housewarming party. Along with Tad and Charlie, they pulled together some old photos to present as a gift to their parents. 1996: Joey, now going by Jake, returned to Pine Valley a doctor. On the way to Pine Valley, he met a woman at motel and had a one-night-stand. That woman turned out to be none other than Tad’s former lover, Liza Colby. 1997: Jake began working as the new medical consultant at WRCW. Unbeknownst to him, Adam Chandler had hired him in hopes that he would seduce his new wife, Liza. Jake admitted his feelings to Liza. Liza agreed to divorce Adam. But, happiness was not to be when Liza learned she was pregnant with Adam’s daughter. Jake began dating Dr. Allie Doyle, his brother Jeff Martin’s star intern. Joe suffered a heart attack that left him sidelined. He put most of his duties as Chief of Staff on Jake and Allie. Dr. David Hayward was invited to Pine Valley to help pick up the slack. David left Jake uneasy. Jake could not ignore that David had a similar affect on Allie. Though Jake (Michael Lowry) and Liza's (Marcy Walker) relationship ended badly, he still offered to be her sperm donor for daughter Colby. Little did he know, the child he thought was his was actually Adam's (David Canary). 1998: Jake was accused of trying to kill Adam while he was being treated for his stroke. David had concocted the charges to break up Allie and Jake. It turned out that David was Allie’s ex-fiancée. Jake broke up with Allie because of her deception. Liza came to Jake was peculiar favor. She had wanted desperately to have a child. Now that her marriage to Adam had failed, she was looking into sperm donors. Jake agreed to help Liza 1999: Jake began dating hospital volunteer Gillian Andrassy. Gillian was fresh off a marriage with local conman Ryan Lavery. Jake was Gillian’s listening ear through her complicated divorce. Gillian longed for a stable home, something any Martin could provide. Jake found out Liza was going to marry Adam again. Jake did not want his child to be raised under Adam’s watch. Jake told Liza he was going to claim his parental rights. He began to put together a custody case with attorney Leslie Coulson. Gillian got in a car accident. She was suffering from aphasia and could not speak. Jake treated her for the condition. It was then that Jake realized that he was in love with her. At the Crystal Ball, Jake proposed to Gillian. Jake's (Lowry) second marriage to Gillian (Esta Terblanche) was doomed by the fact that she was in love with another man. 2000: Jake wanted to marry Gillian before the custody hearing to better his position with the courts. It was clear that Adam’s reputation in the community made him a questionable influence on Colby’s life. Just as the judge was to announce her verdict, Liza broke her silence. She revealed Adam and Allie had switched Jake’s samples at the sperm bank. Colby was Adam’s child, not Jake’s. Jake realized he was only one in the room who did not know the truth. Gillian tried to reach out to him, but he needed time alone. Jake rashly enlisted with doctors without borders. After a few weeks in Chechnya, Jake was presumed missing in action. Ryan and Adrian Sword teamed up to rescue Jake, using money they had siphoned out of IncredibleDreams.com. Jake was not ready to go home and confront his issues. Gillian had stowed away in the rescue plane and pleaded with him. Armed militants took aim at Gillian and Ryan. Jake jumped in front and took the bullet. The injury Jake sustained left him impotent. He began looking into a drug name Libidizone to cure his ailment. Traces of the drug turned up on the Fidelity yacht on the night of the IncredibleDreams.com launch party. He had successfully made love to Gillian that night. Jake learned David had been researching the drug too. He turned to his father with his findings. Gillian admitted to Jake that she was still in love with Ryan. She wanted to end their marriage. Gillian (Terblanche) stood by Jake (J. Eddie Peck) as he recovered from his injuries in Chechnya. But her heart was with another man. 2001: Jake treated Gillian after she collapsed. Jake learned she was pregnant. A paternity test revealed he was the child’s father. Gillian would get in a car accident and miscarry. Jake and Gillian mourned the loss of her child. Jake granted Gillian her divorce. Not soon after marrying Ryan, Gillian was killed by an assassin aiming for Anna Devane. Jake started dating Greenlee Smythe. They became roommates after he rented her loft. Jake confided in Greenlee his suspicions about David. He made it his personal mission to take David down. He wrongfully suspected David of trying to hurt his father. In actuality, David was treating Joe for his heart condition. Tad wanted to take David down too but thought Jake was taking his mission too far. That was until they stumbled across a tape of David drugging the punch on Fidelity. Greenlee left Jake for her first love Leo duPres. Jake attended the Crystal Ball with Mia Saunders, Liza’s sister, hoping to make Greenlee jealous. But that night, Jake and Mia shared a kiss. Jake (Peck) was too stubborn to admit he still had feelings for Greenlee (Rebecca Budig). 2002: Jake and Mia’s relationship took a back seat to his concerns for Greenlee. Jake found Mia a job at the hospital as a physical therapist. Seeing each other everyday reminded Jake about their romantic night together. Mia confided in Jake about the child she had given up for adoption. The baby’s father was Jake’s colleague, Dr. Frank Hubbard. Jake helped Mia find the courage to tell Frank. David tried to pressure the Hospital Board to force Joe to retire because of his health problems. Joe decided to resign, and named Jake his successor as Chief of Staff. Jake proposed to Mia at the Venetian Ball. Liza had been gas lighted by Adam into thinking that Mia was trying to replace her as Colby’s mother. Liza pushed Mia out of the Chandler attic window. Jake wanted to see Liza punished for hurting Mia, but Tad did not think she deserved prison time. Mia forgave Liza and wanted Jake to do the same. Ruth made Tad and Jake forgive each other before Christmas dinner. 2003:Jake and Mia were estranged by her late hours at FUSION Cosmetics. Jake took on more hours at the hospital. There, he met an intern named Allison. They began an affair. Simone Torres found them in a compromising position. Jake could not sum up the courage to tell Mia. Instead, he left town to rejoin Doctors Without Borders in Kenya. Jake returned to Pine Valley in the summer to tie up loose ends. He was now engaged to a fellow doctor, Dr. Carolyn Finn. Mia thought that he had come back for her. Jake still blamed Mia for their breakup. He was only home to introduce Carolyn to his family. They were leaving for Kenya the very same night.