ARTICLE: Nancy Lee Grahn, A Martinez and Lane Davies Remember ‘Santa Barbara’ Co-Creator Bridget Dobson

[Errol]

Earlier this month, “Santa Barbara” co-creator and co-head writer Bridget Dobson died. She was 85 years old. Dobson was the daughter of the late Frank and Doris Hursley, co-creators of “General Hospital.” She had been married to her husband Jerome Dobson since 1961. Together, they co-created “Santa Barbara” for NBC, which aired from 1984 to 1993 and won three consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series (1988, 1989, 1990).

In a social media post following the news of Dobson’s death, “General Hospital” star Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) shared her sentiments about working with the veteran soap opera writer on “Santa Barbara,” where Grahn portrayed Julia Wainwright Capwell and won her first Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (tie with Debbi Morgan from “All My Children”).

On Instagram, Grahn said, “Bridget Dobson and her husband Jerry hired me to play the most curious, absorbing, complex, inspiring, character of my career. 

“Realizing the role of Julia Wainwright, having the privilege of feeling my way through this beautifully constructed character’s relationship with herself and others was life altering for me. It advanced me as an actress and a woman. It introduced 140 some countries to me and me to them and it set the path to a career that has so far lasted 38 yrs. The effect just one person can have on your life is quite extraordinary. Rest in greatness, Bridget and thank you.”

Also remembering Dobson was A Martinez, who portrayed Cruz Castillo on the soap opposite Marcy Walker, who portrayed Eden Capwell. In a post on Facebook, Martinez stated, “Bridget and her husband Jerry eventually ascended into the realm of legend.  As is always the case with great writers who will not be denied, their obsession to build their own world –– and share it ––delivered emotional medicine for years to millions of people around the world, and the power of that medicine lingers to this day.  Thank you, Bridget.  May a warm wind carry you always.” In 1990, Martinez won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Cruz on “Santa Barbara.”

Marcy Walker, A Martinez
NBC/Everett Collection

Lane Davies, who played Mason Capwell, love interest to Grahn’s Julia, said on Instagram, “Bridget was possessed of an indomitable spirit, irrepressible creativity, and a truly wicked sense of humor. Together with her husband of 60-plus years, Jerry, she gave us some of the most memorable moments and characters in the history of Daytime Television. She will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her.”

Lane Davies, Charles Bateman, Todd McKee, (bottom): Marcy Walker, Robin Wright
NBC/Everett Collection

In addition to “Santa Barbara,” Dobson worked as a writer and later as co-head writer of “General Hospital,” working alongside her husband. After exiting the writer’s room at the ABC soap in __, the Dobsons took over writing duties for “Guiding Light” and later “As The World Turns” before planning to retire in the early 1980s. Incidentally, NBC reached out to the Dobsons, asking them to create a brand new daytime soap opera that they would own and have full creative control over.

“NBC-TV called to ask if we were to own a show, if we were to be in complete charge of every creative aspect of a show, from sets and costumes and hairstyles and music to every minute detail of the production, acting and writing, would we be willing to work again? Nobody in history had ever been asked this question. Not before and not since,” Dobson said in an interview published by a “Santa Barbara” blog dedicated to the history of “Santa Barbara” created by Pierpaolo Dongiovanni, a close friend of the Dobsons, who was the first to announce the news of Dobson’s passing.

Note: The post Nancy Lee Grahn, A Martinez and Lane Davies Remember ‘Santa Barbara’ Co-Creator Bridget Dobson appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

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[Cat]

As someone who grew up watching Santa Barbara (and Days of our Lives) -- both were THEE formative soap operas in my life, but especially Santa Barbara which was my pre-teen obsession. At its glorious height, SB was better (in my humble opinion) than most night-time and Daytime shows. I thought of it the way loyal fans thought of Moonlighting, with which it shared a lot of similarities -- ground-breaking, witty, romantic, emotionally cinematic. The Dobsons were the reason for this. Talented visionaries. I remember in recent years checking out their work on Guiding Light and As The World Turns on YouTube and getting a frisson of excitement in recognition of their bold style.

RIP, Bridget Dobson. Her contribution to the genre won't be forgotten on SON, it is fair to say.

[Contessa Donatella]

Not just on SON either. Many places. SB still has a special place in my heart. I got a kick out of NLG's tribute. I think it's obvious that she'd like to be Julia when she grows up. Of course, my favorites were NLG & Lane Davies, Julia & Mason. Which is not to kick Kelly or Eden or Cruz in the teeth. I loved them, too. Also Augusta & Sofia & even Keith & Gina. My only regret is that so much time was wasted & I blame NBC for that because they promised the Dobsons unprecedented creative control & then refused to follow through on it. As a writer Bridget is one of my very favorites, my #2 after Pete Lemay. I quote lovingly from her obituary. 

"At Stanford, Bridget was celebrated for her trademark creativity and quirky intellect. Her Western Civilization final exam included a question about the cause of the Dark Ages. She wrote an 11-page answer from the point of view of a chicken."

Good article, Errol. Glad you included Pierpaolo Dongiovanni. His interview Parts 1 through 6 are the best!