Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 18, 1993 TAG: 9303170065
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
DAYTIME TELEVISION LOSES ONE OF ITS GIANTS
On March 6, the world of daytime television was dealt a severe blow with the death of "As the World Turns" head writer Douglas Marland. Marland, who was 58, died of complications following abdominal surgery, said family friend Michael Feduke.Marland began building his illustrious career in daytime television in the early 1970s when he became an associate writer on "Another World." He received his first Daytime Emmy Award for 1974-75 for his work on "AW," and a short time later he took over the head-writing chores on "The Doctors." A year later, Marland was named head writer of "General Hospital," and the show climbed out of the basement to No. 1 in the ratings. Marland moved over to "Guiding Light" as head writer in January 1980 and took home two more Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Writing category for 1980-81 and 1981-82.
After leaving "GL," Marland created the short-lived cable serial "A New Day in Eden" and was co-creator and head writer for "Loving" during the show's first two years on the air. He took over the head-writing reins at "As the World Turns" in 1985 (receiving Daytime Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Writing category for 1985-86, 1988-89 and 1990-91). In 1988, Marland created daytime television's first leading gay male character, for which he received critical acclaim from all areas of daytime. Just a couple of weeks before his death, Marland won a Soap Opera Digest award for his story line about a woman cop raped by a man carrying the AIDS virus.
Most people were not aware that Marland was an actor before he began writing in his late 30s. He was seen in the films "The Great Imposter," "Toward the Light," "Twice Dead" and "The Pleasure of His Company." On TV, he guest-starred in episodes of "Perry Mason," "Playhouse 90" and "Checkmate." His stage credits include roles in "The Sound of Music" (opposite Jane Powell), "Mame," "Champagne Complex" (opposite Jayne Mansfield) and "Gypsy."
Marland is survived by his mother, Kathryn Beatrice Messner, two brothers, Wayne and Daryll, a sister, Barbara, seven nieces and a nephew.
At this writing, plans for a memorial service in New York City were under way. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to his favorite charity, the American Indian College Fund, 21 W. 68th St., New York, N.Y., 10023.
There is no doubt that Douglas Marland will be sorely missed by everyone involved with daytime television. Many were touched by his kindness, generosity and friendship over the years.