
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, August 24, 1995                   TAG: 9508240015
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY M. REICHARDT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ACTRESS IS NO STRANGER TO 'GUIDING LIGHT'

Long time ``Guiding Light'' fans must be thrilled about the return of Lisa Brown in her former role of Nola Reardon Chamberlain (Brown's first air date was Aug. 8). Brown originated the role of Nola in 1980, but the character was written out of the story line in 1985. Brown's renewed run on ``Guiding Light'' is only recurring status, but that could change.

Shortly after exiting ``Guiding Light,'' Brown landed the role of Iva Snyder Benedict on ``As the World Turns,'' but that role also ended in 1994 when the show had a head writer change and the character was sent out of town. This past spring, Brown was seen in the recurring role of FBI agent turned would-be killer Carolyn Myers on ``Loving.'' The character was quite a departure from Brown's usual good-girl roles.

All that we could glean about Nola's return to Springfield at press time is that she will be stirring up a lot of trouble for some residents.

New to ``Guiding Light'' is deaf actress Amy Cox, who made her television debut in the long-term role of Abigail Blume. Abigail was introduced to the audience via the Reva Lewis story line in that she is a young woman who lives in Reva's simple community. In the story line, Abigail's deafness will be only one part of her many-faceted character. She will also be involved in a very romantic love story.

Cox, who lost her hearing at age 6 due to illness, can speak, uses American Sign Language and also reads lips. She is skilled in dialects including Irish, high British, cockney and those of several American regions.

The actress earned a BFA degree from the University of Southern California. At the time she auditioned for the role of Abigail, Cox, who has an extensive theater background, was performing in ``Present Laughter'' at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Williamstown, Mass.

\ Speaking of babies, Rick Hearst, who plays Alan-Michael Spaulding on ``Guiding Light,'' and his wife Donna, welcomed a son, Cameron James, on July 16. Cameron already has a big brother, 4-year-old Nicky.

On July 15, David Wolos-Fonteno, who plays Dr. Charles Grant on ``GL,'' and his wife, Mary, welcomed their first child, Cesca Grace.

\ Send your questions about soap operas to Nancy M. Reichardt, ``Tune in Tomorrow,'' in care of The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. Questions cannot be answered personally, but those of general interest will be answered in future columns.

United Feature Syndicate

by CNB