On this day in 1979, Robin Stasser made her debut as Dr. Dorian Lord on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live.
Stasser was hand selected by series creator Agnes Nixon for the part after having previously worked together on Another World, where the two created the iconic role of Rachel Davis in 1967.
At the time of Strasser’s debut, One Life to Live had been on the air for 11 years. The role of Dorian had previously been played by Nancy Pinkerton and Claire Malis, with Dixie Carter temporarily stepping in during Pinkerton’s maternity leave.
The character of Dorian was created as a foil to leading heroine Viki Lord (Erika Slezak). Strasser’s on-screen dynamic with Slezak became a defining element of the series, with their combative chemistry resonating strongly with viewers.
Over the decades, Dorian’s storylines kept viewers invested, often centering on her complicated family relationships and her loyalty to the Cramer women.
During her time on the show, Dorian was married multiple times, including to five men and one woman. Her relationship with Herb Callison and David Vickers Buchanan proved especially popular with fans.
In later storylines, Dorian entered the world of politics, becoming mayor of Llanview in 2009 and later serving as a U.S. senator in 2011.
Strasser remained with One Life to Live until her first exit in 1987. She returned for another stint in 1993 before departing again in 2000.
The actress came back once more in 2003 and stayed with the series until its cancellation in 2011. She later reprised the role briefly for the show’s online reboot in 2003.
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Since leaving One Life to Live, Strasser has made additional daytime appearances, including a stint on Days of Our Lives in 2019 as a recast Vivian Alamain when Louise Sorel was unavailable.
Strasser’s other daytime credits include her debut role on The Secret Storm in 1964, as well as roles on All My Children and Passions.
What were your favorite memories of Strasser’s time as Dorian? Share them in the comments below.
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