RIP Mary Fickett

Beloved AMC star, Mary Fickett (original Ruth Martin) has passed away Thursday at her home in Callao, VA.  She was 83 years old.  Mary had been ill for some time and bedridden for several years.  A true legend, Mary paved the way for soap stars, being the first ever daytime actor to win an Emmy.  Her hometown newspaper has a beautiful tribute to Mary that I highly recommend.  She will be greatly missed.  AMC ends it run on ABC on September 23 and the September 21 show will be dedicated in Mary's memory.

CASTING NEWS: I've Been Waiting For This!

After Lorraine Broderick hinted in last weeks SOD that more surprise appearances were in store, I held my breath and waited.  Well I just exhaled!!!   SOD Online reports that Ray MacDonnell (Joe), Lee Meriweather (Ruth), David Canary (Adam) and Julia Barr (Brooke) will all be returning before AMC leaves the ABC airwaves on September 23!!!  (Actual airdates are not yet available).

Happy Birthday Lee Meriweather!!

Happy Birthday wishes to Lee Meriweather!!  AMC's current Ruth Martin celebrates her 76th birthday today!   Hope we get to see her again before that big day in September.  Happy birthday wishes also go out today to Dondre Whitfield (ex-Terrence - he most recently had a recurring role in NBC's The Event) who celebrates his 42nd birthday today.  And Paige Rowland (ex-Kit) celebrates her 44th birthday today.

Happy Birthday Mary Fickett!!!

AMC's original Ruth Martin, Mary Fickett, celebrates her 83rd birthday today!!!  Mary has retired from acting and is living in Virginia with her daughter.

CASTING NEWS: Lee Meriweather Returns!

Lee Meriweather has confirmed via Twitter that she will be appearing as Ruth Martin around the second week of March!    Hmmm, might she be in Pine Valley for a wedding?

Remembering Nicky (Larry Keith, 1931-2010)

Yesterday, the Pine Valley Bulletin broke the news of the untimely passing of Larry Keith, All My Children's debonair Nick Davis from 1970-78 (with multiple recurring appearances until 2005). When viewers were first introduced to the Main Line town, Nick Davis (or Nicky as old friend Mona Kane referred to him) was the Valley's "James Dean;" an outsider, projecting a captivating air of intrigue. Viewers could not help but fall in love with him... neither could Phoebe Tyler.

Despite Nick's numerous "relationships" with women (all of which seemed to have the surname Tyler) there was always one woman who could put him his place. Despite all he did when he was teen, Nick always had an ally in Ruth Martin, the adoptive mother of his son, Phil Brent. Though having a stormy start, Ruth and Nick found a middle ground when it came to their son. They were each others' pillars through some of the most trying of times, including Phil's enlistment and deployment to Vietnam.



My favourite Nick and Ruth moment (and one of the last between Keith and original Ruth, Mary Fickett) was at the Martin family housewarming, 24 years after the clip above. In 1994, it would be Nick who would pull Ruth out of her emotional slump resulting from the destruction of the Martin home earlier that year. Nick reminded her that despite the fact that a tornado took her home, she would always be warm in the memories they shared.

To Larry, thank you for the memories.

Happy Birthday Nick Benedict!!!

Dang!  I almost missed him on my calendar!   Happy Birthday Nick Benedict!!!  AMC's second Phil Brent celebrates his 63rd birthday today!   Nick as Phil most notably married first love, Tara Martin in 1976 after his divorce from Tara's rival for his affections, Erica Kane!

 

Pictured (from left to right) Kay Campbell (Grandma Kate Martin), Ray MacDonnell (Joe Martin), Karen Lynn Gorney (Tara Martin), Nick Benedict (Phil Brent), Mary Fickett (Ruth Brent Martin) and Larry Keith (Nick Davis).

Happy Birthday Lee Meriweather!!!!

Happy Birthday wishes to Lee Meriweather!!! AMC's current Ruth Martin celebrates her 75th birthday today!! Lee will be appearing on AMC for Jake and Amanda's wedding!

Happy Birthday Mary Fickett!!!

Happy Birthday to AMC's original Ruth Martin, Mary Fickett! Now retired, Mary celebrates her 82nd birthday today.

CASTING NEWS: Lee Meriweather Makes Appearance!

Lee Meriweather (Ruth) will be making an appearance on AMC next week, for Jake and Amanda's wedding! Back in January, Ruth and Joe (Ray MacDonnell) decided to retire to Florida. Hopefully this is one of many visits one or both will be making to Pine Valley!

Happy Birthday Lee Meriweather!!!

Lee Meriweather (Ruth) celebrates her 74th birthday today! And we'll even get to see her on AMC this week, Thursday, May 28 as she attends the funeral of Stuart Chandler.

Happy Birthday Mary Fickett!!!!

Mary Fickett, our original Ruth Martin, celebrates her 82nd birthday today. Thanks to all who have sent greetings!

Help the PVB Send Birthday Wishes to Mary Fickett!!

On May 23, Mary Fickett (ex-Ruth) will be celebrating her 81st birthday. Now bedridden and living in the home of her daughter, Mary still loves to talk about her days on AMC and loves to hear from her fans. I would like to collect as many cards, letters and memories to send to Mary for her special day. You can email me privately your message or if you would like to send a card, email me (amcdiva@att.net) and I will send you my address. I will then forward all the messages and cards to Mary herself. Let's make this a special birthday for her!

FLASHBACK: April, 1972

We here at the PVB, love to take trips down memory lane. So today we celebrate the 37th wedding anniversary of Joe and Ruth Martin!

Widower Dr. Joe Martin and Nurse Ruth Brent worked side by side at Pine Valley Hospital. But since Ruth was married, Joe could only be her friend and kept his growing love for her a secret. Still they grew ever closer as Ruth confided in Joe how her marriage was falling apart. And then when Joe's daughter Tara began dating Ruth's son, Phil, they had even more to talk about and listen to each other about.




Tragically, Ruth's husband Ted was killed in a car accident. It paved the way for Joe but ever the gentleman, he was there for her when she needed him. And I don't mean in a grief sex kind of way! Back in 1972, that particular act wasn't all that common. But as time went on, they grew closer and closer and before long they were the couple to go to if you needed advice, comfort, or friendship.

Everyone in town knew that someday they would marry and in April, 1972, in the Martin living room, around friends and family, they finally said their "I Do's." Joe's mother Kate welcomed Ruth into their home and family with open arms.



As the years went by, Joe and Ruth became a mainstay in Pine Valley society and as the stalwart couple that everyone respected. They have had their ups and downs, don't get me wrong. But love has always prevailed for these two and they remain the longest married couple in Pine Valley.

Today, they still live in Pine Valley, still work at Pine Valley Hospital but with significantly less hours and still try to help their children with their problems, especially Tad and Jake. And those boys could use all the help they can get!

So Happy Anniversary Joe and Ruth!!!!!