‘One Life to Live’ and ‘All My Children’ Creator Agnes Nixon Dies at 88

Agnes Nixon, the creator of daytime dramas “All My Children,” “One Life to Live” and “Loving” died this morning of undisclosed causes. She was 88.

Born Agnes Eckhardt in Chicago on Dec. 10, 1927, Nixon began her career in soaps working for Irna Phillips where she wrote for “Woman in White” and “As the World Turns,” and was head writer for “Search for Tomorrow,” “Guiding Light,” and “Another World.”

When Nixon left “Another World,” she left the tutelage of Phillips to create her own shows. Although her idea for “All My Children: came first, ABC executives passed on the program due to contractual issues with sponsor Lever Brothers, who sponsored a program that “All My Children: would replace in its time period. That led to the creation of “One Life to Live” in 1968, followed by “All My Children,” which began as a half-hour in 1970. Her third daytime drama creation was the less successful “Loving” in 1983, followed by a co-creator credit for unsuccessful spin-off “The City.” Both “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” were canceled within four months of each other after running for 41 and 43 seasons, respectively.

“I am devastated to hear about the passing of the beloved Agnes Nixon. I am forever grateful to her,” said Susan Lucci, who played Erica Kane on “All My Children.”

Nixon, who was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1992, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences during the ceremonies of the 37th annual “Daytime Emmy Awards” in June 2010.