The All My Children History Project

Who Says You Can Never Go Home

Three major returns come to Pine Valley: one classic hero, a ghost, and an old friend with a new face.

Topping off the list of returnees is Laurence Lau as Greg Nelson, a role he played from 1984-86. Lau’s Greg brought national attention to All My Children for his star-crossed romance with Jenny Gardner (Kim Delaney) from 1982-84. After Jenny’s untimely death, Greg fell into the backburner. His last Pine Valley romance was with Robin McCall (Hunter Tylo, then Deborah Morehart), who was actually in love with brother-in-law, Tad Martin (Michael E. Knight). Greg left for Hong Kong, and kept his distance, especially from his overbearing mother Enid Nelson (Natalie Ross).

Lau’s return coincides with best friends and former business partners Jesse (Darnell Williams) and Angie Hubbard’s (Debbi Morgan) third wedding. His return is slated to be short-term starting May 20.

Also expect appearances by Cady McClain return as a ghostly vision of the late Dixie Cooney (pictured left with Knight as Tad). Dixie was killed for a second and what looks to be final time in 2007. McClain played the role from 1986-96, 1998-2002, and again in 2005-07.

Bad writing and a lackluster storyline botched her long anticipated return in 2005. Longtime Tad and Dixie fans were robbed of a true reunion of the one time super-couple with their long lost child, Kate Martin. Kate now resides in Pine Valley as Kathy Mershon Keefer, Julia Keefer’s (Sydney Penny) adopted daughter.

Hopefully they will make it clear McClain’s visits are only a vision so that the door could be left open for her long-term return. Then again, viewers saw Jesse in heaven on multiple occasions, and we see where he is now.

McClain’s first airdate in May 2.

Daytime veteran Ricky Paull Goldin takes over the role of Dr. Jake Martin this week. The Martin heir was last seen in 2003 (portrayed by J. Eddie Peck) when he came home to announce his engagement to fellow Doctor Without Borders colleague Dr. Carolyn Finn.

Somewhere along the way, Jake has found himself being held prisoner in war torn Darfur. This is not the first time Jake found himself in hot water. In 2000, Jake was presumed missing in action in Chechnya while volunteering for DWOB.