Richard Abbott (One Life to Live)

Richard Abbott is a fictional character on the American soap opera One Life to Live. The role was originated in January 1977 by actor Luke Reilly. The nephew of Victor Lord and first cousin to Victoria Lord, the role last appears in January 1987 portrayed by actor Jeffrey Byron.

Richard Abbott
One Life to Live character
Portrayed by
  • Luke Reilly (1977–79)
  • Keith Langsdale (1980)
  • Robert Gribbon (1980–81)
  • Jeffrey Byron (1986–87)
Duration
  • 1977–81
  • 1986–87
First appearanceJanuary 1977 (January 1977)
Last appearanceJanuary 1987 (January 1987)
ClassificationFormer; regular
Created byGordon Russell
Introduced by
In-universe information
Occupation
  • Journalist
  • Businessman
FamilyLord
Parents
SpouseBecky Lee Hunt (1978–81)
Uncles
First cousins
Other relativesPowell Lord III

Casting
Actor Jeffrey Byron was the last actor recast to play Richard Abbott in 1986.

Luke Reilly originated the role of Victor Lord's nephew Richard Abbott onscreen January 1977, and played the role through 1979.[1] Robert S. Woods originally auditioned for the recast of Richard with One Life to Live executive producer Joseph Stuart and opposite fictional cousin Victoria Lord Riley (Erika Slezak). Stuart cast Woods to play new character and featured protagonist Bo Buchanan, and Richard was played by newcomer Keith Langsdale.[2] Langsdale first appeared onscreen in February 1980, fired from the show in April and replaced with Robert Gribbon in episodes beginning June 1980.[3] Gribbon went on to play Richard continually through 1981. In January 1986, actor Jeffrey Byron assumed the role and last appeared in 1987.[4]

Character development

Introduced as the charming son of Victor Lord's sister, Gwendolyn Lord Abbott (Joan Copeland), Richard (Reilly) comes to Llanview and soon begins work with cousin Viki Lord Riley (Erika Slezak) in the Lord family-owned newspaper The Banner. Becky Lee Hunt (Jill Voight) arrives in Llanview soon afterward in pursuit of a country music career, falling in love with wealthy Richard. Dorian Lord (Claire Malis, Robin Strasser) and Edwina Lewis (Margaret Klenck) both pursue Richard, but he proposes marriage to Becky Lee.[5][6]

A jealous Edwina travels to Becky Lee's native North Carolina and finds of she's already married. Edwina returns to Llanview with Becky Lee's estranged husband Luke Jackson (Marshall Borden). Meanwhile, Richard and Becky Lee marry onscreen November 7, 1978. Viki's husband and Banner editor-in-chief Joe Riley (Lee Patterson) then offers Richard a job managing the newspaper's European bureau in Paris. Before leaving town, Richard's skull is fractured in a fight with Luke in October 1979. Luke is later killed in a shootout with Llanview Police Captain Ed Hall (Al Freeman Jr.). Richard undergoes major brain surgery and soon leaves town with his new wife.[7]

The married couple returns to Llanview in February 1980, with Richard (Keith Langsdale) and Becky Lee's (Mary Gordon Murray) falling apart. Richard enlists reformed prostitute Karen Wolek (Judith Light) to investigate Becky Lee's escapades. Karen finds out Richard is cuckolded by Tina Clayton's (Andrea Evans) ex-boyfriend Johnny Drummond (Wayne Massey). Richard divorces Becky Lee and returns to Paris in September 1981.[8]

A debonair Richard (Jeffrey Byron) comes back to Llanview in January 1986 and becomes romantically involved with newly discovered cousin Tina, who assumes the last name of her estranged father Victor Lord. After proposing marriage, Tina accepts in June 1986, but backs out of the engagement to court Cord Roberts (John Loprieno).[4]

References
  1. Jon-Michael Reed (September 30, 1983). "Guiding Light tunes in 'hot' plot". Tri-City Herald. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  2. Waggett, Gerry (2008). The One Life to Live 40th Anniversary Trivia Book. New York City: Hyperion Books. p. 272. ISBN 9781401323097.
  3. Lynda Hirsch (April 29, 1980). "Sexy Scenes in Bedroom Upset Some Actors in Daytime Dramas". Youngstown Vindicator. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  4. "One Life to Live". St. Joseph News-Press. July 19, 1986. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  5. "One Life to Live recap (1977)". ABC. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  6. Jon-Michael Reed (October 13, 1977). "What's Happening on the Soapies". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  7. "One Life to Live recap (1978)". ABC. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  8. Mary Ann Cooper (January 27, 1980). "Speaking of Soaps". Bulletin Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
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