in her innocence and hires her as his personal assistant, until she confesses her lies, freeing Rodney before she leaves town for good. Martin Peyton (George Macready, 1965–1968, episodes 133–402; Wilfrid Hyde-White briefly played the character in Macready's absence) The father of Catherine Harrington and the most powerful and influential man in Peyton Place. Because of his bitter personality, his too-apparent passion for manipulating people like chess pieces, and his short temper, he is feared by most people. He bonds with Betty and wants her to be Rodney's wife, but his cover-ups for Catherine's immorality and Ann and Steven's true parentage come back to haunt him. Ann Howard (Susan Oliver, 1966, episodes 205–254) Ann was believed to be the person who blinded Chris Webber. She is determined to prove her innocence and is supported by Michael. She turns out to be Catherine Harrington's daughter, twin sister of Steven, though in the middle of her turmoil she finds love with Michael until her own untimely death. Lee Webber (Stephen Oliver, 1966–1968, episodes 206–400) The brother of Chris and a bad seed thanks to boyhood abuse by his alcoholic father. He likes to beat his wife Sandy and regularly fights with Rodney. Ann blames him for having blinded Chris, which he eventually admits, but he was determined to do everything to silence her. After it's determined there's not enough evidence to prosecute him for Ann's death in a fall off the bluff, Lee is hired as Martin Peyton's chauffeur, unaware Peyton plans to hold him to account for Ann's death. Rachel Welles (Leigh Taylor-Young, 1966–1967, episodes 276–354) A teen who is abused by her uncle, Jack Chandler. She first seeks romantic involvement with Michael and moves in with the Carson family, but she is eventually abducted by her uncle and loses her mind, while her uncle is eventually arrested for other crimes and ultimately killed in a police confrontation. Jill Smith (Joyce Jillson, 1968, episodes 402–473) The woman who claims to have Allison's child, causing Rodney Harrington to think he's the father. It turns out Jill herself is the mother of the child, with Michael's younger brother being the father. Joe Rossi (Michael Christian, 1968, episodes 411–473) The amoral, much-bruised younger brother of Michael who has a romantic history with Jill and agrees to help her with her scheme while wreaking havoc for others in town. Tom Winter (Robert Hogan, 1968–1969, episodes