The Guiding Light (TGL) is the longest-running American television soap opera. Show development Pam Long, headwriter from 1983 to 1985 and again beginning in 1987, left the show in early 1991 and was replaced by a triumvirate of writers, Nancy Curlee, Stephen Demorest and James Reilly, the latter who went on to write Days of Our Lives and create Passions for NBC. The realism of the early 1990s was in stark contrast to the mid-1980s, when self-described "Slut of Springfield", Reva Shayne (played by Kim Zimmer) was Guiding Lights central character and storylines tended to be more campy. In fact, executive producer Jill Farren Phelps believed the show was so good without her she didn't approach Zimmer to return even though Zimmer was available. For a time, Phelps was right; the show had become much more of an ensemble piece, with several key players. Executive producers Major charactersThe Bauers Dr. Ed Bauer (Peter Simon, 1981–1984, 1986–1996, 2002–2004, 2009; Robert Gentry, 1966–1969, 1997–1998) Maureen Reardon Davenport Bauer (Ellen Parker, 1986–1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004) Dr. Rick Bauer (Michael O'Leary, 1983–1986, 1987–1991, 1995–2009) Michelle Bauer Santos (Rachel Miner, 1989–1995; Rebecca Budig, 1995–1998; Bethany Joy Lenz, 1998–2000) Meta Bauer White Roberts Banning (Mary Stuart, 1996–1999, 2000–2002)The Spauldings Alexandra Spaulding (Beverlee McKinsey, 1984–1992; Marj Dusay, 1993–1997, 1998–1999, 2002–2009) Alan Spaulding (Ron Raines, 1994–2009) Phillip Spaulding (Grant Aleksander, 1982–1984, 1986–1991, 1996–2004, 2005, 2009) Alan-Michael Spaulding (Carl T. Evans, 1987–1990, 1997–1998, 2001; Rick Hearst, 1990–1996; Michael Dietz, 1996–1997) Beth Raines (Beth Chamberlin, 1989–1991, 1997–2009) Nick McHenry Spaulding (Vincent Irizarry, 1991–1996, 1998) Lizzie Spaulding (Julie Levine, 1990–1991; Hayden Panettiere, 1996, 1997–2000) Amanda Spaulding Thorpe (Toby Poser, 1995–1998)The Lewises H.B. Lewis (Larry Gates, 1983–1988, 1989, 1990–1995) Billy Lewis (Jordan Clarke, 1983–1987, 1989–1993, 1996–1998, 1999–2009; Geoffrey Scott, 1993–1994) Joshua "Josh" Lewis (Robert Newman, 1981–1984, 1986–1991, 1993–2009) Shayne Lewis (Travis Cartier, 1990–1991; Bret Cooper, 1993–1997; Garrett Stevens, 1997–1999; Tony Michael Donnelly, 1999) Reva Shayne Lewis Lewis Spaulding Lewis Cooper Lewis Lewis (Kim Zimmer, 1983–1990, 1995–2009) Vanessa Chamberlain Lewis Lewis Reardon (Maeve Kinkead, 1980–1981, 1982–1987, 1989–2000, 2002, 2005, 2006–2009) Mindy Lewis Spaulding Corday Jeffries Spaulding, (Kimberley Simms, 1989–1992, 1997; Ann Hamilton, 1993; Barbara Crampton, 1993–1995) Dylan Lewis (Morgan Englund, 1989–1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2006, 2009) Bill Lewis III (Bryan Buffington, 1989–1998; Ryan Brown, 1998–2001) Marah Lewis (Ashley Peldon, 1988–1991; Kimberly J. Brown, 1993–1998, 2006; Lauren C. Mayhew, 1998–1999; Laura Bell Bundy, 1999–2001)The Reardons/Chamberlains Bridget Reardon Lewis (Melissa Hayden, 1991–1997, 2009) Matt