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Rachel Ames

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Rachel Ames
Ames, c. 1950
Born
Rachel Kay Foulger

(1929-11-02) November 2, 1929 (age 95)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Other namesJudith Ames
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles
OccupationActress
Years active1951–2007, 2009–2015
Spouses
Jack Genung
​
​
(m. 1952, divorced)​
​
​
(m. 1968; died 2012)​
Children2
Parents

Rachel Ames (born Rachel Kay Foulger; November 2, 1929)[1] is an American actress. She is known for playing the role of Audrey Hardy on the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital (1964 to 2007, returning for appearances in 2009, 2013, and 2015). Ames' role is the longest-running in the series' history, spanning over 50 years and earning her three Daytime Emmy Award nominations. She received the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. Ames also played the role of Audrey on Port Charles, a spin off of General Hospital, from 1997 to 1998.

Early life

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Ames was born Rachel Kay Foulger in Portland, Oregon.[2][3][4] She is the daughter of actress (and later college drama instructor) Dorothy Adams and actor Byron Foulger.[5] She has one younger sister, born in 1942. Through her father, she is of English descent, the fourth generation of English immigrants from Norfolk, who settled in the Salt Lake City area.[4]

Ames spent her early life in Portland, but her family relocated to California so her parents could work, perform and teach at the Pasadena Playhouse.[6] She graduated from University High School and later enrolled at University of California, Los Angeles, where her mother was a professor in the university's drama department.[7][1][2] Ames performed in theater productions during high school and college. She left UCLA after eighteen months when she was signed to a film contract with Paramount Pictures.[5]

Career

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1949-1954: Early work

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Rachel Ames 1954

In 1949, Ames made her professional acting debut in Pilgrimage Play. She co-starred with her parents in One Foot in Heaven at the Pasadena Playhouse.[7][8] She also appeared in productions of Broadway Jones, The Circle, and King of Hearts at the same venue. She co-starred with her father on stage in Cradle Song. Ames' other theater credits include The Immortalist, Mary Rose, and Golden Boy.[8]

She transitioned into film under the stage name Judith Ames. She was under contract with Paramount Pictures for three years in the early 1950s. Her first feature film was When Worlds Collide (1951), a science-fiction thriller based on the 1933 novel of the same name. She played the role of Julie Cummings.[9][7] The same year, she appeared in Toast to Our Brother, a short film documenting fraternity life at UCLA, where she was a student at the time.[citation needed]

She had an uncredited role in the film noir The Turning Point (1952).[10] She also had an uncredited role as Mrs. Kirk in the Western film Arrowhead (1953), co-starring with Charlton Heston.[11] The following year, she had a supporting role as Betsy Williams in the Western comedy film Ricochet Romance (1954).[12]

1954-1964: Television

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In the mid–1950s, Ames, began appearing on television (still using the stage name Judith Ames). From 1954 to 1957, she guest starred on The Public Defender, I Led 3 Lives, Science Fiction Theatre, The Millionaire, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, You Are There, Highway Patrol, Broken Arrow, The Loretta Young Show, Cavalcade of America, General Electric Theater, Tales of Wells Fargo, and The Californians.[13][1][14][5] She made a brief return to film, playing Marion Erschick in the Western Oregon Passage (1957).[15]

From 1958 to 1959, Ames guest starred on Telephone Time, Trackdown, Perry Mason, Man Without a Gun, Lassie, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, Wagon Train, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, Cimarron City, and Wanted Dead or Alive.[5][1][14] In her only regular role on primetime television, Ames played Policewoman Sandy McAllister on The Lineup in the series' final season in 1959.[8][1][5]

She played Alice Hainline in the Western film Gunfighters of Abilene (1960), co-starring with Buster Crabbe and Barton MacLane.[16][17] Ames guest starred on Thriller, Laramie, Stagecoach West, Whispering Smith, 77 Sunset Strip, The Andy Griffith Show, The Fugitive, Arrest and Trial, and Ben Casey.[5][18][1]

1964-2015: General Hospital

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Ames as Audrey March in General Hospital, 1973

On February 23, 1964, Ames debuted on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital, playing Audrey Hardy (then known as Audrey March).[1] Ames was initially put on contract for only thirteen weeks because Audrey was dying from lymphoma. Her performance was well received by the show's producers and the illness was eventually forgotten.[19][20] Ames' tenure in the role became the longest running in the network's history, spanning five decades.[1] The character, a registered nurse, was paired romantically with Dr. Steve Hardy (John Beradino).[21] When Audrey and Steve were married, Ames' father, Byron Foulger, played the priest who performed the ceremony.[6]

During her time on General Hospital, Ames had an uncredited role as Dr. Parkington's Nurse in the thriller film Daddy's Gone A-Hunting (1969), co-starring with her husband, Barry Cahill.[22] The same year, she guest starred on Ironside and The Virginian.[1]

In 1974, Ames was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on General Hospital.[23] She was nominated again in the same category in 1975.[24] In 1979, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.[25]

In 1997, she appeared as Audrey Hardy on ABC's special two-hour primetime preview of a new daytime soap opera Port Charles, a spin-off of General Hospital. Ames had a recurring role as Audrey on Port Charles from 1997 to 1998.[1]

Her contract was not renewed for General Hospital in 2003, but she still appeared as a recurring character.[26][21] In 2004, Ames was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.[27][28][29] In 2007, Ames retired from General Hospital after 43 years. She made a return appearance as Audrey on October 20, 2009, after a two-year absence from the show.[21]

Ames returned to General Hospital for the show's 50th anniversary on March 29, 2013.[30][21][31] She reprised the role of Audrey again for one episode on October 30, 2015.[31]

Personal life

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Ames married Jack Genung on January 31, 1952, in Los Angeles. They had one daughter.[32][citation needed]

She married her second husband, Canadian-born actor Barry Cahill in June 1968. They had a daughter and two grandchildren.[1][7] Cahill died in April 2012. They had been married for 42 years.[33]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1951 When Worlds Collide Julie Cummings Credited as Judith Ames
Toast to Our Brother Short film

Credited as Judith Ames

1952 The Turning Point Girl Uncredited
1953 Arrowhead Mrs. Kirk Uncredited
1954 Ricochet Romance Betsy Williams Credited as Judith Ames
1957 Oregon Passage Marion Erschick Credited as Judith Ames
1960 Gunfighters of Abilene Alice Hainline Credited as Judith Ames
1969 Daddy's Gone-A-Hunting Dr. Parkington's Nurse Uncredited

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1954 Your Favorite Story Lucy Kilgore Episode: "The Crime"

Credited as Judith Ames

The Public Defender Shirley Selvey Episode: "The Do-Gooder"

Credited as Judith Ames

City Detective June Episode: "Her Sister's Keeper"

Credited as Judith Ames

1954; 1955 I Led 3 Lives Comrade Jeanette; Margaret Episodes: "Love Story", "Second Courier"

Credited as Judith Ames

1955 Soldiers of Fortune Ellen Thayer Episode: "The Black Scarab"

Credited as Judith Ames

The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse Episode: "I'll Be Waiting"

Credited as Judith Ames

1955–1957 Science Fiction Theatre Various 6 episodes

Credited as Judith Ames

1955; 1958 NBC Matinee Theater Episodes: "The Shot", "Found Money"

Credited as Judith Ames

1955; 1960 The Millionaire Georgette French; Jessica March Episodes: "The Cobb Marley Story", "Millionaire Jessica March"

Credited as Judith Ames

1956 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Laura Episode: "The Hidden Thing"

Credited as Judith Ames

Dr. Christian Julie Episode: "Insurance Policy"
You Are There Mrs. Fowler Episode: "V-J Day (September 2, 1945)"

Credited as Judith Ames

Highway Patrol Anne Reynolds Episode: "Scared Cop"

Credited as Judith Ames

Studio 57 Jenny; Janet Episodes: "The Black Road", "Out of Sight"

Credited as Judith Ames

Broken Arrow Terry Wilson Episode: "The Mail Riders"

Credited as Judith Ames

The Loretta Young Show Alice Fuller; Nurse Holste Episodes: "The Years Between", "Three and Two, Please"

Credited as Judith Ames

1956; 1957 Crossroads Mrs. Edith Brissie; Marian 3 episodes
1956; 1959 State Trooper Various 3 episodes
1957 Cavalcade of America Carol Episode: "The House of Empty Rooms"

Credited as Judith Ames

Whirlybirds Eve Douglas Episode: "Lynch Mob"

Credited as Judith Ames

General Electric Theater Mary; Edie Duncan Episodes: "No Skin Off Me", "Too Good with a Gun"

Credited as Judith Ames

Code 3 Maggie Porter Episode: "The Bite"

Credited as Judith Ames

1957; 1958 Tales of Wells Fargo Ellen Craig; Maude Kimball Episodes: "A Time to Kill", "Special Delivery"

Credited as Judith Ames

1957; 1959 The Californians Ann Sloan; Madge Dorsett Episodes: "The Avenger", "A Turn in the Trail"

Credited as Judith Ames

1958 Meet McGraw Sue Walters Episode: "Time for Dying"

Credited as Judith Ames

Telephone Time Joan Yedor Episode: "The Checkered Flag"

Credited as Judith Ames

Trackdown Jenny Krail; Melinda Curry Episodes: "The Farrand Story", "The House"

Credited as Judith Ames

M Squad Greta Loder Episode: "The Fight"

Credited as Judith Ames

Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Mrs. Armstrong Episode: "For Sale, Deathbed, Used"

Credited as Judith Ames

Perry Mason Marian Shaw Episode: "The Case of the Black-Eyed Blonde"

Credited as Judith Ames

Man Without a Gun Episode: "The Last Bullet"
The Silent Service Jeanne McFarland Episode: "The Sandshark Story"

Credited as Judith Ames

Lassie Mrs. Bridell Episode: "Lassie's Decision"

Credited as Judith Ames

Colgate Theatre Alice Beekman Episodes: "The Last Marshal", "If You Knew Tomorrow" Credited as Judith Ames
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre Martha Bream; Ellen Larkin Episodes: "The Stranger", "Homecoming"

Credited as Judith Ames

1958–1960 The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp Various 3 episodes
1958–1964 Wagon Train Various 5 episodes
1959 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse Muriel Episode: "Trial at Devil's Canyon"

Credited as Judith Ames

Man with a Camera Lila Episode: "Mute Evidence"

Credited as Judith Ames

Cimarron City Emily Barton Episode: "The Unaccepted"

Credited as Judith Ames

Frontier Doctor Nancy Turner Episode: "The Big Gamblers"

Credited as Judith Ames

Wanted Dead or Alive Ellie Morgan; Sarah Buchanan Episodes: "The Corner", "Angels of Vengeance"

Credited as Judith Ames

Union Pacific Sarah Morgan Episode: "To the Death"

Credited as Judith Ames

1959–1960 The Lineup Sandy McAllister Series regular, 15 episodes
1960 Thriller Betty Follett Episode: "The Mark of the Hand"
Laramie Helen Bentley; Mrs. LuBell Episodes: "Cemetery Road", "A Sound of Bells"
1961 Stagecoach West Cecilia Barnes Episode: "The Root of Evil"
Whispering Smith Jodie Tyler Episode: "The Jodie Tyler Story"

Credited as Rachel Foulger

1962 G.E. True Kate Episode: "Circle of Death"
1963 77 Sunset Strip Agnes Hoyt Episode: "Reunion at Balboa"
The Andy Griffith Show Rosemary Episode: "A Wife for Andy"
The Bill Dana Show Episode: "You Gotta Have Heart"
The Fugitive Ann Gerard Episode: "Never Wave Goodbye: Part 1"
1964 Ben Casey Ethel Beldon Episode: "I'll Get on My Ice Floe and Wave Goodbye"
Arrest and Trial Mrs. Harmon Episode: "Funny Man with a Monkey"
1964–2003; 2007, 2009, 2013, 2015 General Hospital Audrey March Hardy Contract role: 1964–2003, Recurring role and guest appearances: 2007–2015
1968 Off to See the Wizard Nellie Malone Episode: "Mike and the Mermaid"
1969 Ironside Carolyn Channing Episode: "Up, Down and Even"
The Virginian Mary Kinkaid Episode: "Death Wait"
This Is the Life Episode: "Adrift"
1970 The Name of the Game Mrs. Bailey Episode: "The Glory Shouter"
1997–1998 Port Charles Audrey March Hardy Recurring role

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Results Ref.
1974 1st Daytime Emmy Awards Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Nominated [23]
1975 2nd Daytime Emmy Awards Nominated [24]
1979 6th Daytime Emmy Awards Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [25]
2004 31st Daytime Emmy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Won [29]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "About the Actors - Rachel Ames - General Hospital on Soap Central". Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Onofrio 1999, pp. 2–3.
  3. ^ Aaker 2006, p. 13.
  4. ^ a b Foulger, Bryan. "Fourth Generation". Brian Foulger Family History. Retrieved May 25, 2016. Rachel Kay Foulger, born 1929 Portland Oregon
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Rachel Ames Signed to Play Policewoman On 'Lineup' Series – The Oil City Derrick". newspapers.com. September 19, 1959. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Wittbeck, Charles (July 14, 1967). "Soaper Actress Has Army of Fans". The Toledo Blade. p. 18.
  7. ^ a b c d Aaker 2006, pp. 13–14.
  8. ^ a b c Rout, Nancy E.; Buckley, Ellen (1992). The Soap Opera Book: Who's Who in Daytime Drama. Todd Publications. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-915344-23-9.
  9. ^ "When Worlds Collide". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  10. ^ "The Turning Point". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  11. ^ "Arrowhead". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  12. ^ "Ricochet Romance - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  13. ^ "Public Defender Season 2 Episodes". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Credits: Judith Ames". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  15. ^ "Oregon Passage". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  16. ^ Vermilye 2006, p. 186.
  17. ^ "Gunfighters of Abilene". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  18. ^ "Credits: Rachel Ames". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  19. ^ Kleiner, Dick (September 20, 1985). "Soap eliminated her tears". Rome News-Tribune. Showbeat.
  20. ^ Terrace 1985, p. 62.
  21. ^ a b c d "Who's Who in Port Charles: Audrey March Hardy". Soap Central. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  22. ^ "Daddy's Gone A-Hunting - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "The First Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (1974)". Soap Central. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  24. ^ a b "The Second Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (1975)". Soap Central. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "The Sixth Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (1979)". Soap Central. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  26. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (January 5, 2003). "Rachel Ames discharged from GH". Soap Central. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  27. ^ "The National Television Academy Announces the 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients". PR Newswire. February 2, 2004. Archived from the original on June 29, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  28. ^ "Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Hosts Reception In Honor Of 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards". NYC.gov. May 20, 2004. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  29. ^ a b McClintock, Pamela (February 3, 2004). "10 clean up at Daytime Emmys". Variety. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  30. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (February 15, 2013). "Rachel Ames returning for GH's 50th anniversary". Soap Central. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Rachel Ames Returns to General Hospital". Soap Opera Digest. October 29, 2015. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  32. ^ "Marriages" (PDF). Billboard. March 1, 1952. p. 52. Retrieved October 21, 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  33. ^ "Barry Cahill obituary". Los Angeles Times. April 15, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.

Works cited

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