Claire Vaughn Labine (née Wood; June 28, 1934 – November 11, 2016) was an American soap opera writer and producer.[1][2]
Career
1990s
In 1993, Labine returned to daytime as head writer of ABC's General Hospital. She brought the show much critical acclaim, and won her seventh Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for her work on the show. She chose to depart the show in early 1996. During this time, she created a proposed General Hospitalspin-off, Heart and Soul, about two families, one black, one white, both show business families. The black family was three generations of jazz musicians. Next door was a theatrical family. The show was not picked up by ABC or NBC; Wendy Riche's competing Port Charles was ABC's choice instead.
In 1996, Labine was offered the head writer role at As the World Turns but turned it down because she and her son Matthew Labine were trying to get HEART & SOUL [aka Union Place] on the air. "I had to turn it down because we were in the middle of that development. I said to Procter & Gamble, 'I am gratified by this offer, but if I have any chance at all...' I didn't think there was much chance but I thought it was worth a go to do our own show. And they were very lovely about it."
In late 1996, she was made head writer of ABC's One Life to Live because she had a year and a half left on her contract with ABC. She remained with the show until early 1998.
2000s
Most recently, Labine had a short stint at CBS' Guiding Light. She was head writer of the show from 2000 through 2001. Labine shared the reins of GL with her children, Matthew Labine and Eleanor Labine. Rumors abounded throughout Labine's tenure at GL that she, executive producer Paul Rauch, and executive in charge of production Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin had frequent arguments about the show's direction.
At one point, it was announced in the soap press that the Labines were departing, only to have the announcement recanted a week later.[4] P&G did eventually replace the Labines the following year with writers Lloyd Gold and Christopher Dunn.
In November 2009, Labine gave WeLoveSoaps.net an exclusive interview during which she discussed her struggles with ABC during Ryan's Hope, her enjoyment of writing General Hospital, and her less enjoyable experiences on One Life to Live and Guiding Light. She discussed details about her aborted project, Union Place, and insights into her illustrious career.[5]
Death
Labine died on November 11, 2016, at her home in Somers, Connecticut, at the age of 82. No cause of death was disclosed.[2]
(1977, 1979 Outstanding Drama Series, Ryan's Hope)
12 nominations
(1978, 1981 & 1982, Outstanding Drama Series, Ryan's Hope)
National Academy Of New York Arts And Sciences
Silver Circle Recipient
2000
Writers Guild of America
Wins
1995, General Hospital
1994, General Hospital
1980-1983, 1986–1989, Ryan's Hope
Nominations
2001, Guiding Light
1996, General Hospital
1979, Ryan's Hope
Other
Honored with Evelyn F. Burkey Award by the Writers Guild of America on February 19, 2005. The award was presented to her by friend and former Ryan's Hope star Kate Mulgrew.
Connecticut College Gold Medal 1995 Inherit The Earth Award for General Hospital story line on environmental racism, a ground-breaking plot for daytime about a trash incinerator about to be located in a low income area featured icon Laura Webber in fight for social justice .
Labine served the Writers Guild of America, East, as vice president for three terms, and is a recipient of the Richard Jablow Award for devoted service to the Guild.
