Guiding Light's Most Memorable Actresses, Part 3: Ellen Parker

Ellen Parker joined Guiding Light in 1986 as Maureen Reardon Bauer, replacing Ellen Dolan who originated the role in 1982. Maureen was one of seven children who were raised by their mother Bea in a rambling old boarding house on Springfield's Seventh Street. Maureen married Dr. Ed Bauer in 1983 and quickly became one of Guiding Light's most beloved heroines. Though she rarely drove story, Maureen was one of the most pivotal characters on Guiding Light's canvas. She was part of not one, but two major Springfield families. She was best friends with blue blood Vanessa Chamberlain Lewis and Cedars Hospital nurse Lillian Raines. She was a devoted daughter, sister, and wife. She was the caring and loving stepmother to Ed's illegitimate daughter Michelle. She was a compassionate friend to journalist Fletcher Reade and one of the only friends of town pariah Roger Thorpe. She was a wise and nurturing aunt to her troubled niece Bridget. She stood by as Ed cheated on her with Dr. Claire Ramsey (resulting in Michelle's conception) and with his ex-wife Holly. Maureen was a pillar in the town of Springfield and, after the death of Ed's mother Bert in 1986, Maureen became the heart of the Bauer. And, consequently, actress Ellen Parker became the heart of Guiding Light.

In 1992, the powers at be at Guiding Light decided to write Maureen out of the story after a focus group determined the character was expendable. Ultimately, it was a decision that drove incredible story for months, but that removed a character and an actress that had become essential to the series. That year, Maureen's aforementioned friend Lillian Raines faced breast cancer and ended up having a one-night-stand with Ed. In early 1993, Maureen discovered her husband and friend's transgression and all hell broke lose...and changed life in Springfield forever.

Ellen Parker was powerful and mesmerizing as Maureen confronted her husband and friend, and she relayed the sad story to her good pal Vanessa. Her performances netted her an Emmy in 1993. But, sadly, the storyline meant the end of Maureen Reardon Bauer. After a tense and emotional confrontation with Ed where she intoned, "You have broken my heart," Maureen fled the Bauer's cabin and was involved in a horrific car accident. She later died in the hospital as her families and all of Springfield grieved.

Ellen Parker would later return to Guiding Light on a number of occasions in newly created flashbacks and as a spirit offer guidance and hope to her daughter Michelle and pal Vanessa.

So, step back now and watch the amazing Ellen Parker in action.

Here, Maureen and Vanessa have a heart to heart talk. This scene is the start of Maureen's confrontation with Ed, followed by their heartbreaking final moments together. Finally, the end credits to the episode where Maureen died, a montage of scenes featuring Ellen Parker to the tune of Linda Ronstadt's "Goodbye My Friend."