Actor Jameson Parker was cast on-the-spot by OLTL executive producer Doris Quinlan for the role of Brad following an encounter in a New York City elevator.[1] Parker originated the role onscreen in June 1976 and played it through 1978. Actor Steve Fletcher assumed the role regularly from July 1978 through September 1986.[2][3] Ted LePlat temporarily substituted in the role in the early months of 1980 when Fletcher took ill.[4]
Characterization
Nicknamed "The Cad", Brad is an ambivalent, abusive philanderer. Soap opera critics describe the character as a villainous antihero who appealed to viewer empathy by possessing redeeming qualities.[5][6][7][8]
Brad (Parker) is introduced onscreen as a promising twentysomething tennis player in June 1976,[9] but a knee injury soon cuts his pro-athlete dreams short. Bitter and self-pitying, Brad becomes a womanizing Lothario to fill his time.[10][11] He romances several young women concurrently, including his father's secretary Jenny Wolek (Katherine Glass). Jenny resists his advances, eventually falling for him until uncovering his affair with waitress Lana McClain (Jacklyn Zeman), which resulted in Lana becoming pregnant.[12]
One night during their romantic escapades, Brad gives a drunk Lana a glass of milk laced with sleeping pills, and she dies.[5][13] Fearful he might be blamed for murdering her, Brad coaxes Jenny into providing him an alibi, but the police do not accept it. Brad and Jenny marry January 3, 1978, preventing her from testifying against Brad in court. Nevertheless, Brad goes to jail for manslaughter.[14] When Jenny realizes she was used, Jenny begins proceeding to end their marriage in July. Brad (Fletcher onward) becomes distraught over learning his sister Sam (Julia Montgomery) suffered a serious accident, and Jenny puts their annulment on hold to console him.[15]
Jenny (Brynn Thayer onward) decides to continue with their marriage upon Brad's release from jail in October 1978, discovering herself pregnant by him months later in May.[16] Brad soon rapes Jenny's sister Karen Wolek (Judith Light) and pressures Karen into secrecy by telling her any upsetting news would cause Jenny to miscarry.[17] Ironically, with stress of Brad's constant womanizing exacerbated by finding out he raped her sister, Jenny blacks out, goes into premature labor, and unknowingly miscarries their child, Mary Vernon.[18]
Stillborn Mary is soon switched in 1979 in a scheme by Karen and con man ex-boyfriend Marco Dane (Gerald Anthony) with the live-born child of Karen's fellow ex-prostitute and friend Katrina Karr (Nancy Snyder), Kristine Karr. Jenny and Brad's divorce is finalized in April 1981, and in a heartwrenching move, Jenny's "Mary", born Kristine Karr, is eventually returned to Katrina after she raises the child for over two years.[19][20]
1981–86, 1988
After Jenny divorces him, Brad soon engages in a brief romance with auto mechanic Georgina Whitman (Ilene Kristen). When Jenny plans to remarry with Dr. Peter Janssen (Denny Albee), and a jealous Brad objects to the marriage as he pinned after ex-wife Jenny again. Jenny rebuffs his advances. She continues with the marriage in 1981[21][22][23] but is widowed for a second time in 1982. Brad comforts her, proposing marriage to both Katrina and later Jenny, both of which never come to fruition. Brad soon opens and runs eponymous Vernon Inn hotel for several years, marrying Connie O'Neill (Terry Donahue) and leaving Llanview in September 1986.[3][24]
Upon returning to Llanview in 1988 for the funeral of her sister Didi, Connie (Elizabeth Keifer) and Brad tell Delilah and Rafe of their lives in France.[25]
Reception
The introduction of Jameson Parker was met with fanfare by fans enamored with the actor's good looks and easygoing portrayal.[7] When Brad physically abused Jenny (Glass) onscreen in 1978, a group of angry viewers, unable to differentiate between the actor and character, left a note at the OLTL New York City studios threatening violence if Parker did not "leave Jenny alone".[26]
The onscreen October 1979 rape storyline of ex-hooker Karen (Light) by brother-in-law Brad (Fletcher) was highly controversial, garnering acclaim and criticism for OLTL and ABC Daytime for the frank nature of the story arc and moral implications of the sexual assault of a former prostitute.[27][28][29]
^Warner, Gary (1998). Love, Honor and Cherish: The Greatest Wedding Moments from All My Children, General Hospital, and One Life to Live. New York City: Hyperion Books. pp. 354. ISBN0786863684.
brad, vernon, fictional, character, from, american, soap, opera, life, live, life, live, charactersteve, fletcher, portrayed, byjameson, parker, 1976, steve, fletcher, 1978, duration1976, 1986first, appearancejune, 1976, june, 1976, last, appearanceseptember, . Brad Vernon is a fictional character from the American soap opera One Life to Live Brad VernonOne Life to Live characterSteve Fletcher as Brad VernonPortrayed byJameson Parker 1976 78 Steve Fletcher 1978 86 Duration1976 1986First appearanceJune 1976 June 1976 Last appearanceSeptember 1986 September 1986 ClassificationFormer regularCreated byGordon RussellIntroduced byDoris QuinlanIn universe informationOccupationVernon Inn ownerTennis playerParentsWill VernonNaomi VernonSistersSamantha VernonSpouseJenny Wolek 1978 81 Connie O Neill 1986 88 DaughtersKristine KarrMary Vernon stillborn Nieces and nephewsSammi Garretson Contents 1 Character background 1 1 Casting 1 2 Characterization 2 Storyline 2 1 1976 81 2 2 1981 86 1988 3 Reception 4 References 5 External linksCharacter background EditCasting Edit Actor Jameson Parker was cast on the spot by OLTL executive producer Doris Quinlan for the role of Brad following an encounter in a New York City elevator 1 Parker originated the role onscreen in June 1976 and played it through 1978 Actor Steve Fletcher assumed the role regularly from July 1978 through September 1986 2 3 Ted LePlat temporarily substituted in the role in the early months of 1980 when Fletcher took ill 4 Characterization Edit Nicknamed The Cad Brad is an ambivalent abusive philanderer Soap opera critics describe the character as a villainous antihero who appealed to viewer empathy by possessing redeeming qualities 5 6 7 8 Storyline Edit1976 81 Edit Jenny Glass and Brad Parker 1977 Brad Parker is introduced onscreen as a promising twentysomething tennis player in June 1976 9 but a knee injury soon cuts his pro athlete dreams short Bitter and self pitying Brad becomes a womanizing Lothario to fill his time 10 11 He romances several young women concurrently including his father s secretary Jenny Wolek Katherine Glass Jenny resists his advances eventually falling for him until uncovering his affair with waitress Lana McClain Jacklyn Zeman which resulted in Lana becoming pregnant 12 One night during their romantic escapades Brad gives a drunk Lana a glass of milk laced with sleeping pills and she dies 5 13 Fearful he might be blamed for murdering her Brad coaxes Jenny into providing him an alibi but the police do not accept it Brad and Jenny marry January 3 1978 preventing her from testifying against Brad in court Nevertheless Brad goes to jail for manslaughter 14 When Jenny realizes she was used Jenny begins proceeding to end their marriage in July Brad Fletcher onward becomes distraught over learning his sister Sam Julia Montgomery suffered a serious accident and Jenny puts their annulment on hold to console him 15 Jenny Brynn Thayer onward decides to continue with their marriage upon Brad s release from jail in October 1978 discovering herself pregnant by him months later in May 16 Brad soon rapes Jenny s sister Karen Wolek Judith Light and pressures Karen into secrecy by telling her any upsetting news would cause Jenny to miscarry 17 Ironically with stress of Brad s constant womanizing exacerbated by finding out he raped her sister Jenny blacks out goes into premature labor and unknowingly miscarries their child Mary Vernon 18 Stillborn Mary is soon switched in 1979 in a scheme by Karen and con man ex boyfriend Marco Dane Gerald Anthony with the live born child of Karen s fellow ex prostitute and friend Katrina Karr Nancy Snyder Kristine Karr Jenny and Brad s divorce is finalized in April 1981 and in a heartwrenching move Jenny s Mary born Kristine Karr is eventually returned to Katrina after she raises the child for over two years 19 20 1981 86 1988 Edit After Jenny divorces him Brad soon engages in a brief romance with auto mechanic Georgina Whitman Ilene Kristen When Jenny plans to remarry with Dr Peter Janssen Denny Albee and a jealous Brad objects to the marriage as he pinned after ex wife Jenny again Jenny rebuffs his advances She continues with the marriage in 1981 21 22 23 but is widowed for a second time in 1982 Brad comforts her proposing marriage to both Katrina and later Jenny both of which never come to fruition Brad soon opens and runs eponymous Vernon Inn hotel for several years marrying Connie O Neill Terry Donahue and leaving Llanview in September 1986 3 24 Upon returning to Llanview in 1988 for the funeral of her sister Didi Connie Elizabeth Keifer and Brad tell Delilah and Rafe of their lives in France 25 Reception EditThe introduction of Jameson Parker was met with fanfare by fans enamored with the actor s good looks and easygoing portrayal 7 When Brad physically abused Jenny Glass onscreen in 1978 a group of angry viewers unable to differentiate between the actor and character left a note at the OLTL New York City studios threatening violence if Parker did not leave Jenny alone 26 The onscreen October 1979 rape storyline of ex hooker Karen Light by brother in law Brad Fletcher was highly controversial garnering acclaim and criticism for OLTL and ABC Daytime for the frank nature of the story arc and moral implications of the sexual assault of a former prostitute 27 28 29 References Edit Logan Dan 1985 Hanging Out in Hollywood Orange Coast Emmis Communications 11 8 20 Schemering Christopher 1988 The Soap Opera Encyclopedia New York City Ballantine Books p 173 ISBN 0345353447 a b One Life to Live Season 19 September 1986 American Broadcasting Company One Life to Live Season 12 1980 American Broadcasting Company a b Waggett Gerry 2008 TheOne Life to Live40th Anniversary Trivia Book New York City Hyperion Books p 272 ISBN 978 1401323097 Soares Manuela 1978 The Soap Opera Book New York City Harmony Books p 166 ISBN 0517533316 a b Journal of the University Film Association University Film Association 33 35 10 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Missing or empty title help Kaminsky Stuart M Mahan Jeffrey H 1985 American Television Genres Chicago Nelson Hall p 220 ISBN 0882298283 One Life to Live Season 8 June 1976 American Broadcasting Company Soares Manuela 1978 The Soap Opera Book New York City Harmony Books p 182 ISBN 0517533308 Retrieved May 16 2013 Debra Katz May 7 1986 Friend confuses Bruce Willis for Barry Williams Park City Daily News Retrieved May 14 2013 One Life to Live Season 10 November 1977 American Broadcasting Company One Life to Live Season 10 December 1977 American Broadcasting Company One Life to Live Season 10 January 1978 American Broadcasting Company One Life to Live recap 1978 Part 1 American Broadcasting Company Archived from the original on April 23 2008 Retrieved May 17 2013 One Life to Live Season 11 1978 1979 American Broadcasting Company One Life to Live Season 12 October 1979 American Broadcasting Company One Life to Live Season 12 November 1 1979 American Broadcasting Company One Life to Live Season 14 April 1981 American Broadcasting Company One Life to Live Season 15 August 1982 American Broadcasting Company One Life to Live Season 14 September 2 1981 American Broadcasting Company Visitor Hayward Wisconsin Country Print Shop Inc 16 270 1980 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Missing or empty title help Warner Gary 1998 Love Honor and Cherish The Greatest Wedding Moments fromAll My Children General Hospital andOne Life to Live New York City Hyperion Books pp 354 ISBN 0786863684 One Life to Live Season 18 July 1 1986 American Broadcasting Company One Life to Live Season 21 September 1988 American Broadcasting Company Denis Paul 1985 Inside the Soaps New York City Citadel Press p 128 ISBN 0806509406 Fineman Martha A McCluskey Martha T 1997 Feminism Media and the Law Cambridge Oxford University Press p 112 ISBN 0195096290 Cassata Mary B Skill Thomas 1983 Life on Daytime Television New York City Ablex Publishing p 32 ISBN 0893911380 Levine Elana 2007 Wallowing in Sex The New Sexual Culture of 1970s American Television Durham North Carolina Duke University Press p 320 ISBN 978 0822339199 External links EditLlanview Labyrinth Bradley Vernon Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Brad Vernon amp oldid 1030326691, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
