Peter Simon (actor)
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Peter Simon (born September 27, 1943 in New York City, New York) is an American actor.
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[edit] Career
[edit] Early career
Simon began his career studying acting at the Exeter Academy. He attended Williams College in Williamstown, MA. Simon subsequently became a member professional repertory theater company at Purdue University, and also spent a season at the Barn Theater in Michigan [1]
[edit] Television
Simon's best known work has been as an actor in daytime soap operas. His first role was as Scott Phillips on Search For Tomorrow; his run in the role lasted from 1969 to 1977. He appeared as Ian MacFarland on As The World Turns in 1979. In 1982, he began playing his most high-profile daytime role, the role of Ed Bauer on long-running soap Guiding Light. He played the role from 1981 to 1984, then returned for a second run from 1986 to 1996. His portrayal of Ed included a storyline that remains one of the most controversial ones on the show - the decision to kill off Ed's wife Maureen (played by Ellen Parker) in a car accident after learning of Ed's extramarital affair.
After several attempts to woo Simon back, GL convinced Simon to return to the show for a third run in 2002. [2] However, Simon publicly expressed disapproval during another controversial storyline that unfolded in 2003 and 2004. The storyline (regarding mysterious characters Maryanne and Carrie Carruthers]] received criticism for revising past show history, and drew disdain from Simon in the press regarding a particular scene where it was scripted that Ed had to strike his daughter. Simon left the show again in 2004. [3]
[edit] Theater
Simon has done theater work as an actor and a playwright. Among his New York theater appearances are roles in productions of P.S. Your Cat Is Dead off-Broadway, as well as a New York Shakespeare Festival production of "Twelfth Night".
[edit] Personal life
Simon's first marriage to Merle Louise, with whom he had three children, ended in divorce. He married Search For Tomorrow co-star Courtney Simon in 1975, and the couple share five children (some from prior marriages, as well as one born to the couple).
