James Stenbeck

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As the World Turns character

James Stenbeck
Played by Anthony Herrera
Duration 1980-2005(recurring)
Date of birth Oct.31
Marital status Single
Occupation criminal mastermind
Family Barbara,Paul,David,Jordan

James Stenbeck is a recurring villain of long standing on the CBS daytime drama As the World Turns, portrayed by Anthony Herrera. A frequently shadowy and omnipotent force, Stenbeck's name has become synonymous with terror throughout the show's fictional town of Oakdale. However, rarely has anyone in the town felt the threat of his presence more keenly than his own family.

Introduced in 1980 as the controlling ex-lover of heroine Barbara Ryan and father to Paul, he quickly staked his claim on his family and caused Barbara to break her engagement with Tom Hughes. James and Barbara married, however it turned out James only did so as a means to an end. His role as the first Stenbeck husband and father of his generation secured his place as the rightful heir to the family fortune, and he began pursuing other women outside of the marriage.

In addition to his adultery, James also dabbled in drugs and stolen goods smuggling, using Barbara's business as a front for his illegal activity. When Barbara found out about all this, the marriage was put at risk, though James managed to calm her down for a time.

Barbara however grew more and more disenchanted with James, and increasingly infatuated with Gunnar St. Clair, a Stenbeck cousin she had met at a family event. Eventually she told James she was leaving him, and James, desperate to maintain his hold on the Stenbeck inheritance through Paul, told her she'd never get custody of their son. James had a further setback when he discovered that he was not, in fact, the true Stenbeck heir but rather the son of the family maid, switched at birth. In fact, his rival Gunnar was the true successor to the family fortune. Though James sought to conceal the truth, his arch-nemesis John Dixon had also discovered the secret.

Contents

[edit] Family and relationships

[edit] Parents

  • Unnamed Man (father)
  • Greta Aldrin (mother)

[edit] Sibling(s)

  • Ariel Aldrin (sister)
  • Lars Stenbeck (brother, deceased)

[edit] Marital status

  • Single

[edit] Past marriage(s)

[edit] Children

  • Unnamed child (son, with Lucinda Walsh, deceased)
  • David Allen Stenbeck (son, with Unnamed woman, deceased)
  • Paul Ryan (son, with Barbara Ryan)
  • Jordon Sinclair (son, with Unnamed woman)
  • Unnamed child (son, with Emily Stewart, deceased)

[edit] Grandchildren

  • Cabot Sinclair (grandson, via Jordon)
  • Jennifer Ryan (granddaughter, via Paul, deceased)
  • Unnamed child (grandson, via Paul, miscarriage)