Santa Barbara was a groundbreaking daytime soap opera that aired on NBC for ten seasons from 1984 to 1993. Set in the fictional town of Santa Barbara, California, the show focuses on the Capwells and their family drama. Its unique blend of humor, suspense, and romance made Santa Barbara stand out in the already crowded soap landscape.
You just know it’s a good show when it wins 24 Daytime Emmy Awards, and people still rewatch it even in 2024. If you do the math or, alternatively, read the title of this article, you’ll realize that in 2024, Santa Barbara celebrates its 40th anniversary. The cast and crew, well, whatever is left of it anyway, came together on August 2 in Burbank’s Colony Theater for a special reunion event.
Let’s see who made it this far!
1. Zach Kelton — Lee McCloskey
Lee McCloskey was 33 years old when he joined the cast. Before his role in Santa Barbara, Lee had already starred in films like The Streets of San Francisco, Inferno, and Murder, She Wrote. After retiring in 2005, Lee pursued psychology and philosophy. Now, when the actor hits 70, he and his wife, Carla, are all about hosting regular training and public events from their home in California. They are also proud parents of two grown sons, Brighton and Alexander.
2. Gina Blake Lockridge — Robin Mattson
Robin Mattson made a name for himself in the film industry after joining Santa Barbara. She often played wicked and sly characters, and her portrayal of Gina Lockridge was no different. For her outstanding performance, Mattson received three Emmy Award nominations. In her next project, All My Children, Robin got much more screen time, which propelled her career even further until she decided to retire from acting in 2011. At the age of 69, Robin has experienced two marriages, both of which ended in divorce.
3. Eden Capwell — Marcy Walker
Marcy Walker, who played Eden Capwell, stayed with the show from start to finish, and she even had her real-life baby featured on the show. In 1989, she won a Daytime Emmy, and after seven years on Santa Barbara, Marcy moved on to Guiding Light and All My Children. In 2005, she left acting to focus on her faith, becoming a pastor at Lake Forest Church. Despite four short marriages, she’s been happily married to her fifth husband, Doug Smith, for 25 years. Now 62, Marcy leads a private life away from the spotlight.
