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Laura Horton
Laura Horton
Laura Horton
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Laura Horton
Days of Our Lives character
Jaime Lyn Bauer as Laura Horton (2021)
Portrayed by
Duration
  • 1966–1980
  • 1993–1999
  • 2003
  • 2010
  • 2013
  • 2016
  • 2018
  • 2021
First appearanceJune 30, 1966
Last appearanceFebruary 10, 2021 (2021-02-10)
ClassificationFormer; guest
Created byPeggy Phillips
Introduced by
In-universe information
Other namesLaura Spencer
Monica (at the Meadows)
OccupationPsychiatrist
FamilyHorton
ParentsJames Spencer
Carrie Spencer
HusbandMickey Horton (1967–1974)
Bill Horton (1974–1993)
ChildrenMike Horton
Jennifer Horton
GrandchildrenJeremy Horton
Abigail Deveraux
JJ Deveraux
Other relativesThomas DiMera
Charlotte DiMera

Laura Horton is a fictional character from the NBC soap opera, Days of Our Lives, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional, United States town of Salem.[1] Created by writer Peggy Phillips, Laura's storylines focus on family troubles. She is a member of the series' Horton family. Laura's marriage to Mickey Horton was a big part of the characters' history. She was also married to his brother, Bill. Many of Laura's storylines have also revolved around her mental health issues. Laura was initially portrayed by Floy Dean from June to October 1966, before Susan Flannery stepped in, portraying Laura from November 1966 to May 1975. Susan Oliver then portrayed Laura from October 1975 to June 1976, followed by Rosemary Forsyth from August 1976 to March 1980. The character then took a hiatus until 1993, when the role was recast with Jaime Lyn Bauer, who played Laura from November 1993 to July 1999. Bauer returned as Laura for brief stints in 2003, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2021. Cady McClain also briefly portrayed the role in flashbacks in February 2021.

Casting

[edit]
The faces of Laura Horton
Susan Flannery portrayed the role from 1966 to 1975.
The late Susan Oliver succeeded Flannery in the role on Laura, from 1975 to 1976.
Cady McClain portrayed the role in newly-created flashbacks in February 2021.

The role was originated by actress Floy Dean from June 30, 1966, to October 21, 1966.[2][3] Susan Flannery stepped into the role from November 22, 1966, to May 27, 1975.[4][5] Flannery wore the same pair of shoes for her entire duration on the soap due to the soap's lack of wardrobe, and when she exited in 1975 she took one shoe and gave the other one to the co-creator, Betty Corday.[6] Susan Oliver briefly stepped into the role from October 10, 1975, to June 9, 1976,[7] followed by Rosemary Forsyth from August 24, 1976, to March 25, 1980. Jaime Lyn Bauer assumed the role on November 12, 1993.[8]

Bauer departed as Laura in the episode originally broadcast on July 7, 1999, but she returned on May 26 and 27, 2003, for her daughter, Jennifer Horton's, wedding to Jack Deveraux and again from June 15 to 28, 2010, and April 10 and 11, 2013.[8] In March 2016, it was revealed that Bauer would be returning to the show for at least three episodes airing in September. Bauer returned on September 2. She last appeared on December 1 of that year. She also returned briefly on May 30, 2018, for one episode.[9][10][11] In February 2021, Baur returned to the role for a limited-guest run.[12] The same month, Cady McClain briefly portrayed the role in newly created flashbacks. Bauer exited on February 10, after the character was killed off.[13]

Storylines

[edit]

Laura Spencer arrives in Salem as a young psychiatric intern at the Salem University Hospital. She immediately catches the eye of Bill Horton, and the two become engaged. Bill calls off the wedding when he learns he can't be a surgeon, due to tuberculosis in his hand. Laura briefly dates Marie Horton's ex fiancé, Tony Merrit, however nothing serious develops between the two. Laura is in love with both Bill and Tony. Tony, however, recovers his relationship with Marie and, to cope, Laura dives deep into her work.

In 1967, Laura is assigned to evaluate Susan Martin's state of mind for the courts when Susan stands trial for killing her husband, David. In the process, Laura spends many hours with lawyer, Mickey Horton. They fall in love and marry in December 1967.[14] In early 1968, jealous Bill gets drunk and rapes Laura. The following day, Bill is unable to remember raping Laura. Soon after, Laura learns she is pregnant and, when her father in law, Tom Horton, discovers a paternity test, things become more complicated. Tom learns that Mickey is sterile and that the baby is Bill's. Laura gives birth prematurely to a healthy baby boy named, Mike.

In 1970, Laura and Mickey's marriage begins to fall apart and they separate for a time, but eventually work things out by the end of the year. However, by 1971, Mickey and Laura again have troubles after his affair with Linda Patterson is made public. Laura and Mickey agree to remain married and try to make things work for Mike's sake.[14]

In 1972, Bill and Laura begin to fall in love when Laura learns the true reason Bill went to jail. Laura plans to divorce Mickey and marry Bill but, when the two were overheard talking by Mike, he assumes they were having an affair, running out into the street and being hit by a car. Mike survives, and Laura realizes she cannot abandon her husband and child.[14]

In 1973, Mickey has a heart attack after Mike lashes out at him for the pain he caused Laura by having an affair with his secretary. Mickey is rushed to surgery and survives the operation performed by Bill. Though he survives the operation, Mickey suffers a stroke which erases his memory. Mickey sneaks out of the hospital and leaves Salem. With Mickey out of the way, Laura is free to love Bill, however, her marriage to Mickey is still an obstacle for Mickey cannot be declared legally dead for seven years. Fate intervenes and, when Mickey is discovered to be alive, he grants Laura a divorce so he can remain with Maggie Simmons.

On December 4, 1975, Bill and Laura are married. Two months later, on February 6, 1976, Laura gives birth to their daughter, Jennifer Horton.[14] However, Laura falls into a deep depression, but seems to overcome it with the help of Dr Marlena Evans. In 1977, Laura's marriage goes through a rocky period, when her husband Bill has a dalliance with his co-worker, Dr Kate Winograd. In early 1978, Bill repents of his affair, and he and Laura work at rebuilding their marriage. In 1979, Laura's mother Carrie, who has a mental illness and is being cared for in a psychiatric hospital, kills herself – after Laura has been putting off going to see her. Laura is traumatized by her mother's death and is overwhelmed by guilt at not visiting her mother. She becomes paranoid and begins to have hallucinations of her mother. Her "mother" tells her that Bill and Kate Winograd have resumed their affair, but it is not the case. Laura's mental illness worsens, and the vision of her mother instructs Laura to join her, by killing herself too. Laura hangs herself at home. Bill finds her in the nick of time, and saves her life. Bill realizes the extent of her mental illness, and that she needs full-time psychiatric care, and Laura is admitted to the care of Lakewood Sanitarium. They don't know at the time, but Laura is to spend over a decade institutionalized.

In 1993, when new character Kate Roberts is introduced on Days of Our Lives, the story of Laura's institutionalization is partially retconned. It is revealed that prior to Laura hanging herself, she discovered that Bill was having an affair with their tenant Kate Roberts, and that Kate was carrying Bill's child – and it was this that sent Laura off the edge and precipitated her mental breakdown.

In 1993, Kate Roberts begins to pay Laura visits at Pine Haven Sanitarium, where Laura has been transferred.[15] Laura is very aware of what is going on around her, but remains in an apparent catatonic state because the crooked sanitarium workers are keeping her drugged in order to milk the Horton family of money. When Vivian Alamain is sent to the same sanitarium Laura is in, Vivian takes an interest in her. Laura realizes that Vivian is her ticket out.[15] Laura is released and slowly regains her life as she knew it.

During the mid to late 1990s, Laura was mostly known for her close friendship with Marlena, and her dislike for Marlena's rival Kristen Blake. During John and Kristen's relationship, Laura tried several times to convince John and Marlena that they belonged together, despite the fact that John was in a relationship with Kristen. In late 1996, Peter Blake is shot by Jack Deveraux, and Jack is then arrested for Peter's murder. However, Laura discovers that Peter is alive after seeing him in town, and Laura is then kidnapped by Stefano DiMera. Stefano then performs laser surgery on Laura's brain in order to erase her short-term memory. The surgery seems to have worked, however, Laura slowly begins to get her memories back and then convinces Marlena that Peter is in fact alive. Laura then, with the help of Marlena and Mike, begin to try and figure out where Peter is in order to exonerate Jack for Peter's murder. After discovering that Peter is alive, Laura, Mike, and Marlena also discover that it was Stefano and Kristen who kept Peter's whereabouts a secret. Then in 1997, Marlena is kidnapped by Kristen and held captive in a "secret room". Laura discovers this, after overhearing Kristen communicate with her via a two-way radio, and tries desperately to convince John, Abe, Mike, and Jennifer that Marlena is being held captive by Kristen in the DiMera mansion. After John, Mike, and Abe attempt numerous searches in and around the DiMera house, they are convinced that Laura's schizophrenia is returning. Jennifer, along with her brother Mike, try to convince Laura to seek treatment, but Laura is adamant that there's nothing wrong with her and that Kristen and Stefano are in fact keeping Marlena captive inside the DiMera mansion. Soon after, Kristen gets herself locked in the same "secret room" that Marlena's in by Susan Banks, who had also discovered that Kristen had kidnapped Marlena. Susan, who now has seeming fallen madly in love with John as well, decides not to release Marlena from the secret room, but rather to keep her in there with Kristen. Susan then goes about pretending to be Kristen in order to marry John. On the day of John and Kristen's wedding, Laura snaps and decides to confront and attack Kristen (Not knowing that it is actually Susan). Whilst attacking "Kristen", Susan's false teeth falls out and lands in Vivian's martini, the truth is revealed and everyone, including Laura, realize that it's Susan pretending to be Kristen. Susan then tells John the truth about where Marlena and Kristen are, and John goes down to the cellar (to the secret room) and rescues both Marlena and Kristen. After being rescued, Kristen is adamant that the wedding should continue immediately, but is stopped by Marelna and Laura who expose all of Kristen lies in front of all of the wedding guests. In 1998, Laura is accused of murdering Kristen. But it was later revealed that the body was actually Susan Banks' sister Penelope Kent, and the killer was Susan's husband Edmund Crumb. Laura was then exonerated for the murder, however, her friendship with Marlena is in trouble because Marlena did not believe that Laura was innocent. After some time, Laura and Marlena reconcile, and their friendship is restored.

Laura returns in 2003 for the wedding of her daughter and again in June 2010, along with her ex-husband, Bill Horton, after receiving news that Alice Horton was extremely ill. Along with many other family members, she was reunited with her daughter, Jennifer, and reminisced about the wonderful times they shared with Alice. Laura was not happy when she caught Bill talking to Kate at the Horton house, which showed she was still not over their past together. Bill reminded Laura that Alice didn't judge and would have welcomed Kate's visit. Several days later, she received news from Maggie Horton that Alice died in her sleep. In April 2013, Jennifer goes to visit Laura after having relationship problems in Salem.

In 2016, Abigail Deveraux develops signs of schizophrenia and begins seeing visions of Ben. Laura, with the help of Andre DiMera manage to fake Abigail's death in order to help her get through her schizophrenia. Laura, who previously had schizophrenia is well experienced with treating the condition, helps Abigail overcome her mental setback and agrees not to tell anyone that Abigail is alive (the only other person besides Laura and Andre who knew Abigail was alive, was her mother Jennifer - it was later revealed that Laura had informed Jennifer that Abigail is alive).

Reception

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In 2020, Charlie Mason from Soaps She Knows placed Laura 13th on their list of the 35 most memorable characters from Days of Our Lives, commenting "Let's sorta blow past the 1990s version of the character that was originated by Susan Flannery and focus instead on her harrowing heyday, during which she was torn between good brother Mickey and bad seed Bill… who, and this can't be overstated, freakin' raped her."[16] Amanda Lynne from The List wrote that "some fans were stunned" when Laura died in 2021 due to "Laura's longtime presence in Salem", adding that "Laura's death was particularly sad because of her heartbreaking life".[17]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Laura Horton

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Laura Horton is a fictional character on the American soap opera , introduced in June 1966 as a psychiatric intern at Hospital and a key member of the Horton family. Over nearly six decades, she has been depicted as a resilient yet troubled navigating complex family dynamics, romantic entanglements, and personal traumas, making her one of the show's enduring figures. Laura debuted amid the series' early focus on the working-class Horton family in the fictional . She was originally portrayed by Floy Dean from June to October 1966, followed by , who played her from October 1966 to June 1975 and won a Daytime Emmy Award for the role. Subsequent actresses included (1975–1976), (1976–1980), and most notably , who portrayed Laura from November 1993 to July 1999, with recurring appearances through 2021. The character's storyline often explored themes of , including her battles with and institutionalization. Laura's narrative arc centers on her tumultuous relationships within the Horton clan. She married in 1967 but endured a by his brother Bill Horton in 1968, resulting in the birth of her son Mike Horton. Later, she wed Bill in 1975 and gave birth to daughter , though their union dissolved amid infidelity and her subsequent mental breakdown, leading to a 17-year confinement in a sanitarium from 1976 to 1993. Upon her return to Salem, Laura confronted villains like and Peter Blake, exposed family secrets, and grappled with drug addiction and legal troubles, including a 1998 shooting incident. In more recent years, Laura's storylines intertwined with her grandchildren, such as , and external threats. She relocated to with her family in the early 2000s but made guest returns, including in 2010 and 2021. Her character met a tragic end in February 2021 during a heated confrontation with Gwen Rizczech, where she suffered a fatal accidental fall, prompting grief and further family conflicts in Salem. Through these arcs, Laura Horton exemplifies the soap's blend of melodrama and emotional depth, influencing generations of viewers.

Casting and Portrayal

Original Casting

The character of Laura Horton was created under the guidance of Peggy Phillips for the Days of Our Lives, positioning her as a key Horton family member to delve into themes of family drama and struggles. Introduced as a psychiatric intern at Salem University Hospital, Laura's early arcs emphasized interpersonal tensions within the Horton clan, including romantic entanglements that tested familial bonds. Laura debuted on June 30, 1966, initially portrayed by Floy Dean, who played the role until October 21, 1966. In late 1966, specifically starting November 22, Susan Flannery assumed the part, originating the majority of the character's foundational storylines through 1975. Under Flannery, Laura first fell in love with Bill Horton and became engaged, only to call it off before marrying his brother, , on December 29, 1967, after collaborating with him on a legal case; this union sparked initial family conflicts, including strains from Mickey's infertility and external pressures. Flannery's tenure earned critical acclaim, culminating in a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1975 for her portrayal of Laura.

Recasts and Notable Performances

Following Susan Flannery's departure in 1975, took over the role of Laura Horton from October 1975 to June 1976, navigating transitional storylines that bridged the character's established narrative into new developments. Oliver's portrayal emphasized Laura's ongoing recovery and professional life as a , maintaining continuity amid the soap's evolving ensemble dynamics. Rosemary Forsyth assumed the role from August 1976 to March 1980, depicting Laura during a period of temporary exit from Salem followed by her re-entry, which involved reconciling family tensions and personal growth. Forsyth's interpretation highlighted Laura's resilience, particularly in scenes addressing her psychological vulnerabilities and relationships within the Horton family. Her tenure concluded with Laura's storyline shifting toward extended absence, allowing the character to recede as the show focused on other arcs. The role was recast with Jaime Lyn Bauer in November 1993, marking a significant revival after a 13-year hiatus, with Bauer portraying Laura through July 7, 1999, on contract. Bauer returned for short stints in 2003 for Jennifer's wedding, June 2010 during Alice Horton's final days, April 2013 for additional Horton gatherings, May 30, 2018 (one episode), late 2016–early 2017 amid Abigail's crises, and her final arc from February to March 2021. Bauer's performances reinvigorated Laura for contemporary viewers, blending the character's historical depth with modern soap pacing and emphasizing her role as a stabilizing maternal figure. In February 2021, appeared in flashbacks as a younger Laura, providing context for unresolved family secrets tied to the character's off-screen death on February 10, 2021, during a confrontation with Gwen Rizczech. McClain's brief portrayal captured Laura's earlier psychological intensity, linking past traumas to the storyline's conclusion. Recasting Laura Horton presented unique challenges in , particularly in sustaining the character's intricate psychological profile across decades and multiple actresses, requiring each to convey her history of mental health struggles without disrupting established viewer perceptions. Successive portrayals, from Oliver's transitional bridge to Bauer's long-term revival, demonstrated how recasts could preserve Laura's empathetic yet flawed essence amid the genre's demands for emotional continuity.

Character Background

Creation and Introduction

Laura Horton was introduced as a key character in the Days of Our Lives, created by Peggy Phillips during the show's formative years. Debuting on June 30, 1966, she served as the daughter-in-law to the Horton 's , Dr. Tom Horton, and matriarch Alice Horton, helping to broaden the narrative's emphasis on intergenerational dynamics and everyday struggles within a Midwestern setting. This addition aligned with the series' core mission to depict the routines and relational tensions of a working-class in the fictional town of Salem, , blending domestic realism with serialized dramatic arcs. From her inception, Laura embodied the psychological depth central to the program's early storytelling, portrayed as a dedicated psychiatric intern at Salem University Hospital. Her professional background as an aspiring underscored themes of ambition and intellectual pursuit, while her strong-willed personality positioned her as a resilient figure navigating romantic entanglements and familial expectations. Integrated into the episodes shortly after the show's November 1965 premiere, Laura's arcs contributed to the serialization style that evolved from pilot concepts, focusing on character-driven conflicts rather than isolated events. The character's ties to the Horton legacy reinforced the soap's foundational motif of medical and moral heritage, with Laura's vulnerabilities in love and personal growth providing a multifaceted lens on relational drama. Phillips' oversight as head writer ensured Laura's role amplified the show's exploration of emotional complexity within a stable family framework, setting a precedent for ongoing psychological narratives.

Family Connections

Laura, née Spencer, daughter of James Spencer and the late Carrie Spencer, is connected to the prominent Horton family through her marriages and children, forming a central part of her relational network in the Days of Our Lives storyline. She first married Michael "Mickey" in December 1967, a union that lasted until their in 1974, during which time she became pregnant with a child initially believed to be Mickey's but later revealed to be his brother Bill's due to Mickey's sterility. Following the dissolution of that marriage, Laura had a brief romantic involvement with Tony Merritt, though it did not lead to marriage and ended quickly due to his unresolved feelings for . In 1975, she married Bill Horton, her long-term partner and the father of her children, though their relationship faced strains including a later . Laura's immediate family includes two children with Bill Horton: son Michael "Mike" Horton, born in 1968, who was initially raised by Mickey as his own in an adoptive capacity until the paternity revelation, and daughter Jennifer Rose Horton, born in 1976. This adoption storyline highlighted early complexities in the Horton family dynamics, as Mike's true parentage shifted family loyalties and integrations. Her grandchildren extend through these lines, including Jeremy Horton via Mike, and via Jennifer: , Jack "J.J." Deveraux Jr., and others in Jennifer's descendants. Extended connections tie Laura to the broader Horton clan and beyond, including siblings-in-law such as Marie Horton (sister to Mickey and Bill) and Tommy Horton (another brother). A significant revelation came through Bill's affair with Kate Roberts in the late 1970s, resulting in half-brother Lucas Horton to Mike and Jennifer, which integrated Kate into the family's relational web and prompted further revelations about hidden paternities. These dynamics evolved over time, marked by adoptions like Mike's initial placement and half-sibling disclosures such as Lucas's, reshaping alliances within the Horton family and emphasizing themes of blended kinship.

Major Story Arcs

Early Years and Mental Health Struggles

Laura Horton, originally introduced as Dr. Laura Spencer, began her storyline as a psychiatric intern at University Hospital in Salem, where she became engaged to Dr. Bill Horton in the mid-1960s before his sudden departure from town. She soon entered a relationship with Bill's brother, attorney , and the two married in December 1967. Their union faced immediate strain when, in 1968, a drunken Bill raped Laura in her office, an she initially concealed to spare further pain. The rape resulted in Laura's pregnancy, and she gave birth to son Michael Horton on September 28, 1968, via emergency cesarean following a car accident; unbeknownst to Mickey at the time, he was sterile, making Bill the biological father. To protect their family, Laura and her father-in-law, Dr. Tom Horton, kept the truth hidden, allowing Mickey to believe Michael was his son. The couple's marriage deteriorated amid ongoing tensions, leading to a separation in 1970 and a divorce in 1973 after Mickey suffered a severe heart attack and stroke, during which he was presumed dead for a time. Throughout the early 1970s, Laura rekindled her romance with Bill, though the lingering trauma from the assault contributed to her emotional instability. Laura remarried Bill on December 4, 1975, and welcomed daughter Jennifer Rose Horton on September 11, 1976. However, soon overwhelmed her, exacerbated by the discovery of Bill's affair with Kate Winograd (later Kate Roberts), which produced son Lucas in the early 1980s. The betrayal triggered severe decline, including hallucinations—such as visions of her deceased mother—and a by hanging in 1979, following her mother's own suicide. Diagnosed with amid these episodes, Laura was institutionalized at Bayview Sanitarium (initially Lakewood in storyline), where she remained for approximately 14 years until 1993, undergoing treatment and recovery with family support. Her early arcs, particularly the 1968 rape and subsequent 1975 courtroom revelations during family disputes, highlighted groundbreaking explorations of and its psychological aftermath in soap operas, influencing portrayals of trauma and recovery on the genre. These storylines marked temporary character exits tied to narrative needs, allowing for her return as a more resilient figure.

Later Developments and Family Dynamics

Laura returned to Salem in 1993 after Marlena Evans intervened to secure her release from Pine Haven Sanitarium, where she had been heavily medicated and isolated at the behest of Kate Roberts to prevent her from revealing secrets about Bill Horton's affair with Kate and the true parentage of Lucas Roberts. Upon her release, Laura resumed her career as a at University Hospital, specializing in care, rejoined her family, providing emotional support to her daughter Jennifer amid her turbulent relationship with , though their formal wedding occurred later, and navigated conflicts with Kate over Lucas's paternity and Bill's divided loyalties. During this period, Laura also became entangled in multigenerational conflicts, allying with Marlena to expose Kristen DiMera's deceptions; at Kristen's 1997 wedding to John Black, Laura's confrontation inadvertently revealed Kristen was impersonating , leading to the ceremony's dramatic collapse. In the , Laura made brief returns focused on family milestones and reconciliations, including attending Jennifer and 2003 wedding, where she offered guidance as a stabilizing presence amid the couple's history of challenges. These visits emphasized healing old wounds within the Horton family, particularly between Laura and her ex-husband Bill, as they navigated ongoing tensions with Kate over Lucas's upbringing. Although not directly involved in major crises during 2007-2008, her periodic appearances reinforced familial bonds during holidays and personal upheavals for Jennifer. The 2010s saw Laura's role expand into interactions with her grandchildren and support during profound family losses, beginning with her 2010 return alongside Bill to comfort the Hortons during matriarch Alice Horton's final days and . In 2016, she reappeared to aid granddaughter , who was grappling with —echoing Laura's own past struggles—by helping her fake her to escape public scrutiny and focus on recovery in a secure facility. Laura returned again in 2017 for scenes airing in 2018, offering counsel to Jennifer amid escalating family tragedies, including Abigail's ongoing battles and broader Horton losses like the of Daniel Jonas. These arcs highlighted Laura's growing influence as a matriarchal figure, bridging generations through empathetic interventions. In 2021, Laura's storyline concluded tragically with her off-screen death announced after an accidental fall during a confrontation with Gwen Rizczech over secrets, profoundly affecting Jennifer and emotionally through flashbacks that underscored their close bonds. Over decades, Laura evolved from a figure haunted by personal turmoil into a resilient pillar of the Horton , facilitating resolutions in multigenerational conflicts and providing unwavering support during crises.

Reception and Impact

Critical Analysis

Laura Horton's portrayal of mental health issues, particularly her 1970s postpartum depression and mental breakdown storyline, was praised for its sensitivity and contribution to addressing social taboos in daytime television at the time. Critics noted that Days of Our Lives led the way in tackling psychological problems during this era, with Laura's arc involving postpartum depression and subsequent breakdown highlighting family support and recovery themes in a manner that was groundbreaking for soaps. However, modern analyses have critiqued these depictions as outdated, often relying on stigmatizing tropes that conflate mental illness with violence, such as Laura's hallucinatory shooting of Mickey Horton, which aligns with broader concerns about the soap's inconsistent handling of such topics. The character's portrayals by key actresses have received varied professional acclaim. Susan Flannery's tenure as Laura from 1966 to 1975 was lauded for its emotional depth, earning her the 1975 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, particularly for scenes exploring psychological turmoil. In contrast, Jaime Lyn Bauer's later interpretations, including her 1990s and 2010s revivals, were successful in rekindling interest through dramatic returns, though critics noted mixed reception for her 2021 arc, where Laura's meddling felt underdeveloped and uncharacteristic. Scholarly examinations position Laura as a pivotal figure in advancing feminism and family drama, embodying the struggles of professional women balancing career, motherhood, and personal crises in a genre traditionally centered on female experiences. Her arcs contributed to narratives challenging gender norms within the Horton family dynamic, reflecting second-wave feminist themes of and emotional resilience. Critics have pointed to inconsistencies in Laura's writing, especially during recast gaps, where her persona was often sidelined for sensational plots, leading to underdeveloped later arcs that failed to capitalize on her established complexity. These lapses contributed to perceptions of narrative fragmentation in her post-1980s storylines. In terms of legacy, Laura's character parallels as a cornerstone of the Horton family ethos, both representing maternal strength amid adversity—Alice through unwavering family guidance and Laura via her professional expertise and personal vulnerabilities—though Alice's portrayal as the moral center has overshadowed Laura's more turbulent contributions to the dynasty's dramatic evolution.

Legacy in Soap Opera History

Laura Horton's death in the 2021 storyline elicited widespread grief among Days of Our Lives fans, who expressed shock and disappointment over the abrupt end to a character central to the show's history. Many viewers highlighted her longstanding role in family dynamics, leading to online discussions and polls questioning the decision to kill her off, with a significant portion deeming it a misstep that diminished the Horton legacy. Tributes poured in on fan forums, emphasizing her enduring appeal as a resilient figure whose struggles resonated with audiences over decades. Her portrayal significantly influenced subsequent mental health storylines within the Horton family, particularly those involving her daughter Jennifer and granddaughter Abigail Deveraux. Laura's own history of institutionalization and recovery informed her empathetic support for Abigail's dissociative identity disorder arc in 2016, where she assisted in faking her death to facilitate healing, mirroring and extending generational themes of vulnerability and redemption. This connection underscored how Laura's experiences shaped Jennifer's narratives around emotional turmoil and family protection, reinforcing the soap's exploration of inherited psychological challenges. As of 2025, her legacy persists in ongoing Horton family storylines that reference her history without resurrecting the character. Laura contributed to the Horton family's pivotal role in Days of Our Lives, spanning over 50 years as a cornerstone of the series' emotional core. As part of the staple Bill and Laura Horton couple, she was highlighted in the 50th anniversary Daytime Emmys tribute, celebrating the family's centrality to the show's themes of love, loss, and resilience. Her arcs exemplified generational trauma in soap operas, with 2021 coverage noting her as a foundational figure whose institutionalization rippled through lines, influencing portrayals of across multiple eras.

References

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  29. https://thesoapscoop.com/days-of-our-lives-poll-was-killing-off-laura-horton-a-mistake/
  30. https://michaelfairmantv.com/days-of-our-lives-what-do-you-think-of-the-death-of-laura-horton/2021/02/11/
  31. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/588541/days-of-our-lives-speculation-laura-horton-gwen-mother/
  32. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/recaps/807530/monday-laura-bill-horton-history/
  33. https://michaelfairmantv.com/exclusive-days-of-our-lives-50th-anniversary-daytime-emmys-tribute-package/2015/05/08/
  34. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/570266/days-of-our-lives-horton-family/
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