"Guiding Light" Signs Off

Created by Irna Phillips, "The Guiding Light," as it was originally titled, has been entertaining fans since it began as a radio series on Jan. 25, 1937. After 72 years on the air and more than 15,000 episodes, the show is coming to an end. The final episode will air Sept. 18, 2009.

In this 1937 photo, the cast of the radio program "The Guiding Light" perform the show live from the NBC studios in Chicago.

The Early Years

The show originally was about the Rev. Doctor John Ruthledge and the people he counseled. He kept a lamp lit in his study as a "guiding light," indicating he was always available to those in need. Shown here is "The Guiding Light" logo as it appeared from 1956 until 1967.

The Bauer Family

After the show moved to television in 1952, the plot became focused around the Bauers, a German immigrant family.

Shown here, from left, are Ed Bryce as Bill Bauer, Charita Bauer as Bert Bauer, Theo Goetz as Papa Bauer and Robert Gentry as Ed Bauer in a cast photo from the early 1960s.

Paging Dr. Bauer

In 1967, the show had its first broadcast in color; the following year, the show's length was expanded to 30 minutes. It became one of the first soaps to feature African-American actors when James Earl Jones and Ruby Dee joined the cast as a doctor and nurse.

Robert Gentry as Ed Bauer in a scene from a 1965 epsiode of "The Guiding Light."

Tackling A Taboo Subject

In 1962, "Guiding Light" tackled daytime's first social issue-driven storyline: the early detection of Bert Bauer's uterine cancer via a Pap smear. Since then, the show has tackled substance abuse, domestic violance, birth control, and adoption.

This is a scene from the groundbreaking 1979 episode of "Guiding Light" when Roger Thorpe (Michael Zaslow) rapes his wife, Holly Reade (Maureen Garrett).

The One And Only Reva

A publicity still from the 1980s of Kim Zimmer, who plays the central character Reva Shayne Lewis Cooper Spaulding Lewis Lewis on "Guiding Light."

Over the years, Reva has hosted a talk show, been a psychic, lived as an Amish woman, was a princess of a small island, traveled back to Victorian times, and dubbed herself "The Slut of Springfield."

The 4 Musketeers

The story line of four high school friends and their adventures through the years became one of the most popular in "Guiding Light" history.

Shown here are the "Four Musketeers," circa 1983: Judi Evans as Beth Raines, Grant Aleksander as Phillip Spaulding, Krista Tesreau as Mindi Lewis and Michael O'Leary as Rick Bauer.

Lovers Reunited

Actress Kim Zimmer is seen here as Reva, one of the most beloved characters on the show. She began her stint on "Guiding Light" in 1983 and stayed until 1990, when her character drove off a bridge.

In true soap fashion, the presumed-dead Reva showed up in 1995 when Zimmer rejoined the cast. Shown here is the reunion of Alan Spaulding (Ron Raines) and Reva Shayne Lewis (Kim Zimmer) after he finds she's still alive.

Wedding Bells

The character of Harley Davidson Cooper was named after her father "Buzz" Cooper's favorite motorcycle. She has been married four times, most recently to Gus Aitoro.

This is a scene from the 2005 wedding of Harley Cooper (Beth Ehlers) and Gus Aitoro (Ricky Paul Goldin) on "Guiding Light."

The New Generation

"Guiding Light" has evolved over the years, introducing new characters, families, and relationships to the plot. Here's a look at some of the show's younger characters.

Shown here is Mandy Bruno, who took over the role of Marina Cooper in May 2004.

The New Generation

Robert Bogue joined the cast of "Guiding Light" on March 16, 2005 as A.C. Mallet.

The New Generation

Stephanie Gatschet joined the cast of "Guiding Light" on July 5, 2002, in the role of Tammy Winslow.

The New Generation

Lawrence St. Victor joined the cast of "Guiding Light" in February 2006, playing the role of Remy Boudreau.

The New Generation

Tom Pelphrey joined the cast of "Guiding Light" on Sept. 2, 2004, as troublemaker Jonathan Randall.

The New Generation

Bradley Cole returned to the cast of "Guiding Light" in May 2003, taking on the new role of district attorney Jeffrey O'Neill. Previously, Cole was best-known to viewers of "Guiding Light" as the charismatic Prince Richard Winslow, a role that earned him a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Best New Character in 2000.

Celebrating Episode 15,000

Reva (Kim Zimmer) and Josh (Robert Newman) have been the off-again-on-again super couple on "Guiding Light" since the 1980s. They wed for the third time in 2002.

Robert Newman, left, and Kim Zimmer pose with the slate for the 15,000th episode of "Guiding Light," which aired in 2006.

Celebrating Episode 15,000

The cast and crew of "Guiding Light" commemorated the taping of the show's 15,000th television episode with a special cast photo shoot.

Actors Robert Newman, left, and Kim Zimmer, chat on camera before the "Guiding Light" 15,000th episode cast photo shoot.

Celebrating Episode 15,000

Actor John Driscoll, who plays Henry Cooper "Coop" Bradshaw, signs scripts from "Guiding Light" before the 15,000th episode cast photo shoot.

Celebrating Episode 15,000

Actresses Nicole Forrester, left, and Elizabeth Keifer share a moment during the 15,000th episode cast photo shoot.

"Guiding Light" Signs Off

The cast of "Guiding Light" posed with thousands of scripts for their 15,000 episode press photo in 2006. After 72 years on the air, "Guiding Light," the longest-running television drama broadcast, will air its final episode on September 18, 2009.