Rachel Ames

Rachel Kay Foulger (born November 2, 1929), known professionally as Rachel Ames, is an American film and television actress.

Rachel Ames
Ames ca. 1950
Born
Rachel Kay Foulger

(1929-11-02) November 2, 1929
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Other namesJudith Ames
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles
Years active1951–2007, 2009–2015
Spouse(s)Jack Genung
(m. 1952; div. 19??)
​
​
(m. 1968; died 2012)​
Children2
Parent(s)Byron Foulger
Dorothy Adams

The daughter of actors Byron Foulger and Dorothy Adams, she was raised in Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, California. She attended University High School and the University of California, Los Angeles[1] studying drama before signing an acting contract with Paramount Pictures, using the stage name Judith Ames. She made her film debut in the studio's science-fiction film When Worlds Collide (1951), followed by Ricochet Romance (1954).[2]

She went on to have a prolific career in television, where she became best known for her role as Audrey March Hardy on the soap opera General Hospital, beginning in 1964. Ames' role is the longest-running in the series' history, spanning over 50 years and earning her multiple Emmy Award nominations.[3]

Early life

Ames was born Rachel Kay Foulger on November 2, 1929[4][5] in Portland, Oregon,[5][6] the eldest child of actress (and later college drama instructor)[7] Dorothy Adams and actor Byron Foulger. Her sister, Mary Amanda Foulger, was born on May 16, 1942. Through her father, she is of English descent, the fourth generation of English immigrants from Norfolk, who settled in the Salt Lake City area.[6]

Ames spent her early life in Portland, but relocated to California so her parents could work, performing and teaching at the Pasadena Playhouse.[8] She graduated from University High School and later enrolled at UCLA, where her mother was a professor in the university's drama department.[9]

Career

Early work

Ames debuted professionally in 1949 in Pilgrimage Play, and she joined her parents in acting in One Foot in Heaven at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California.[9] She transitioned into film under the stage name Judith Ames, and was under contract with Paramount Pictures for three years in the early 1950s; her first feature film was When Worlds Collide (1951), a science-fiction thriller based on the 1933 novel of the same name.[9] The same year, she had appeared in "Toast to Our Brother", a short film documenting fraternity life at UCLA, where she was a student at the time.

Ames as Audrey March in General Hospital, 1973

She had an uncredited role in the film noir The Turning Point (1952), followed by a minor part in the Western Arrowhead (1953) with Charlton Heston. The following year, she had a supporting role in the Western comedy Ricochet Romance (1954). In her only regular role on primetime television, Ames played Policewoman Sandy McAllister on The Lineup in that program's final season during 1959. Ames also had dozens of other guest-starring appearances in television, on series such as The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Virginian, Ironside, Wagon Train, Trackdown, Ben Casey, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and six different appearances on Science Fiction Theater.[10] In "The Jodie Tyler Story" episode of the series Whispering Smith, she played the title role, billed as Rachel Foulger. Her mother, Dorothy Adams, was in the same episode, though they had no scenes together. She appeared in a lead role in the 1960 Western Gunfighters of Abilene, opposite Buster Crabbe and Barton MacLane.

General Hospital

On February 23, 1964, Ames debuted on ABC's daytime serial, General Hospital, playing Audrey Hardy, R.N..[11][12] Her tenure in the part is the longest-running role in the network's history, spanning five decades.[3] She also played Audrey Hardy on the General Hospital spin-off series Port Charles in the late 1990s. Her contract was not renewed for General Hospital in 2003, but she still appeared as a recurring character from 2003 until 2007, and made a brief appearance in 2009. On February 13, 2013, Genie Francis (Laura Spencer) announced on Katie that Ames returned to the show on March 29, 2013. She reprised the role again for one episode on October 30, 2015.[13]

Ames has been nominated three times for a Daytime Emmy Award as Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama for her role on General Hospital. In 2004, Ames was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.[14][15] In 1997, she appeared on ABC's special two-hour primetime preview of new daytime series Port Charles, a spin-off of the long-running, Emmy-winning hit General Hospital. Ames played her signature role of Audrey Hardy.

Later career

In 2007, Ames retired from General Hospital after 43 years. On October 1, 2009, she was announced to be reappearing as Audrey in mid-October after a two-year absence from the show.[16] She reprised Audrey again in April 2013, to coincide with General Hospital's 50th anniversary and again on October 30, 2015.[13]

Personal life

Ames married Jack Genung on January 31, 1952, in Los Angeles.[17] Her second husband, Canadian-born actor Barry Cahill, and she had two daughters, Christine and Susan, and two grandchildren, Jocelyn and Marc (one source says that Susan was Ames' daughter by her first marriage).[9] Cahill died in April 2012, after 42 years of marriage.[18]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1951When Worlds CollideJulie Cummingsas Judith Ames
1951Toast to Our BrotherShort film; as Judith Ames
1952The Turning PointGirlUncredited
1953ArrowheadMrs. KirkUncredited
1954Ricochet RomanceBetsy Williamsas Judith Ames
1957Oregon PassageMarionas Judith Ames
1960Gunfighters of AbileneAlice Hainlineas Judith Ames[19]
1969Daddy's Gone-A-HuntingDr. Parkington's NurseUncredited

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1954Your Favorite StoryLucy Kilgore1 episode
1954City DetectiveJune1 episode
1954-55I Led 3 LivesComrade Jeanette / Margaret2 episodes
1955Soldiers of FortuneEllen Thayer1 episode
1955–57Science Fiction TheatreMultiple6 episodes
1955–1960The MillionaireJessica March / Georgette French2 episodes
1956Alfred Hitchcock PresentsLaura1 episode
1956Dr. ChristianJulie1 episode
1956You Are ThereMrs. Fowler1 episode
1956Highway PatrolAnne Reynolds1 episode
1956Studio 57Janet / Jenny2 episodes
1956Broken ArrowTerry Wilson1 episode
1956The Loretta Young ShowNurse Holste / Alice Fuller2 episodes
1956–57CrossroadsEdith Brissie3 episodes
1956–59State TrooperVarious3 episodes
1957Cavalcade of AmericaCarol1 episode
1957WhirlybirdsEve Douglas1 episode
1957General Electric TheaterEdith Duncan / Mary2 episodes
1957–58Tales of Wells FargoMaude Kimball / Ellen Craig2 episodes
1957–59The CaliforniansMadge Dorsett2 episodes
1958The Adventures of McGrawSue Walters1 episode
1958Telephone TimeJoan Yedor1 episode
1958TrackdownMelinda Curry / Jenny Krail2 episodes
1958M SquadGreta Loder1 episode
1958Mickey Spillane's Mike HammerMrs. Armstrong1 episode
1958Perry MasonMarian Shaw1 episode
1958The Silent ServiceJeanne1 episode
1958LassieMrs. Bridell1 episode
1958–1960The Life and Legend of Wyatt EarpVarious3 episodes
1958-1964Wagon TrainFlorence Yeager/Emily Dawson5 episodes
1959Westinghouse Desilu PlayhouseMuriel1 episode
1959Man with a CameraLila1 episode
1959Cimarron CityEmily Barton1 episode
1959Frontier DoctorNancy Turner1 episode
1959Wanted Dead or AliveSarah Buchanan / Ellie Morgan2 episodes
1959Union PacificSarah Morgan1 episode
1959–1960The LineupSandy McAllister15 episodes
1960ThrillerBetty Follett1 episode
1960LaramieMrs. LuBell / Helen Bentley2 episodes
1961Stagecoach WestCecilia Barnes1 episode
1961Whispering SmithJodie Tyler (billed as Rachel Foulger)1 episode
1962G.E. TrueKate1 episode
196377 Sunset StripAgnes1 episode
1963The Andy Griffith ShowRosemary1 episode
1963The FugitiveAnn Gerard1 episode
1964Ben CaseyEthel Beldon1 episode
1964Arrest and TrialMrs. Harmon1 episode
1964–2015General HospitalAudrey March Hardy1,799 episodes[20]
Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award
1968Off to See the WizardNellie Malone1 episode
1969IronsideCarolyn Channing1 episode
1969The VirginianMary Kinkaid1 episode
1970The Name of the GameMrs. Bailey1 episode
1997–2003Port CharlesAudrey March Hardy695 episodes[20]

References
  1. Onofrio, Jan (1999). Oregon Biographical Dictionary. Somerset Publishers, Inc. pp. 2–3. ISBN 9780403098415. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  2. "Rachel Ames". TV Guide. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  3. "About GH: About the Actors: Rachel Ames". Soap Central. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  4. Onofrio 1999, pp. 2–3.
  5. Aaker, Everett (2006). Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters: All Regular Cast Members in American Crime and Mystery Series, 1948-1959. McFarland. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-786-42476-4.
  6. Foulger, Bryan. "Fourth Generation". Brian Foulger Family History. Retrieved May 25, 2016. RACHEL KAY FOULGER, born 1929 Portland Oregon
  7. "Rachel Ames Signed To Play Policewoman On 'Lineup' Series". The Oil City Derrick. September 19, 1959. p. 23. Retrieved October 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Wittbeck, Charles (July 14, 1967). "Soaper Actress Has Army of Fans". The Toledo Blade. p. 18.
  9. Aaker 2006, pp. 13–14.
  10. "Science Fiction Theatre Cast". TV.com. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  11. Kleiner, Dick (September 20, 1985). "Soap eliminated her tears". Rome News-Tribune. Showbeat.
  12. Terrace 1985, p. 62.
  13. Staff (October 29, 2015). "Rachel Ames Returns to General Hospital". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  14. "The National Television Academy Announces the 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients". PR Newswire. February 2, 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  15. "Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Hosts Reception In Honor Of 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards". NYC.gov. May 20, 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  16. "General Hospital Spoilers!". Daytime Confidential. October 2, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
  17. "Marriages" (PDF). Billboard. March 1, 1952. p. 52. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  18. "Barry Cahill obituary". Los Angeles Times. April 15, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  19. Vermilye 2006, p. 186.
  20. "Rachel Ames Credits". TV.com. Retrieved May 26, 2016.

Works cited
  • Aaker, Everett (2006). Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-6409-8.
  • Onofrio, Jan (1999). Oregon Biographical Dictionary. North American Book Distributors. ISBN 0-403-09841-6.
  • Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials. 2. New York Zoetrope.
  • Vermilye, Jerry (2006). Buster Crabbe: A Biofilmography. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-786-49570-2.
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