GERALDINE WHITNEY
FIRST APPEARANCE: June 30, 1970
LAST APPEARANCE: December 28, 1984
PERFORMER: Lois Kibbee (June 30, 1970-December 17, 1971; November 20, 1973-December 28, 1984).
EXIT: Standing in the Whitney Mansion; last scene of final telecast.
LAST LINE: "To moments past and moments yet to come." (Christmas toast)
OCCUPATION Wealthy socialite. Station manager of WMON-TV (1980-84). Station manager WEON radio station (1984).
LEGAL HISTORY: Accessory after the fact to the murders of Suella Duvall, Rosella Gray, Charles Weldon, and Tango Humpries (no charges were filed). Accidentally shot and killed Logan Swift (July 1984).
MEDICAL HISTORY: Coma and paralysis after falling down a flight of stairs at the Whitney mansion and later bludegeoned by Noel Douglas(1975). Bludgeoned by Romeo Slade (August 1981).
RESIDENCE: Whitney Mansion (1970-78; 1981). Monticello Arms (1979-81; 1982-84).
GERALDINE QUOTE: "Somehow, I have been the residue of so many broken homes, and broken marriages, and... death."
FACT: Writer Henry Slesar planned to kill-off Geraldine in the Fall of 1975, but changed his mind.
The WHITNEY CURSE
Tragedy seemed to follow Geraldine, hanging above her head like the Sword of Damacles, with mayhem and death characterizing her 12 year run on the series. Initially, she was a very manipulative, domineering character. Her interference in the lives of other people almost always resulted in death. Even in later years, long after she became more sympathetic, Geraldine seemed destined to be alone, suffering the loss of the people she loved most. During the course of the series, Geraldine witnessed the death of her husband, her brother, two natural sons, three surrogate sons, a daughter-in-law, and her very best friend. When Geraldine discovered that she had inadvertently shot and killed Logan Swift, it was almost too much for her to bear. By the final telecast, Sky and Raven were the only escapees from Geraldine's celebrated curse...but who knows what happened after the series left the air...?
HUSBANDS
Gordon Whitney
Geraldine and Gordon met at lawn party given by the Roosevelts in the early 1930's. Although Geraldine could be very domineering and often manipulative, Gordon loved his wife. They had a happy marriage until his death in 1973.
Anthony Saxon
"A gentle tiger" is how Geraldine described Anthony Saxon. They enjoyed a whirlwind courtship and marriage in late 1977. Their relationship proved remarkably successful despite Tony's involvement in numerous criminal activities. Though he could be cruel and ruthless in business, Tony treated Geraldine with tenderness and respect. His dying words were a profession of love for her.
RELATIVES
Colin Whitney
Geraldine had a very businesslike relationship with eldest son Colin. She took great pride in his accomplishments as a senator; however, she seldom displayed particularly maternal feelings for him.
Keith Whitney
In spite of his violent, schizophrenic nature, Keith was Geraldine's favorite son. Her love for him was so great that she helped him conceal: the murder of Suella Duval, the murder of Rosella Gray, the murder of Tango Humphries, and an attempt on the life of Nancy Karr.
Tiffany Whitney
Initially, Geraldine and daughter-in-law Tiffany shared a rather cold relationship. Tiffany's affair with Ron Christopher didn't help the situation. However, after the deaths of Gordon and Colin, the remaining Whitney women became very close. When Geraldine suffered a near-fatal accident in 1975, Tiffany refused to leave her side. Tiffany's own death the following April devastated Geraldine.
Dr. Charles Weldon
Charles was Geraldine's brother and confidante. He assisted her in faking son Keith's death, though he had an ulterior motive...he was actually embezzling much of her fortune.
Sky Whitney
Although only an aunt by marriage, Geraldine developed a very warm relationship with nephew Sky, and they remained close through the end of the series.
Del Emerson
As Geraldine once commented, con man Del Emerson was far more similar to Anthony Saxon than Gordon Whitney. However, unlike Anthony, Del's crimes weren't nearly as felonious. He proposed marriage in the next-to-last telecast of the series and was last seen signing Geraldine's pre-nuptial agreement.
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS
Adam Drake
Geraldine developed an attachment to Adam following the death of her son Colin. She sought to "replace" her late son by sponsoring Adam's senate campaign. Unfortunately, it proved disastrous for many people.
Kevin Jamison
When Adam Drake's senatorial bid failed, Geraldine immediately turned her attention to reporter Kevin Jamison. Geraldine envisoned Kevin as a replacement for her son Keith. She groomed Kevin for a political career, too, and constantly interfered in his relationship with Phoebe Jamison. When Phoebe died, Geraldine manipulated Kevin into an unhappy marriage with Raven Alexander... with fatal results.
Logan Swift
Vis-a-vis Adam and Kevin, Geraldine viewed Logan as a surrogate son. She supported his political career, and after his divorce from Raven, they shared a residential hotel suite with Logan's young son Jamey. When he left for New York in late 1980, it appeared that Logan had escaped Geraldine's curse of losing sons. Unfortunately, he returned in 1984 and was killed when Geraldine accidentally shot him.
Raven Alexander
Raven was the daughter of Geraldine's best friend Nadine Alexander. After Nadine moved to Europe, Geraldine developed a mother-daughter relationship with Raven, who needed all the guidance she could get. Raven's antics often horrified Geraldine, but she generally tolerated Raven's actions. In 1978, Geraldine blamed Raven for Kevin Jamison's death and vowed never to forgive her. They remained estranged for much of the next two years. However, Geraldine always forgave Raven no matter what. After Raven saved April Scott's life in January 1981, Geraldine slowly came around and rebuilt their relationship. The two women developed a mutual respect and admiration for one another. They continued to have a close relationship for the remainder of the series.
FIRST APPEARANCE: June 30, 1970
LAST APPEARANCE: December 28, 1984
PERFORMER: Lois Kibbee (June 30, 1970-December 17, 1971; November 20, 1973-December 28, 1984).
EXIT: Standing in the Whitney Mansion; last scene of final telecast.
LAST LINE: "To moments past and moments yet to come." (Christmas toast)
OCCUPATION Wealthy socialite. Station manager of WMON-TV (1980-84). Station manager WEON radio station (1984).
LEGAL HISTORY: Accessory after the fact to the murders of Suella Duvall, Rosella Gray, Charles Weldon, and Tango Humpries (no charges were filed). Accidentally shot and killed Logan Swift (July 1984).
MEDICAL HISTORY: Coma and paralysis after falling down a flight of stairs at the Whitney mansion and later bludegeoned by Noel Douglas(1975). Bludgeoned by Romeo Slade (August 1981).
RESIDENCE: Whitney Mansion (1970-78; 1981). Monticello Arms (1979-81; 1982-84).
GERALDINE QUOTE: "Somehow, I have been the residue of so many broken homes, and broken marriages, and... death."
FACT: Writer Henry Slesar planned to kill-off Geraldine in the Fall of 1975, but changed his mind.
The WHITNEY CURSE
Tragedy seemed to follow Geraldine, hanging above her head like the Sword of Damacles, with mayhem and death characterizing her 12 year run on the series. Initially, she was a very manipulative, domineering character. Her interference in the lives of other people almost always resulted in death. Even in later years, long after she became more sympathetic, Geraldine seemed destined to be alone, suffering the loss of the people she loved most. During the course of the series, Geraldine witnessed the death of her husband, her brother, two natural sons, three surrogate sons, a daughter-in-law, and her very best friend. When Geraldine discovered that she had inadvertently shot and killed Logan Swift, it was almost too much for her to bear. By the final telecast, Sky and Raven were the only escapees from Geraldine's celebrated curse...but who knows what happened after the series left the air...?
HUSBANDS
Gordon Whitney
Geraldine and Gordon met at lawn party given by the Roosevelts in the early 1930's. Although Geraldine could be very domineering and often manipulative, Gordon loved his wife. They had a happy marriage until his death in 1973.
Anthony Saxon
"A gentle tiger" is how Geraldine described Anthony Saxon. They enjoyed a whirlwind courtship and marriage in late 1977. Their relationship proved remarkably successful despite Tony's involvement in numerous criminal activities. Though he could be cruel and ruthless in business, Tony treated Geraldine with tenderness and respect. His dying words were a profession of love for her.
RELATIVES
Colin Whitney
Geraldine had a very businesslike relationship with eldest son Colin. She took great pride in his accomplishments as a senator; however, she seldom displayed particularly maternal feelings for him.
Keith Whitney
In spite of his violent, schizophrenic nature, Keith was Geraldine's favorite son. Her love for him was so great that she helped him conceal: the murder of Suella Duval, the murder of Rosella Gray, the murder of Tango Humphries, and an attempt on the life of Nancy Karr.
Tiffany Whitney
Initially, Geraldine and daughter-in-law Tiffany shared a rather cold relationship. Tiffany's affair with Ron Christopher didn't help the situation. However, after the deaths of Gordon and Colin, the remaining Whitney women became very close. When Geraldine suffered a near-fatal accident in 1975, Tiffany refused to leave her side. Tiffany's own death the following April devastated Geraldine.
Dr. Charles Weldon
Charles was Geraldine's brother and confidante. He assisted her in faking son Keith's death, though he had an ulterior motive...he was actually embezzling much of her fortune.
Sky Whitney
Although only an aunt by marriage, Geraldine developed a very warm relationship with nephew Sky, and they remained close through the end of the series.
Del Emerson
As Geraldine once commented, con man Del Emerson was far more similar to Anthony Saxon than Gordon Whitney. However, unlike Anthony, Del's crimes weren't nearly as felonious. He proposed marriage in the next-to-last telecast of the series and was last seen signing Geraldine's pre-nuptial agreement.
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS
Adam Drake
Geraldine developed an attachment to Adam following the death of her son Colin. She sought to "replace" her late son by sponsoring Adam's senate campaign. Unfortunately, it proved disastrous for many people.
Kevin Jamison
When Adam Drake's senatorial bid failed, Geraldine immediately turned her attention to reporter Kevin Jamison. Geraldine envisoned Kevin as a replacement for her son Keith. She groomed Kevin for a political career, too, and constantly interfered in his relationship with Phoebe Jamison. When Phoebe died, Geraldine manipulated Kevin into an unhappy marriage with Raven Alexander... with fatal results.
Logan Swift
Vis-a-vis Adam and Kevin, Geraldine viewed Logan as a surrogate son. She supported his political career, and after his divorce from Raven, they shared a residential hotel suite with Logan's young son Jamey. When he left for New York in late 1980, it appeared that Logan had escaped Geraldine's curse of losing sons. Unfortunately, he returned in 1984 and was killed when Geraldine accidentally shot him.
Raven Alexander
Raven was the daughter of Geraldine's best friend Nadine Alexander. After Nadine moved to Europe, Geraldine developed a mother-daughter relationship with Raven, who needed all the guidance she could get. Raven's antics often horrified Geraldine, but she generally tolerated Raven's actions. In 1978, Geraldine blamed Raven for Kevin Jamison's death and vowed never to forgive her. They remained estranged for much of the next two years. However, Geraldine always forgave Raven no matter what. After Raven saved April Scott's life in January 1981, Geraldine slowly came around and rebuilt their relationship. The two women developed a mutual respect and admiration for one another. They continued to have a close relationship for the remainder of the series.