FIRST APPEARANCE: April 2, 1956
LAST APPEARANCE: December 28, 1984
PERFORMERS:
John Larkin (April 1956-October 1961).
Laurence Hugo (November 1961-June 1, 1971).
Forrest Compton (June 2, 1971-December 28, 1984).
LAST LINE: "Calvin, take Chris and find out everything..." [The last spoken words of the series.]
DATE OF BIRTH: 1921
RELATIVES: Laurie Ann Karr (Daughter). Timmy Faraday (Adopted son). John Victor Dallas (Grandson). Mattie Lane Grismley (mother-in-law). Winston Grimsley (father-in-law, RIP). Rose Pollock (mother-in-law). Joe Pollock (father-in-law). Cookie Pollock Christopher (sister-in-law). Ron Christopher (brother-in-law). Lee Pollock (brother-in-law). Gerry McGrath Pollock (sister-in-law). Kelly McGrath (nephew).
OCCUPATION: Police lieutenant (1956-57). Assistant D.A. (1957-58). Private practice attorney (1958-81). District Attorney (1981-84).
MEDICAL HISTORY: Shot (December 1956). Hepatitis (1974). Blinded (May-Dec. 1978). Angina (1984).
LEGAL HISTORY: Tried and convicted for the murder of Beau Richardson in Fall 1977, but after receiving a suspended sentence, Mike was ultimately exonerated.
DEFENSE CLIENTS: Cora Lane (1957), Hugh Campbell (1959), Jack Lane (1960), Judith Marceau (1961), Louise Capice (1962), Iris Schultz (1962), Joe Pollock (1963), Beth Moon (1963), Winston Grimsley (1964), Gerry McGrath (1964), Cookie Thomas (1965), Phil Capice (1966), Martha Marceau (1967), Adam Drake (1973), April Scott (1978).
CLIENTS PROSECUTED: Troy Bannister (1982). Raven Whitney (1984).
FUN FACT: Mike Karr was the only character on The Edge of Night to last the entire run of the series. Mike appeared in both the premiere episode April 2, 1956, and the final telecast on December 28, 1984.
SPOUSES
Sara Lane Karr
Mike and Sara were dating at the beginning of the series and had enormous chemistry together. Their relationship was filled with tenderness, humor, gentle sparring, and enormous devotion for one another. Mike and Sara married on February 26, 1957, following his recovery from a potentially fatal gunshot wound. They enjoyed nearly five years of happiness together before Sara tragically died on February 22, 1961.
Nancy Pollock Karr
After a respectable period of mourning for late wife Sara, Mike began dating reporter Nancy Karr. They were married on April 22, 1963. The couple enjoyed one of the most stable marriages in soap opera history despite the constant threat of murder and mayhem (much of it introduced via Mike's involvement with the Crime Commission). Mike and Nancy's relationship was severely tested in the Fall of 1976 as Nancy became embroiled in the machinations of criminals Beau Richardson and Tony Saxon. The secrets and conflicts surrounding Beau's secret threats against Timmy Faraday prompted Nancy to separate from Mike and move into an apartment of her own. After Beau's murder, the Karr's reconciled and remained happy for the remainder of the series.
THREE FACES OF MIKE
John Larkin -- Mike Karr #1
For many fans, actor John Larkin was the definitive Mike Karr. Larkin's multi-faceted performance brought strength, humor, and intelligence to the role of Mike. When the series began, Mike was 35 years old and making an uneasy transition from bachelor to family man and cop to attorney. John Larkin's talents were perfectly suited for the part. He played the frustration, the heroics, and the altruism of an idealistic young man without ever being stuffy or too good to be true. Whether alone or paired with actress Teal Ames, Larkin certainly possessed a dynamic quality that made him legendary.
Although John Larkin is the actor most identified with the role of Mike Karr, he actually portrayed the character for the shortest length of time: 5 1/2 years.
Lawrence Hugo -- Mike Karr #2
With matinee idol good looks, Larry Hugo's Mike was the proverbial "strong, silent type," more prone to temperament and taking charge in both business and personal affairs. In Hugo's hands, Mike became more settled, maturing into a committed family and successful attorney, while conceding a bit of the energy and idealism that characterized John Larkin's Mike.
It was during Larry Hugo's tenure that writers slowly shifted the emphasis away from Mike Karr to new hero Adam Drake. Mike was seen less frequently than before due to the actor's involvement in stage work. When Larry Hugo accepted parts in touring companies, the character of Mike would often disappear for months at a time, usually dispatched to Capitol City on special assignment for the Crime Commission. Larry Hugo played Mike Karr for eight years.
Forrest Compton -- Mike Karr #3
"A kinder, gentler Mike Karr" probably best describes Forrest Compton's interpretation of the role. By the time Compton assumed the part, Mike Karr was 50 years old and naturally much more staid in his demeanor. Compton approached the character with subtlety and restraint, while avoiding the physicality of his predecessors. Under his characterization, Mike Karr developed into a far more mild-mannered, paternal figure, which was in keeping with the character's age and experience.
Forrest Compton had the longest run of the three Mike Karr's, playing the role for 13 years, 6 months, and 26 days.
LAST APPEARANCE: December 28, 1984
PERFORMERS:
John Larkin (April 1956-October 1961).
Laurence Hugo (November 1961-June 1, 1971).
Forrest Compton (June 2, 1971-December 28, 1984).
LAST LINE: "Calvin, take Chris and find out everything..." [The last spoken words of the series.]
DATE OF BIRTH: 1921
RELATIVES: Laurie Ann Karr (Daughter). Timmy Faraday (Adopted son). John Victor Dallas (Grandson). Mattie Lane Grismley (mother-in-law). Winston Grimsley (father-in-law, RIP). Rose Pollock (mother-in-law). Joe Pollock (father-in-law). Cookie Pollock Christopher (sister-in-law). Ron Christopher (brother-in-law). Lee Pollock (brother-in-law). Gerry McGrath Pollock (sister-in-law). Kelly McGrath (nephew).
OCCUPATION: Police lieutenant (1956-57). Assistant D.A. (1957-58). Private practice attorney (1958-81). District Attorney (1981-84).
MEDICAL HISTORY: Shot (December 1956). Hepatitis (1974). Blinded (May-Dec. 1978). Angina (1984).
LEGAL HISTORY: Tried and convicted for the murder of Beau Richardson in Fall 1977, but after receiving a suspended sentence, Mike was ultimately exonerated.
DEFENSE CLIENTS: Cora Lane (1957), Hugh Campbell (1959), Jack Lane (1960), Judith Marceau (1961), Louise Capice (1962), Iris Schultz (1962), Joe Pollock (1963), Beth Moon (1963), Winston Grimsley (1964), Gerry McGrath (1964), Cookie Thomas (1965), Phil Capice (1966), Martha Marceau (1967), Adam Drake (1973), April Scott (1978).
CLIENTS PROSECUTED: Troy Bannister (1982). Raven Whitney (1984).
FUN FACT: Mike Karr was the only character on The Edge of Night to last the entire run of the series. Mike appeared in both the premiere episode April 2, 1956, and the final telecast on December 28, 1984.
SPOUSES
Sara Lane Karr
Mike and Sara were dating at the beginning of the series and had enormous chemistry together. Their relationship was filled with tenderness, humor, gentle sparring, and enormous devotion for one another. Mike and Sara married on February 26, 1957, following his recovery from a potentially fatal gunshot wound. They enjoyed nearly five years of happiness together before Sara tragically died on February 22, 1961.
Nancy Pollock Karr
After a respectable period of mourning for late wife Sara, Mike began dating reporter Nancy Karr. They were married on April 22, 1963. The couple enjoyed one of the most stable marriages in soap opera history despite the constant threat of murder and mayhem (much of it introduced via Mike's involvement with the Crime Commission). Mike and Nancy's relationship was severely tested in the Fall of 1976 as Nancy became embroiled in the machinations of criminals Beau Richardson and Tony Saxon. The secrets and conflicts surrounding Beau's secret threats against Timmy Faraday prompted Nancy to separate from Mike and move into an apartment of her own. After Beau's murder, the Karr's reconciled and remained happy for the remainder of the series.
THREE FACES OF MIKE
John Larkin -- Mike Karr #1
For many fans, actor John Larkin was the definitive Mike Karr. Larkin's multi-faceted performance brought strength, humor, and intelligence to the role of Mike. When the series began, Mike was 35 years old and making an uneasy transition from bachelor to family man and cop to attorney. John Larkin's talents were perfectly suited for the part. He played the frustration, the heroics, and the altruism of an idealistic young man without ever being stuffy or too good to be true. Whether alone or paired with actress Teal Ames, Larkin certainly possessed a dynamic quality that made him legendary.
Although John Larkin is the actor most identified with the role of Mike Karr, he actually portrayed the character for the shortest length of time: 5 1/2 years.
Lawrence Hugo -- Mike Karr #2
With matinee idol good looks, Larry Hugo's Mike was the proverbial "strong, silent type," more prone to temperament and taking charge in both business and personal affairs. In Hugo's hands, Mike became more settled, maturing into a committed family and successful attorney, while conceding a bit of the energy and idealism that characterized John Larkin's Mike.
It was during Larry Hugo's tenure that writers slowly shifted the emphasis away from Mike Karr to new hero Adam Drake. Mike was seen less frequently than before due to the actor's involvement in stage work. When Larry Hugo accepted parts in touring companies, the character of Mike would often disappear for months at a time, usually dispatched to Capitol City on special assignment for the Crime Commission. Larry Hugo played Mike Karr for eight years.
Forrest Compton -- Mike Karr #3
"A kinder, gentler Mike Karr" probably best describes Forrest Compton's interpretation of the role. By the time Compton assumed the part, Mike Karr was 50 years old and naturally much more staid in his demeanor. Compton approached the character with subtlety and restraint, while avoiding the physicality of his predecessors. Under his characterization, Mike Karr developed into a far more mild-mannered, paternal figure, which was in keeping with the character's age and experience.
Forrest Compton had the longest run of the three Mike Karr's, playing the role for 13 years, 6 months, and 26 days.