At A Glance

Multiple Emmy winner Kim Zimmer began her daytime drama career in 1978 with a role as a terrorist on the soap opera One Life to Live. But it is as Reva Shayne, a character she created on Guiding Light in November 1983, for which she is beloved to millions of faithful viewers.

Her portrayal of the unforgettable Reva has also garnered her critical acclaim in the form of four Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1985, 1987, 1990, and 2006.

Before joining the CBS daytime drama, Kim played the devious Nola Aldrich for three and a half years on The Doctors. In 1983, she returned to One Life to Live for a five-month stint as Echo DiSavoy, before joining the cast of Guiding Light.

Kim left Guiding Light in 1990 -- she returned in 1995 -- and landed a recurring role on Aaron Spelling's Models, Inc., as well as guest spots on Seinfeld and University Hospital.

She was featured in the movies-of-the-week Hell Hath No Fury and Disappearance of Vonnie; has guest-starred on Designing Women and Babylon 5; and portrayed Jodie Walker on Santa Barbara. Off-Broadway, she played one of the leading roles in Jon Patrick Shanley's highly acclaimed Four Dogs & a Bone.

Kim, who was born on February 2 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, studied at nearby Hope College, and continued her theatrical training at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. She has performed her own nightclub act, was a professional diver, and still enjoys all sports.

She and her husband, actor/director A.C. Weary, have three children -- two boys and one girl.

Acting Portfolio: TELEVISION

Seinfeld Lenore 1995

The Disappearance of Vonnie
Vonnie Kaczmarek Pickman
1994

Santa Barbara
Jodie Walker
1992 to 1993

Keeping Secrets
Maureen
1991

Hell Hath No Fury
Marlene
1991

Designing Women
Mavis
October 30, 1989

Trenchcoat in Paradise
Claire Hollander
1989

Guiding Light
Reva Shayne
November 28, 1983 to July 23, 1990; April 25, 1995 to September 18, 2009

One Life to Live
Echo DiSavoy
March 15, 1983 to October 1983; October 1, 2010 to October 14, 2011

The Doctors
Nola Dancy Aldrich
1979 to 1982

One Life to Live
Bonnie Harmon
1977

Acting Portfolio: FILM

Body Heat
Mary Ann
1981

Acting Portfolio: THEATRE

Blood Brothers
August 1998, in Michigan

Cat On a Hot Tin Roof
1989, in Greenville, NC

Four Dogs & a Bone
Played a leading role (Off-Broadway)

Acting Portfolio: MUSIC

In May 1999, the audiobook Moonlight was released. Kim Zimmer and GL co-star Robert Newman

Josh) narrated this book by Suzanne Forster.

Awards & Acclaim

Daytime Emmys Winner, Outstanding Lead Actress (1985, 1987, 1990, 2006; for Guiding Light ) Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007; for Guiding Light ) Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009; for Guiding Light ) Soap Opera Digest Awards Winner, Outstanding Lead Actress (1990, 2000) Soap Opera Digest Awards Nominee, Outstanding Lead Actress (1998, 1999)

Vital Statistics

PLACE OF BIRTH: Grand Rapids, Michigan

DATE OF BIRTH: February 2, 1955

HAIR: Blonde

EYES: Blue

MARITAL STATUS: Married, A.C. Weary [Jul 1981]
CHILDREN: Rachel Beth, Maxwell Tyler, Jacob Allen
ALMA MATER: Hope College and American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco
PARENTS: Jack and Didi Zimmer
SIBLINGS: One sister, Karen
EDUCATION: Graduated from Forest Hills Central High School
MISCELLANEOUS: Was once a professional diver

News Archives

News Archive: GL's Josh and Reva the focus of a "mockumentary." [Jun 3, 2002]

News Archive: Despite reports, Kim Zimmer is not leaving GL. [May 30, 2005]

News Archive: Emmys name Zimmer Outstanding Lead Actress for fourth time. [Apr 28, 2006]

News Archive: New year, new rumors that Zimmer is leaving Guiding Light. [May 15, 2006]

News Archive: Zimmer sounds off on lack of on-screen time. [Apr 18, 2008]

News Archive: Behind-the-scenes video hilarity as Zimmer and Newman talk about being King and Queen of Mardi Gras. [Mar 23, 2009]

News Archive: Kim Zimmer speaks candidly about her GL future and those pesky rumors. [Mar 30, 2009]

News Archive: Zimmer comments on the end of Guiding Light. [Apr 2, 2009]

News Archive: Paley Center planning farewell tribute to Guiding Light. [Jun 29, 2009]

News Archive: A candid Zimmer discusses the end of GL and her future. [Sep 7, 2009]

News Archive: Could Zimmer be joining the cast of B&B. [Jan 11, 2010]

News Archive: Kim Zimmer to reprise role as OLTL's Echo. [Aug 17, 2010]

News Archive: Soap legend Kim Zimmer reveals breast cancer diagnosis [May 20, 2024]

Related Information

Did We Miss Something?: Let us know if we are missing any information in this profile.

Who's Who: Read a biography of Echo DiSavoy.

More Biographies: Read up on dozens of other past and present Y&R stars.

Archived News: Review more past Y&R news headlines.

News and More: Return to Soap Central's Y&R FrontPage.