The Young and the Restless: remembering executive producer Paul Rauch on the anniversary of his passing

The Young and the Restless fans and devotees of Another World, One Life to Live, Santa Barbara, and Guiding Light are remembering late, great soap opera executive producer Paul Rauch, who passed away 13 years ago, on December 10, 2012. Soap Central is remembering the legendary producer who was responsible for thousands of hours of great daytime drama.

The Young and the Restless, remembering Paul Rauch

Rauch began his TV career as an executive at CBS as vice president of programs, East Coast. He also worked for Procter & Gamble, the company that produced numerous soap operas. Starting in 1972, he became the executive producer of Another World where he oversaw the show becoming the first hour-long soap opera, and, briefly, the genre’s only 90-minute serial.

Along with head writer Harding Lemay, Rauch made AW both a ratings success and a critics' favorite. In 1976, Rauch led AW to the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. Rauch was also executive producer and one of the creators of Texas, an AW spinoff that starred Beverlee McKinsey as Iris Carrington Bancroft Wheeler, which aired from 1980 to 1982.

Rauch exited NBC in 1982 and moved over to ABC, where he helmed One Life to Live, leading the show to ratings and critical acclaim. At OLTL, Rauch was in charge of the show when Clint Buchanan (Clint Ritchie) went to the Old West, and Megan Gordon (Jessia Tuck) won a Daisy Award for Fraternity Row, the soap within the soap opera. When poor Didi (Barbara Truetelaar) was electrocuted to death, OLTL hit the No. 1 spot in the ratings.

Next, Rauch was lured back to NBC and the West Coast to try to save the critically-acclaimed but ratings-challenged serial Santa Barbara. Despite a valiant effort, Rauch, along with head writer Pamela K. Long (Guiding Light), watched the sun set on Santa Barbara in early 1993.

From Santa Barbara to Springfield to Genoa City

In Santa Barbara’s final episode end credits, Rauch was seen walking across the show’s empty set. He dropped his cigar on the floor, stomped on it, and kept walking. The gesture is well-remembered by fans of the show and was representative of Rauch's no-nonsense attitude.

Next, Rauch headed back to CBS and the East Coast, where he became executive producer of Guiding Light, infusing the long-running serial with improved production values. He was in charge of GL when Annie Dutton (Daytime Emmy-winner Cynthia Watros) had her meltdown on the witness stand, where she confessed to framing Reva (Kim Zimmer) for causing the “death” of her baby. (Sadly, the unborn child had already died even before Annie had pushed herself down the Spaulding staircase).

Next, Rauch moved back to the West Coast to work as executive producer of The Young and the Restless with Maria Arena Bell, who was co-executive producer and head writer.

Rauch passed away a few weeks shy of his 79th birthday. He was wed to concert pianist and playwright, Israela Margalit.

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Soap Central remembers Paul Rauch and his contributions to daytime drama on today, the anniversary of his passing.

Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.

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