Gina Tognoni, Kelly Cramer Buchanan, OLTL

Eighth Installment
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Gina Tognoni

I needed something to be excited about when it comes to OLTL since the storylines were just not grabbing may attention, though the performances of Robin Strasser always motivate me to continue watching the show. News that Gina Tognoni was going to return as Dorian's youngest niece, Kelly, was just what the doctor ordered. Like Blair, Kelly is very much a daughter to Dorian. In fact, as Dorian lay on the brink of death, Kelly sobbed in Blair's arms that she wanted to kill herself if Dorian died. "All I've ever had was Aunt Dorian!" she cried.

Years ago in a SOD interview, when asked about the Cramer Women, Robin commented about Gina: "Suddenly from this very 'checkerboard' family of strange females we became the Cramer women -- Kassie DePaiva, Laura Koffman, Gina Tognoni [and myself]. My darling Gina is a very talented young woman. As much as I would like to see better story for me and for Stephen Markle, right up there is 'Yo! what about Gina Tognoni?' We are talking about somebody who has the potential to be a very important leading lady. But I adore all 'my girls'."

OLTL Executive Producer Frank Valentini comments on Gina's return: “I am excited to welcome the extremely talented Gina Tognoni back to the role that launched her daytime career." He continues, “The role of Kelly is an important part of OLTL’s history and Gina’s portrayal as a member of the spirited Cramer family has always been a fan favorite. She is a friend and I am thrilled to be working with her once again.”

"I made this decision from the heart," Gina said in a TV Guide interview. " I’m psyched to see Kelly come back to Llanview."

Gina was cast as Kelly in 1995 after winning a series of beauty pageants, including Miss Rhode Island Teen USA in 1991 and Miss Rhode Island Teen All-American in 1993. She decided to forego Emerson College in Boston and ended up in New York City instead and then Los Angeles, where she attended acting classes and Santa Monica College. Then, out of nowhere, OLTL beckoned.

_{Picture from Proctor & Gamble.}

She originated the role of Kelly and portrayed the character until 2001. In 2004, she returned to Daytime in the role of Dinah Marler on CBS's Guiding Light, where she won a Daytime Emmy in 2006 and in 2008. Gina is only the second actress to repeat in this category (Julia Barr also won two Supporting Actress trophies). In September, it was announced she would appear in the webseries Venice, along with former Guiding Light cast members Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia. Guiding Light aired it's last episode in September.

_{John Paschal/JPI Studios}

After Gina left OLTL, Tracy Melchior was cast as Kelly in 2003 and later replaced by Heather Tom. Kelly left the canvas in 2007 when Kelly and Kevin Buchanan moved to London with her baby, Zane. Kelly (and Gina) are expected to return in early 2010.

Robin and Gina. Photos from Wireimages.com.

LINKS:
IMDb/Gina Tognoni
TV Guide Exclusive: Gina Tognoni Returns to One Life to Live
Guiding Light's Gina Tognoni (Dinah Marler) wins Best Supporting Actress Emmy in 2006.
GINA TOGNONI - Supporting Actress - EMMY WINNER in 2008
_{The Emmy Nominated work of Supporting Actress, Gina Tognoni (Guiding Light)}
OLTL Kelly says goodbye to Jessica
OLTL Jessica and Kelly talk about Joey
Protecting Kelly
Dorian and Mel: To Hell and Back, Part 6

Next--Melissa Fumero, OLTL

Please let Kelly and Dorian rock Llanview ----together.

I have a question for anyone who knows and can be objective --I find I cannot. But after watching the unwedding with Dorian and Blair --Blair says I have forgiven you alot to Dorian. WTF does she have to forgive Dorian? I have no recollection of Dorian doing anything other than telling Blair and anyone who can hear it what a monster the rapist, murdering pig was and is. So why would the sainted Blair have any reason --then and now to hold anger or a grudge against Dorian?

I imagine she's referring to Dorian trying to cover up for Kelly being the one who hit Blair & Patrick, causing her to lose Brendan (that was the name, right?)

I know some of the Blair fans who were also Dorian fans and a part of an email group to which I belonged, were angry with Dorian for Blair's quick divorce from Todd while she was comatose, which of course turned into Todd marrying Tea and getting custody of Starr. Blair also lost Melador under Dorian's watch and with the quick divorce never got a financial settlement from Todd.

And what is the nexus to all those things happening to Blair?

It is Blair's desire to bask in the affections of a rapist, bully, murderer, baby-seller, liar and all-around dullard. Everything that has happened to that stupid woman is her own damn fault.

BWAHHHHHHH.

You crack me up, Rileyanne.
And I'm right there, with ya.

I know it. She cracks me up too!

Gina Tognoni will be playing a role of Sami on VENICE, a web based soap. We Love Soaps west coast correspondent Stephanie Burke visited the set of VENICE last week. Gina also talks about her return to OLTL. She talks about Kelly around the 6:20 point.