A Look Back: A Year In The Life

I was about 10 or 11 when the mini series A Year In The Life ran over three Christmas themed episodes on NBC. YITL was created by the same team who brought us St. Elsewhere, Northern Exposure and I'll Fly Away. The success of the mini series led to a regular series pick-up that lasted only one year from 1987-1988.

Actors Richard Kiley and Eva Marie Saint led the mini series cast of mostly (at the time anyway) unknowns. Many of the cast went on to successful television careers including Jayne Atkinson, Wendy Philips, Adam Arkin and a young Sarah Jessica Parker who spouted some of the biggest hair on television at the time. Although much of the show is on Youtube, sadly this television event has never made it to DVD. Of course being who I was, the men on the show drew most of my attention especially the three actors below:

David Oliver

David Oliver's life and career were both sadly cut short when the actor died of complications from Aids in 1992 at just 30 years old. Oliver was also known for spending a few years on the daytime drama Another World, playing Perry, son of resident Villain Carl Hutchins. Oliver appeared to have become close to co-star Sarah Jessica Parker and were photographed together frequently at the time and often connected romantically in the press.

Below: With Marlee Matlin

Trey Ames

Ames was certainly my YITL crush, just a few years older than I when the series began. Besides Richard Kiley, Ames was featured heavily in the show and made a brief splash in the teen magazine press. Ames most notable role after the series ended was Dolphin Cove in 1989. Hard to believe turned 40 this past year.

Morgan Stevens

Morgan Stevens was the actor I was most familiar with when YITL began. I knew him from his two year stint as the hot drama teacher on Fame. Stevens went on to spend some time on Melrose Place and Murder She Wrote, but his last acting credit was Walker Texas Ranger in 1989.