I have some very upsetting and shocking news for As the World Turns fans. According to a report from the New York Post, Benjamin Hendrickson (Hal) died of a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head over the weekend. Benjamin was 55. He starred on ATWT for 21 years, winning a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2003. He also appeared on Guiding Light, Another World and Texas. Benjamin starred on Broadway for several years as well. His feature film credits include Spanking The Monkey, Consenting Adults and Manhunter. Benjamin's last airdate will be July 12. There are no plans to recast the role at this time. Everyone at CBS Daytime is, understandably, very upset and saddened by the news.

All My Children R&B singer Rihanna (right) will perform July 25 at the opening of club ConFusion.

As the World Turns Lair Torrent will play a golfer July 4 and 5.

Bold & the Beautiful Fan favorite Justin Torkildsen reprises his role of Rick for the wedding July 5.

Guiding Light Angela Pietropinto (Linda), Oni Faida Lampley (Jen) and Joanna Bonaro (Sadie) participate in the cancer support group July 3. Maeve Kinkead (Vanessa) and Kurt McKinney (Matt) reprise their roles July 6.

One Life to Live R&B singer Mary J. Blige will perform at Capricorn July 28.

Young & the Restless Millie Perkins will star as Rebecca July 28.

OUTS

Bold & the Beautiful Ronn Moss and Ridge are going to disappear again. Ronn is planning a European and Asian music tour, but no dates have been set yet.

General Hospital Robert LaSardo will see his character Manny get his comeuppance for good.

All My Children Tad lands an unlikely bedmate. Babe makes a shocking discovery. Kendall demands to know Erica's secret.

As the World Turns Jack and Carly lay down some ground rules. Katie lets Simon know how she feels. Maddie is overcome by her emotions when she sees Casey and Lia.

Days of Our Lives Max tries to get close to Chelsea again. Bo, Hope and Patrick wait for results of the paternity test. Kayla tries to jog Patch's memory.

General Hospital Jason feels responsible for Sonny's breakdown. Emily returns to Sonny. Carly gains enormous popularity.

Guiding Light Tammy puts her baby first. Olivia takes her anger out on Ava. Dinah rubs the wrong person the wrong way.

One Life to Live David is willing to pay for his crimes. John sets out to uncover the truth. Todd has a proposition for Dorian.

Passions The hungry lions Fancy a snack. Esme detects a potential love match. A seductive Kay showers Miguel with attention.

Young & the Restless Hope pays Victor a "visit." Passion re-ignites between J.T. and Colleen. Phyllis fesses up.

SPOTLIGHT ON...Marla Gibbs (Aunt Irma, Passions) www.forever30records.com

A Chicago native; a job transfer as a United Airlines reservation clerk led the adult Marla and her three children to Los Angeles from Detroit. Once there, Marla and daughter Angela joined PASLA (Performing Arts Society of Los Angeles). She studied at the Mafundi Institute and Watts Writers Workshop. That led to stage production roles in Medea, Amen Corner and The Gingerbread Lady.

After a few bit parts, Marla landed the role of Florence on The Jeffersons, gaining international notoriety. After the show's ninth season, she turned her attention to the spin-off series Checking In. The series was interrupted by a writers strike and didn't go anywhere, so Marla returned to The Jeffersons. Soon afterwards her daughter Angela produced the award-winning Christine Houston play 227 in which Marla was cast by director Ed Cambridge. The play was a smash, and Marla bought the TV rights, sold and helped produce the series for NBC in which she also starred.

Marla has won 8 (!) NAACP Image Awards (just recently receiving another nomination for her work on Passions), 8 Family TV awards, Essence Woman of the Year, Frances Williams' Women in Theater West Award, two CEBA Awards and numerous other national and local honors. Other TV credits include The Nick Cannon Show, Touched by An Angel, Arliss, Judging Amy, King of Queens, Dawson's Creek, Martin, Dream On and several voice-overs on HBO's Happily Ever After and Disney's 1,001 Dalmations. Her most recent TV work includes The Hughleys and Martial Law. Feature film credits include -- most recently Stanley's Gig and The Visit -- The Brothers Foolish, Lost and Found, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Border to Border and Up Against The Wall. Marla has recently participated in Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues in New York City.

Marla's birthday is June 14.

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