Marcie Walsh
Encyclopedia
Marcie Walsh McBain is a fictional character
on the ABC
soap opera
, One Life to Live
. The role was played by Kathy Brier
from October 18, 2002 to June 17, 2009 and briefly on November 6, 12 and 13, 2009. Marcie and Michael returned on October 25, 27 and November 3, 2011.
student Jennifer Rappaport
. Desperate for Jen's approval, Marcie uses her job as receptionist at Llanview Hospital to alter test results as part of one of Jen's plans. Marcie and Jen become best friends as Jen settles down and Marcie comes into her own.
Marcie also befriends student Al Holden, and she soon discovers his drug habit. With her help, Al overcomes his addiction, and the two develop a romantic relationship. Al is diagnosed with a terminal disease in 2003, and he dies soon after. A devastated Marcie meets cocky young Dr. Michael McBain
and takes an immediate dislike to him; though she is unaware, Al's soul has entered Michael's body, and seeks to reunite with her. Al/Michael helps Marcie through her pain, and when they are finally in love, Michael loses all memory of life as Al.
soon discovers that Tommy is actually Todd Manning
's son, who had been kidnapped by Dr. Spencer Truman
and was presumed dead. Familiar with the McBains' devotion to Tommy and knowing that they would be devastated if he were taken away, Rex is unsure what to do; he is also aware of Todd's volatile behavior, above-the-law history and selfishness. Perceiving Todd's consideration of his missing son as nothing more than a lost possession, Rex decides to keep the secret.
Adriana and later Michael himself become part of the conspiracy to keep Tommy with the McBains, Michael deciding to protect Marcie by not telling her. Rex goes as far as faking a death certificate for Todd's missing child to get Todd to give up the search. In the wake of Spencer's murder, hints to the whereabouts of Todd's son begin to surface, prompting Todd to resume his search. Marcie finds out that she cannot have any children of her own just as the truth about Tommy's parentage comes out. Todd takes the McBains to court to win custody of his son, and both sides malign each other in a bitter battle. On October 9, 2007, Todd is awarded custody. As he arrives at the McBains' to pick up his son, Marcie escapes out a window with Tommy and flees town.
Marcie first shows up on the doorstep of her brother Ron; he gives her money, and she barely manages to escape before both Todd and FBI agent Lee Ramsey show up an Ron's door. Ron has arranged for Marcie to meet a friend of his in Decatur
, Georgia
; under the alias Penny Shaw, Marcie arrives at a Decatur gay bar called Faces. Ramsey appears but is distracted by the bar's employees as Marcie poses as a drag queen
and performs onstage. Marcie's brother-in-law John, accompanying Todd to keep Marcie as safe as possible, spots her and starts a bar fight so she can escape. Marcie flees to New Orleans and is sheltered by Celia, the sister of one of the other drag performers. Narrowly missing discovery again by John and Todd, Marcie is referred to one of Celia's friends in Paris
, Texas
. A disguised Marcie walks into the Bon Jour Café, not realizing that Llanview matriarch (and Todd's sister) Viki Lord Davidson
has been working there incognito to temporarily escape her life. Celia's friend having quit months earlier, Marcie befriends waitress Gigi Morasco
, who believes Marcie is fleeing an abusive husband and agrees to help. Gigi soon discovers the truth, but promises not to turn Marcie in. Marcie unknowingly avoids Viki, but a worried Michael figures out where she is and the authorities follow. After a standoff with the police and FBI at the diner, Marcie surrenders; "Tommy" is returned to Todd and renamed Sam. Ultimately, Marcie does not serve any jail time.
decides to give her unborn baby up for adoption, choosing Marcie and Michael as the adoptive parents. Michael suspects that Todd will thwart the adoption and fears that Marcie cannot survive losing another child; they separate, but Starr is determined for Marcie to adopt her baby, married or not. Starr gives birth on November 6, 2008; Todd had intended to kidnap the child and raise it himself in secret, but changes his mind at the last minute. Meanwhile, after losing her own baby in childbirth the same day, Starr's cousin Jessica Brennan
— under the influence of her recurring dissociative identity disorder
— switches Starr's daughter with her own deceased baby girl. The families come to believe that Starr's child, named Hope, had died. Michael and Marcie reconcile in their grief. The truth comes out and Hope is returned on June 5, 2009; Michael and Marcie finally assume custody on June 8, 2009. After overhearing Starr talking about her regrets, Marcie returns Hope to Starr to raise on June 15, 2009. Michael tells Marcie about an exciting job offer at Seattle Grace Hospital, and they decide to leave Llanview and start over. Waiting for a cab to pick them up on June 17, 2009, they are overjoyed when a home test reveals that Marcie is pregnant.
Marcie and Michael made their return on October 25, 2011 to visit John McBain and announcing that she is pregnant with their second child. Marcie and Michael try to convince John to tell Natalie he still loves her.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
. The role was played by Kathy Brier
Kathy Brier
Kathy Brier is an American actress and singer.-Early life:Brier grew up on Staten Island, where she attended Moore Catholic High School before studying theatre and business at Wagner College, qualifying for a Bachelor of Science in arts administration.-Career:Brier played the role of Marcie Walsh...
from October 18, 2002 to June 17, 2009 and briefly on November 6, 12 and 13, 2009. Marcie and Michael returned on October 25, 27 and November 3, 2011.
Arrival
In 2002, Marcie Walsh befriends fellow Llanview UniversityLlanview, Pennsylvania
Llanview, Pennsylvania is the fictional setting for the long-running American soap opera One Life to Live. The city exists in the same fictional universe as cities from other existing or defunct ABC daytime dramas, including Pine Valley from All My Children, Port Charles from General Hospital, and...
student Jennifer Rappaport
Jennifer Rappaport
Jennifer Rappaport is a fictional character on the American daytime drama One Life to Live, portrayed by Jessica Morris from January 2001 to May 2005. Morris reappeared as Jennifer in a dream sequence on October 1, 2008.-Storylines:Jennifer arrives in Llanview in January 2001 as a student at...
. Desperate for Jen's approval, Marcie uses her job as receptionist at Llanview Hospital to alter test results as part of one of Jen's plans. Marcie and Jen become best friends as Jen settles down and Marcie comes into her own.
Marcie also befriends student Al Holden, and she soon discovers his drug habit. With her help, Al overcomes his addiction, and the two develop a romantic relationship. Al is diagnosed with a terminal disease in 2003, and he dies soon after. A devastated Marcie meets cocky young Dr. Michael McBain
Michael McBain
Dr. Michael McBain is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live.-Casting:The role was originated by R. Brandon Johnson in November 2003, with Nathaniel Marston stepping in on February 16, 2004 and ultimately leaving on November 29, 2007. On January 9, and January 10, 2007, Robert...
and takes an immediate dislike to him; though she is unaware, Al's soul has entered Michael's body, and seeks to reunite with her. Al/Michael helps Marcie through her pain, and when they are finally in love, Michael loses all memory of life as Al.
The Walshes
Marcie's father Charlie Walsh comes to Llanview to visit his daughter on September 29, 2004 and soon encounters his homosexual son, Eric. Charlie and Eric's relationship is strained because Charlie has never accepted his son's sexuality. This causes Marcie to continually bicker with Charlie and her older brother, Ron. Marcie publishes a mystery novel called The Killing Club, and in 2005 a serial killer dubbed the "Killing Club Killer" begins to mimic the murders in Marcie's book. Charlie, Ron, and Marcie are all attacked after Marcie's gas piping is intentionally loosened by the killer. They all survive; Charlie finally accepts Eric, and welcomes Eric's partner James into the family.Tommy
Though Michael's work and Marcie's newfound fame as an author take their toll on the relationship, the couple finally marries on May 5, 2006. Marcie's father Charlie walks her down the aisle. Later that year, Michael and Marcie adopt a little boy they name Tommy, after Michael's deceased father. Marcie's friend (and Tommy's godfather) Rex BalsomRex Balsom
Rex Balsom is a fictional character on the American daytime drama One Life to Live, portrayed by John-Paul Lavoisier since May 9, 2002.With the character initially named "Jamie" prior to production, then-Executive Producer Gary Tomlin "toyed with the idea" of putting Rex in a gay storyline;...
soon discovers that Tommy is actually Todd Manning
Todd Manning
Thomas Todd Manning is a fictional character from the ABC daytime drama One Life to Live. Created by writer Michael Malone, the role was originated in 1992 by actor Roger Howarth. In 2003, Howarth departed from the series and the role was recast with actor Trevor St. John as Todd, initially written...
's son, who had been kidnapped by Dr. Spencer Truman
Spencer Truman
Dr. Spencer Truman was a fictional character on the soap opera One Life to Live. He was played by Paul Satterfield from May 25, 2005 to January 30, 2007. Satterfield has reprised the role, in the form of Ghost by characters Miles Laurence and John McBain, several times in 2007...
and was presumed dead. Familiar with the McBains' devotion to Tommy and knowing that they would be devastated if he were taken away, Rex is unsure what to do; he is also aware of Todd's volatile behavior, above-the-law history and selfishness. Perceiving Todd's consideration of his missing son as nothing more than a lost possession, Rex decides to keep the secret.
Adriana and later Michael himself become part of the conspiracy to keep Tommy with the McBains, Michael deciding to protect Marcie by not telling her. Rex goes as far as faking a death certificate for Todd's missing child to get Todd to give up the search. In the wake of Spencer's murder, hints to the whereabouts of Todd's son begin to surface, prompting Todd to resume his search. Marcie finds out that she cannot have any children of her own just as the truth about Tommy's parentage comes out. Todd takes the McBains to court to win custody of his son, and both sides malign each other in a bitter battle. On October 9, 2007, Todd is awarded custody. As he arrives at the McBains' to pick up his son, Marcie escapes out a window with Tommy and flees town.
Marcie first shows up on the doorstep of her brother Ron; he gives her money, and she barely manages to escape before both Todd and FBI agent Lee Ramsey show up an Ron's door. Ron has arranged for Marcie to meet a friend of his in Decatur
Decatur, Georgia
Decatur is a city in, and county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. With a population of 19,335 in the 2010 census, the city is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple zip codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear the Decatur name...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
; under the alias Penny Shaw, Marcie arrives at a Decatur gay bar called Faces. Ramsey appears but is distracted by the bar's employees as Marcie poses as a drag queen
Drag queen
A drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and...
and performs onstage. Marcie's brother-in-law John, accompanying Todd to keep Marcie as safe as possible, spots her and starts a bar fight so she can escape. Marcie flees to New Orleans and is sheltered by Celia, the sister of one of the other drag performers. Narrowly missing discovery again by John and Todd, Marcie is referred to one of Celia's friends in Paris
Paris, Texas
Paris, Texas is a city located northeast of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex in Lamar County, Texas, in the United States. It is situated in Northeast Texas at the western edge of the Piney Woods. Physiographically, these regions are part of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. In 1900, 9,358 people lived...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. A disguised Marcie walks into the Bon Jour Café, not realizing that Llanview matriarch (and Todd's sister) Viki Lord Davidson
Victoria Lord
Victoria "Viki" Lord is the principal fictional character and matriarch of the Lord family on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live...
has been working there incognito to temporarily escape her life. Celia's friend having quit months earlier, Marcie befriends waitress Gigi Morasco
Gigi Morasco
Gigi Morasco is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live. She was portrayed by Farah Fath since October 24, 2007 to June 29, 2011 and October 2011 to present . She returned as a ghost on August 1, 2011 .-Background and Arrival:Gigi was born in 1979 and was briefly presumed dead...
, who believes Marcie is fleeing an abusive husband and agrees to help. Gigi soon discovers the truth, but promises not to turn Marcie in. Marcie unknowingly avoids Viki, but a worried Michael figures out where she is and the authorities follow. After a standoff with the police and FBI at the diner, Marcie surrenders; "Tommy" is returned to Todd and renamed Sam. Ultimately, Marcie does not serve any jail time.
Motherhood revisited
Todd's pregnant teenage daughter Starr ManningStarr Manning
Starr Irene Manning is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live. Portrayed by Kristen Alderson since 1998, Starr is the oldest child of Todd Manning and Blair Cramer, and was originally known for her mischievous behavior, exacerbated by her parents' volatile...
decides to give her unborn baby up for adoption, choosing Marcie and Michael as the adoptive parents. Michael suspects that Todd will thwart the adoption and fears that Marcie cannot survive losing another child; they separate, but Starr is determined for Marcie to adopt her baby, married or not. Starr gives birth on November 6, 2008; Todd had intended to kidnap the child and raise it himself in secret, but changes his mind at the last minute. Meanwhile, after losing her own baby in childbirth the same day, Starr's cousin Jessica Brennan
Jessica Buchanan
Jessica Eugenia Buchanan is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live...
— under the influence of her recurring dissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis and describes a condition in which a person displays multiple distinct identities , each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment....
— switches Starr's daughter with her own deceased baby girl. The families come to believe that Starr's child, named Hope, had died. Michael and Marcie reconcile in their grief. The truth comes out and Hope is returned on June 5, 2009; Michael and Marcie finally assume custody on June 8, 2009. After overhearing Starr talking about her regrets, Marcie returns Hope to Starr to raise on June 15, 2009. Michael tells Marcie about an exciting job offer at Seattle Grace Hospital, and they decide to leave Llanview and start over. Waiting for a cab to pick them up on June 17, 2009, they are overjoyed when a home test reveals that Marcie is pregnant.
Return
Marcie makes a brief return to Llanview on November 6, 2009. She gives birth to her son with Michael, whom they name Gabriel Thomas, on November 13, 2009 in Seattle.Marcie and Michael made their return on October 25, 2011 to visit John McBain and announcing that she is pregnant with their second child. Marcie and Michael try to convince John to tell Natalie he still loves her.