Felicia Minei Behr, the well-regarded former executive producer of “All My Children,” who later served as Senior Vice President of ABC Daytime, has died. She was 82 years old.
According to a statement released by her daughters, Kristina Behr Miller and Francesca Behr, on Facebook, Behr passed away on Sunday, March 2, following a five-year battle with brain cancer.
“We are writing on behalf of our mom, Felicia. She passed away peacefully on March 2nd surrounded by loved ones. We appreciate the love and support you have given our family over the last 5 years as she battled brain cancer,” they said on Facebook.
On Instagram, Kristina shared several photos of her mom and captioned the post, saying, “The irony that she has passed away on the day of the Oscars…it was her favorite, and we’d all watch it together as a family.” She added, “While we are heartbroken, we are at peace knowing she is at peace, that she no longer has to fight, and has been reunited with dad. Thankful for her always- her love, guidance, compassion, and wisdom. There just aren’t enough words.”
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Born September 21, 1942 in Long Island, New York, Behr was named executive producer of “All My Children” in February 1989, having previously served as a producer and later executive producer at “Ryan’s Hope” from 1982-1988, with the series concluding its run on January 13, 1989.
Her ascension to the top position at the Susan Lucci-led “All My Children” marked a return for Behr to the Pine Valley family, having worked as an associate producer on the series from its debut season in 1970 until 1975.
Under her direction, “All My Children” saw ratings soar, becoming the second most watched daytime drama series, only behind perennial ratings leader “The Young and the Restless.”
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After exiting “All My Children” in April 1996, Behr was soon named executive producer of “As The World Turns,” a position she held from December 1996-July 1999.
By May 2000, she returned to ABC, this time as senior vice president of the network’s daytime lineup, overseeing operations of “All My Children,” “General Hospital,” “One Life to Live,” “Port Charles” and “The View.”
Behr received two Daytime Emmy Awards during her time as executive producer of “All My Children” in 1992 and 1994 when the soap opera took home the award for Outstanding Drama Series. During her reign, the series was consistently nominated in the coveted category.
“I am so very very sad to hear this news. I worked with her first at ‘Ryan’s Hope’ and then at ‘All My Children,’” commented veteran casting director Judy Blye Wilson in response to the news. “She gave me tremendous support. I am forever grateful to her. My deepest sympathies.”
“Your Mother gave me my break a big break in daytime,” stated actress Lauren B. Martin (Camille Bennett, “As The World Turns”). “I wish you nothing but peace and the knowledge that your mother will be a kind voice from heaven watching over you. Courage and strength in this time of change, I know that she will whisper your names you just have to listen. My sincere condolences.
“I’m so sorry. Your mom convinced me to stay on at ‘World Turns’ and I’m so glad I got the chance to work with her long-term,” commented veteran soap writer Lisa Connor. “Sending prayers to your family. She was a legend.”
“Devastating news, Kristina Behr and Francesca. Felicia was my ally and sometime champion. I worked with her on ‘AMC’ and ‘ATWT’ and again when she was an executive at ABC,” shared Hal Corley, a former associate head writer at both “All My Children” and “As The World Turns” during Behr’s tenure at each series.
“Nobody reveled in the form’s glories – and meeting its considerable challenges – more than Felicia,” continued Corley. “She was a rare producer who had absolute trust in those on her team: she delegated with confidence, investment, and respect. She appreciated soap writers as foundational to the genre’s success or failure, as few do. She was also famously unflappable: no crisis escalated into drama because Felicia left the drama to the small screen. A genuinely generous-spirited human being away from her tiered executive responsibilities, she was also my friend. She continued to stay in touch after we both left daytime, and a call could buoy me with nostalgia and wickedly funny memories of shared experience. And did Felicia have stories! I loved her dearly and send my heartfelt condolences to you both and your family.”