The Kids are All Right: A Memoir by Diana and Liz Welch with Dan and Amanda Welch

You’re not going to believe it: Lee Godart, the man behind one of the most memorable roles on the Edge of Night, wrote us the other day, out of the blue. He played Elliot Dorn to our mother’s Margo Huntington, forming the most scandalous pair in all of Monticello. Lee sent us some old photos of him and our mother… and confessed his unabashed love for her! Click through to read his entire email, and to see never-before-seen photos of him and our mom on set.

Dear Amanda, Liz, Diana and Dan,

My name is Lee Godart and I played opposite your Mother on the Edge of Night. I stumbled onto your site while looking at some videos, and it stirred a flood of memories and feelings. Your Mother was a wonderful actress who raised the level of everyone she worked with – I know she raised mine, and I consider myself a better actor for having worked with her; not only was her technique impeccable, it was also effortless, and to round it off, she had what is known in the business as a “nature,” a largesse of emotion and personality that turned her into a gale force, a beautiful gale force, magnificent to watch, and thrilling to act with — and gorgeous! She spoiled me.

But what made Ann really special was a generosity of spirit that enveloped you and made life seem brighter.  EON was my first show in the US, first taste of the city, those early morning calls! Once I overslept, arrived at the studio at eleven, to find  Ann with laryngitis.  Somehow, we managed to get through the scene.  It’s hilarious to watch now, but I never wanted to disappoint her again.

You know, sometimes the years give a different flavour to people and events, but I know that I was happy then. I loved Ann unashamedly, and although it was nothing more than a friendship,  on my side at least it was deep, and her death was a disruptive phase in my life. It pains me enormously not to be able to talk to her now, to be in her presence, and to know that I will never be again, and to wonder if I could have been a stronger person.

You may not remember, but I met each of you, I was out at your house a few times, and even have a slide picture I had taken, that I will transfer and send to you. I’m so very happy that you have all made it through what must have been unthinkable pain, and that your lives seem good now. Somehow, writing to her children feels like touching her again, and I am grateful for the opportunity to say these things to you that I cannot say to her.  There are so many memories, but I had to send this to you tonight.

Love, and many blessings,

Lee