Jean Passanante

Jean Passanante (born June 26 1953) is an American television scriptwriter best known for her work in daytime soap operas.

Passanante got her start as an actress doing bit parts in the 1980s, including John Sayles's "Return of the Secaucus 7". In 1985 she married writer Jack Shannon. They are still married and have one daughter, Ruth Shannon.

She got her start on soaps working as a staff writer on the ABC Daytime drama "One Life to Live" from 1992 to 1996. In 1996 she was promoted to the top position of Head Writer, only to be replaced in 1997. She remained as a staff writer until 1998, at which time she was made Co-Head Writer of the ailing soap opera "Another World". Passanante wrapped up the show's 35-year run in June 1999. The next month, she relieved "All My Children" creator Agnes Nixon of head writing duties after Nixon was called in to temporarily replace Megan McTavish.

Passanante's contract with "All My Children" expired in 2001, and she was replaced by Richard Culliton. She was snatched up by CBS' "As The World Turns" in 2001, where she served as Co-Head Writer (second in command to Hogan Sheffer) until she was promoted to Head Writer in early 2005.

Passanante attended Dartmouth College. [http://www.buzzflood.org/index.php?itemid=2884]

From January 25 2008 through April 17 2008, ATWT episodes were written by non-union writers due to Passanante and her team participating in the WGA strike. It is speculated that Christopher Goutman and Vivian Gundaker took over as Head Writers. Passanante's post-strike episodes hit the airwaves on April 18 2008.

Positions held

"All My Children"
*Head Writer: January 2001 - August 2001
*Co-Head Writer: July 1999 - January 2001

"Another World"
*Co-Head Writer: May 1998 - June 25 1999

The Last AW Writing Team
*Leah Laiman (Head Writer), Jean Passanante (Co-Head Writer), Stephen Demorest, Melissa Salmons, Laura Maria Censabella, Judy Tate, Tom Wiggin, Tom King, Maura Penders, Richard Culliton, Shelly Altman, Carolyn Culliton, Richard J. Allen, Sofia Landon Geier, Lynn Martin, Gillian Spencer, Mary Sue Price, Edwin Klein, Gordon Rayfield, Courtney Simon, Eleanor Labine

"As the World Turns"
*Head Writer: May 25 2005 - January 24 2008, April 18 2008 - present
*Co-Head Writer: September 2001 - May 24 2005

"One Life to Live"
*Associate Head Writer: 1993 - 1996, 1997 - 1998
*Co-Head Writer: 1996 - 1997

Awards and nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards: 10
*Wins, 2002, 2004 and 2005, Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team for "As the World Turns"
*Nomination, 2003, Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team for "As the World Turns"
*Nomination, 2001 and 2002, Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team for "All My Children"
*Win, 1994, Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team for "One Life To Live"

Writers Guild of America Awards (WGA)
*Win, 2007, Best Daytime Serial for "As the World Turns"
*Nominations, 2005 and 2006, Daytime Serials for "As The World Turns"
*Win, 2001 and 2002, Daytime Serials for "All My Children"
*Win, 1992 for "One Life to Live"

HW History

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0664799/ Jean Passanante at IMDB]