Rosanna Cabot is a fictional character on the American daytime soap opera, As the World Turns. The character was originated by Yvonne Perry, who portrayed her from 1992 to 1999. In 2002, Daytime Emmy-winner Cady McClain took over the role and was consequently nominated twice for "Outstanding Supporting Actress" in 2003 and 2004, winning the award in the later year, becoming the most recognized actress for the role of Rosanna. She portrayed the role until 2005, before returning three times from 2007 to 2010.
Casting and creation
The role of Rosanna was originated by actress Yvonne Perry. In 1993, she won the Soap Opera Digest award for Outstanding Female Newcomer, which was the show's first win in that category. She last appeared in the role in 1999.
In 2002, it was announced that actress Cady McClain, most known for her portrayal of Dixie Cooney on ABC's soap opera, All My Children, had been cast in the role of Rosanna.
In a letter on her official site, McClain spoke about why she chose to take the role of Rosanna. She stated:
Personally, after Sept 11th, I started to reevaluate my life, as many of us have. I realized I was tired, creatively and physically, and I needed...something. A break, a change, something different to wake up my insides. It is hard work being an actor; it takes a lot of constant revitalization to give as much energy as we do. Originally, I had no real "plan." I just wanted to leave contract status and "keep the door open," as we say, so that Dixie could come back here and there. I still feel that way. She is pregnant, in Europe, and with a delicate physical condition, so...anything could happen in any amount of time. The powers that be were kind enough to leave me with this exit, and I am so very grateful to them. I never have taken their kindnesses for granted, nor do I intend to. It is just too important to me for that.
When I was approached a few weeks after I shot my last day at AMC with the idea of coming to ATWT for a little stint to try out an old character that they were working on, I felt very flattered and interested to join the cast and try something new. I don't think you know this, but I have been a huge fan of ATWT. I know almost the characters, and who they've been involved with. I even feel a little star struck around certain actors who shall remain nameless!
McClain continued to portray the role, earning two nominations for "Outstanding Supporting Actress" during the 2003 and 2004 Daytime Emmys, the latter of which she won. In 2004, it was heavily rumored that McClain had been let go from the series due to budget cuts. However, executive producer quickly debunked such rumors, stating, "As far as the show is concerned, Cady McClain is and will continue to be a valued cast member of As The World Turns. Cady has brought her incredible talent to her portrayal of Rosanna, as witnessed by last year's [Outstanding Supporting Actress] Emmy nomination. Cady and her character are definitely part of future story plans.".
In early 2005, McClain announced her decision to depart the series, which sparked the interest of the actress returning to her All My Children counterpart, Dixie. McClain returned to the role of Dixie following her World Turns exit. McClain's last airdate as Rosanna aired on July 29, 2005. McClain then returned to All My Children later that year.
Following McClain's departure, rumors began to fuel a possible recast of the character. However, this was not the case. In May 2007, it was announced that McClain would once again resurrect the character of Rosanna, following her firing from All My Children. She returned to the role on July 30, 2007 McClain's return was cut short, the actress announced her decision decided to leave the show once again, due to the upset she had over the loss of dignity the character once had. She last aired on January 28, 2008.
Following her As the World Turns departure, it was rumored that McClain would join the cast of "Guiding Light" in the role of Harley Cooper. However, those rumors were debunked when McClain stated she had no intentions of joining the soap and later announced that she had agreed to once again return to As the World Turns. However, it was stated that her stint would not be permanent. She appeared from May 2009 to December 18, 2009. McClain then returned again in September 2010 for the finale of the series.