MacLaughlin originated the role of lawyer Chris Hughes on
As the World Turns in 1956, and played the role until his death in 1986. Contract negotiations kept him (and his on-screen wife
Helen Wagner) off the soap for most of the early 1980s, but the show finally welcomed the two back in a big storyline with heavy uses of past clips from the show. In the story, Chris and his wife Nancy were celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary. In real life,
As the World Turns was celebrating its thirtieth anniversary on the air. MacLaughlin was also a member of the
Gang Busters. == Radio ==