;Cynthia Ramsey :(Played by Lynnda Ferguson, 1981) ::Bartender hired by Joe Novak. Sparked jealousy in Delia. ;Harlan Ransome :(Played by Drew Snyder, 1986) ::Abusive father of Lizzie Ransome. ;Lizzie Ransome Ryan :(Played by Catherine Larson, 1986–89) ::Girlfriend, and eventual wife of John Reid Ryan. ;Bob Reid :(Played by
Earl Hindman, 1975–84, 1988–89) ::Lieutenant on the local Riverside police force and former colleague of Frank. ;
Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge Crane :(Played by
Ilene Kristen, 1975–79, 1982–83, 1986–89; Robyn Millan, 1979;
Randall Edwards, 1979–82;
Robin Mattson, 1984) ::One-time wife of both Frank and Pat Ryan (her high school sweetheart), mother of John Reid Ryan (via Frank) and long lost mother of
Ava Jerome. Sister of Bob Reid. ;Dr. James Ross :(Played by James Congdon, 1978–81) ::Friend of Dr. Seneca Beaulac ;Thatcher Ross :(Played by
Patrick Horgan, 1978–79) ;Georgia Rothschild :(Played by Gloria Cromwell, 1975–83) ::Georgia Rothchild is a friend of the Ryan family. Initially on the show, she was a campaign worker in Frank Ryan's political campaign. ;Jonas Roving :(Played by Michael Wagner, 1981) ::Museum curator, and knows Aristotle Benedict White ;Richard Rowan :(Played by
Lewis Arlt, 1987–88) ::Married politician who makes a play for Emily Hall, who turns him down due to her commitment to Jack Fenelli. ;Robert Rowan :(Played by Michael Palance, 1988–89) ::Son of Sherry Rowan, who has an affair with Delia and is also used by her as a way to get back at ex-husband Roger. ;Sherry Rowan :(Played by
Diana van der Vlis, 1987–89) ::Widow of murdered politician Richard Rowan, who arrived to be at odds with Commissioner Emily Hall, a suspect in Richard's murder. ;George Russell :(Played by
Lee Wallace, 1981) ::Television producer of hospital drama
The Proud and the Passionate who hired Seneca Beaulac as a script consultant. ;Barry Ryan :(Played by
Richard Backus, 1980–81) ;Elizabeth Jane "E.J." Ryan :(Played by
Maureen Garrett, 1981–82) ;Elizabeth Shrank Ryan :(Played by
Pamela Blair, 1980) ::Barry Ryan's ex-wife ;Francis "Frank" Ryan :(Played by
Michael Hawkins, 1975–76;
Andrew Robinson, 1976–78;
Daniel Hugh Kelly, 1978–81;
Geoffrey Pierson, 1983–85; John Sanderford, 1985–89) ;Johnny Ryan :(Played by
Bernard Barrow, 1975–89) :: Johnny Ryan grew up in an Irish immigrant family New York City; his family was poor and he got involved in bootlegging. ;John Reid Ryan :(Played by
Jadrien Steele, 1975–85; Jason Adams, 1986–89) ::John Reid Ryan is the son of Frank Ryan and
Delia Reid. ;Kathleen Ryan Thompson :(Played by Nancy Reardon, 1976–80) ::Kathleen was the oldest daughter of Johnny and Maeve Ryan. ;Maeve Colleary Ryan :(Played by
Helen Gallagher, 1975–89) ::Maeve Colleary Ryan grew up in county Cork, Ireland. ; :(Played by
Kate Mulgrew, 1975–78, 1983, 1986, 1989; Mary Carney, 1978; Kathleen Tolan, 1978–79;
Nicolette Goulet, 1979) ::(In flashbacks of her childhood shown in 1977, Mary was portrayed by Yvette Deas.) ;Owen "Owney" Ryan :(Played by Jamie O'Neill, 1987–89) ::Young son of John Reid Ryan and Lizzie Ransome Ryan. First appeared as an infant in August 1986, played by various sets of twins; in the fall of 1987, once Owney was over a year old and speaking his first words, Jamie O'Neill played the role full time. ;Dr. Patrick Ryan :(Played by Malcolm Groome, 1975–78, 1983–88, 1989; John Blazo, 1978–79; Robert Finoccoli, 1979; Patrick James Clarke, 1982–83) ;Siobhan Ryan Novak :(Played by Sarah Felder, 1978–80;
Ann Gillespie, 1981–82;
Marg Helgenberger, 1982–86; Carrell Myers, 1986–87;
Barbara Blackburn, 1988–89) ==S==