KASSIE DePAIVA
Blair Manning on the ABC Television Network's "One Life to Live"
The beautiful Blair Manning's presence in Llanview means only one thing: Trouble. As
played by actress Kassie DePaiva, the selfish and greedy Blair continues to connive her
way through the lives of others as she tries to attain the power and prestige she
desperately desires. While grieving the death of husband Todd Manning, a convicted
criminal and heir to the multi-million-dollar Lord fortune, Blair developed feelings for
the man she once held responsible for Todd's death -- Patrick Thornhart.
"One Life to Live" marked Kassie's return to daytime television: She played
good-girl Chelsea Reardon on "Guiding Light" from 1986 to 1991.
Born and raised in Kentucky with two older brothers and a younger sister, Kassie worked at
Nashville, Tennessee's Opryland as a singer and, at the age of 18, debuted as a soloist at
the legendary Grand Ole Opry, performing two songs. While working at Opryland, she
realized that she wanted to entertain. Towards that end, she enrolled in Indiana
University and later, at the University of California at Los Angeles, to study theater.
While attending UCLA, she became a member of a four-part harmony band called Newport,
which performed in the Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas areas. Kassie ultimately
dropped out of college to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: To travel
with the USO on its Orient tour to Japan, Korea and Okinawa.
Shortly after her return to the United States, Kassie sang back-up for soul singer Bobby
Womack during two United States and one Great Britain tour. Not long afterwards, she
landed her first professional acting role, as Bobbie Jo in the feature film, "Evil
Dead II."
Just before joining "One Life to Live," Kassie completed guest-star appearances
on episodes of prime-time television's "Melrose Place," and the syndicated
series, "Baywatch" and "Timetrax."
An avid golfer, Kassie serves as co-host of the syndicated television golf show, "The
Pro Shop," and is once again actively pursuing her singing career.
Kassie is married to "One Life To Live" co-star James DePaiva (Max Holden) The
couple has one son, James Quentin.
VITAL STATISTICS
BIRTHPLACE: Morganfield, KY
BIRTHDATE: March 21
HEIGHT: 5'9"
HAIR: Light brown
EYES: Green