| Series: | Guiding Light |
| Creator: | Bridget and Jerome Dobson |
| Years: | 1977–84, 1986–90, 1994–2009 |
| Introducer: | Allen M. Potter |
| First: | November 7, 1977 |
| Last: | September 16, 2009 |
| Occupation: | CEO of Spaulding Enterprises Executive at Spaulding Enterprises Part owner of the Lewis Construction building Owner of The Springfield Journal Board member at Cedars Hospital President of Spaulding Enterprises Temporarily owned Lews Oil Former President of Advantage Systems Owner of The Mirror newspaper |
| Sisters: | Alexandra Spaulding |
| Daughters: | Peyton Spaulding |
| Nieces: | Vicky Spaulding |
Alan Spaulding is a fictional character on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. He was played by Christopher Bernau from the time of the character's introduction in 1977 until 1984, and from 1986 to June 1988, when Bernau left the role due to health problems. David Bailey briefly portrayed the role in 1979. Daniel Pilon stepped into the role from 1988 until the character was sent to prison in 1990. From 1994 to the series 2009 conclusion, the character was played by Ron Raines. Jeff Branson briefly played a young Alan in a flashback scene[1] during Carrie Carruther's murder investigation.[2]
Alan Spaulding resides in Chicago with his wealthy family prior to his move to Springfield. At the time, he is married to Elizabeth, and they are the adoptive parents of Phillip Spaulding (though Elizabeth believes Phillip to be her biological son). Shortly after the Spauldings' arrival in Springfield, Alan has an affair with Phillip's governess, Diane Ballard; When Elizabeth senses impropriety between Alan and Diane, she terminates Diane as Phillip's governess, but Alan immediately hires her as his executive assistant at Spaulding Enterprises.
Elizabeth eventually tires of Alan's philandering and divorces him. Alan begins to date the much younger Hope Bauer whom he eventually marries. They have a son, Alan-Michael Spaulding, but divorce after Alan's affair with Rita Bauer, who is married to Hope's uncle, Ed.
Jennifer Richards comes to town, and it is revealed that Amanda Wexler was Alan and Jennifer's illegitimate daughter, a secret Amanda's adoptive mother, Lucille, is desperate to keep. It comes out when Jennifer goes on trial for Lucille's murder.
Alan's affair with Rita may have resulted in a child as it is suggested that Rita is pregnant when she leaves town. Alan is blackmailed by several people who threaten to reveal that Phillip was adopted; his biological parents are Justin Marler and Jackie Marler, maiden name Scott, who later marries Alan. (Eventually the truth is revealed, that Alan and Elizabeth's son was stillborn, and that Alan, who did not believe that Elizabeth could handle the trauma, arranges to replace the deceased baby with another while Elizabeth was under anesthesia during the C-section delivery. The revelations cause Elizabeth to leave Springfield for good, and alienate Phillip from Alan for a time.)
Under duress, he helps Roger Thorpe escape from Springfield although crooked dealings between the two make them lifelong enemies. Alan is a major suspects in Diane Ballard's murder and goes on the run, even though he was innocent. Alan is instrumental in bringing Reva Shayne to town to help him break up Billy Lewis and Vanessa Chamberlain, the latter of whom Alan wants to marry.
Alan was very close to his sister Alexandra growing up, and planned a masked ball in her honor when she comes to town. She initially seeks revenge for his part in their father, Brandon, taking away her illegitimate son, and blackmails him into giving her control of Spaulding when she learns of his dealings with Beth Raines' adoptive father, Bradley. Alan disappears in the jungle during the "Dreaming Death" scare that takes the lives of several Springfield residents.
Two years later, Alan turns up alive, having plotted with India Von Halkein and her father to take over Spaulding. Alexandra and Alan battle but eventually come to an understanding. Alan and Vanessa once again become involved and are briefly engaged, but his fascination with Reva leads to Vanessa leaving town and ending their relationship for good.
Alan learns that new Spaulding employee Blake Lindsey is really Christina Thorpe, Roger's daughter. In the middle of Blake and Philip's wedding, the truth about Roger is revealed, and Alan accidentally shoots Philip while aiming at Roger. He is sent to prison, periodically appearing as he reveals to Philip the secret that Beth Raines, his long-time love, had not drowned, but is still alive, and living with amnesia.
Alan is released early due to good behavior. He shows up in Springfield but remains in hiding while returning to prison on occasion to fool his family into thinking he is still incarcerated. Alan attempts to recover his power at Spaulding.
Aiding Alan in his schemes is Roger Thorpe, whom he promises a future at Spaulding if he can cajole Alexandra into returning Alan's stocks. Alan pretends to be dying in order to gain sympathy. Alexandra relents into returning his shares but is livid when she learns the truth. She eventually forgives him, and they agree to co-chair the company while giving the now adult Alan Michael the C.E.O. position.
When Amanda returns to town, it is revealed that she is not Alan's daughter, but his sister through an affair her mother Jennifer had with Brandon. Philip returns to town and reveals that one of the family members with the initial "A" had framed him for murder in order to get him out of the way. Although Amanda is the obvious suspect, it turns out to be Alan. With Alan Michael married to Lucy Cooper and out of town, Alexandra off to Europe with her son, and Amanda leaving for California with her new husband, Roger, Spaulding Enterprises is left to Philip and Alan for several years, only changing when Alexandra returns.
Alexandra's return brings out the presence of another Spaulding son. Augustico "Gus" Aitoro was the product of an affair between Alan and a Spaulding maid, and knowing that Alan wasn't ready for the responsibility of a family, the young Alexandra arranged for Gus to be adopted. Gus, brought up in a working-class family, doesn't accept the wealthy Spaulding lifestyle, but time brings them closer.
Alan marries Beth Raines, but after a miscarriage, they divorce. Alan soon marries Doris Wolfe due to blackmail regarding Tammy Winslow's death and Alan's involvement. Alan is shot during the reception by his new stepdaughter, Ashlee Wolfe, and remains in critical condition for several weeks. He awakens as a new man full of love and forgiveness, but he soon reverts to his old self. Alan's ex-wife Beth Raines is expecting his child; due to Cassie, he is unaware of this and believes, along with Beth and Rick Bauer, that the child is Rick's, whom Beth married.
Alan and Doris annul their marriage, contrasting the storyline of Alan-Olivia-Phillip when she was married to Alan and pregnant. They believe it is Alan's child but it is Phillip's. Alan and Olivia divorce, and she remarries Phillip has Emma.
Alan plans to have Jonathan Randall killed and make it look like a hit and run. However, Tammy Lane Winslow pushes Jonathan out of the way and sacrifices herself to save her true love. Alan is not convicted of this crime, but everyone knows he did it. This leads to the down-spiraling of Cassie Winslow's sanity at the loss of her daughter. She continues to blame Alan for Tammy's death and is seeking vengeance.
He saves Reva's life, and to keep each other from telling anyone, Reva moves into the Spaulding mansion.
Alan volunteers to have a transplant to save his son Phillip's life. While recovering, Alan attends the Lewis/Cooper wedding.
Alan dies on a bench in front of a lake. He is cremated and his remains put in the same lake where he died.