The show's title was inspired by a poem Nixon wrote for the opening credits: "The great and the least, the rich and the poor... you are all my children" . Key Characters and Storylines

Portrayed by Susan Lucci for the show's entire 41-year run, Erica Kane became a global cultural icon. Lucci’s 19 consecutive Emmy nominations before her first win in 1999 remains a legendary moment in television history.

The series was built around core families like the .