Louise Shaffer, a veteran soap star known for her roles in various shows such as Search for Tomorrow, Hidden Faces, and Where the Heart Is, recently shared what she termed a “curse” linked to her Emmy Award in a Substack post. She recounted a series of events that ensued after her win, detailing how the trophy suffered damage multiple times over the years.

Louise Shaffer recalls getting fired right after her Emmy win

In her extensive Substack post, Louise Shaffer, who is also an author, elaborated on what she referred to as the “curse” of her Emmy Award, highlighting several incidents that followed her victory. Prior to winning, Shaffer had received two nominations.

She noted that during that period, the Daytime Emmys were not televised, and there was considerably less media attention surrounding the event. Shaffer did not anticipate winning and mentioned that she had stained her dress while preparing for makeup. Nonetheless, she won that year for her role as Rae Woodard on Ryan’s Hope.

Shaffer vividly described the moment in her post: “So that was the year I won. I stood in front of an audience of my peers, clutching my Emmy to my stained, slightly frayed mini-dress and, while I don’t remember doing it, I’m told I leaned into the mic and asked the room, ‘Are you guys sure you want to do this?’” She added, “It wasn’t my finest moment. And if you were so inclined, you might say that on that evening, there were signs.”

She further explained that the events of the following year did not improve. “The year 1983 didn’t improve as it progressed. Before my Emmy came back from the engraver – in those days they took them away from us after the photo ops and sent them overseas somewhere to put our names on them – I was fired,” she disclosed. “I was devastated. And I was blindsided. That was the Emmy’s fault. When ninety-seven percent of your union is unemployed at any time, you are always waiting to lose your job, no matter how secure it seems. But, having won an Emmy, I relaxed. I let myself believe I was safe. After I was dumped, I didn’t want to look at that damn trophy.”

Shaffer recounted subsequent incidents involving the trophy as well. She mentioned that her agent retained the award, stating it would be returned when she ceased being a “drama queen.” She also noted that the trophy was damaged in an accident later on. Over the years, Shaffer had the award replaced twice; however, similar mishaps occurred with each version. Additionally, she shared several other peculiar experiences related to the trophy.

“Emmy the Third now lives far back in the darkest part of my deepest closet. I just think it’s better for everyone that way,” she concluded her note.