Adam Chandler

Adam Chandler is a fictional character from the ABC and The Online Network daytime drama All My Children, portrayed by David Canary from the autumn of 1983 through his departure on April 23, 2010, and briefly reprising the role for the series' final weeks on ABC in September 2011. Canary also appeared several different times on One Life to Live. Adam Chandler was one of the most devious and powerful individuals within the town of Pine Valley, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the powerful and wealthy Chandler family, residing at the Chandler Mansion (300 River Road).

Adam Chandler
All My Children character
Portrayed by	David Canary
Duration	1983–2011 2013
First appearance	1983
Last appearance	2013
Classification	Former; recurring
Created by	Wisner Washam
Introduced by	Jacqueline Babbin (1984) Ginger Smith (2013)
Crossover appearances	One Life to Live
In-universe information Occupation Founder and former CEO of Chandler Enterprises Owner, IncredibleDreams.com Former owner and operator of Adam's Place, a bar formerly known as The Pit Former owner of WRCW Former owner of a fertility clinic Former owner of Tempo magazine Former producer of the movie Raising Kane Family Chandler Siblings Lottie Chandler Stuart Chandler Spouse Althea Patterson (Backstory) Erica Kane (1984–1993)[a] Brooke English (1987–1989) Dixie Cooney (1989) Natalie Marlowe (1990–1991) Gloria Marsh (1993–1995) Liza Colby (1996–1997, 1999–2003)[b] Arlene Vaughan (2000) Krystal Carey (2005–2007) Annie Novak (2009–2010) Sons JR Chandler Miguel Reyes Daughters Hayley Vaughan Anna Chandler Colby Chandler Adoptive daughters Skye Chandler (foster) Grandchildren Lila Rae Alcazar (foster) Enzo Santos AJ Chandler Nephews Ross Chandler Scott Chandler (adoptive) Other relatives Julie Rand Chandler (adoptive)

Adam has been one of Pine Valley's most frequently married characters, but his most significant relationships have been with his sunny-natured artist twin Stuart, and his long-time business rival Palmer Cortlandt; although the feud quieted down when Palmer's appearances within the show significantly decreased.

Five of Adam's eight children have survived into adulthood; Skye Chandler Quartermaine, Hayley Vaughan Santos, JR Chandler, Miguel Reyes, and Colby Chandler. Through them, he has three grandchildren; Lila Rae Alcazar (Skye's daughter), Enzo Santos (Hayley's son), and AJ Chandler (JR's son). Alcoholism seems to run in the Chandler family, affecting Skye, Hayley and JR; Colby briefly followed the same path. His son JR was estranged from Adam because of his marriage to Annie Novak, and he started an affair with Annie to break up his father's marriage. This led to Adam Chandler leaving Pine Valley permanently (it is believed) in April 2010, to be with former wife Brooke English. After leaving town, Adam had his attorney and another ex-wife, Liza, serve Annie divorce papers.

Recognized beyond fiction, Adam has been cited by scholars as one of the "most powerful male figures in television",^[1][2] as well as one of its most complex villains, said to "combine ruthlessness in business and love with wit and sometimes true tenderness."^[3]

Reception

In 2024, Charlie Mason from Soaps She Knows placed Adam 30th on his ranked list of Soaps' 40 Most Iconic Characters of All Time, writing, "Never let it be said that the Pine Valley power player portrayed by the late David Canary from 1983-2013 had no redeeming qualities. He had one: twin brother Stuart!"^[4]