{alltv} A look back at the supercouples of 'As the World Turns, ' which ends its 54-year run on CBS today

The final curtain falls today for long-running soap opera "As the World Turns, " which debuted as a 30-minute serial on April 2, 1956.

In its 54 years, "ATWT" dominated the ratings for two decades, prompted a prime-time spinoff ("Our Private World"), introduced daytime television's first gay male character (Hank Elliot) in 1988 and won four daytime Emmy Awards for best show.

It also created some of soap's greatest supercouples. Here are five that "ATWT" fans will never forget.

Holden and Lily

Played by: Jon Hensley and Martha Byrne

Holden Snyder and Lily Walsh captured soap fans' hearts with their poor-boy, rich-girl love story. They met during the 1987 season when Holden was a stable boy working for Lily's mother. Their on-again, off-again relationship weathered the possibility of their being related, amnesia, two of Holden's secret love children, kidnappings and more. Even when apart, their feelings for one another were evident. Together, they had three children: Faith, Ethan and Natalie.

Jeff and Penny

Played by: Mark Rydell and Rosemary Prinz

As the soap's first supercouple, Jeff Baker and Penny Hughes were credited with launching the show to No. 1. Their storied romance reached its pinnacle in 1958 when they married on Christmas Eve, and viewers across the country reportedly tuned in, dressed in their Sunday best. Jeff also recorded a love song for her, aptly named "Penny." Their romance ended when Jeff died in a car accident.

Steve and Betsy

Played by: Frank Runyeon and Meg Ryan

The star-crossed love of Steve Andropoulos and Betsy Stewart began with a deathbed promise to Steve's brother that drove Betsy to marry another man. But her love for Steve repeatedly brought her back into his arms, and upon discovering her daughter, Dani, was his, Betsy married Steve on May 30, 1984. Their wedding was watched by 20 million viewers, making it the second-highest rated episode in U.S. soap history.

Luke and Noah

Played by: Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann

Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer were named one of television's top power couples by TV Guide and great supercouples by Entertainment Weekly. They are the first gay supercouple on daytime TV. At first Noah struggled to accept his sexuality but eventually admitted his feelings for Luke. The characters made history by sharing the first gay male kiss on U.S. daytime television.

Tom and Margo

Played by: Scott Holmes and Ellen Dolan

Tom Hughes and Margo Montgomery fell in love while investigating Mr. Big. They married in 1983 and went on to become a soap anomaly: They were one of the only supercouples to marry and stay that way for more than 25 years. Their marriage survived affairs, resulting in each having a child by his or her lover; Margo facing murder charges twice and being raped; a legal separation; and plenty of drama involving their son, Casey.