Credit: ABC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection (2), Netflix/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, John Paschal/JPI
Last year we said goodbye to many daytime stars in 2020, and with each year, unfortunately more passings come… Join us as we remember those who have passed away in 2021 and click on the links in each slide for a further look back at the soap opera actors’ careers. We will update this gallery throughout the year.
John Reilly
Image Credit: ABC
Longtime General Hospital actor John Reilly passed away at 84 on January 9, 2021. Fans will never forget Port Charles’ Sean Donely, as well as the various other daytime characters he played. Like many others, fellow General Hospital actress Finola Hughes recalled her dear friend, “Darling John Reilly… One of the first days I walked on the set, this tall, handsome man in a leather jacket sauntered towards me. In his deep, all-American growl, he welcomed me to the show and told me he would be there for me should I ever need anything. Boy was he true to his word.”
Peter Mark Richman
Image Credit: Michael Germana/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
Soap opera vet Peter Mark Richman passed away at the age of 93 on January 14, 2021. He created the role of C.C. Capwell on Santa Barbara and appeared in the primetime soapy hit Dynasty, as well as on the Saturday morning children shows Electra Woman and Dyna Girl.
Christopher Pennock
Image Credit: ABC screenshot
Soap alum Christopher Pennock passed away on February 12, 2021. The actor appeared on Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, The Young and the Restless and Guiding Light.
Geoffrey Scott
Image Credit: Courtesy: Everett Collection
Guiding Light alum Geoffrey Scott passed away on February 23, 2021 at the age of 79. He also appeared on General Hospital and played Krystle Carrington’s first husband Mark Jennings on Dynasty — not to mention appeared in numerous popular commercials. Remember the Marlboro man?
Gil Rogers
Image Credit: George De Sota/JPI
Guiding Light and All My Children alum Gil Rogers passed away on March 2, 2021 at 87. The actor will always be remembered by soap fans for playing one of daytime’s most notorious villains.
Jessica Walter
Image Credit: Netflix/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
Legendary actress Jessica Walter passed away on March 24, 2021. To daytime fans, she’ll be remembered for playing Eleanor Armitage on One Life to Live, but to others as the matriarch on Arrested Development — not to mention numerous other credits.
Robert Rodan
Image Credit: ABC screenshot (3)
Actor Robert Rodan passed away on March 25, 2021 at the age of 83. He’s known for playing Adam, Frankenstein’s monster stand-in, on Dark Shadows.
Billie Hayes
Image Credit: Lisa Rose/JPI
General Hospital alum Billie Hayes (ex-Agent Brighton O’Reilly) passed away at 96 of natural causes on Thursday, April 29. Former co-star Tristan Rogers (Robert) recalled their “magical relationship” in a remembrance post.
Tawny Kitaen
Image Credit: Courtesy of the Everett Collection
Soap alum Tawny Kitaen passed away on May 7, 2021. She will always be remembered for her iconic 1980s Whitesnake videos, as well as the 1984 film Bachelor Party.
Robert Hogan
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection
Soap alum Robert J. Hogan passed away on May 27, 2021. He was known for roles on Another World, General Hospital and other daytime and primetime hits.
John Gabriel
Image Credit: Courtesy of the Everett Collection (2)
John Gabriel passed away on June 13, 2021. He was best known for his role as Dr. Seneca Beaulac on Ryan’s Hope and appeared on various other soap operas.
Ray MacDonnell
Image Credit: ABC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection (2)
All My Children’sRay MacDonnell passed away from natural causes on June 10, 2021. The daytime vet was best known for playing the role of Pine Valley’s Dr. Joe Martin.
Stuart Damon
Image Credit: Paul Skipper/JPI, ABC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection (2)
General Hospital favorite Stuart Damon passed away at 84 due following a struggle with renal failure. The actor was best known for playing Port Charles’ Dr. Alan Quartermaine.
Philece Sampler
Image Credit: Sean Smith/JPI
Days of Our Lives and Another World alum Philece Sampler died in July 2021. She played the daughter of Salem’s Stefano DiMera and had numerous credits throughout the years.
Bergen Williams
Image Credit: Howard Wise/JPI
General Hospital alum Bergen Williams passed away on July 20, 2021. She was 62 and will always be remembered for playing Port Charles’ Alice Gunderson.
Jay Pickett
Image Credit: ABC / Courtesy of the Everett Collection
Soap vet Jay Pickett passed away on July 30 while on the set of his new movie. The actor is best known for his Port Charles and Days of Our Lives’ roles.
Micki Grant
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection
Another World’sMicki Grant passed away on August 21, 2021 at the age of 92. She was the first Black actress who held a contract soap role.
Dynasty and All My Children actor Michael Nader passed away on August 23, 2021 from cancer. He was best known for playing Erica Kane’s husband, Dimitri, on the ABC soap.
Michael Tylo
Image Credit: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
In September, the soap vet’s colleague at the University of Nevada, where he worked as a film professor, disclosed that he had passed away at 73. Though he’d appeared on everything from Another World to The Bold and the Beautiful, he is most vividly remembered as Quint Chamberlain on Guiding Light and twins Blade and Rick on The Young and the Restless.
Jerry Douglas
Image Credit: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Aaron Montgomery/JPI, Sean Smith/JPI
The Young and the Restless veteran actor Jerry Douglas passed away on November 9, 2021 at the age of 88. He will always be remembered for playing Genoa City’s John Abbott, the patriarch of one of the CBS soap’s legendary families.
Lisa Brown
Image Credit: CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection
Soap actress Lisa Brown passed away on Novemver 24, 2021 at 67. She was best known for playing Nola Reardon on Guiding Light and Iva Snyder on As the World Turns.
Former soap actress Arlene Dahl passed away on November 29 at the age of 96. Daytime fans may recall her role as Lucinda Schenck on One Life to Live, as well as Lady Lucille on All My Children.
Eddie Mekka
Image Credit: Paramount/Courtesy of the Everett Collection (3)
Eddie Mekka, best known for playing Carmine “The Big Ragoo” Ragusa on Laverne & Shirleypassed away at the age of 69 on November 27, 2021. Daytime fans may remember him from his roles on Bold & Beautiful, Guiding Light, Sunset Beach and Young & Restless.
Rhonda Stubbins White
Image Credit: Image: NBC
Actress Rhonda Stubbins White passed away on December 13, 2021 at the age of 60. She was known to daytime fans as Lady Vi on Days of Our Lives.
Betty White
Image Credit: Walt Disney Co./Courtesy of the Everett Collection
The Bold and the Beautiful alum Betty White passed away at the age of 99 on Friday, December 31, 2021. She’ll be remembered for numerous roles including the CBS soap’s Ann Douglas and Rose on The Golden Girls.
