It’s the end of 2024 and each year, we always take a few moments to look back and reflect on daytime stars who have passed away. The industry took some very big hits this year and some of the soaps will never be the same without the presence of those lost. But in the wake of it all, we take comfort in knowing they will forever be remembered through the characters they played.
One of the first crushing blows came in January when Days of Our Lives veteran actor Bill Hayes passed away on the 12th. All who knew and loved him, as well as his fans, mourned the man who played the iconic role of Doug Williams since 1970. Many daytime stars shared their remembrances and his wife Susan Seaforth-Hayes, who also played his onscreen love Julie, delivered a beautiful eulogy to her late husband.
On the same day as Hayes’ death, All My Children’s Alec Musser (De Henry) lost his life at only 50. Others followed, including David Gail, who played Joe Scanlon on Port Charles, and many online condolences were sent to One Life to Live vet Erika Slezak (Victoria Lord), who lost her beloved daughter at 42. Fans may recall Amanda Davies when she played a younger version of her mother’s Llanview character in 2003.
In February, Knots Landing original cast member Don Murray (Sid Fairgate) died, as well as soap-hopper Malachy McCourt, General Hospital’s Robyn Bernard (Terry) and Beth Peters (Agnes Whitaker). Then in March, The Young and the Restless’ Jennifer Leak (Gwen Sherman) and All My Children’s Barbara Rush (Nola Orsini) passed away.
Emmy winner Meg Bennett, who not only served as a writer on General Hospital but played Victor’s first wife Julia on Young & Restless, passed away in April, as did castmate Marla Adams (Dina Abbott) and General Hospital’s Spencer Milligan (Ray Gibbons). And while others left us in May, one actor’s death was so tragic, his family, friends and fans demanded justice…
The actor who played Brando Corbin on General Hospital, Johnny Wactor, was shot and killed while shielding a co-worker from thieves after their shift in downtown Los Angeles. Almost three months later, arrests were made but the senseless death left the actor’s family, fans and daytime peers grieving his loss at only 37. Sofia Mattsson, who played his onscreen wife Sasha, shared on Instagram, “My heart is so utterly broken… Johnny was the absolute best… We shared so many special moments, both on and off screen, and I will forever cherish them deeply in my heart.”
June brought more passings and Janis Paige left this world at the age of 101. Though she had many daytime roles, she’ll always be remembered for playing Minx Lockridge on Santa Barbara. Other stars like One Life to Live’s Bill Cobbs (Marvin Mayes), Guiding Light’s Renauld White (William Reynolds) and General Hospital’s Doug Sheehan (Joe Kelly) followed.
General Hospital guest star and fitness legend Richard Simmons passed away in July, as did Beverly Hills, 90210 star Shannen Doherty (Brenda Walsh) after a long battle with breast cancer. American media icon Phil Donahue died in August as did daytime vet Ron Hale. And in September, the industry was rocked yet again when news came that Days of Our Lives star Drake Hogestyn (John Black) had succumbed to pancreatic cancer.
Hogestyn’s daytime peers remembered their leading man by sharing condolences for his family and memories of the star. Deidre Hall, who played his onscreen love Marlena, shared, “For nearly four decades, Marlena Evans and I have loved the same man. Marlena’s John is an iconic hero, and unfailingly rescuing her from all matter of villains…Drake is dearly loved by everyone who ever knew him and he will be missed beyond measure.”
And those who knew and loved Ryan’s Hope actress Helen Gallagher (Maeve Ryan) paid their respects in November after she passed away at 98, as did General Hospital’s Lynn Herring, who sent a beautiful statement after her husband Wayne Northrop died at 77. Daytime fans will remember the beloved actor for his roles playing Rex Stanton on Port Charles and Dr. Alex North/Roman Brady on Days of Our Lives, as well as Michael Culhane on Dynasty. And Thom Christopher, who played One Life to Live‘s Carlo Hesser, passed away shortly after in December.
Please join us as we look back at not only the mentioned stars above but others who the daytime industry lost in 2024 by viewing our tribute photo gallery below.
Video: First Christian Church Of North Hollywood/YouTube
