Matthew Cowles Dead at 69

Matthew Cowles

Actor and playwright Matthew Cowles passed away at home on May 22. He was 69.

His manager Tsu Tsu Stanton tweeted the news, "#Matthew Cowles passed away on 5/22.I had the pleasure of being his manager. He was a very gifted and kind man who loved life and everyone."

Matthew Cowles was born on September 28, 1944, the son of actor and theater producer Chandler Cowles. His career spanned six decades and included memorable roles on both stage and screen.

Cowles first soap opera role was Chris Kahlman in ABC's A World Apart from 1970-1971.

In 1977 he joined the cast of another ABC daytime drama, All My Children, in what would be his most memorable role, comedic pimp Billy Clyde Tuggle. Cowles was nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards during his first run on the show (1977-1980).

Matthew Cowles Returning To ALL MY CHILDREN As Billy Clyde Tuggle On May 16

Matthew Cowles and Ray MacDonnell. Photo Credit: The Online
Network/David Russell

Matthew Cowles, who was spotted last month at the ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE premiere event in New York, will be returning to AMC on May 16 as the infamous Billy Clyde Tuggle.

[SPOILER ALERT]

When the reviled character fell of a bridge over 20 years ago in 1991, residents of Pine Valley thought they had seen the last of Tuggle. But somehow the character managed to survive the plunge by landing on a mattress.