Jan Merlin Dead at 94

Former Another World writer Jan Merlin died on September 20 in Los Angeles. He was 94.

Born on April 3, 1925, Merlin was a torpedo man aboard U.S. Navy destroyers during World War II. He studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and appeared in the ensemble in the original 1948 Broadway production of "Mister Roberts," starring Henry Fonda.

From 1950-54, Merlin starred as Roger Manning on the kids TV program Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, based on a comic strip.

He moved to Hollywood for a role in Six Bridges to Cross (1955), starring Curtis, then appeared with Mamie Van Doren in Running Wild (1955), with Dale Robertson in A Day of Fury (1956), with Tom Tryon in Screaming Eagles (1956) and with Ann Sheridan in Woman and the Hunter (1957).

In 1958-59, Merlin portrayed Lt. Colin Kirby on The Rough Riders, an ABC series set in the aftermath of the Civil War.

His credits also included the films Guns of Diablo (1964), The Oscar (1966), The St. Valentine's Day Massacre (1967), Take the Money and Run (1969) and The Hindenburg (1975) and such TV shows as Laramie, The Virginian, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Mannix, Mission: Impossible and Little House on the Prairie.

Merlin also spent about five years as a writer on Harding Lemay's team at NBC soap Another World, winning a Daytime Emmy in 1975 and receiving another nomination two years later.

Sy Tomashoff Dead at 96

Sy Tomashoff, the seven-time Daytime Emmy winner who created the gothic atmosphere for the ABC soap opera Dark Shadows and spent 13 years on CBS' The Bold and the Beautiful, died Sunday at his Los Feliz home in Los Angeles. He was 96.

Seymour Tomashoff was born on September 11, 1922, in New York City. He attended Curtis High School on Staten Island and New York's City College before being sent to the Engineering Officer Training Program at Carnegie Tech at the outset of World War II.

He eventually served as a rifleman under General George S. Patton and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and a Bronze Star for valor.

Back home, Tomashoff received a bachelor's degree in architecture from Carnegie Tech in 1950, then landed a job as a scenic artist at ABC Studios in New York. In the '50s and '60s, he worked as an art director on such shows as The Edge of Night, Armstrong Circle Theater, East Side/West Side, For the People and The David Susskind Show.

Tomashoff joined series creator Dan Curtis at the beginning of Dark Shadows, which aired from June 1966 through April 1971. The daytime drama starred Jonathan Frid as vampire Barnabas Collins and — though filmed in a tiny New York studio — was set in a brooding mansion in the fictional town of Collinsport, Maine.

David Hedison Dead at 92

Former Another World star David Hedison died Thursday in Los Angeles, a family spokeswoman announced. He was 92.

Born Al David Hedison on May 20, 1927, in Providence, Rhode Island, Hedison discovered the theater while attending Brown University and studied in New York under Sanford Meisner at The Neighborhood Playhouse and with Lee Strasberg at The Actors Studio.

He worked alongside Uta Hagen and Michael Redgrave in-off Broadway productions by Clifford Odets and Christopher Fry, among others, and made his big-screen debut in the World War II naval drama The Enemy Below (1957), starring Robert Mitchum.

After starring in the original The Fly and Son of Robin Hood in 1958, he signed a contract at Twentieth Century Fox, changing his stage name to David Hedison.

Georgia Engel Dead at 70

Georgia Engel, who rose to fame as soft-spoken Georgette Franklin on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, died on April 12 in Princeton, New Jersey. She was 70.

Engel's friend and executor John Quilty says the cause was undetermined because the actress, who was a Christian Scientist, did not consult doctors, The New York Times reported Monday.

The actress has said her The Mary Tyler Moore Show role was meant to be a one-episode guest spot, but Engel went on to appear in almost 60 episodes of the top-rated comedy. She received two nominations for her work on MTM

Jed Allan Dead at 84

Jed Allan, known for his roles on soap operas Days of our Lives and Santa Barbara, died Saturday in Palm Desert, CA. He was 84.

His son Rick Brown wrote on Facebook, "so sorry to post the very sad news of my father's passing tonight. He died peacefully and was surrounded by his family and loved so much by us and so many others."

Allan spent many years working on daytime dramas, starting with the role of Ace Hubbard on Love of Life in 1964. He then played Paul Britton on The Secret storm from 1964-1965. He joined Days of our Lives in 1971 as attorney Don Craig, and played the role until April 17, 1985.

"My fondest memory is of the time when Marlena and I got together when she first came on the show," Allan said of his Days experience. "We had a great rapport and great comedy sense. Those five years were quite wonderful, and stand out as one of those better times in my career."

Deidre Hall, who still plays Dr. Marlena Evans, poignantly shared her thoughts on Allan's passing.

Luke Perry Dead at 52

Actor Luke Perry passsed away on Monday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California, after suffering a massive stroke. He was 52.

Perry was taken to the hospital on Wednesday, February 27, after he had a stroke at his home in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles. His rep told Us at the time that the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum was "under observation at the hospital."

A spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department told Us that paramedics responded at approximately 9:40 a.m. after a 911 call. Perry was transported via ambulance to the hospital.

The Riverdale star’s 90210 castmates sent messages of support after news of his condition broke. Shannen Doherty, who played his character Dylan McKay’s love interest Brenda Walsh, shared a throwback photo of herself and Perry hugging via Instagram. “My friend. Holding you tight and giving you my strength,” she wrote on Thursday, February 28. “You got this.”

Beverley Owen Dead at 81

Beverley Owen, the actress best known for originating the character Marilyn on the sitcom The Munsters, died of ovarian cancer at her Vermont home on February 21 while surrounded by friends and family. The actress was reportedly diagnosed in January 2017, but did not disclose her illness to the public. She was 81.

Her co-star Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster on the beloved 1960s comedy, paid tribute to the late actress on Facebook.

"Beautiful Beverly (sic) Owen has left us. What a sweet soul," he wrote. "I had the biggest crush on her. RIP Bev and thanks for your 13 memorable Marilyn Munster episodes."

The Iowa native appeared on 13 episodes of The Munsters, which centered on a sweet family of lovable monsters, including versions of Frankenstein's monster, Dracula and the Wolfman — or, in that case, Wolfboy.

Owen left the show to marry writer and producer Jon Stone. (They were married from 1966 to 1974.) She was replaced by actress Pat Priest.

Owen's first television role was as Linda Elliot on daytime soap opera As the World Turns. She went on to appear on The Doctors and Another World (as Paula McCrea).

She is survived by two daughters daughters, Polly and Kate.

Morgan Woodward Dead at 93

Actor Morgan Woodward, known for playing "The Man with No Eyes" in Cool Hand Luke and a recurring guest role on Dallas, died Friday on February 22 morning at his home in California, the Fielder House Museum in Arlington, Texas. He was 93.

Thomas Morgan Woodward was born in Fort Worth, Texas, September 16, 1925. He was educated in the public schools of Arlington, graduated from high school in 1944, then enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Pilot Training Program. This was natural, as he had been flying since the age of sixteen.

Following World War II, Woodward entered Arlington State College, where he majored in music and drama. During this period, Woodward began his professional career with the renowned Margo Jones Repertory Theatre in Dallas. His ultimate goal however, was the Metropolitan Opera. Later, the slow emergence of grand opera in America convinced him that this was not a promising career to pursue.

In 1948, Woodward transferred to the University of Texas and changed his major to Business Administration specializing in Corporate Finance, with a minor in music and drama. In addition to a full course of study, he had his own weekly radio show, a dance band, as well as a barber shop quartet. Some of his classmates during that time were Fess Parker, Jayne Mansfield, Rip Torn, Kathy (Mrs.Bing) Crosby, L.Q. Jones, Pat Hingle, Barbara Berry, in addition to Tommy Jones and Harvey Schmidt, co-authors of "The Fantastics" and "110 In The Shade", plus other outstanding Broadway musicals.

Katherine Helmond Dead at 89

Katherine Helmond, best-known as Mona Robinson on 1980s sitcom Who's the Boss? and the socialite sister Jessica Tate on TV comedy Soap, died at home on February 23 following complications from Alzheimer's disease. She was 89.

Helmond was a seven-time Emmy nominee whose TV credits included Everybody Loves Raymond as Lois Whelan, Coach as the widowed owner of an NFL team, and most recently on vampire drama True Blood as Caroline Bellefleur.

She took home two Golden Globes, both for Best Supporting Actress. She won for Soap in 1981 and for Who's the Boss in 1989.

Helmond appeared in numerous movies as well, including three Terry Gilliam films — Time Bandits (1981), Brazil (1985) and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998).

She also ventured into the world of theater, earning her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in 1973 play "The Great God Brown." The Hollywood Reporter quotes Helmond as saying theater was “her first love.”

"My beautiful, kind, funny, gracious, compassionate, rock," tweeted Alyssa Milano, who played Helmond's granddaughter in Who's the Boss?. "You were an instrumental part of my life. You taught me to hold my head above the marsh! You taught me to do anything for a laugh! What an example you were!"

Julie Adams Dead at 92

Julie Adams, best known for her role as Kay Lawrence in the beloved 1954 monster movie Creature from the Black Lagoon, passed away on February 3. She was 92. Adams' son Mitchell Danton revealed that the actress died early Sunday morning in Los Angeles.

Her many other credits included the Elvis Presley-starring Tickle Me (1965) , Dennis Hopper's film The Last Movie (1971), the TV show Murder, She Wrote (1987-1993), and the Oliver Stone-directed World Trade Center (2006).

Adams' soap opera roles included Paula Denning on Capitol (1982-1987), Arlene Beevis in Beverly Hills, 90210 (1993) and Mrs. Damarrs on Melrose Place (1999).

Those who have paid tribute to Adams include Patton Oswalt and director Guillermo del Toro, whose Oscar-winning film The Shape of Water was clearly influenced by Creature from the Black Lagoon.

"I mourn Julie Adams passing," wrote del Toro on Twitter. "It hurts in a place deep in me, where monsters swim."

"Julie Adams has returned to the Black Lagoon," wrote Oswalt. "The scene of you swimming while The Creature mirrored your moves underwater is every awkward heart yearning for someone in the sunshine to reach down and just see them. Iconic forever."

Carmen Duncan Dead at 76

Former Another World actress Carmen Duncan passed away on February 3 after battling cancer for years. She was 76.

Duncan was born on July 7, 1942, in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. She graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney in 1961.

Her career included films such as Harlequin (1980) and Turkey Shoot (1982, and its 2014 reboot), as well as staples of Australian television, such as You Can't See 'Round Corners, the cop shows Division 4 and Homicide, soap opera Number 96, and television classics such as The Young Doctors and Skyways.

Duncan was nominated for an Australian Film Institute (AFI) award in 1980 for her work in Harlequin. But it was on television where Duncan perfected the art of playing sophisticated, independent and successful women.

In the 1980s Duncan moved to the United States and conquered the world of daytime television, securing the role of businesswoman Iris Carrington Wheeler in the long-running soap opera Another World. Duncan played the role between 1988 and 1994, admirably replacing television legend Beverlee McKinsey.

Candice Earley Dead at 68

Former All My Children star Candice Earley Nolan passed away on January 31. She was 68.

According to The Lawton Constitution, she "slipped peacefully into Heaven while at home in her bed, surrounded by family after a brave, 8-year struggle with Multiple Systems Atrophy."

Candice Jean Earley was born at Fort Hood, Texas, on August 18, 1950, the daughter of H.E. and Jean Daily Earley. At a young age, her father was transferred to Germany where she learned German in Kindergarten. Her family was transferred to Ft. Sill, in Lawton, Oklahoma, when she was 5 years old.

She was educated in the Lawton public schools, where she was an honor student, and was active in the theater and arts programs. It was during these years that her 4-Octave coloratura soprano voice was developed and honed via voice lessons. She was selected Miss Lawton and was First Runner-up to Miss Oklahoma. She attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and from there left for San Francisco to begin her stage career. While there, she joined the cast of "Hair" in 1969, and shortly was cast in the lead role of Shelia. From then on, and through all of her life, she was one of the proud and select members of the "Tribe."

Kristoff St. John Dead at 52

Actor Kristoff St. John, who played Neil Winters on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless for the past 28 years, passed away on February 3. He was 52.

A cause of death has not been released. Sarah Ardalani, a public information officer with the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, told CNN that St. John was found dead at a home in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. There were no signs of homicide or foul play, and there is no criminal investigation, Aguilar said.

CBS and Sony Pictures Television, the studio that produces The Young and the Restless, released a statement Monday saying "The news of Kristoff St. John's passing is heartbreaking."

"He was a very talented actor and an even better person," the statement read. "For those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him on 'The Young and the Restless' for the last 27 years, he was a beloved friend whose smile and infectious laugh made every day on set a joy and made audiences love him. On behalf of the Y&R cast and crew, CBS and Sony Pictures Television, we offer our heartfelt sympathy to his family and loved ones, especially his daughters, Paris and Lola."

Born in New York City in 1966, St. John -- the son of actor Christopher St. John -- entered the industry at a young age. He made his television debut at age 7 in That's My Mama. He went on to star in the series Charlie & Company with Flip Wilson, Gladys Knight and Della Reese, and later had roles in The Bad News Bears (with future Y&R co-star Tricia Cast), and The San Pedro Beach Bums.

Bettina Bradbury Dead at 64

Former daytime soap opera writer Bettina F. Bradbury died on January 13. She was 64.

Her son, Danny Karapetian, shared the news on Facebook.

"It is my very sad duty to report that my Mom Bettina passed away this morning," he wrote. "She was an indefatigable force of nature, a talented and decorated writer, and a loving mother, sister, and friend to everyone she knew. Remember her for her humor, her hugs, and the eternal optimism she endowed in her family, colleagues, friends, fans, and children. She will be missed, and her absence is already deeply felt. Love you Mom, forever."

Daughter of famed science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, known mostly for his stunning novel Fahrenheit 451, and Marguerite McClure, Bradbury proved that the writing gene can be passed down. She studied Film/History at USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Bradbury worked at The Young and the Restless as executive producer John Conboy's assistant. She went on to write for Capitol, Santa Barbara, All My Children, One Life to Live and Days of our Lives. She earned three Daytime Emmys and seven Writers Guild of America Awards for her work in daytime television.

More recently, she had been working on a a memoir, "Growing Up Bradbury: Life With A Saturday Father."

"I am writing a memoir about the great life and times of growing up in the sixties in the company of child/parent Ray Bradbury," she revealed online.

Philip Bosco Dead at 88

Tony Award-winning actor Philip Bosco died Monday night at his home in Haworth, New Jersey. He was 88.

The actor's daughter, Celia Bosco, said her father had complications with dementia, which is commonly caused by Alzheimer's disease.

Before acting, Bosco worked in a carnival as a trailer truck driver.

He later became a Broadway veteran who won a Tony Award in 1989 for best actor for his role as the head of an opera company in the comedy "Lend Me a Tenor." He received nominations for his performances in "The Rape of the Belt," "Heartbreak House," "You Never Can Tell" and "Moon Over Buffalo." Bosco also starred in a 2004 production of "Twelve Angry Men."

On daytime soap operas, he played roles on As the World Turns (as Eliot Markham), Guiding Light (Clarence Baily), All My Children (Lyle Wedgewood) and Ryan's Hope (Dr. Gillette).

In 1988, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for his role in the ABC Afterschool Special Read Between The Lines.

His primetime TV credits included Damages, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Tribeca and The Doctors and the Nurses.

He appeared in numerous films, including Working Girl, The Savages, Trading Places, The Money Pit, Children of a Lesser God, and Three Men and a Baby.

Jorn Winther Dead at 88

Jorn Winther, a former soap opera executive producer and director, was killed November 9 in an automobile accident in front of Palm Desert High School outside Palm Springs. He was on a business trip and on his way back to his Sherman Oaks home, his wife of 31 years, Claire, told The Hollywood Reporter. He was 88.

In the 1960s, Winther directed for the ABC music showcase Shindig! and worked on variety shows hosted by Jonathan Winters, Sonny & Cher and Barbara McNair.

He later spent more than five years as an executive producer and director on ABC's One Life to Live, and five years in those roles during two stints at All My Children. He directed episodes of other soap operas including NBC's Another World and Santa Barbara, and the syndicated Rituals. He also served as senior executive producer for NBC's Generations and produced Canadian drama Family Passions.

His shows collected 37 Emmy nominations and won 12.

Winther was the director on the landmark David Frost-Richard Nixon interviews that kept television and radio audiences transfixed over four consecutive nights in 1977. Winther and Frost already had collaborated on a pair of 1975 "salute" specials, about the Guinness Book of World Records and The Beatles, when the British television personality contacted the director, asking if he would help with an interview session that Frost had set up with the disgraced former president.

James Karen Dead at 94

Poltergeist actor James Karen passed away at his home on October 23. He was 94.

In his Hollywood career, Karen earned more than 200 credits, ranging movies and TV shows across various genres and was an original cast member of All My Children.

In Poltergeist, a family moves into a newly-constructed townhouse community, which was developed by Karen's Mr. Teague, only for a series of bizarre occurrences to begin unfolding. When the family's patriarch confronts Teague, he discovers that the developer had relocated a cemetery to make room for the houses, though he opted to save money by moving only the headstones and leaving the corpses underneath the homes.

Karen might have had minimal on-screen time in the film but his role and the confrontation his character has with Craig T. Nelson's Steve Freeling are some of the film's most memorable components.

Karen returned to the horror world for 1985's Return of the Living Dead as the manager of a warehouse that held the remains of a zombie that was "killed" during the events of Night of the Living Dead. Unfortunately, the remains are burned, creating a toxic cloud that ultimately turns to rain that resurrects nearby corpses.

While most of the film embraced the inherent goofiness of the premise, Karen's performance gave the film one of its more emotional sequences.

“It was the deal where he figures out he’s becoming a zombie and decides to incinerate himself in the crematorium,” Karen detailed to DVD Talk in 2006. “He kisses his wedding ring as he goes in. It was a very emotional scene, but it also got me out of being one of the rain-drenched zombies milling around outside the place at the end of the film. I didn’t really want to do all that muddy stuff.”

Karen also appeared in films such as Capricorn One, Mulholland Drive, The Pursuit of Happyness, 13 Days, and dozens more.

On primetime television, Karen appeared in Dallas (as Elton Lawrence), Knots Landing (as Max Craig), Dynasty (as Avril Dawson), Emerald Point N.A.S. (as Admiral Lovell), Little House on the Prairie, Seinfeld, The Powers of Matthew Star, and The Golden Girls, among many others.

His daytime soap opera roles included Dr. Burke on As the World Turns and Linc Tyler in All My Children.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Alba.

Peggy McCay Dead at 90

Peggy McCay, who played Caroline Brady on Days of our Lives for over 30 years, died on October 7 of natural causes. She was 90.

Her Days co-star and close friend Deidre Hall made the announcement on Facebook, writing: "Our dearest Peggy McCay has left us. She was a friend, an activist and a real scrapper!!
I remember meeting her at the bedside of a dear, very ill friend. I backed her up as she ferociously took on doctors and nurses to make sure he had the very best care. She fought that hard for all her causes. Passionate and tireless. And how she loved being 'Caroline'!!"

McCay studied with Lew Strasberg in New York and later assisted in setting up his west coast acting studio, which was attended by such luminaries as Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Paul Newman.

From 1951 to 1955 McCay starred on CBS soap opera Love of Life as Vanessa Dale, whose battles with sister Meg were the center of the show's early years. Her later daytime roles included Susan Garret on The Young Marrieds and Iris Fairchild on General Hospital.

Virginia Robinson Dead at 99

Virginia Robinson in Broad City

Virginia Robinson died peacefully in her home in New York City on June 8. She was 99.

Robinson was a New York City resident for over sixty years and a working actress from ages 19 to 98. She was born Virginia Routh on March 27, 1919, in Newark, New Jersey. She trained in London, and was acting and modeling professionally by the age of 19.

During World War II, Robinson was a member of the USO, entertaining troops in Africa and Italy. After the war she worked for the Dupont Radio Hour, and began a serious acting career.

She performed in fifteen Broadway plays, working with such directors as Elia Kazan, Franco Zefferelli, John Gielgud and George S. Kaufman. She was a standby for Vivien Leigh in "Duel of Angels." She also worked Off-Broadway and in Regional Theatre.

She appeared in numerous films, including Diary of a Mad Housewife, and spent many years in daytime drama, where she had long-term roles on Love of Life and Loving. From 1954 to 1957 she starred on Love of Life as Judith Lodge Raven, the ex-wife of Paul Raven, who was now in love with Vanessa Dale.

Peter Donat Dead at 90

Peter Donat, who played roles in both daytime and primetime soap operas, died on September 7 at his home in California. He was 90.

His wife, Maria, confirmed the news to The New York Times, citing the cause of death as complications with diabetes.

Born Pierre Collingwood Donat on January 20, 1928, in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Donat's primtime television credits included Flamingo Road (as Elmo Tyson), Dallas (Dr. Miles Pearson) and Hill Street Blues (as Schuster). Donat played William Mulder, father of David Duchovny’s Fox Mulder, on six episodes of The X-Files opposite Rebecca Toolan as Teena Mulder.

On the big screen, he appeared in The Godfather Part II, War of the Roses, The Game, and Tucker: The Man and His Dream.

Donat's soap opera roles included Stephen Markley in The Brighter Day (1958), Bert Stanton on As the World Turns (1959) and Vince Conway in Moment of Truth (1965).

He also performed through organizations like the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where he would get to know director Francis Ford Coppola, and the Stratford Festival in Canada.

In addition to Maria, Donat is survived by sons Caleb, Christopher, and Lucas; stepdaughters Barbara Park Shapiro and Marina Park Sutton; stepson Malcolm Park; 11 grandchildren; and brother Richard.