Doug Sheehan, actor known for ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Knots Landing,’ dies at 75

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As a huge fan of daytime and primetime soaps, I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Doug Sheehan. His long and illustrious career in television left an indelible mark on the genre, especially during the golden age of soaps in the 70s and 80s.

I, as a devoted movie and TV enthusiast, regret to share the news that Doug Sheehan, a talented actor whose small screen tenure spanned the ’80s, has passed away. He left indelible marks on daytime dramas like “General Hospital” and prime-time soaps such as “Knots Landing.”

On June 29, Sheehan passed away tranquilly at his residence in Big Horn, Wyoming, with his wife Cate Abert by his side, as stated in an obituary published by Kane Funeral Home. The reason for his death was undisclosed. He had reached the age of 75.

Born and raised in Southern California, Sheehan started his acting career in the late ’70s with small roles in “Charlie’s Angels” on ABC and CBS’ award-winning show “Kaz.” However, it was in 1979 when he gained traction by joining the cast of “General Hospital” on ABC as private detective Joe Kelly.

During his time on “General Hospital” from 1979 to 1982, Sheehan acted in over 200 episodes. He portrayed Joe Kelly’s transformation from a detective into a lawyer, as well as his numerous romantic entanglements.

I had a consistent soap acting career with steady progression. Not long after my tenure on “General Hospital” ended, I was fortunate enough to secure a long-term contract with CBS’ “Knots Landing.” In this new role, I took on the character of journalist Ben Gibson, who became the second husband to Joan Van Ark’s Valene Ewing. Over the course of more than 100 episodes, I had the pleasure of bringing Ben to life on “Knots Landing.”

In the late 1980s, the actor rejoined ABC for a role as co-lead in their family sitcom “Day by Day.” This show ran from 1988 to 1989 and featured the actors Linda Kelsey, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Courtney Thorne-Smith, and Thora Birch in its cast.

In the early ’90s, after having dedicated several years to major TV roles, Sheehan seemingly shifted her focus and took on supporting or minor character parts in shows like “MacGyver,” “Dear John,” and “Columbo.”

In 1997, I had the pleasure of rejoining the ABC family once more for their adaptation of Amy Heckerling’s beloved comedy “Clueless.” This time around, I stepped into the shoes of Mel Horowitz, a role previously occupied by Michael Lerner. The series shifted from ABC to UPN during its third season, but unfortunately, it was ultimately canceled in 1999.

As a film enthusiast, I can tell you that Sheehan has made appearances on various television shows. Some of these include “Passions,” where I watched her bring characters to life, “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” which I fondly remember from my childhood, and “What I Like About You,” a show that kept me entertained with its witty humor.

Beyond his profession, Sheehan was also a polo enthusiast.

In 1987, Sheehan shared with The Times how he discovered polo for the first time during a charity event called “Great Gatsby Day” held at Will Rogers park a few years prior. The sight of vintage Rolls-Royces and English boots had him hooked, leading him to enroll in polo lessons the very next day.

Sheehan is survived by his wife. A funeral service is pending, according to Kane Funeral Home.

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2024-07-18 19:30