Doug Sheehan, a beloved actor known for his roles on General Hospital and Knots Landing, passed away suddenly at the age of 75. Fans across the world are mourning the loss of this TV icon who brought joy and depth to their screens for many years.

Doug Sheehan famously portrayed Joe Kelly, a lawyer, on the long-running soap opera General Hospital. According to reports, he “passed away peacefully” at his home in Big Horn, Wyoming, with his wife, Cate Abert, by his side. This news was shared by Kane Funeral Home on their website, though no further details regarding the cause of death have been released at this time.

Fans of Sheehan took to social media to express their sorrow, sharing memories of his iconic roles and the impact he made on the world of daytime television. A week after the news broke, tributes continued to pour in. One fan wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), “Such sad news. I loved him as Joe Kelly. There were sweet moments between Ben and Val, but I always rooted for Gary and Val. Too many beloved soap stars are leaving us.”

Another heartfelt message read, “My thoughts and prayers are with Doug Sheehan’s family during this difficult time. I grew up watching him as Joe Kelly on General Hospital from 1979 to 1982. He brought so much life to that character, and I’m heartbroken to hear of his passing.”

Others shared personal memories of meeting the actor in person. One fan recalled meeting Doug at a press event years ago: “He was just as kind and approachable as his on-screen persona. His passing is a great loss to the world of entertainment.”

Throughout his career, Doug Sheehan was most recognized for his performances on General Hospital and Knots Landing. He appeared in over 100 episodes of each show, bringing memorable characters to life and leaving an indelible mark on both shows’ legacies.

Born in Santa Monica, California, in 1949, Doug’s career began with a small role in an episode of Charlie’s Angels in 1978. His breakout role came shortly after when he was cast as lawyer Joe Kelly on General Hospital. From 1979 to 1982, he appeared in a staggering 205 episodes of the show, captivating audiences with his portrayal. His performance even earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series.

After his time on General Hospital, Doug Sheehan landed another significant role as Ben Gibson, a reporter, on CBS’s Knots Landing, a spinoff of the popular series Dallas. He was a part of the show from 1983 to 1988, before his character left to go to South America in season 8.

In addition to his soap opera work, Doug appeared on an episode of The Arsenio Hall Show in 1989, where he spoke about the challenges of breaking into mainstream TV roles despite his daytime television success. “Casting directors don’t see what you do,” he said. “I’ve spent years trying to break through barriers. They still aren’t convinced I can do an hour-long comedy.”

Doug’s career was mostly on television, but he did appear in a few feature films, including 10 in 1979, Victor/Victoria in 1982, and Cops n Roberts in 1995. In the 1990s, he played Cher’s father in the TV adaptation of Clueless, based on the hit movie.

He also starred in the NBC comedy Day by Day as Gary David Goldberg from 1988 to 1989 and had guest appearances on hit shows like Cheers, Columbo, MacGyver, and Diagnosis Murder. His final TV appearances were on What I Like About You and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, where he portrayed Sabrina’s father.

Doug Sheehan is survived by his wife, Cate Abert, with whom he shared a loving life. Although they did not have children, Doug’s legacy lives on through his incredible body of work and the impact he had on fans across the globe.