Heartbreaking News of General Hospital Actors Who Tragically Passed Away Leaves Fans in Tears
The soap opera community mourned the death of several talented actors in the past year.
Days of Our Lives fans began 2024 grieving over the loss of Bill Hayes — one of the show’s longest-running actors — who died in January at the age of 98.
In September, fans said goodbye to actor Drake Hogestyn, who died of pancreatic cancer. Two months later, Wayne Northrop passed away after a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
“My husband Bill Hayes, Drake Hogestyn and now Wayne Northrop. Bang, bang, bang, all coming down at once,” Days of Our Lives star Susan Seaforth Hayes told Us Weekly on December 1. “I think the show gives comfort and it certainly gives me comfort to come in and work with Deidre [Hall] and see that we are going forward and making the best of every hard situation.”
Amid difficult losses, Hall said both the cast and fans find comfort in their respective shows.
“I think they come to us in times of need, when they need comfort, they need reassurance, they need a sense of family that maybe is not in their house at the time,” she told Us. “Days of Our Lives is very good about providing exactly that for everybody.”
It’s a sentiment felt throughout the soap opera genre, who mourned the death of several other actors. Keep reading to honor the talented stars we lost in 2024:
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Bill Hayes
Known to Days of Our Lives fans as Doug Williams, Hayes spent more than 50 years on the soap opera before his death on January 12 at 98. He made his final appearance as Doug on the July 11 episode.
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Jennifer Leak
The actress died on March 27 following a neurological disorder diagnosis. She was 76. Leak made her soap opera debut in 1971 when she appeared on Bright Promise as Elaine Bancroft. After finding her passion for soaps, she continued to work on daytime dramas and made appearances in The Young and the Restless, Another World, Guiding Light and One Life to Live.
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Robyn Bernard
Best known for playing the role of Terry Brock on General Hospital between 1984 to 1990, Bernard was found dead in an open field in California on March 12. She was 64.
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Meg Bennett
The actress, who played Liza Walton on CBS’ Search for Tomorrow and Julia Newman on The Young and the Restless, died in April following a cancer battle. She was 75.
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Johnny Wactor
The General Hospital actor died on May 25 after he was shot in Los Angeles while trying to allegedly protect his friend outside of a bar. He was 37. Two assailants were later charged with murder following the shooting.
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Joan Benedict
Known for her recurring role as Edith Fairchild on General Hospital, Benedict died on June 24 from stroke complications. She was 96.
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Renauld White
Known for portraying the character of William Reynolds on CBS’ Guiding Light, White died on June 26 at the age of 80.
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Doug Sheehan
The General Hospital star, who became a series regular portraying Joe Kelly, died at his home in Big Horn, Wyoming, on June 29.
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Esta TerBlanche
The actress, who portrayed Gillian on All My Children from 1997 to 2001, died in July at the age of 51. “Esta was such a kind, loving, giving and caring person,” her manager said in a statement to Us. “She cared so deeply for all people and animals.”
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Ron Hale
Best known for playing Mike Corbin on General Hospital from 1995 to 2010, Hale died at his home in St. George, South Carolina, on August 27. He was 78.
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Drake Hogestyn
The longtime Days of Our Lives star, who played John Black, died on September 28 after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 70. “He faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination,” his family said in a statement. “After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.”
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Wayne Northrop
Best known for his roles as Detective Roman Brady and Dr. Alex North on Days of Our Lives, the actor died on November 29 after battling Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 77.
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Thom Christopher
The actor, who played mob boss Carlo Hesser and his twin brother, Mortimer Bern, on the soap opera One Life to Live, died on December 5 at the age of 84.
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Geoffrey Deuel
The actor, best known for his role as Dave Campbell on The Young and the Restless, died on December 22 after a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his wife, Jacqueline Deuel, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 81.
“God took my ‘knight in shining armor’ gently,” Jacqueline later wrote via Facebook.
