Tragic Loss: The Young and Restless Star Passes Away at 75
James Houghton died of mesothelioma on August 27, 2024, at the age of 75. But his wife Karen didn’t not want to discuss the matter until now, our sister site The Hollywood Reporter explains.
Houghton’s name may not be immediately familiar to you, but trust us, you know his work.
As an actor, he got his big break when he was cast by The Young and the Restless as lawyer Greg Foster, Nikki Newman’s first husband. (He was replaced by Yellowstone MVP Cole Hauser’s father, Wings.)
In 1979, Houghton was among the original cast of Dallas spinoff Knots Landing. As record producer Kenny Ward, he generated more broken hearts than hit singles; just ask the long-suffering Mrs. Ward, Ginger. (Below, that’s her catching her “better” half in a compromising position with J.R. Ewing’s former mistress, special guest vixen Kristin Shepard.)
Later, Houghton passed through Dynasty spinoff The Colbys as Senator Cash Cassidy, a formidable foe of Charlton Heston’s Jason Colby (who was not accustomed to meeting resistance of any kind; Blake Carrington never had to put up with that sorta [bleep]).
In 1991, Houghton returned to Genoa City, although this time in the writers’ room. As a scribe for The Young and the Restless, he won four Daytime Emmys (and was nominated with the other members of the team a whopping 14 times).
Houghton is survived by his wife, Karen, a sister, his mom, two kids and a grandson. Pay your respects to all the stars we lost in 2025 as you scroll through the below photo gallery.
