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Actor Doug Sheehan, known for his iconic roles in General Hospital and Knots Landing, died at his home in Big Horn, Wyoming on June 29, 2024. He was 75 years old. Kane Funeral Home confirmed the news, stating that Sheehan peacefully passed away with his wife by his side.
The funeral home stated in the actor's obituary:
"After being able to call Big Horn our home, where we dearly loved. Douglas Sheehan passed away peacefully at his home."
His death marks the end of an era for fans of classic TV, but the cause has not been revealed. Sheehan was born on April 27, 1949, in Santa Monica and got his start in television on Charlie’s Angels in 1978. He became famous for playing Joe Kelly on General Hospital.
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Late actor Doug Sheehan's breakout roles and Daytime Emmy nomination
Doug Sheehan's career kicked off when he appeared on General Hospital in 1979. As Joe Kelly, a lawyer caught up in all kinds of drama, he became a beloved character in no time. He had some intense storylines with Heather Webber and Bobbie Spencer. For his stellar performance in GH, Sheehan was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his role as a supporting actor.
Then in 1982, he joined the cast of Knots Landing as Ben Gibson. As a reporter and Valene Ewing's second husband, Sheehan's character added a lot of depth and intrigue to the show. He was in 115 episodes from 1983 to 1988.
How Doug Sheehan went from comedy to playing father figures?
In addition to his roles in soap operas and dramas, Doug Sheehan also showed off his funny side on the NBC show Day by Day. He played Brian Harper, a former stockbroker who later took care of the kids at home. The show ran from 1988 to 1989.
Sheehan also gained recognition in the '90s for portraying Mel Horowitz on the TV show Clueless, which was based on the hit movie. As Michael Lerner left the show after the first season, Sheehan took on the role of Cher's overprotective dad. His performance brought a lot of heart and laughs to the series, making him a fan favorite among younger viewers.
Doug Sheehan's legacy and final appearances
Throughout his career, Doug Sheehan appeared in many popular television shows, including Cheers, Columbo, MacGyver, and Diagnosis Murder. His final screen roles were in the early 2000s. A few of his notable projects were Sabrina the Teenage Witch as the protagonist's father, Edward Gibson, and a guest role in What I Like About You.
Besides his TV work, Sheehan also showed up in three movies: 10 (1979), Victor/Victoria (1982), and Cops n Roberts (1995). His versatile range of work gained him a devoted following and recognition in the industry.
On the personal front, Doug Sheehan and Cate Abert were married from 1981 until he passed away.
Fans of Doug Sheehan's work can revisit his memorable performance on General Hospital, which is available to stream on Hulu. Moreover, his other show Knots Landing can be found on Amazon Prime Video.
