Looking back at Doug Sheehan’s career as ‘Knots Landing’ actor dies at 75

Emmy-nominated TV soap star Doug Sheehan passed away "peacefully at his home" in Big Horn, Wyoming, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. The unfortunate news was announced in a public obituary posted on Wyoming-based Kane Funeral Home's website. Per the obit, he died "with his loving wife (Cate Abert) at his side." He was 75.

Douglas Stuart Sheehan was born on April 27, 1949, in Santa Monica, California. He began his career as a stage actor at the National Shakespeare Festival in San Diego.

Over the years, Sheehan predominantly became a television actor, known for his roles in General Hospital and Knots Landing. Millennials would best remember the actor for playing the dad on hit 1990s teen sitcoms like Clueless and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

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Doug Sheehan starred as lawyer Joe Kelly on the daytime soap General Hospital, appearing in over 200 episodes

Doug Sheehan's first acting credit was in a Charlie's Angels episode titled Angles Ahoy in 1978. However, his big break came a year later, when he became a series regular on the ABC daytime soap, General Hospital. Doug starred as the lawyer Joe Kelly from 1979 to 1982, appearing in over 200 episodes. His work on the soap earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination.

Doug went on to star in the Dallas spinoff Knots Landing, appearing as reporter Ben Gibson, the second husband of Val Ewing. He starred in 115 episodes of the CBS soap opera (1983–1988) before his character went on a trip to South America and never returned.

Doug Sheehan was the lead on the short-lived sitcom Day by Day (1988–1999). He played Brian Harper, starring in 33 episodes. The series centered around Brian and his wife Kate, both having successful careers, who quit their jobs to open an in-home daycare center.

In the 1990s, Sheehan predominantly appeared in parental roles in teenage sitcoms. This included playing Cher's father, Mel Horowitz, on Clueless. He took over the role from Michael Lerner in the second season, staying on through its run.

He guest starred as Sabrina's father on Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He appeared in the season 4 premiere of the show, inviting Sabrina to come live with him in Paris. He later appeared on the show's final episode to walk Melissa Joan Hart's lead down the aisle.

Doug Sheehan has also starred in films like Victor/Victoria, Stranger in My Bed, and 10. His other TV credits include MacGyver, Diagnosis Murder, Columbo, and Cheers. According to Kane Funeral Home's website, he also served in the U.S. military.

A cause of death has not been announced at this time. Per his obituary, Kane Funeral Home is entrusted with his funeral and/or memorial arrangements. Dough Sheehan is survived by his wife, Cate.