What character did Thom Christopher play in One Life to Live? Actor passes away at 84

Emmy-winning actor Thom Christopher died on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the age of 84. Although his cause of death is yet to be revealed, he was reportedly battling with a lengthy illness. His One Life to Live co-star, Anthony Crivello, confirmed his passing in a Facebook post and wrote:

"My dear friend of many years, actor #ThomCristopher passed today."

He also remembered his co-star in a touching tribute, writing:

"He was always a gentleman, always supportive, and he and his wife Judith who [preceeded] him in death, were always gracious to me and welcoming."

Crivello further recalled working with Cristopher on the set of the long-running soap opera One Life to Live. He referred to one of their old photos and wrote:

"Thom and I worked together on the #abc daytime series #onelifetolive in the 19990s. We're seen here with the lovely #audrylander who played my sister, and Thom my father. It was a wonderful time, difficult hours and long days, but joyful each minute."

Thom Christopher joined One Life to Live in 1990 and played dr*g trafficker Carlo Hesser, but his character was killed off after two years. However, Christopher stuck around in the daytime drama and played Carlo's twin brother, Mortimer Bern, between 1996 and 2008. His time in the soap opera earned him a Daytime Emmy win for the Outstanding Supporting Actor category.

His costar Crivello, concluded his Facebook tribute by wishing the late actor to "fly on Wings of Angels" and finally be "beside his beloved wife Judith".

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Thom Christopher reportedly battled with a lengthy illness before his death

On Thursday, Thom Christopher's longtime friend, Steve Bergman, shared the news of his passing on Facebook. He also gave a bit of context about the late actor before his death. His message reads:

"Sadly, my friend who I went to visit in the hospital on Monday passed away this evening. Since many of my friends know him or know of him, I can say that it was Thom Christopher. Thom has been sick for quite [a while] now and fought through it like a champ."

Bergman also recalled his friendship with Thom Christopher in a post, saying that they spoke to each other two to three times a month. He said that those conversations were often "long" and "great," further remembering the actor as a "smart man" who gave great advice and told fantastic stories.

However, Bergman said that his visit to the actor on Monday was a bit different because Christopher was heavily medicated and not fully coherent. Bergman further recalled saying his goodbye to the actor and kissing him on the forehead days before his passing. He also remembered telling his friend that he was a wonderful man and a great actor, to which Christopher replied, 'Thank you."

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Outside of One Life to Live, Christopher played Noel Douglas on The Edge of the Night, the villain Dante Partou in ABC's Loving, and the security man Colonel Dax on Guiding Light.