John Reilly (actor, born 1934)

John Henry Matthew Reilly (November 11, 1934 – January 9, 2021) was an American film and television actor who appeared on soap operas, including General Hospital, Sunset Beach, and Passions.[1][2]

John Reilly
Born(1934-11-11)November 11, 1934
DiedJanuary 9, 2021(2021-01-09) (aged 86)
Other namesJohn D. Reilly
OccupationActor
Years active1965–2013
SpouseLiz
Children5, including Caitlin

Career

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Born in Chicago, Illinois, Reilly began acting in the mid-1960s with guest starring roles on Death Valley Days, Apple's Way and Gunsmoke. In 1974, he replaced John Colenback as Dr. Dan Stewart on As the World Turns. After a two and a half year run, he left As the World Turns in September 1976 and was replaced by his predecessor John Colenback. Airing March 12, 1977, he appeared on, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, in the episode, Lou Dates Mary. He also made two guest appearances on The Bionic Woman in 1977 and 1978, and had roles in the 1978 television movies Lassie: A New Beginning and Secrets of Three Hungry Wives. In addition to television, Reilly also appeared in feature films including The Main Event (1979) and Gorp (1980).

In 1983, Reilly had a recurring role on nighttime soap opera Dallas. The following year, he was cast as WSB agent Sean Donely on General Hospital. He stayed with the series until November 1994 when he opted not to renew his contract because of a pay-out from then-executive producer Wendy Riche. His character was written out of the show in February 1995, when Sean and his on screen wife Tiffany left town. He returned to daytime television as Del Douglas on Sunset Beach for a short-term guest role during the show's first six episodes, and then later returned on various occasions during 1997–1999.

Reilly played Kelly Taylor's oft-absentee father, Bill, in several episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210. The character left the canvas when Bill Taylor was arrested and sent to jail, following a reconciliation with his daughter.

On January 21, 2005, Reilly took over the role of Alistair Crane on the NBC soap opera Passions. He took over the role from David Bailey after Bailey died in a pool accident in November 2004. In July 2006, Reilly was dropped from the show as a result of budget cuts. He returned to the role in August 2007 as a recurring character and remained with the show until his character was killed off in May 2008.

On October 21, 2008, Reilly reprised the role of Sean Donely on General Hospital: Night Shift for the second-season finale. On August 9, 2013, Reilly reprised the role of Sean Donely on General Hospital for the 50th anniversary year.

Personal life

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Reilly and his wife, Liz, had five daughters, including Caitlin, who is also an actress and a social media personality.[3][4]

Reilly died on January 9, 2021, after living with Alzheimer's disease for many years.[5][6] The cause of death was a heart attack.[7][8]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Film Role Notes
1975 The Great Waldo Pepper Western Star
1983 Deal of the Century Swain
1985 Doin' Time Governor
1986 Touch and Go Jerry Pepper

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1966 A Man Called Shenandoah Jamie Brewster Jr. 1 episode
1974–1976 As the World Turns Dan Stewart Regular cast member
1976 Kojak Special Prosecutor Whelan 1 episode
1977 The Mary Tyler Moore Show Jake 1 episode
Barnaby Jones Steve Crandall 1 episode
1978 Hawaii Five-O Kelly Trahune 1 episode
Wonder Woman Skye 1 episode
The Bionic Woman Sam Sloan 1 episode: "Long Live The King"
1979 A Man Called Sloane David Clarke 1 episode
1980 The Incredible Hulk Steve 1 episode
The Love Boat Bill Simmons 1 episode
1981 Quincy, M.E. Ship's Security Chief Flannery 2 episodes
1982 Madame's Place Max St. James 1 episode
The Powers of Matthew Star Dr. Simon Bernard 1 episode
Hart to Hart Billingsley Season 4 episode “A Christmas Hart”
1982–1983 Silver Spoons Bob Danish 2 episodes
1983 Remington Steele Russell Stewart 1 episode
Tales of the Gold Monkey Truman Hastings 1 episode
Three's Company Dr. Malcolm Kenderson 1 episode
1984 Simon & Simon Brian Harms 1 episode
Benson Augie Marathon season 6, episode 1 "The Scandal"
Cover Up Alex Kendall 1 episode
Cagney & Lacey Jeremy Mitchell 1 episode
Dallas Roy Ralston 6 episodes
Paper Dolls Jake Larner 3 episodes
Newhart Professor David Cameron 1 episode
1984–1995, 2013 General Hospital Sean Donely Contract Cast Player
1994–1995 Empty Nest Adam Blakely 2 episodes
1994–1996 Iron Man Hawkeye/Clint Barton, Abner Jenkins/Beetle Voice, 19 episodes
1995 Maybe This Time Flint 1 episode
1996 Mr. & Mrs. Smith Elway Johnson 1 episode
Diagnosis: Murder Preston Michaels 1 episode
1997 Pacific Palisades Preston Bentley 1 episode
The Naked Truth King 1 episode
Beverly Hills, 90210 Bill Taylor Recurring
1997–1999 Sunset Beach Del Douglas Recurring
1998 Mortal Kombat: Conquest Baron Reyland 3 episodes
1999 Melrose Place Mack McBride 1 episode
2000 Son of the Beach J.P Wynne 1 episode
2001 Days of Our Lives Marquis of La Cienega 1 episode
2002 Judging Amy Bill Hackett 1 episode
2003 She Spies Karl Richmond 1 episode
2005–2006 Passions Alistair Crane (#3) Contract Cast Member
2007–2008 Passions Alistair Crane (#3) Recurring cast Member
2008 General Hospital: Night Shift Sean Donely Guest Star
2012 The Bay Mortimer 4 episodes

Theme parks

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Year Title Role Notes
1989 Body Wars Subject in pre-show (uncredited) Disney attraction

Awards nominations

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Year Award Result Category Series
1986 Soap Opera Digest Awards Nominated Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role on a Daytime Serial General Hospital

References

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  1. ^ Dominguez, Noah (2021-01-10). "John Reilly, Iron Man: The Animated Series' Hawkeye, Dies at 86". CBR.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  2. ^ Haring, Bruce (2021-01-10). "John Reilly Dies: Veteran Actor For 'General Hospital' And Other Soaps Was 84". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  3. ^ "John Reilly's Cause of Death Reported as Heart Attack at Night". US day NEWS. 2021-01-10. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  4. ^ Harris, Margot (2020-09-04). "TikTok star Caitlin Reilly is going viral for her videos mimicking personalities that 'you love to hate'". Insider. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  5. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (2021-01-10). "John Reilly, General Hospital and Passions Vet, Dead at 84". TVLine. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  6. ^ Schulman, Michael (2023-01-04). "The Funniest WASP Mom on TikTok". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  7. ^ John Reilly's Cause of Death Revealed after Daughter’s Report
  8. ^ Alexander, Bryan. "John Reilly, longtime 'General Hospital' and 'Passions' star, dies at 86". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
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