A Tribute to the Daytime Soap Stars We Said Goodbye to in 2024

The land of soaps continues to mourn many great daytime drama stars who passed away in 2024. As fans reflect on the past year, the highs and lows, we take this opportunity to pay tribute to some of the incredible actors and actresses we have lost this year.

In Memoriam – Soap Stars We Lost At The Beginning Of 2024

Bridget Dobson, the co-creator of Santa Barbara, and also once a head writer for General Hospital (GH), As the World Turns (ATWT), and Guiding Light (GL), passed away in January 2024 at the age of 85.

Meanwhile, Days of Our Lives (DOOL) legend, Bill Hayes, who played Doug Williams on the show passed away on January 12. Alec Musser, who was on All My Children (AMC) playing Del Henry (as well as other movie roles) passed away on January 12 as well, when he took his life at the age of 50.

As January went on, David Gail, GH, and Port Charles alum passed on January 21 at the age of 58, and in late January, One Life To Live’s (OLTL) Amanda Davies suddenly passed away at 42; she played teenaged Viki in flashbacks.

Veteran soap star Malachy McCourt passed away on March 11, 2024. He can be remembered for his work on AMC, OLTL, Ryan’s Hope, GL, Search for Tomorrow (SFT), and Another World (AW). He was 92 years old. Meanwhile, Robyn Benard, GH alum, also passed away at the age of 64 on March 12.

Another GH alum, Beth Peters, passed away on March 14 at 92 years old, while later that month on the 21, Ron Harper, passed away at 91. He was known for his roles in Generations, Capitol, and Love of Life, as well as Where the Heart Is.

Young and the Restless (Y&R) alum Jennifer Leak, who was on the soap in the ‘70s passed away on March 18. She was 76 years old. Meanwhile, AMC alum Barbara Rush passed away at the age of 97 on March 31.

GH writer and Y&R alum Meg Bennett passed away on April 11. She was known as Victor Newman’s (Eric Braeden) first wife, and Bennett also appeared in SFT and Santa Barbara.
Spencer Milligan passed away on April 18 at the age of 86. The GH alum was on the soap in 1987, playing the role of Ray Gibbson.

Marla Adams, who played the Abbott family’s matriarch Dina Abbott passed away on April 25, a role she played (on and off) for over four decades. The Daytime Emmy winner also played Beth Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful (B&B) and was on GH.

In Memoriam – Soap Stars We Lost In 2024

General Hospital fans were completely caught off guard when the terrible news of Johnny Wactor’s death hit. The 37-year-old who played Brando Corbin was shot and killed on May 26. Meanwhile, Elizabeth MacRae, known for her work on GH, AW, DOOL, GL, and SFT passed away at the age of 88 on May 27.

Janis Paige, who had roles in Santa Barbara and GH died on June 2 at the age of 101. Meanwhile, Joseph Hardy, who was the executive producer of daytime dramas like GH, Ryan’s Hope, and Loving, passed away at the age of 95 on June 6.

Passions and GH alum, Doug Sheehan passed away on June 29 at 75, while fellow GH alum (and DOOL star) Joan Benedict, who had recurring roles on both soaps, passed away at 96 on June 24.

Alan Scarfe, OLTL alum, passed away at the age of 77 due to colon cancer. The Bay and OLTL alum, Bill Cobbs, passed away at the age of 90 on June 25, while GL alum (and model) Renauld White died at the age of 80 on June 26.

Iconic fitness guru, who also was on GH, Richard Simmons passed away at the age of 76 on July 13, while Beverly Hills, 90210 star, Shannon Doherty, lost her battle with breast cancer on that same day at the age of 54.

GH alum James B. Sikking also passed away on July 13. Sikking was also well-known for his roles on Doogie Howser, M.D., and Hill Street Blues.

Veteran actor John Aprea, who played Lucas Castigliano on AW, but was also known for roles in Full House and The Godfather, Part II, died at age 83 on August 5. While talk show icon, Phil Donahue, who also appeared on B&B in 1991, passed away at the age of 88 on August 18.

Legend John Amos passed away at the age of 84 on August 21, and while he had many acting roles in movies and TV, many fans remember his daytime stint on OLTL in the ‘80s, playing Bill More. Meanwhile, on August 27, daytime legend Ron Hale passed away. He was known for his runs on SFT, Ryan’s Hope, as well as GH and Port Charles.

In Memoriam – Soap Stars We Lost At The End Of 2024

James Earl Jones passed away on September 9 at 93, and is best known for his roles on Roots, and Star Wars, among other major acting projects; however, some daytime drama fans also recognize him from the soap roles he played on ATWT and GL.

Days fans continue to mourn the loss of Drake Hogestyn, who played the iconic John Black. He passed away one day before his 71st birthday on September 28 after battling pancreatic cancer.

Meanwhile, veteran actor Nicholas Pryor, who landed movie roles in Risky Business and Less Than Zero, passed away on October 7. GH and Port Charles fans may remember him playing ‘Victor’ the father of Kevin Collins, and his ‘evil twin’ Ryan Chamberlain (Jon Lindstrom).

Tony Todd’s passing, who is best known for his horrifying stint in the Candyman, was announced in mid-November of this year. Y&R viewers fondly remember him from his brief stint as Gus Rogan.

Lastly, Helen Gallagher, who played Ryan’s Hope matriarch Maeve Ryan during the daytime drama’s entire run, passed away on November 24, at the age of 98.

Which daytime drama star did you miss the most? Comment below and visit this site for the best Daytime Soap news, spoilers, and updates in soaps.