LOS ANGELES — Doug Sheehan, a longtime TV actor who starred in the ’80s daytime drama “General Hospital” and the primetime soap opera “Knots Landing” (a “Dallas” spinoff), has died.
According to an obituary posted by Cain Funeral Home, Sheehan died peacefully on June 29 at his home in Big Horn, Wyoming, surrounded by his wife, Kate Abbert. The cause of death was not disclosed. He was 75 years old.
A native of Southern California, Sheehan began his professional acting career in the late 1970s with minor roles in the ABC original series “Charlie’s Angels” and CBS’ Emmy Award-winning “Kaz,” before breaking through with his debut role as private investigator Joe Kelly on ABC’s “General Hospital” in 1979.
Sheehan appeared in more than 200 episodes during his tenure on “General Hospital” from 1979 to 1982, portraying Joe Kelly’s transition from detective to lawyer as well as his romantic relationships on screen.
Sheehan’s soap opera career was steady, and he landed a one-year contract on CBS’s “Knots Landing” shortly after his time on “General Hospital.” After Joe Kelly on “GH,” Sheehan played journalist Ben Gibson, the second husband of Joan Van Ark’s character Valene Ewing, in more than 100 episodes of “Knots.”
The actor returned to ABC as a co-star in the family sitcom Day by Day, which aired from 1988 to 1989. The series also starred Linda Kelsey, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Courtney Thorne-Smith and Thora Birch.
After many years on television, Sheehan took a step back from leading roles, instead starring in supporting and bit parts in series like MacGyver, Dear John and Columbo in the early ’90s.
He reteamed with ABC again in 1997, replacing Michael Lerner as Mel Horowitz in Amy Heckerling’s dramatization of Clueless, which moved from ABC to UPN after its third season and was canceled in 1999.
Sheehan’s television credits also include Passions, Sabrina and What I Like About You.
In addition to his profession, Mr. Sheehan was an avid polo player.
“The first time I saw polo was at a charity event, Great Gatsby Day, at Will Rogers Park a few years ago,” Sheehan told The Times in 1987. “I was so enchanted by the antique Rolls and English boots that I signed up for polo lessons the next day.”
Sheehan is survived by his wife. Kane Funeral Home said a funeral will be held as planned.
