Daytime Alum Quinn Redeker Passed Away At 86

Writer, producer, and daytime alum Quinn Redeker, who was best known for his role as Alex Marshall on Days of our Lives, passed away on December 20 in Los Angeles at the age of 86.

Quinn Redeker Had A Prolific Career

Born on May 2, 1936, in Woodstock, Illinois, the prolific actor began amassing acting credits at the age of 23, but it was writing that would always own a piece of his heart. He considered acting as a way to pay the bills. Redeker began with TV series work on such shows as Lock Up, Sea Hunt, Dan Raven, Alcoa Premiere, Wide Country, Laramie, Bonanza, and The Third Man.

The busy actor sprinkled in appearances in films such as The Marriage-Go-Round, The Three Stooges Meet Hercules, and Spider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told. He continued adding to his television credits with shows like The Loner, The Jean Arthur Show, The Hero, Run For Your Life, That Girl, Ironside, Mannix, The Outsider, The Virginian, and Mayberry R.F.D.

The 70s proved prestigious for Redeker as he took on epic films that would turn out to be classics such as Airport, The Christine Jorgenson Story, The Andromeda Strain, The Candidate, The Midnight Man, Get Christie Love!, At Long Last Love, The Electric Horseman, and Where The Buffalo Roam. During this time, the actor kept clocking in primetime credits on classic shows such as Marcus Welby M.D., The Bob Newhart Show, Kojak, Cannon, Harry O, Police Story, The Rockford Files, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Barnaby Jones.

In 1978, Redeker penned a story and came up with an Academy Award-winning film, The Deer Hunter. He followed it up with a role in another Oscar-winning film, Ordinary People. In 1979, he took on daytime with the role of Alex Marshall on Days of our Lives, a role he would play off and on through 1987.

Next, he began his memorable turn as Rex Sterling, a homeless man hired by Jill Abbott (Jess Walton) to romance Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper). The role would play a key factor in Gina Romalotti (Patty Weaver) and Danny Romalotti’s (Michael Damian) storylines as Rex would turn out to be their father, Brian Romalotti. Rex was duped by Kay’s doppelganger Marge Cotroke (also played by Cooper) after Kay was kidnapped. Marge dubbed Sterling with the nickname ‘Sexy Rexy!’

Melody Thomas Scott Recalls Quinn Redeker

Veteran Y&R fans recall that Redeker first appeared on the show as abusive Nick Reed, the father of Nikki Reed Newman (Melody Thomas Scott). “Quinn was the quintessential gentleman,” Thomas Scott tells Soap Hub. “So charming, always positive and extremely supportive to everyone he knew. I was so lucky to have him guide me through my first storyline on Y&R. True, Nikki killed him, but he made it a helluva lot of fun.

“We were blessed to get his beautiful spirit back years later in the form of Rex Sterling,” the actress continues. “Such a wonderful actor; he could play anything. He was also a very talented writer. He co-wrote The Deer Hunter, which I don’t think a lot of people know. He was responsible for the Russian roulette scene, which was pivotal to that incredible story. Thank you, Quinn, for all that you gave me, and all that you gave your audiences. Which, like all great actors, was everything you had. Rest peacefully, my dear friend.”

Michael Damian Remembers Quinn Redeker

“It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my Y&R dad Quinn (AKA., Rex Sterling) Redeker,” shares Damian. “He was always so very kind to me, all the cast and crew and brought so many wonderful memories to the screen with his heartfelt performances. Quinn, will be forever in our heart. With all my love and Godspeed.”

Redeker continued adding to his resume throughout the 2000s with roles on series such as CSI Miami, Godparents, The Michael Richards Show, and Harry’s Law. Additional films include Warpath, An American Reunion, Supernatural, Sweet Deadly Dreams, A Grandpa for Christmas, For Heaven’s Sake, Bound by a Secret, The Confessional, and Big Miracle.

Redeker’s other writing projects include 2 Birds with 1 Stallone, The Gospel of Lou, and Revoloution, which he also produced. Always an artist and theatrical, he was well-known at his local coffee shop, Aroma Cafe, in Studio City, California, for reading, writing, and engaging patrons in entertainment trivia while enjoying a cup of joe. In 2015, Redeker reunited with his DAYS pals at the show’s 50th anniversary party at the Palladium in Hollywood.

He is survived by his four children. Soap Hub sends its sincere condolences to all of his family, friends, and fans everywhere.