Daytime Stars Pay Tribute to Late OLTL and GL Star Jerry verDorn

Tributes continue to pour in for the late Jerry verDorn, a veteran of One Life to Live and Guiding Light. The two-time Daytime Emmy-winner passed away on May 1 and the daytime community is sharing memories of the beloved star.

Jerry verDorn – In Memoriam

The actor played Clint Buchanan on OLTL from 2005 until the show’s 2012 finale and he reprised this part on the short-lived Online Network revival of the ABC serial. Clint was father to both Natalie (Melissa Archer) and Jessica (Bree Williamson).

“I’m heartbroken to hear of Jerry verDorn’s passing,” Archer posted on Instagram. “I have so many wonderful things to say about this man, but I’ll try to keep it brief. I had the honor of playing his daughter on OLTL. He was genuine from start to finish. A giving actor, a caring coworker, funny, talented, and full of smiles.

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“When he took over the role of Clint, it was seamless,” Archer adds. “It felt as though he’d always been there and he formed family bonds with all of us quickly. His family are in my thoughts and prayers.”

Williamson shared on social media: “I am devastated to hear about the death of Jerry. He was a wonderful man and I am so grateful for the time that I spent with him as my TV father. He was a talented and generous actor and a kind and gentle man. He made it effortless for me to feel close to him and to love him like a dad. I enjoyed everyday I was lucky enough to spend with him and I will hold those memories of him in my heart and mind forever.”

“I was very sad to learn about the passing of my friend and all around great guy, Jerry verDorn (Clint #OLTL),” Frank Valentini, General Hospital, executive producer, and former OLTL, showrunner, posted on Twitter. “On behalf of everyone here at #GH, we send our heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.”

Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn, GH) played opposite verDorn on OLTL when her character Kimberly and verDorn’s Clint were married. “I am so very sorry to hear this news,” Setton says. “I was so fortunate to have worked with Jerry early in my career. I learned so much from him. I remember we would often run lines in his dressing room, classical music playing and all. His preparation and commitment to his craft was inspiring. He was an incredible actor, the consummate professional; prepared, present, supportive, and kind. He treated everyone with such respect and admiration. We have lost someone special. I am holding his family in my thoughts and prayers. “

The Consummate Professional

Kim Zimmer worked on the same show as verDorn twice — as GL’s Reva and OLTL’s Echo. “Oh Jerry, I hope you’re surrounded by all those who have passed before you, so they can have the pleasure of listening to you tell a story!” the four-time Daytime Emmy-winner posted on Facebook. “It was always difficult to try to crack Jerry up because he was a consummate professional. But, on the rare occasion that he did ‘lose it’…oh boy, what a treat!

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“We have sons about the same age and loved swapping [stories] of our boys,” Zimmer continued. “Dearest Beth, you were not only a wife but you could see that the two of you were best friends. Jerry will be missed by so many! I love ya, doll! RIP. Sending strength and love to Beth, Peter and Jake.”

“Jerry VerDorn has graduated to Heaven,” posted Catherine Hickland (Lindsay, OLTL). “What a wonderful man, so very funny, so very talented, and most important, so very kind. I am sad he left us so early, my thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family, who I’m sure are devastated…God Speed Jerry.”

Guiding Light’s Golden Age

Denise Pence Boockvor played Katie Parker on GL during the time verDorn was in Springfield as Ross. “I’m still wrapping my head around it all,” the actress posted on Linkedin. “We were the ‘old guard’ of Guiding Light when it was an intimate, ‘family,’ 1/2 hour series…CBS/P&G’s little engine that could, that little half-hour show won Best Show for the first time when my character, ‘Katie’ was considered a ‘major/minor.’ Not married to a main family, but still considered an important piece of the fabric that made us so special. Jerry was a big part of that also.”

Jerry verDorn’s Last Role

The actor’s last credit was an appearance on the web series Venice, which stars GL alumn Crystal Chappell (Olivia). GL actor Michael O’Leary (Rick) talked about his experience working with verDorn on Venice here. As a tribute to the actor, Venice is making Season 6 of the series, in which verDorn appears, free to all through Sunday, May 8. Click here for more info on how to see verDorn in his final acting role on Vimeo.

Remembering Ross — and Jerry

“Terribly saddened to hear the news of Jerry’s passing,” former GL castmate Vincent Irizarry (Lujack/Nick) told Soap Hub. “He was a dear dear man and he will surely be greatly missed.“

Revered scribe Patrick Mulcahey wrote for GL during two different eras including one in the early 1990s when he scripted a special Ross-centric episode. “So sad to hear of Jerry verDorn’s passing,” Mulcahey tweeted. “What a fine actor and a good guy. He never stopped thanking me for a special GL episode I wrote for him (Ross’s Election Day dream), but I loved his work way back when Ross was with Vanessa [Maeve Kinkead], then Carrie [Jane Elliot], and then later, with Blake [Sherry Stringfield; Liz Keifer]…

“He and Peter Simon [Ed] played best friends beautifully — abiding male friendships are rare on soaps — and he had crazy deep chemistry with all his leading ladies,” Mulcahey adds. “Writing Blake and Ross was about as much fun as a writer could have and those scenes always aired so deliciously…Many thanks, sir, for all you offered us, the humor, the depth, the stuffiness and vanity too, which you knew was there in all of us. Sorry you had to leave us in apple blossom time. Sorry you had to leave us at all.”