General Hospital And Ryan’s Hope Actor Ron Hale Dies At 78

General Hospital and Ryan’s Hope alum Ron Hale Thigpen has died. The actor, who portrayed Mike Corbin, Sonny Corinthos’ father, was 78 years old when he passed. The Daytime Emmy nominated actor also portrayed Dr. Roger Coleridge on RH.

Rest In Peace

According to an obituary, Hale passed away on August 27, 2024, and lived in St. George. “Ronald was born on January 2, 1946, in Grand Rapids, Michigan a son of the late James Ray Thigpen, Sr. and Elinor Jane Doerr Thigpen. He attended Furman University and was an actor of stage, television and movies. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild. He appeared in many plays with Columbia’s Trustus Theatre which was started by his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Kay Thigpen. He also starred in soap operas, Ryan’s Hope as Dr. Rodger Coleridge and on General Hospital as Mike Corbin,” read the obit.

“Surviving are his nieces and nephews, Lori Brown (Janet Brabham), Max Brabham, Erin Wilson (Laurens) and, Marc Brown (Betsy).”

GH shared a post from its official Instagram account. “The entire General Hospital Family is saddened to hear of Ron Hale’s passing. We would like to extend our condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time. He was an incredible actor and an unforgettable colleague. May he rest in peace.”

Billy Warlock (AJ, GH; Frankie, Days of our Lives; Ben Hollander, The Young and the Restless; Anthony Blackthorn, As the World Turns; Ross Rayburn, One Life to Live) shared his condolences on X, writing, “It’s with a heavy heart that we’ve lost another great one. My dear friend Ron Hale has passed away. Ron was an amazing talent and an even better friend. I will miss you.”

Jon Lidstrom (Ryan Chamberlain) posted on X. “My deep condolences Billy. I loved the guy. He was one I could count on to show up for a High Lonesome show or some other appearance. Always supportive. My fave memory was sitting w/ him on a LA/NY flight w/ Richard Simmons in front of us. Yep, we all had a blast! R.I.P. #RonHale”

Career

Hale appeared on GH in more than 200 episodes between 1995 and 2010 as Sonny’s (Maurice Benard). He also appeared on the GH spinoff, Port Charles, from 1997 to 2000. Actor Max Gail took on the role of Mike on GH in 2018. On the show, the character died on September 17, 2020.

Among Hale’s other acting credits are TV series like Search for Tomorrow, Matlock, and MacGyver to name just a few. He also portrayed Frank Sturgis in the 1976 film All the President’s Men.

Soap Hub sends its deepest condolences to Ron Hale’s family, friends, former co-stars, and fans during this difficult time.