Veteran Soap Star Donnelly Rhodes Dies At 80

Charismatic Canadian actor Donnelly Rhodes, who brought the character of Phillip Chancellor II to life on The Young and the Restless (YR), passed away Monday at the age of 80.

While Rhodes was only on Y&R for the first three years of the show, his triangle with wife Kay (Jeanne Cooper) and sexy young mistress Jill (then Brenda Dickson) fueled story until Cooper’s death — and beyond when a letter from Kay was later found.

When asked about Rhodes in an interview with Michael Fairman, Cooper recounted the following story:

“He was self-assured, nice and cocky, and a very talented actor. I spent some time with Donnelly. I had an affair with him, too. I always say, don’t do things where you work…”

Rhodes had a long successful career that included starring as Dutch on the primetime sitcom and soap opera spoof Soap. He also appeared on Da Vinci’s Inquest and from there he was cast on the cult classic reboot of Battlestar Galactica.

In addition to those roles, he did numerous episodic work on shows including Smallville, Supernatural, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow.

According to a press release from talent agency Northern Exposure, Rhodes died at the Baillie House Hospice in British Columbia after a battle with cancer. The actor is survived by his wife, Sarah, and one son.

Soap Hub wishes Rhoades’ family and friends the sincerest condolences.