Soap Veteran and Daytime Emmy-Winner Henry Darrow Dies At Age 87

Henry Darrow, who won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 1990 for his role as Rafael Castillo on Santa Barbara, has passed away at the age of 87. The actor’s prolific career began in 1959 playing a guard in the Western series Cimarron City.

Henry Darrow — A Life Well Lived

The actor, born Enrique Tomás Delgado Jiménez in New York City, passed away on Sunday, March 14 of natural causes at his home in Wilmington, North Carolina, according to his former publicist Michael B. Druxman.

“Henry Darrow crossed over yesterday,” noted A Martinez, who played Cruz, Darrow’s TV son on Santa Barbara. “The strength of his work as ‘Manolito’ on High Chaparral captured the hearts of so many around the world. I was among the millions who fell in love with the dude –– irresistible as a role model –– and later, when we met and became friends, Henry mentored me.

“We worked together in six projects over the years, including three where I played his son,” adds Martinez adds, noting that Darrow was only 15 years his senior, but “with his chops, it always worked. I won my Emmy in 1990 largely on the strength of an episode of Santa Barbara where the two of us confronted one another –– a father seeking to save his edge of suicidal son –– with mesmerizing rage and tenderness in scenes set in the desert. It’s my recollection that Henry also won that year.” (Editor’s note: he did!)

“Couple of takeaways from our friendship: (1) Don’t be an [expletive] on the set. His scalding stories of actors who had crossed him were legend. (2) He was as generous to me as any good father would be. He came to me one day in Texas as we prepped to play dad and son on ‘Seguin,’ for American Playhouse. ‘I have a gift for you, but you have to give it back when we’re done,’ he said, and then placed a gorgeous, exquisitely finished, formal leather jacket in my hands.

“It fit me like a glove, and was a great asset in defining my character’s upwardly trending possibilities (Juan Seguin would eventually become the mayor of San Antonio),” Martinez adds. “Mr. Darrow was a pro’s pro –– a credit to the profession –– and he was also a wonderful man. A career like this one does not happen by accident.”

Darrow’s primetime credits include appearances on The Golden Girls, T.J. Hooker, Magnum, P.I., Dallas, and Dynasty. He appeared in 14 episodes of the crime drama Harry O, starring David Jansen, as Lt. Manuel “Manny” Quinlan. Darrow also guest-starred in nine episodes of The New Dick Van Dyke Show, playing the character Alex Montenez.

Santa Barbara wasn’t Darrow’s only daytime serial. He recurred as Dr. Carlos Nunez on The Bold and the Beautiful. His patients included Antonio Dominguez (Paulo Benedeti), who was diagnosed with HIV. Darrow played two different roles on General Hospital. First, in 1982, he appeared as Ambassador Tabris in 1982; five years later, he guested on the ABC serial as a DVX-backed Colonel.

Darrow is survived by his second wife, Lauren, a daughter Denise and a brother Dennis. Soap Hub sends sincere condolences to Darrow’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.