Doug Sheehan, an actor recognized for his performances in “General Hospital” and “Knots Landing,” passed away on June 29 at his residence in Big Horn, Wyoming at age 75. His wife was present at his side. The announcement was made public by Kane Funeral Home. The cause of his death is yet to be disclosed.
Sheehan, born on April 27, 1949, in Santa Monica, California, started his television career with a guest appearance in a 1978 episode of “Charlie’s Angels.” His major breakthrough came with his portrayal of lawyer Joe Kelly on the soap opera “General Hospital,” where he was featured in 205 episodes between 1979 and 1982. His exceptional performance on “General Hospital” earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Daytime Drama Series.
Following his success on “General Hospital,” Sheehan took on a significant role in the CBS series “Knots Landing,” a “Dallas” spinoff. From 1983 to 1988, he played the character of reporter Ben Gibson in over 100 episodes. His character exited the show in its eighth season, departing for South America with no hint of a return.
In a 1989 interview on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” Sheehan spoke about the challenges of working in the Hollywood industry, specifically the influence of casting directors. He stated, “Hollywood, as we all know, is not run by the producers, it’s run by casting directors. Casting directors never watch what you’re on…so I’ve spent my whole time sort of breaking down the walls, with the daytime, the nighttime, and half-hour comedy. They don’t know if I can do full-hour comedy yet, so I have to break through.”
Although Sheehan is largely known for his television roles, he also had parts in three movies: “10” in 1979, “Victor/Victoria” in 1982, and “Cops n Roberts” in 1995.
In the 1990s, Sheehan portrayed Cher’s father, Mel Horowitz, in the television adaptation of the film “Clueless.” He also had a starring role in the comedy “Day by Day,” a creation of Andy Borowitz and Gary David Goldberg, which was broadcast on NBC for two seasons from 1988 to 1989. Additionally, he made guest appearances on various TV shows, such as “Cheers,” “Columbo,” “MacGyver,” and “Diagnosis Murder.”
The last of Sheehan’s screen appearances came in 2003 in the shows “What I Like About You” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” in which he played the role of Sabrina’s father, Edward Gibson.
Sheehan was married to Cate Abert from 1981 until his passing. His long-lasting contribution to the field of television, which spanned various decades and genres, is a testament to his dedication and adaptability as an actor.
