Doug Sheehan, Knots Landing and General Hospital Actor, Dead at 75
Actor Doug Sheehan, best known to TV fans for his work on soap operas General Hospital and Knots Landing, has died. He was 75.
News of Sheehan’s death was made public by the Wyoming-based Kane Funeral Home, where memorial services are being arranged. Per the announcement, Sheehan passed away “peacefully at his home on Saturday morning, June 29, 2024, with his loving wife at his side.” A cause of death was not disclosed.
Sheehan’s first major TV role was that of lawyer Joe Kelly on ABC’s General Hospital, where he appeared from 1979 to 1982. He picked up a Daytime Emmy nomination (for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Daytime Drama Series) for his work on the soap. The following year, Sheehan joined the cast of CBS’ Dallas spinoff Knots Landing, arriving in Season 5 as journalist (and Val’s eventual second husband) Ben Gibson. Sheehan stayed on the show until Season 8, when Ben left for South America and never returned.
The actor also held memorable roles on NBC’s short-lived sitcom Day by Day (where he starred as stockbroker Brian Harper) and ABC/UPN’s series adaptation of Clueless (where he took over the role of Cher’s father, Mel Horowitz, from Michael Lerner after Season 1).
Other TV credits included episodes of Cheers, the original MacGyver, Columbo, Diagnosis Murder, What I Like About You and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
So terribly sorry to hear this news. I was fortunate to work with Doug on his NorCal market ABC PR tours when he was with GH. What a lovely person as is his wife, Kate. We attended their magical wedding and will always be grateful for his professionalism and kindness.
Rename bobbies back to Kelly’s
Are you kidding with this?? A comment like this on a death announcement is in pretty poor taste.
Like what?
One of my favorites….love him
Doug you were a great thespian and Friend may you RIP now on the sets of heaven
Always a joy to watch on TV. Was so authentic in his acting.
Yes. Doug was a real gentleman. He grew up in my hometown, and was very friendly and outgoing in person. Prayers for his family
I enjoyed Day By Day. And his bit on Cheers was the date of Diane’s who would instantly count how many words someone just spoke.
Sorry to hear this. I remember him from the sitcom “Day By Day.’ I don’t watch General Hospital.
Day By
Sorry to hear this.
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In my mind he still looks like he did on Knots Landing. So sad and deepest sympathies to his family, friends and fans. May he rest in peace.🕊
I loved him on GH way back in the day. I have hoped for awhile that they would bring Kellys back to Port Charles. The place could use some regular nice people instead of the mobsters, hit men, gangsters molls and crazy people.
He made some noise.So sorry for his family .
I found it interesting that he went by Douglas instead of Doug on KL (checked my memory on imdb)… I wonder why???
A filler character for Val until she went crazy…
He was great as Joe Kelly on General Hospital.
Loved him on both GH and KL. Very talented actor. RIP!