Stuart Damon, known by legions of fans as Dr. Alan Quartermaine on the soap opera General Hospital, died on June 29, 2021 at the age of 84.
Damon battled kidney failure in recent years, and that ultimately caused his death.
#BREAKING – Actor Stuart Damon, best known for playing Alan Quartermaine on @GeneralHospital has died at 84. He also played The Prince in the 1965 TV movie, “Cinderella.”
He’d been struggling with renal failure.
(📷 courtesy ABC, Cathy Blaivas & Craig Sjodin) pic.twitter.com/71s6PVMm6J— George Pennacchio (@abc7george) June 29, 2021
His son Christopher announced Damon’s death and added:
“He loved playing Alan and was always so appreciative of that role and that job. It was his passion.”
Here are three things to know about Damon’s legacy.
1. He Got His Start On Broadway
Damon was a Brooklyn native who broke into performing on Broadway.
He appeared in the 1965 version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Leslie Ann Warren.
Rest in Peace, Stuart Damon, seen here as "Prince Charming," alongside Leslie Ann Warren as she played "Cinderella" in the beloved 1965 Rodgers & Hammerstein TV production of the same name. pic.twitter.com/wUMECdFpd1
— Herbie J Pilato (@HerbieJPilato) June 30, 2021
Damon went on to appear in Do I Hear A Waltz that same year.
Theatre remained his focus as he moved to England and starred in Charlie Girl also in the mid-1960s.
Small television parts ensued, and the rest is history.
2. He Never Feared Being Typecast
Like his son said, Damon was thrilled and honored to be known as Dr. Alan Quartermaine.
He played the role for three decades even appearing on the show, in true soap opera fashion, after his character died in 2007.
Damon came back as a ghost appearing sporadically through the show’s 50th-anniversary episode on April 2, 2013.
He also appeared in the GH spinoff Port Charles from 1997-2003.
Damon earned seven Daytime Emmy nominations before finally winning the award in 1999.
He did not leave the genre as he also acted on As The World Turns and Days of Our Lives in later years.
3. Damon Had Other TV Roles
In the 1980s and 1990s, Damon did double duty with guest-starring roles on popular television shows like Fantasy Island, Hotel, The New Mike Hammer and Diagnosis Murder.
He had a big screen appearance during this time in Bob Fosse’s film Star 80.
Tributes
With a career as long as Damon’s, it was not surprising that his costars over the years took to social media to pay tribute to him.
Broken hearted to hear of the passing of Stuart Damon. He played my adopted dad on General Hospital for 7 years and he was the most kind, wonderful, loving, supportive person. He always made me laugh and made me feel safe on set. I love you, Stewy. Rest well now, my friend. pic.twitter.com/XY5mEfwezn
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) June 29, 2021
“It is with much sadness I heard of Stuart Damon’s passing. He brought a real steadiness to the Quartermaine family. I enjoyed my scenes with him. Rest easy my friend.”
We have shared so many good times over the years. God Bless #StuartDamon https://t.co/xcJSlZZdJL pic.twitter.com/NBEQ3mdGQp
— Jackie Zeman (@JackieZeman) June 30, 2021
His onscreen wife Leslie Charleson aka Monica Quartermaine said:
“We had a wonderful relationship. I was his ‘daytime wife’ and he went home to Deirdre, his forever wife, and we all had a wonderful relationship. He was not only a good actor but, as he was taller than me, I could just rest my head on his chest. That was nice. I’d lean up against him and say, ‘I could just take a nap right here.'”
And for the ultimate tribute, General Hospital plans an episode honoring Damon’s work on the show.
No air date has been announced for the episode yet.
Damon is survived by his wife of 60 years, Deidre, and two children.
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