‘General Hospital’ star Stuart Damon dead at 84

Actor Stuart Damon, who played fan-favorite Dr. Alan Quartermaine on “General Hospital” for more than three decades, has died, the show’s executive director announced. He was 84.

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Damon played Quartermaine in 379 episodes of the afternoon soap opera from 1977 to 2013, according to IMDb.com.

Damon’s death was confirmed by “General Hospital” executive producer Frank Valentini in a tweet Tuesday, writing, “On behalf of everyone at #GH, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Stuart Damon’s family and all who loved him. Stuart was an absolute legend of our industry and he’ll be sorely missed.”

Damon had been struggling with renal failure, KABC reporter George Pennacchio wrote in a Facebook post, quoting the actor’s son, Christopher Damon.

“It was his favorite place to be. He loved playing Alan and was always so appreciative of that role and that job,” Pennacchio wrote. “It was his passion.”

Stuart Damon began his career on Broadway but shot to fame with his portrayal of the prince opposite Lesley Ann Warren in the 1965 musical production of “Cinderella,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

After working in London for more than a decade, Damon joined “General Hospital” in 1977, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He arrived in fictional Port Charles to assist Dr. Steve Hardy (played by John Beradino) to raise money for a new hospital wing.

As Quartermaine, Damon became a fixture in the series, wedding Dr. Monica Webber (Leslie Charleson) in 1978.

Damon was nominated for six Daytime Emmys and won the award in 1999 for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series.

In addition to “General Hospital,” Damon appeared in the show’s spinoff series, “Port Charles,” Variety reported. Although the character died in 2007, Quartermaine came back as a ghost, Entertainment Weekly reported.

Damon also appeared in other soaps, joining “Days of Our Lives” as Gov. Jim Ford and “As the World Turns” as Ralph Manzo, according to IMDb.com. His other TV credits include “Fantasy Island,” “Naked City,” “Hotel” and “Yanks Go Home,” Variety reported.

Damon was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Feb. 5, 1937, and graduated from Brandeis University in 1958, Variety reported. Damon is survived by his wife, Deirdre Ottewill, who he was married to for 60 years, and their two children.

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