News
A Martinez Reveals Former SANTA BARBARA Castmate & Friend Dane Witherspoon Has Passed Away!
Courtesy/AMartinezFacebook
Sad news to report over the weekend from Daytime Emmy winner A Martinez (Ex-Cruz Castillo) regarding his former Santa Barbara cas mate and friend, Dane Witherspoon, who passed away at the age of 56.
Santa Barbara fans will remember that Dane Witherspoon played the original Joe Perkins on the NBC soap opera, but after a few months was let-go from the role and later was cast on CBS’ Capitol as Tyler McCandless. Dane met Robin Wright on Santa Barbara and the two of them were wed in 1986.
A Martinez shared the news on his facebook page offering these sentiments: “Dane passed this morning. People who watched Santa Barbara in its earliest days will remember him as Joe Perkins, a character to which he brought a quiet grace and deep, bittersweet sense of soul. He was a singular, standup guy, loved and admired by many. My first thought, upon meeting him in 1984: “This is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.” That beauty went all the way to his core. “How fragile we are,” to quote the poet. Dane was a most compelling man, and it must have been very hard on him to drift away from the path he first imagined. We’d do well to hold his kin in our thoughts, and imagine them finding a way to make the most of the lessons of his life.”
What do you think of A’s thoughts on the passing of Dane Witherspoon? Did you watch the great Santa Barbara during its run? Let us know!
News
Sean Kanan’s ‘Studio City’ Scores 13 Indie Series Award Nominations
Nominations were revealed on Wednesday for the upcoming 13th annual Indie Series Awards. Sean Kanan’s streaming series, Studio City received 13 nominations in various categories.
Studio City’s nominations are fo: Best Drama Series, Sean Kanan, Michel Kanan, and Timothy Woodward, Jr., producers; Best Director in a Drama Series, Timothy Woodward, Jr.; Best Writing in a Drama Series, Michele Kanan, Sean Kanan and Timothy Woodward, Jr., writers; Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Sean Kanan; Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Carolyn Hennesy; Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Tristan Rogers and Justin Torkildsen; Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Natalie Burn and Juliet Vega; Guest Performer in a Drama Series, Lilly Melgar; Best Ensemble in a Drama Series, Outstanding Cinematography in a Drama Series, Pablo Diaz, and Outstanding Editing in a Drama Series, Fady Jeanbart.
Courtesy/Studio City
In a statement on Studio City’s 13 nods, Sean Kanan shared: “I am overwhelmed and thankful that our show, which I refer to as the little-engine that could series, has received such support from the Indie Series Awards. Our second season was a collaborative effort of creativity, love of our content, and hard work. We look forward to creating more entertaining series in the future.”
Studio City tells the dramatic and comedic story of Sam Stevens (played by Kanan), a long-time soap opera actor starring in the number two most-watched daytime drama, “Hearts on Fire” as he struggles to keep his top spot on the show, break out of soaps into feature films, and deal with his own complicated life which includes a few dark secrets concerning his past, including an aging step-father, the twisted truth of his paternity, and a daughter that he never knew existed. Season two consists of six episodes and is available on Amazon Prime.
For the complete list of this year’s Indie Series Award nominations, check them out here. The Indie Series Awards ceremony will be on Wednesday, April 12th in Burbank, California at The Colony Theatre in Burbank.
What do you think of the nominees from Studio City for the ISA Awards? Let us know in the comment section below.
All My Children
Kelly Ripa Launches Podcast on SiriusXM
General Hospital
Adam Huss Back to GH as Nikolas Cassadine
With Marcus Coloma’s last appearance as Nikolas Cassadine on last week’s January 26th episode of General Hospital, the soap opera brought back Adam Huss to finish out the dark prince’s storyline.
According to Soaps.com. Huss aired today on the January 31st episode of the ABC daytime drama series and will finish out the scenes that were written to be portrayed by Coloma.
Adam previously subbed for Coloma back in September 2021 and again in November 2022.
Courtesy/ABC
After it was announced that Coloma was leaving GH, the network and the series agreed that it would be best that Marcus did come in to tape his last episodes since he was recovering from Covid-19 at the time. Thus, we are seeing those episodes featuring Huss now airing in early February.
So, glad to see Adam back to wrap Nikolas’ current storyline? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Sean Kanan’s ‘Studio City’ Scores 13 Indie Series Award Nominations
Kelly Ripa Launches Podcast on SiriusXM
Adam Huss Back to GH as Nikolas Cassadine
Jessica Collins Series ‘Acapulco’ Renewed for Season 3
ATWT Alum and ‘The Addams Family’ Favorite, Lisa Loring Dead at 64
General Hospital Alum Annie Wersching Dead at 45
Michael B. Jordan Recalls His Acting Start as All My Children’s Reggie in SNL Opening Monologue
WWE Royal Rumble: Sami Zayn Turns on the Bloodline, Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley to Wrestlemania
Chrishell Stause Makes a Return to Days of our Lives
Zach Tinker Joins the Cast of CBS ‘Fire Country’
Adam Huss Back to GH as Nikolas Cassadine
General Hospital Alum Annie Wersching Dead at 45
Chrishell Stause Makes a Return to Days of our Lives
Y&R’s Tracey Bregman Receives Replacement Daytime Emmy from Christian LeBlanc on ‘The Talk’
TODAY: Tracey Bregman Visits ‘The Talk’ to Discuss Her 40th Anniversary With Y&R; Standalone Episode Airs Tomorrow
Zach Tinker Joins the Cast of CBS ‘Fire Country’
Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes OUT at ABC and ‘GMA3’
NBC Celebrates Carol Burnett’s 90th Birthday with Retrospective Special Featuring Susan Lucci and More Celebrity Guests
Michael B. Jordan Recalls His Acting Start as All My Children’s Reggie in SNL Opening Monologue
Y&R 50th Anniversary Cast Photo Revealed
General Hospital Alum Annie Wersching Dead at 45
Michael B. Jordan Recalls His Acting Start as All My Children’s Reggie in SNL Opening Monologue
Chrishell Stause Makes a Return to Days of our Lives
NBC Celebrates Carol Burnett’s 90th Birthday with Retrospective Special Featuring Susan Lucci and More Celebrity Guests
TODAY: Tracey Bregman Visits ‘The Talk’ to Discuss Her 40th Anniversary With Y&R; Standalone Episode Airs Tomorrow
Kelly Thiebaud Opens Up on Her Exit from General Hospital, Taping Britt’s Tragic Death Scenes, and Parting Thoughts on Co-Stars
Johnny Wactor Featured in Music Video Short Film ‘There to Catch Me’ by the Nashvillains
‘Ryan’s Hope’ Favorite Michael Levin Dead at 90
General Hospital to Celebrate 60th Anniversary with the Nurses’ Ball, Stage Dedication, and Jane Elliot to Return
Y&R Alum and S.W.A.T. Star Shemar Moore to Become a Dad for the First Time
-
General HospitalJanuary 31, 2023Adam Huss Back to GH as Nikolas Cassadine
-
General HospitalJanuary 29, 2023General Hospital Alum Annie Wersching Dead at 45
-
Days Of Our LivesJanuary 27, 2023Chrishell Stause Makes a Return to Days of our Lives
-
NewsJanuary 25, 2023Y&R’s Tracey Bregman Receives Replacement Daytime Emmy from Christian LeBlanc on ‘The Talk’
-
NewsJanuary 24, 2023TODAY: Tracey Bregman Visits ‘The Talk’ to Discuss Her 40th Anniversary With Y&R; Standalone Episode Airs Tomorrow
-
Days Of Our LivesJanuary 27, 2023Zach Tinker Joins the Cast of CBS ‘Fire Country’
-
Breaking NewsJanuary 27, 2023Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes OUT at ABC and ‘GMA3’
-
All My ChildrenJanuary 26, 2023NBC Celebrates Carol Burnett’s 90th Birthday with Retrospective Special Featuring Susan Lucci and More Celebrity Guests
Of course it was sad news whether one knows him or not…that was a terrible question to ask!!! Yes, i watched Santa Barbara and this was a soap i really miss. I remember Dane in the role and didnt like it when replaced by Mark Arnold but the latter did grow on me when time passed!!! How much i miss Gina, Mason, Eden and Cruz and the rest!!! One of the few soaps that didnt deserve cancellation…sure the ratings were low and the final year wasnt great but it still remains one of my favorite serials of all time!!!
LOL Jim…I thought the exact same thing about the question! Looks like the questions has been delicately reframed…
I see it was changed…
How Did he die? Very sad to hear this. I remembered him on Santa Barbara.
Beautiful words, those of a true friend
Santa Barbara was my very first soap, one i watched from the very first episode. i remember the opening scene, with Dane Witherspoon doing pull-ups in prison before he’s released. I had no idea of how soaps worked and I couldn’t understand why suddenly there was someone else playing him. There’s a piece of my childhood that dies with him. It sounds like he didn’t have a happy life, for that, even more than for the sadness with which my memories of him will now be tinged, I am unspeakably sad.
I watched Santa Barbara from the beginning but I stopped once Marcy Walker left the show. I remember Dane Witherspoon very well from that first year and IA with A Martinez, he was a beautiful guy. He and Robin Wright had phenomenal chemistry. I’m very sorry to hear he’s passed away, but I was happy to hear that A Martinez kept in touch with him over all these years. It’s great to hear that Santa Barbara started a long friendship like that. I also watched Mr. Witherspoon on Capitol. He was a talented, good looking guy, and I was a… Read more »
A’s words are beautiful.
Very sad.
Was Jennifer Reeves on the show when he played Joe?
I think you mean Melissa Reeves and yes, like DW, she was an original cast member of SB.
Yes! Melissa Reeves originated the role of Jade Perkins.
Yes, she (Melissa Reeves) originated the part of his little sister, Jade Perkins, when she was still Melissa Brennan. I don’t think they shared many scenes together because they sent her character off to Hollywood along with Danny Andrade around the time that Dane was playing Joe.
I cant remember if she was on when he was there but i remember her as Jade!!!
Oops, I meant Melissa Reeves. Was combining her Days’ character name with her name. 🙂
I remember her as Jade too, but don’t remember her being on too long before she popped up in Salem.
I do not remember him on Santa. Barbara but I do have memories of him from Capitol because like A. Martinez said he was stunning, His looks as well as his talents, left a impression on viewers. I am sad to hear he passed away so young, I hope he did not suffer.
Rest In Peace, Dane Witherspoon! Bless You! 😐
Such sad news…Dane Witherspoon was a prime and appealing example of those handsome All-American-type leading men that were so emblematic of the 1980’s Golden Age of Soaps (along with Jack Wagner, Grant Show, Charles (Flohe) Grant, Clayton Norcross, John Allen Nelson, etc…..) Today’s so-called daytime male “stars” cannot hold a candle to any of them!!!!! That being said, I still recall to this day “Santa Barbara’s” excellent usage of “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again” as the soundtrack to the Joe Perkins/Kelly Capwell love story, and along with other posters here, I was not pleased with the “JP” recasting,… Read more »
Totally agree Shay miss those gorgeous guys!
I know what you mean, k/kay…sigh!!!!! By the way, wanted to tell you I appreciated your comments on Rebecca Herbst from a previous post of a few days back. I also tend to take note of those with an obvious respect for healthy, disciplined living…and her appearance definitely bespeaks of those qualities! Not only is she in phenomenal shape, but her porcelain perfection is simply stunning. : )
That is sad. I was just little when Santa Barbara came on and couldnt fully appreciate it then but have re-watched it much since and what an awesome show it was. Joe and Kelly had a breathtaking chemistry. It still boggles my mind that the show recast Dane and then killed Joe off. I think that was the first of many big mistakes that the show made that contributed to its cancellation. But I could write blogs and blogs about that show. It is sad about Dane. Does anyone know how he died? And I knew him and Robin were… Read more »
Robin Wright and he were married for about two or three years. I will never understand why they replaced him he was perfect but SB had probably the most recasts of characters of any soap.
And I will NEVER understand how one could go from “Joe Perkins” to “Jeff Spicoli!”
@ Shay you threw me off there for a minute yes Mr. Penn was a down grade I will never understand that one!
♥ A Martinez always a class act and a true friend. Santa Barbara was great loved Cruz & Eden! Very sad news especially being so young!