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Donnelly Rhodes, Y&R’s Phillip Chancellor II, Passes Away At 80

By Michael Fairman

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Alley Mills decided to use her cupcakes as headphones or earmuffs!

Courtesy/VancouverSun

Sad news to report on the passing of former The Young and the Restless star, Donnelly Rhodes.

The Canadian-born Rhodes, who played the original Phillip Chancellor II from 1974-1975,  and was involved in one of the classic Y&R triangles between his wife, Katherine Chancellor (the late Jeanne Cooper) and Jill Foster (Brenda Dickson), passed away at age 80 from cancer.  Rhodes died  at the Baillie House Hospice in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, according to talent agency Northern Exposure.

After leaving Y&R, when Phillip was “killed-off”, which set the stage for the long, and enduring feud for decades between Katherine and Jill, Rhodes went on to star on the primetime series and spoof, Soap as the dim-witted Dutch.

In Jeanne Cooper’s interview with On-Air On-Soaps back in 2012, when asked about working with Rhodes, she responded:  “He was self-assured, nice and cocky, and a very talented actor.  I spent some time with Donnelly.  I had an affair with him, too. (Laughs)  I always say, don’t do things where you work.”

With a career that included over a 100 film and TV roles some of Donnelly’s other most notable roles included parts on: Battlestar Galactica Report to MurphyHill Street Blues, The Flash, The X-Files, Double Trouble, Canada’s Danger Bay and Da Vinci’s Inquest.

Watch a classic clip from Y&R after the jump when Phillip asks Katherine for a divorce.  Then share your thoughts and condolences on the passing of Donnelly Rhodes in the comment section below.

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I fondly remember the trio of Kay,Phillip and Jill Foster…..the “early years of Y&R”.The Foster’s and Brooks,also Lance Prentice (John McCook..Eric Forester).Written by William J.Bell.

I remember him as a caterer on the Golden Girls! He was of course, had by that show’s “Welcome Wagon”, the one and only Blanche Deveraux!!

YES! That is where I remember him from, The Golden Girls-still love that show!

I loved Donnelly Rhodes. I remember him in so many great and varied roles. Thank you Mr. Rhodes for sharing your wonderful talent with all of us. Rest in peace.

Classic soap! Mr. Rhodes enjoyed a long career, working with some great people. How wonderful we remember this talented man and his role on this iconic drama and ever affecting storyline. It still resonates.

Will never forget the scene when Jill walked into Phillip’s empty hospital room & was told he had died. Many memorable scenes between Katherine, Phillip & Jill. Sympathy to Donnelly’s family.

Oh Debbie, yes! So many wonderful memories of the 1970s years came flooding back with this sad news. I used to watch back then before going to high school classes (we had split schedules). I became a big fan of Jeanne Cooper/Mrs. C in her scenes with Philip and Jill. Mr. Rhodes also gave a sweet, memorable performance in an episode of THE GOLDEN GIRLS opposite wonderful Rue McClanahan in the mid-late 80s. Many condolences to his family.

One of my all-time favorite shows, The Golden Girls! I still watch it, never gets old!

Oh, how I loved Phillip on Y&R. Don’t think I ever forgave Jill, for taking him away from Katherine. I liked D.R on the nighttime SOAP too, with Billy Chrystal, etc.
Is it just me, or did he resemble our own Michael Fair man?

I so remember this watching this with my mom…I so miss these days of Y&R, long dramatic scenes and great drama/story lines…My mom loved Phillip Chancellor…So sad to continue to hear of losing these wonderful people like Donnelly, Jeanne Cooper then Beau Kazer died about a year of so after Jeanne…I loved Y&R from the beginning till 2006…RIP Donnelly, you will be missed and prayers for Donnelly’s family…

He was so handsome.

I know who he portrayed, but never watched him….before my time. But, I do enjoy watching the reruns of the sitcom SOAP, where Rhodes played the part of ex-con Dutch…..
RIP.

Hah….”Soap!” That is where I first encountered Mr. Rhodes, too, CeeCee! I was amazed when I discovered the actor who portrayed the thick ex-con Dutch had also played the late Phillip Chancellor who had been long dead by the time I started watching Y&R in the ‘80’s. At least it put a handsome face to the character when Jill and Katherine went umpteen rounds over her departed husband!

Hey Celia! And @Shay!

Soap was a great show, wasn’t it? Unless I am mistaken, it was the first role for Billy Crystal, too. Katherine Helmond, Richard Mulligan, Robert Guillaume, and Cathryn Damon were also great in it.

Hey, James,
You can catch SOAP on ANTTV—– you need to check your availability, depending upon your location…..
Love the show, and also, BENSON, where, the housekeeper, Olga? sounds just like Dr. O.
That show went to many ‘places’, which was , at the time, as outrageous as Elvis’ swinging hips, I read….LOL.
I think it must have been the first audacious program to dare tackle a gay storyline ( Billy Crystal).

James…oh, yes…Soap was DEFINITELY a great show!!!!! I found it to be TOTALLY LOL HILARIOUS!!!!! Classic example: Remember when that Burt Impostor took the Real Burt’s place??? L-O-L!!!!!

Later, Brother.

Thank you, Celia! I will check it out! 🙂

Liked him on Soap….

Don’t remember just a kid but I thought he was on longer but what a shame the Chancellor Mansion a joke and nobody left to go on with the legacy they screwed up!

Mail Young you are now making a joke out of Alzheimer’s you live supposedly what our family is living thru it is not a joke!!! You can’t let them out if your sight for one second yet Jack and the rest let Dina take taxis whatever no control what a bloody joke shame on you!

Mal excuse me

You are so right, Kay…..this is not a true, fair depiction of a person afflicted with the disease.
I think many people know someone or, of someone in this predicament.
My friend’s grandmother ( in her early eighties) displays very concerning actions—so, yes, these poor, poor souls need twenty-four hour surveillance.
These writers, it seems, have made a joke out of Dina’s illness. I did not find blowing kisses in the courtroom, by Graham and Dina, particularly ‘funny’ or ‘cute’.
Well, now we know….or do we, these two are married?
Timmm has said it. Graham had the trump card all this time? Is that a fake, also? A forgery?
Another ridiculous ‘incident’ was Ashley and Traci going through, possibly, thousands od papers/ documents to find something which would, somehow, discredit Graham. Are we in first grade, here??
In what universe is that humanly possible? Only two people looking for a needle in a haystack.
Let’s take this heartbreaking illness seriously….enough with the courtroom shenanigans…..jester and all.

Sad news, indeed. Each time I read about the death of one of the original cast members, I grieve. I hope he had a very fulfilling life after his works on the aforementioned shows.

Rest in peace, Mr. Rhodes…

The scene is illustrative of the brilliance of both actors. Jeanne Cooper was knocking it out of the park even back in 1975!

Actually, Mr. Rhodes replaced actor John Considine in the role of Phillip Chancellor II.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Head Writers Spill Some Summer Tea and Preview What’s Next for Jason, Anna, Cassius and Carly

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This summer, Port Charles is set to sizzle with major returns, the culmination (or is it?) of the Sidwell/Cullum cold fusion story, the introduction of “Z” and so much more.

General Hospital Daytime Emmy Award-winning co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten served up the tea in a preview of what’s to come in the next few months to Soap Opera Digest as they discussed the main characters and stories that have viewers tuning-in.

First, on everyone’s minds is the imminent returns of Daytime Emmy winners and enduring fan favorites, Steve Burton (Jason) and Finola Hughes (Anna). According to Korte and Van Etten, the Jason we see next has changed, but is it for the better? Jason left the canvas in early March after being taken into custody by the WSB for allegedly shooting director, Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), when he actually covered for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) .

Courtesy/ABC

JASON HAS A NEW OUTLOOK

What we do know is Steve Burton first returns on the upcoming July 13th episode which is the soap’s 16,000th episode. In the story, the co-head scribes elaborate, “His (Jason’s) imprisonment has had a profound effect on his outlook, and how he intends to conduct the rest of his life. His decision will have big implications for Danny (Asher Antonyzyn), Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), the Quartermaines, Anna and especially Sonny (Maurice Benard).

ANNA FACES THE EFFECTS OF BEING GASLIGHTED

When Finola Hughes is first seen and back in action as Anna Devane, it’s a slippery slope for her, because for months, she has been locked up (and off-camera) in some mental clinic in France, after being gaslighted and drugged by Sidwell/Cullum and company. However, she has the intel on Cassius (Ryan Paevey)!

According to Korte and Van Etten, “We’ll begin to see the long-term effects of her imprisonment and gaslighting at Cullum’s hands. Any happy reunions with friends and family are colored by counsel from a less-than-reliable source. We’ll see echoes of Anna’s earliest incarnation as she returns to Port Charles with deadly intentions.”

Courtesy/ABC

CASSIUS GIG AS ‘NATHAN’ EXPIRES

Speaking of Cassius, the truth of his duplicity will come to light after posing as his twin brother, “Nathan” for months. The GH head writers share, “Cassius risks a clean getaway to say goodbye. Cassius’s life as Nathan comes crashing down, and we’ll learn whether his masquerade has changed him for the better. But in the end, his legacy will not be determined so much by his own decisions but by the choice of someone he leaves behind.” Is this the end of the line for Cassius, for now?

Then, GH has began to tease that WSB director and double agent, Ross Cullum has a superior known as Z.  Who will play Z?  Could Z be just as despicable or even more so than Cullum? Carly (Laura Wright) is on her way to do battle with the higher-up, as her feelings for Valentin (James Patrick Stuart), who has to sacrifice himself and his freedom to save everyone else, has grown.

Courtesy/ABC

CARLY AND Z

According to Elizabeth and Chris, “Carly takes it upon herself to save Josslyn not only from Cullum, but from the WSB itself – which means going head-to-head with the formidable Z. Carly means to get revenge on Brennan (Chris McKenna) for luring Josslyn (Eden McCoy) into the WSB. Any future with Valentin is at the mercy of the WSB… as well as the multitude of people back in Port Charles who can’t stand Valentin… and one who can – Anna Devane.”

And from the sounds of it, Britt when back at Port Charles and at her job at GH, will cross paths with newcomer Dr. Tristan Roberts (the incoming Dean Geyer) who doesn’t seem to be so keen on her (or is he?). Korte and Van Etten add, “It’s when Britt finds a new low that she receives a kind look from a lost love.” Is that Jason?

So, from what we previewed above, what are you most looking forward to this summer on GH? The return of Jason? The return of Anna? Sidwell and Cassius getting their comeuppance? Carly coming face to face with Z? What happens with Britt or something else? Let us know via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Jequan Jackson and Robert Gossett Set for Return to ‘General Hospital’

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This summer will be a busy one in Port Charles with newcomers and longtime favorites returning to the canvas in July. According to Soap Opera Digest, now you can add two more names to that list when two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Robert Gossett (Marshall Ashford) and Jequan Jackson (Quinn).

As GH viewers know, Jequan Jackson was introduced as Quinn back in November of 2024, who was Kai’s (Jens Austin Astrup) PCU football teammate. In real-life, Mark Teschner (casting director, GH) and the soap’s producers auditioned Jackson for the role of Kai, but then cast him as Quinn instead.

The last time anyone saw or heard from the character was back in February of 2025 after he went in on Trina (Tabyana Ali), blaming her for his football career-ending injury that he sustained. Quinn believed it was because of her, and Kai not being focused on just being the star football player that he was, which led to the injury.

Photo: ABC

CAN MARSHALL TALK SOME SENSE INTO CURTIS?

Robert Gossett will be heading back on-screen as Marshall just in time as his son, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is need of some council, anger management, and help. Portia (Brook Kerr) is set to give birth to Curtis’ child. Meanwhile, Curtis is in a whole heap of legal trouble for punching out Dr. Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson) and potentially ending his surgical career due to the damage to the bone and the tendons in his hands.

The veteran actor has already racked up two Daytime Emmy Awards for his role as Marshall in consecutive years, 2023 and 2024, and in 2022, Robert was nominated in the Guest Performer category as well.

The timing of Quinn returning to the show is interesting. Does something happen to Kai since Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) knows he and Trina have evidence that she shot Drew? Is Quinn back to cause trouble for Kai and Trina, or is something else about to play out in the romance department? Stay tuned!

So, intrigued by the upcoming returns of Jequon Jackson and Robert Gossett to Genera Hospital? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

Phillip Boyd Makes His Debut on ‘Beyond the Gates’ in Recurring Role of Dr. Miles Arnold

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A new face emerged on today’s episode of CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when actor, Phillip Boyd made his debut in the recurring role of Dr. Miles Arnold.

In story, Dr Arnold is a doctor and surgeon and on the June 16 episode, Miles had to sadly deliver some disappointing new. Neither of Eva’s (Ambyr Michelle) parents, Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson) or Leslie Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant) is a donor match for the life-saving transplant surgery Eva desperately needs.

Eva, among others, was injured in the tornado that ripped through Fairmont Crest and its devastating aftermath. She sustained critical injuries during the storm and was trapped with her half-sister, Kat Richardson (Colby Nixon).

Courtesy/CBS

Phillip Boyd recently appeared on The McCord List, where he talked about his career between working in Los Angeles and Atlanta and said about his latest acting gig, “Dr, Miles Arnold works in the hospital. There’s something that happens, a natural disaster and a lot of the characters on the show are at this event and something tragic happens and they’re rushed to the hospital.”

The actor is also appearing in the final season of Tyler Perry’s Netflix series Beauty in Black where he shows up in 7 episodes. Boyd previously appeared in short term roles on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives. In primetime, he also played the role of Mitch on 90210 and played Oscar in Tyler Perry’s The Haves and Have Nots for five-seasons.

So, so you think Beyond the Gates might make Phillip Boyd’s role bigger over time on the soap? Will Kat be the match that Eva needs? If not, who? Many people were ruled out on today’s episode. Drop you thoughts and picks for the donor via the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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