Breaking News
Guiding Light & One Life to Live Favorite, Jerry verDorn, Passes Away at 72
Very sad news to report on Monday. Two-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Jerry verDorn, has died at the age of 72 after a months -long battle with cancer.
Jerry passed away on Sunday, May 1st peacefully at his home.
Daytime fans loved Jerry for his portrayals of Ross Marler on Guiding Light (1979-2005) and then Clint Buchanan on One Life to Live (2005-2012 on ABC and 2013 on Prospect Park’s online version). He later retired after 34 years of acting on daytime TV.
For his work on Guiding Light, Jerry took home back-to-back Daytime Emmys in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category in 1995 and 1996. Throughout his time on the CBS soap, he also earned four additional nominations for his performances.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Beth, his sons Jake and Peter, daughters-in-law Laura and Erin, his sister Bonnie, brothers Jim and Dan, and grandchildren: Benjamin, Nora and Penelope
A private memorial celebration will be held at a later date this summer.
Share your thoughts, remembrances and condolences for Jerry and his family in the comment section below.
Sad news. Mr. VerDorn is part of a special generation of very talented performers who through their hard work and gifts for storytelling, created characters that became a like family to us during TV’s golden age of daytime drama. I’m appreciative of the legacy they leave us but it just is not the same anymore. We will remember Ross and Clint through Mr. verDorn. I like how he successfully assumed the iconic role of Clint on OLTL and made it his own.
Very well said, lakovos. I, too, miss that ‘family feeling’ that soaps once had. Heck, Y&R can’t even use music themes they presumably already own the rights to. If you watch the show on All Access, they play the full theme over the closing credits and it reminds me of what we’re missing. Performers like the great Jerry verDorn are so rare anymore. Here’s to his talent and dedication to his craft.
Death is part of the cycle of life but every time I read about the death of a soap star particularly one who acted on either the Proctor and Gamble/ New York ABC soaps it always feels like I’ve lost yet another childhood friend. It reminds us that fewer and fewer of us remember TV golden age of daytime drama and the greats like Mr. verDorn who provided us with so many precious memories are slowly slipping away. My condolences to his family.
This is such sad news. I loved watching him as both Ross on Guiding Light and Clint on One Life to Live. He was an incredible actor.
I’m happy he did several episodes of “The Locher Room” with his costars. It was sure good seeing him again. Rest easy, sir. Rest easy.
He was a great actor. I watch him for many many years he will be miss by all you loved him! My favorite was Clint on One life to Live. Rest in Peace
My heart! X
OLTL hit the recast jackpot with Jerry. A fine actor who fit in perfectly with the powerhouse cast despite being younger in real life than his tv younger brother.
RIP to one of daytime’s finest.
Not Jerry verDorn! He was a consummate actor. He was at Guiding Light for such a long time, and one of the main reasons I stayed with the show for as long as I did. His acting with Michael Zaslow, Beverlee McKinsey, Maureen Garrett and especially the actresses who all played Blake, especially Elizabeth Keifer, was just outstanding! He was too young. What a great loss.
Loved Jerry he was a wonderful man, and wonderful actor. May he RIP.
This is terrible news. I am so shocked. I loved him on One Life to Live. He seamlessly slipped into the role of Clint Buchanan. He didn’t try to imitate Clint Richie. Jerry was his own Clint. The writers gave him plenty to play and played it wonderfully. He also came across as being a very nice man in real life. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Thank you Mr. verDorn for sharing your wonderful talent with us. Rest in peace kind sir.
As frequent as recasts are in soaps, it’s not common to look back at male characters that have multiple actors equally associated with the role. Clint Buchanan was one of them.
Others include:
Jack Abbott (Lester/Bergman)
Edward Quartermaine (Lewis/Ingle)
The jury’s still out on the Adam Newmans, Billy Abbotts of the soap world. We may have verdicts already on the Ridge Forresters and Nikolas Cassadines.
RIP JvD, job(s) well done!
Another bog loss! Loved him as Ross on GL and he made you believe he was the only Clint Buchanan on OLTL.
It’s been a sad few months for ATWT/L fans….Lisa Brown….Kathryn Hays…. and now Jerry Ver Dorn…..Heartbroken!
He was one of those actors that put quality into daytime. Perfect as Ross, even better as Clint. A sad day for those of us who love daytime and the people who made it great.
I started watching Jerry VerDorn on GL when I was 10 years old. My babysitter loved him, so I did too. Fly high, you are at peace now!
Terribly sad news has hit another daytime star. Jerry verDorn’s portrayal of Ross Marler on GL will never be forgotten by his fans. Six Emmy nominations and 2 wins! I will never forget him thanking his wife Beth after receiving his awards. Praying for the family! Wish he could have been a part of a GL reboot.
Wow. Jerry VerDorn: Soap icon. I was just watching an “old” scene with him & Wendy Monize (Dinah.) Ross Marler evolved from bad boy to respectable family patriarch. Rest in peace. Mr. VerDorn.
I remember him on both shows. So sorry for his family. He portrayed excellent character on both shows. This was back when soap opera’s were at its best. Vergie Sears
Oh, one of my all time favorites from GL. I just loved Ross and Blake with sometimes interfering Holly and Dinah. He was the consumate attorney, husband, dad, friend, etc. R.I.P Jerry, you were loved by many!
I remember as a teenager first watching him on Guiding Light. He was one of my favorite characters on the show and I was so sad when he was written off. He was a gem.There are few daytime actors like Jerry anymore. Sending sympathy and warm thoughts and prayers to his family.
I went to the same college as he did and saw him in many local productions. He was so talented. I am so sorry.
Loved Ross and Holly’s brief time together before he got involved with Blake. Wonderful memories from GL’s heyday.
Read this and thought “now both my Clints are gone!”
I enjoyed watching him on the real One Life to Live on ABC and felt really bad he had to destroy Clint on that debacle on Prospect. I hope he got to do something more enjoyable after that.
A wonderful human being indeed one of the good guys ! RIP !!
I am so sorry to hear Ross Marler has passed I enjoyed watching him on Guiding Light. My son and I were just speaking of him this morning. I was supposed to go meet him at a mall sponsored by Chick full of nuts at a mall in New York. I fell I’ll that day. So my son went to see him. My son said he was a very pleasant man. He sent me a photo of him with best regards. I will never forget that. All my prayers to his family friends and fans. May he rest in Peace
Loved him as Ross..
I never met Jerry, nor watched any Soap Operas. However, I met Beth at a hotel pool in Ames, Iowa several years ago, and had a delightful long visit with her. I would like to thank Beth for her graciousness that day, and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family upon hearing of
The death of her beloved Jerry. He was terribly talented and a good husband and father, by all accounts. Our deepest sympathy to you Beth.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
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In what could prove to be a massive shake-up ahead, both the TV Academy (ATAS), who presides over the Primetime Emmys, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), who preside over the Daytime Emmys, are in exploratory reunification discussions to merge the two organizations into one.
Both sides received an overwhelming vote and support from their boards to evaluate what a unified Academy could look like. However there is no formal calendar at this juncture for the discussions. In addition, because of the ongoing unification talks that should occur, the TV Academy board has voted to extend all current sitting Governors’ terms by one year so they can see the process through.
Boards at both organizations voted overwhelmingly to evaluate what a unified Academy could make possible: a strong vision for the Academy’s future, more effective thought leadership for the industry, broader service and support for members coast-to-coast, and new momentum and opportunities across the full complement of national Emmy competitions.
Photos: ATAS/NATAS
AFTER NEARLY 50 YEARS, CAN THE EMMYS BE UNDER ONE BANNER?
In a joint statement, ATAS and NATAS shared, “Television remains the most powerful medium we have to shape culture and prompt conversations that define us—no matter the size of the screen, With the business of television undergoing such a monumental transformation, this is the right moment to explore a reunification of our Academies, providing our members and our industry with a bolder voice advocating for them and a stronger partner to navigate the future with them.”
If the reunification talks continue, this would be the first time since the two Emmy organizations split back on June 30, 1977 that they have tried to come together, all of this after almost three decades of often uneasy and strained tension between the two.
The most recent joint change came in 2022 when a move of the game show categories went from NATAS to ATAS’ and now are in the Primetime Emmys.
Deadline notes that a unification of the two television academies who overall preside over nighttime and daytime programming would be similar how SAG and AFTRA used to represent performers from completely different dayparts of work.
Could the Daytime Emmys finally see some love in primetime and have their major categories televised as part of the annual kudofest every September? Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will take place live on Monday, September 14th starting at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT and air on NBC and stream on Peacock emanating from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. While, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will take place on Friday, October 30, time to be announced, live from the Hollywood Palladium and will be streamed on watchtheemmys.tv
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy Awards for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime and Children’s & Family programming, as well as achievements in television Technology & Engineering.
The Television Academy (ATAS) strives to shape and advance the dynamic television landscape; cultivate a diverse, inclusive and accessible professional community; and advocate for the television industry while capturing the spirit of a new generation of content creators and industry professionals. Through innovative programs, publications and events, the Academy and its Foundation foster and empower storytellers. The Academy also celebrates those who excel in the industry recognizing their achievements through awards and accolades, including the renowned Emmy Award. Membership in the Academy is open to working professionals in the television industry.
So, would you like to see the Primetime Emmy and the Daytime Emmys fold into one show if the two unions reached a unification arrangement? Do you hope that after almost 50 years, the two organizations can finally make some serious headway? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 15
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 15, respectively.
General Hospital was next with 13 overall nominations, followed by Days of our Lives with 8 and The Bold and the Beautiful with 7 nods. The full reveal on Tuesday, follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony are set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California. The ceremony is currently planned to stream via watch.theemmys.tv and its associated apps. For the second year in a row, both the main Emmys and the Creative Arts will be presented together in one night.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories. Congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Photo: ABC
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Photo: ABC
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Photo: CBS
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Photo: ABC
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Photo: WBTV
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Photo: CBS
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
Outstanding Costume Design / Styling for a Daytime Program
The Jennifer Hudson Show, Episode 4140
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Young and the Restless Episode 13149
The Young and the Restless Episode 13273
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Live Daytime Program
The Bold and the Beautiful, Episode 9658
The Jennifer Hudson Show Episode 4039
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5007
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13260
Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates Episode 104
General Hospital Episode 15624
The Jennifer Hudson Show Episode 4010
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 6169
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design for a Daytime Program
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Live with Kelly and Mark Episode 250414
The View Episode 6280
The Young and the Restless Episode 13145
The Young and the Restless Episode 13244
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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