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.
Breaking News
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced on Thursday that the syndicated entertainment news series, Extra will be its partner for exclusive coverage of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards being held on Friday, October 30 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
The 2026 Daytime Emmys as previously reported can be seen streamed via the The Emmys,YouTube channel, via watch.theemmys.tv, as well as on the official Emmys app, available for phones, tablets, and smart TVs.
Here’s a breakdown of the pre, during and post Daytime Emmys coverage via Extra below!
Beginning Monday, October 26, Extra will feature five nights of dedicated Daytime Emmys segments leading up to the ceremony, giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the award show.
In addition, Mona Kosar Abdi, Weekend Host & Senior Correspondent with Extra will host the pre-show red carpet stream on the @TheEmmys Youtube channel.
Extra host and Dancing with the Stars judge, Derek Hough will present during the ceremony, and correspondent Terri Seymour will also host coverage throughout the evening.
Extra’s weekend edition (A WEEK FOLLOWING the ceremony) will features notable red carpet moments, winner reactions, and exclusive footage from the night’s festivities.
The entertainment news program is also nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards going into the ceremony.
So, what do you think of Extra’s scheduled upcoming coverage of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards starting on Monday? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
Congratulations are in order for three-time Emmy winner, Tom Pelphrey (ex-GL and ATWT) and his fiancée Big Bang Theory star, Kaley Cuoco! The couple welcomed their second baby daughter together on October 12, and revealed they named the little bundle of joy, Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey.
Tom and Kaley shared the news via their Instagram accounts on Wednesday with some adorable baby pics. Cuoco captioned the photo“🎀Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey🎀. 💖10/12/26💖. There are no words to describe this feeling once again. What a blessing.
Cuoco added, “We are so grateful for the crazy wild up and down journey that brought us to our little Philo! Family officially complete 😭Time to bring Matilda’s baby home! 😂💕”
Photo: KCuoco IG
BABY MAKES FOUR
Next, Kaley shared her love for the father of her children, exclaiming, “Tom Pelphrey, life exploded the minute we met, and the gifts keep coming. I love you forever , girl daddy! 💘.”
Philomena now joins big sister, Matilda mwho was born in 2023, as part of the Pelphrey/Cuoco family! Tom and Kaley began dating in 2022 and became engaged in 2024.
Daytime fans first saw the talented actor on Guiding Light as Jonathan Randall, the son of Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer). Tom won two Daytime Emmys for his memorable performances during his run from 2004-2009.
He later played Mick Dante on As the World Turns from 2009-2010, before heading to work in primetime and motion pictures. Last month, Pelphrey one the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in HBO’s Task.
TOM PELPHREY CELEBRATES EMMY WIN AND NEW DAUGHTER WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER
After winning his Emmy, the expectant dad told E! News, “We’re both so excited. Our daughter’s excited. We’ll see how it goes when it actually gets there.” Tom added, “The things that are new and the things that feel like not a big deal this time. But mom and baby are healthy, so God willing, that keeps up, and we’re thrilled,” added the actor.
Pelphrey took to his own Instagram and said on the birth of his second daughter, “Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey. Another miracle. Welcome to our family youngest queen! Kaley you showed up in every way as a partner and a mom even when you weren’t feeling your best- you’re a CHAMPION. The girls and I would be lost without you. Thank God for the gift of this family and these girls.”
Jumping in to the comment thread to congratulate Tom and Kaley were Beyond the Gates star Ashley Jones (Heather), Dave Annabelle, Martha Plimpton, Alyssa Milano and many more.
Share your congrats and well-wishes to Tom, Kaley, Matilda and their new addition to the family, little Philomena via the comment section below.
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