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Veteran actor John Reilly, whose daytime-TV credits alone included General Hospital, Passions and Sunset Beach, died on Saturday evening, TVLine has learned. He was 86.
One of Reilly’s daughters, actress and TikTok personality Caitlin Reilly, shared the news via Instagram saying, “John Henry Matthew Reilly AKA Jack. The brightest light in the world has gone out.” A cause of death has not yet been shared.
“Imagine the best person in the world. Now imagine that person being your dad,” Caitlin wrote. “I’m so grateful he was mine. I’m so grateful I got to love him. I’m so grateful I made it in time to hold him and say goodbye. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know he’ll be with me. I love you forever Daddy.”
The Chicago-born actor’s early career began with arcs on As the World Turns (as Dr. Dan Stewart), How the West Was Won, Quincy M.E. and Dallas (as Roy Ralston).
In February 1984, he made his GH debut as Sean Donely, Robert Scorpio’s former WSB (World Security Bureau) boss, who proved to be a bit of a foil during Frisco and Felicia’s Aztec Treasure hunt (watch his debut below). Following a redemption arc, superspy Sean was romantically paired with actress Tiffany Hill (played by Sharon Wyatt).
“He was a big brother to me. The kindest man you ever could find,” fellow GH vet Finola Hughes, who plays Anna and Alex Devane, told TVLine. “I cannot express how sorry I am to hear of his passing.”
Hughes later shared more on Instagram:
Darling John Reilly. One of the first days I walked on the GH set this tall, handsome man in a leather jacket sauntered towards me. In his deep, all American growl he welcomed me to the show and told me he would be there for me should I ever need anything. Boy was he true to his word. A consummate professional, I would run lines with him each day we worked (we worked a ton). His dressing room was two doors from mine. Many the day I would lounge on the floor in the hallway (don’t ask me why) and we would break down scenes. The three of us (Tristan [Rogers], John & me) would tear things apart until we were happy with the result and then go on set and perform. At the end of each scene John would do one of two things. He would either bellow his contagious laugh or he would get a quizzical expression on his face and ask ‘Was that it? Did we get it?’ Brilliantly intuitive, yet he was always concerned with the outcome. John’s sensitivity and kindness was most apparent with his family and friends. His love of his wife Liz and their gorgeous daughters was legion. I am so happy I got to experience and see that love firsthand. One of a kind. Fellow Irishman, Godspeed. Love you #JohnReilly rip
Following Reilly’s 11-year GH run, he voiced Hawkeye/Clint Barton on the animated Iron Man series, played Kelly Taylor’s pop on Beverly Hills, 90210, and then had multi-year runs on both Sunset Beach (as Del Douglas) and Passions (replacing the late David Bailey as Alistair Crane).
Reilly’s acting credits also include the short-lived spinoff General Hospital: Night Shift (where he reprised the role of Sean) and the web soap The Bay. And yes, he is the reason Talladega Nights‘ John C. Reilly uses a middle initial professionally.
Reilly is survived by his wife Liz, a total of five daughters, and two grandchildren.
Watch John Reilly’s Debut as GH‘s Sean Donely
One of my favorite soap actors of all time. #RIP Jack!
These longtime vet soap actors are waaaaay more recognized than people realize. I’m a male in my 40s who didn’t watch the show… but my mom and sister did.
Me, too. I loved him as Sean Donely and Sean with Tiffany. Those were the good days.
Great actor. Loved Sean Donnely. When Sean married Tiffany and they found out her given name was “Elsie Mae Crumholtz”…..absolutely hilarious. A soap wedding legend! RIP to his family and friends. He will be missed.
I’m crying. This man was part of the happiest time of my life-my childhood. His portrayal of Sean Donely on GH in the 1980s (when it was a powerhouse show and #1 on daytime), will never be forgotten. Sean, Robert, Anna, Frisco, and Felicia were the “Fab 5” for me and made every show exciting and much anticipated. Oh, those were the days and I miss them everyday of my existence! RIP John and God keep you :(
The soap
Opera world lost one of its greatest actors. Sincere condolences to family and friends.
RIP John. Thanks for some great memiries
Will be missed loved him on gh with Tiffany was hoping they’d be back RIP
John was so great as the evil Alistair Crane. Passions even reunited him and Sharon Wyatt as Rachel.
RIP.
Can’t believe I was just watching him on Threes Company a few days ago. Loved him on General Hospital. RIP my friend.
John Reilly was a powerfully talented actor, turning in amazing performances whether the scene called for drama, adventure or comedy. The wedding of Sean and Tiffany was one of GH’s best episodes! Condolences to his loved ones and thank you for sharing your talents with us.
Very talented actor. RIP Jack Reilly! My condolences to all who knew and loved him.
Prayers for the Reilly’s family. I am shocked but rest in Peace. & send many prayers to the family ya
I loved him as Sean on GH! So sorry to hear of his passing. Always wish he had returned to GH!
I had the privilege to meet him on the set of GH.
What a wonderful man. He was so kind & took pictures with me & my sister. He was awesome,
Feel the same as everyone else
Sean and Tiffany were my favorite characters on GH
When they were let go I stopped watching GH
Sad to hear about his passing RIP and condolences to his family
I loved watching him on GH, he was terrific as Sean. He and “Tiffany” made such a wonderful couple. He will be sorely missed. RIP Jack! My condolences to the family.
Sean and Elise Mae Crumholz’s(aka Tiffany Hill) wedding was one of the funniest on soaps. Sean’s reaction after hearing Tiffany’s real name was priceless. They were a fun couple. Great banter in the same league as Cary Grant & Rosalind Russell in Front Page.
Condolences to his family
R.I.P. to one very talented actor. Loved you on GH. Fly with the angels Jack. 💖
My era….weirdly I was just looking up Sharon Wyatt because I was watching an old ep of In the Heat of the Night & wondered what she had been up to. RIP.
Same here.
He was most certainly loved as Dan Stewart on As The World Turns. The wonderful scenes between he and Marie Masters (Susan Stewart)was awesome! They worked well together! He was a great actor and will most certainly be missed!
The best of gh is gone these were one of the best of gh.