Jerry Douglas, the Young and the Restless’ mainstay, has died at 88. He had been ill for a few days.
TMZ first reported on the actor’s passing, citing his family.
From 1982 to 2006, John Abbott was played by the actor from Chelsea, Massachusetts. He died in 2006. He was his ghost until the end of 2016, making sporadic appearances.
Last: Jerry Douglas, the Young and the Restless’ mainstay, died Tuesday after succumbing to a brief illness. His photograph was taken in LA in March 2013.
Douglas, who played the role of Abbott (head of Jabot Cosmetics), was the third actor to do so.
The actor was a well-known and respected performer who appeared in many high-profile television shows, such as The Donna Reed Show (Gunsmoke), Bonanza. The F.B.I.’s The Incredible Hulk, Barnaby, Melrose Place, Cold Case, The Donna Reed Show, Gunsmoke.
You can see him in Good Guys Wear Black (JFK), The Back-up Bride and Silent But Deadly).
Soaps reported that Douglas, who turns 89 Friday, got together with his friends to celebrate an early birthday in October.
John Abbott, a Boston actor who was born in 1981 and played that role until 2006 when he died.
Douglas and Kym were captured at an LA-based event in April 2013 with their cameras.
Lauralee Bell (his The Young and the Restless co-star) shared an Instagram picture of the occasion last month. She was joined by Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland.
“Feel so blessed to have been invited to this unforgettable birthday lunch for Jerry Douglas!” Bell agreed. ‘Thank you @peterbergmanyr and @eileendavidsonofficial so much! She wrote, “I will treasure this afternoon forever.”
Anthony Morina, the Young And The Restless executive producer, stated in a statement that, according Deadline: “On behalf of the whole company of The Young and the Restless we send our deepest condolences to the Douglas family for the loss of Jerry Douglas.”
‘Jerry came to Y&R in 1982 with an impressive resume of credits. Our show was lucky to have an actor of his caliber join the Y&R cast and introduce the audience to the iconic Abbott family.
Morina added, ‘His contribution to the legacy of Y&R as Abbott family patriarch, John Abbott is still felt to this day. His presence will be greatly missed.
Douglas was born Gerald Rubenstein and is survived by his wife Kym Douglas and their sons Jod, Hunter and daughter Avra.
Douglas and his spouse were seen in the Daytime Emmys, June 2013
Douglas turned 89 Friday. Friends gathered for an early birthday celebration.