Doug Sheehan Dies: ‘General Hospital’, ‘Knots Landing’ Actor Was 75

Actor Doug Sheehan, known for his part in the film that broke the mold Joe Kelly on General Hospital and his part as Ben Gibson on Knot’s Landing and many others, has passed in his sleep.

By Denise Petski

Jul 08, 2024 11:27 PM

Doug Sheehan is an actor best famous for his role in the role of Joe Kelly on General Hospital and his turn as Ben Gibson on Knots Landing as well as a host of other credits, has passed away. Sheehan “passed away peacefully” on June 29, on his property located in Big Horn, Wyoming, with his wife beside him, according to an announcement from Kane Funeral Home announcement. He was 75. The cause of death was not known.

born on April 27, 1949 in Santa Monica, Sheehan’s first screen appearance was in the episode of 1978 from Charlie’s Angels. Then, he joined daily soap General Hospital as regulars in his first major role. He appeared in 205 episodes as the lawyer Joe Kelly from 1979-82. He was awarded an acting support Daytime Emmy nomination for his character.

He changed from General Hospital to play the role of the journalist Ben Gibson on Knots Landing,appearing in 115 episodes between 1983 between 1983 and 1988.

He was also a character Brian Harper on comedy series Day by Day, created by Andy Borowitz and Gary David Goldberg that aired in two episodes on NBC between 1988 and 1988. The show centered on Brian (Sheehan) along with Kate Harper (Linda Kelsey) who are who are married and have two careers that have proven successful (both as lawyers and stockbrokers) Brian being a successful stockbroker, and Kate being a lawyer and their teenage son, Ross (Christopher Daniel Barnes). He also was Mel Horowitz, Cher’s father in the 90s UPN comedy Clueless that was influenced by the movie in which he played the part as Michael Lerner after the first season.

Other TV projects include shows such as Cheers Columbo, MacGyver, Diagnosis Murder and others. His last appearance on screen were in 2003, as the Sabrina’s (Melissa Joan Hart) father Edward Gibson in Sabrina the Teenage Witch and in the part of a guest character as Edward Gibson in What I am about You.

Sheehan was in three films during his career which included the film of 1979, 10starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore, Victor/Victoria (1982) and lastly, Cops and Roberts in 1995.

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