Actor Doug Sheehan, recognized for his work in “General Hospital” and “Knots Landing,” passed away at age 75 on June 29, 2024 at his residence in Big Horn, Wyoming. His wife was at his side. The death was announced by Kane Funeral Home, but the cause was not disclosed.
Sheehan was born on April 27, 1949 in Santa Monica, California. He started his television career with a guest appearance on the 1978 episode of “Charlie’s Angels.” He gained popularity as lawyer Joe Kelly in “General Hospital,” appearing in 205 episodes from 1979 to 1982. This performance earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Daytime Drama Series.
Following “General Hospital,” Sheehan took on the role of reporter Ben Gibson on the CBS spinoff “Knots Landing,” from “Dallas.” He was part of the series from 1983 to 1988, appearing in over 100 episodes. His character exited the show in its eighth season, leaving for South America.
In a 1989 interview on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” Sheehan shed light on the challenges faced by actors in Hollywood, particularly the influence of casting directors. He stated, “Hollywood, as we all know, is not run by the producers, it’s run by casting directors. Casting directors never watch what you’re on…so I’ve spent my whole time sort of breaking down the walls, with the daytime, the nighttime, and half-hour comedy. They don’t know if I can do full-hour comedy yet, so I have to break through.”
While known primarily for his television roles, Sheehan also appeared in three films: “10” (1979), “Victor/Victoria” (1982), and “Cops n Roberts” (1995).
In the 1990s, Sheehan played Cher’s father, Mel Horowitz, in the TV adaptation of “Clueless.” He also starred in “Day by Day,” a comedy series created by Andy Borowitz and Gary David Goldberg that aired on NBC from 1988 to 1989. Among his other guest appearances were roles in “Cheers,” “Columbo,” “MacGyver,” and “Diagnosis Murder.”
Sheehan’s final screen appearances came in 2003 on “What I Like About You” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” where he portrayed Sabrina’s father, Edward Gibson.
Sheehan was wed to Cate Abert from 1981 until his death. His long-lasting career in television, marked by roles across a variety of genres, demonstrated his commitment and versatile talent.
