Soap opera star John Reilly has died at 84 … and his daughter says ‘the brightest light in the world has gone out’
Soap opera star John Reilly has died at 84, according to his daughter Caitlin Reilly.
‘John Henry Matthew Reilly AKA Jack,’ Caitlin said. ‘The brightest light in the world has gone out. Imagine the best person in the world. Now imagine that person being your dad. 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.’
Caitlin had emotional words for her father, a soap opera stalwart who played Sean Donely on General Hospital from 1984 until 1995, and Dr. Dan Stewart on As The World Turns.
RIP: Soap opera star John Reilly has died at 84, according to his daughter Caitlin Reilly
‘I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know he’ll be with me,’ Caitlin said. ‘I love you forever Daddy.’
Reilly’s General Hospital costar Finola Hughes told TVLine he was like ‘a big brother to’ her and described him as the ‘kindest man you ever could find.
‘I cannot express how sorry I am to hear of his passing,’ she said, before paying memorial to the late actor in a series of tweets.
‘Darling #JohnReilly 1st day at GH a tall handsome man in a leather jacket sauntered towards me & welcomed me to the show, claimed me as a fellow “Irish” & assured me he’d take care of me no matter what. A kind, true friend who loved his family above all else,’ she said. ‘There’s no room on Twitter to say how deeply one feels for a fellow actor & friend passing.
The latest: Soap opera star John Reilly has died at 84, according to his daughter Caitlin Reilly
His daughter Caitlin shared this photo of them to her Instagram Stories
John’s GH costar Finola Hughes paid memorial to the late actor
‘I spent so many years in #JohnReilly’s company, suffice to say he was a huge influence on me and I am forever grateful for his kindness and love. My heart goes out to his family.
The Chicago-born actor appeared earlier his career on the shows How the West Was Won, Quincy M.E. and Dallas, and later in his career on Beverly Hills, 90210, where he played the father of Kelly Taylor character played by Jennie Garth, as well as Sunset Beach and Passions.
A fan wrote of the actor, ‘Oh no. I was so in love with the character of Sean Donnelly on General Hospital. I always loved seeing John Reilly on TV … Really sad news for soap fans.
John Reilly is survived by his wife Liz and three daughters.
No cause of death has been provided as of Sunday afternoon.
Early on: Reilly played the role of Dr. Dan Stewart on As The World Turns