John Gabriel, Actor on ‘Ryan’s Hope,’ Dies at 90
He portrayed Dr. Seneca Beaulac on the ABC soap opera after playing The Professor on the original pilot for 'Gilligan's Island.'
He was not on the list.
John Gabriel, the actor and singer who portrayed the controlling Dr. Seneca Beaulac for the first 10 years of the ABC soap opera Ryan’s Hope, has died. He was 90.
Gabriel’s death was announced on Instagram by his daughter, actress Andrea Gabriel (Lost). “It is with an unspeakably heavy heart that I share the news of my father’s passing,” she wrote. “John Gabriel was my hero, my role model, and my champion, but above all, my daddy. … I will love you forever.”
No details of his death were immediately available.
Gabriel appeared in the John Wayne starrer El Dorado (1966) — and co-wrote the film’s title song with Nelson Riddle — and had a recurring role as WJM-TV sportscaster Andy Rivers on CBS’ The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
He played The Professor on the original pilot for CBS’ Gilligan’s Island, filmed on the Hawaiian island of Kauai in November 1963, but Russell Johnson wound up with the part when the show made it to the air the following September. (Two other actors, Nancy McCarthy and Kit Smythe, were dumped as well.)
“It was the first time in my adult life that I remember weeping,” he once said. “And I think part of that has to do with the fact that I built this thing up to such a degree it was going to be my breakthrough.”
Gabriel portrayed Seneca, chief of staff at New York’s Riverside Hospital, on Ryan’s Hope from 1975 through 1985, then returned as the show was wrapping up in 1988-89. He received an Emmy nomination for outstanding actor in a daytime drama series in 1980.
At the start of the show, Seneca had come to New York in pursuit of his wife, Nell (Diana Van der Vlis), who had left him. After he participated in her mercy killing, he married attorney Jill Coleridge (Nancy Addison Altman), who had defended him in the murder trial.
Gabriel was born on May 25, 1931, in Niagara Falls, New York. His parents owned a grocery store. He acted in plays at UCLA and, after a stint in the U.S. Air Force, was signed to a contract at 20th Century Fox, where he was given small roles in the 1958 films The Young Lions and The Hunters.
He appeared on such TV series as Surfside 6, Hawaiian Eye, 77 Sunset Strip and The Flying Nun and worked on Broadway in The Happy Time — as Robert Goulet’s standby — and Applause before landing on Ryan’s Hope.
Gabriel acted on other soaps, too, including Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, Loving, The Bold and the Beautiful and Generations, and on other shows like Murder, She Wrote, Seinfeld and Law & Order.
He also produced Charles Grodin‘s talk show for CNBC in 1995 and released an album of pop standards, From John With Love, in 1998. (He served as an opening nightclub act for Joan Rivers.)
In addition to daughter Andrea, survivors include his wife of 52 years, actress Sandy Gabriel, who played Edna Thornton on ABC’s All My Children; another actress daughter, Melissa; and two grandsons.
Selected filmography
Year Film Role Notes
1990 The Return of Superfly Sergeant Joyner
1980 It's My Turn Hunter
Just Tell Me What You Want Commentator Film directed by Sidney Lumet.
1976 Network TV Anchor (reporting Beale's suicide threat) Uncredited.
1975 The Hiding Place Professor Zeiner
1970 Hell's Bloody Devils Mark Adams Also known as The Fakers.
Also wrote lyrics for film's theme song, "The Fakers," in collaboration with composer Nelson Riddle.
1966 Stagecoach Captain Jim Mallory
El Dorado Pedro Wrote lyrics for film's theme song, "El Dorado", in collaboration with composer Nelson Riddle.
1965 Red Line 7000 Jake Film directed by Howard Hawks
Uncredited
1964 Sex and the College Girl Larry Devon
1960 The Story of Ruth Chilion
Identity Unknown Jamieson
1958 South Pacific Radio Officer
The Young Lions Burn
The Hunters Lieutenant Corona Also wrote and composed the film's theme song, "The Hunter." John Gabriel performed the song live on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1959.
Selected television appearances
Year Film Role Notes
2002 Days of Our Lives Pete LeGrand Recurring.
1999 Law & Order Bernard Kincaide Episode: "Admissions."
1993 Seinfeld Newscaster Episode: "The Non-Fat Yogurt"
Murder, She Wrote Dr. Johnny Windurst Episode: "The Petrified Forest"
1989 Generations Vic Reynolds Recurring
1975–1985, 1988-1989 Ryan's Hope Dr. Seneca Beaulac 726 Episodes.
1988 The Incredible Hulk Returns Joshua Lambert Television film
1987 Kate & Allie Peter Rutland Recurring
1982 Hart To Hart Justin Recurring
1973–1975 The Mary Tyler Moore Show Andy Rivers Episodes: "The System," "A Son For Murray," "Ted Baxter Meets Walter Cronkite," "Lou's First Date," "Hi There, Sports Fans."
1974 Here's Lucy Jack Thomas Episode: "Mary Jane's Boyfriend."
1972–1973 General Hospital Teddy Holmes Recurring
1970–1972 Love of Life Linc Morrison Recurring
1964 Gilligan's Island Professor Pilot Episode: "Marooned." John Gabriel portrayed a high school teacher, the part was re-cast for the series proper.
1961–1963 77 Sunset Strip Various roles Episodes: "Deposit With Caution," "The Parallel Caper," "Strange Bedfellows."
1963 The Untouchables Dr. Daniel Gifford Episodes: "Jake Dance," "Bird In The Hand."
1962 Bachelor Father Dr. Hart Bellamy Episode: "Peter, the Medicine Man"
Dick Powell Theater Lieutenant Buka Recurring
1961 Hawaiian Eye Derek Demaarest, Buddy Keene Episodes: "The Pretty People," "The Kiddi Kid."
1959 General Electric Theater : Absalom My Son John Co-Starred with Burl Ives
1958 Men of Annapolis Layden Episode: "The Runaway."
The New Adventures of Charlie Chan The Actor Episode: "The Hand of Hera Dass."
1953 You Are There Major John Andre Episode: "The Treason of Benedict Arnold."
No comments:
Post a Comment