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ALL MY CHILDREN

AMC Stars Remember the Late Ray MacDonnell

By Chris Eades
AMC Joe party
ABC/Heidi Gutman

The daytime community lost a legend when Ray MacDonnell passed away on June 10 at the age of 93. Best known for playing Joe Martin on ALL MY CHILDREN, he was one of the original cast members of the ABC soap when it premiered back in January 1970.

For nearly four decades, MacDonnell was a touchstone in Pine Valley, portraying the Martin family patriarch through good times and bad (and being a soap opera, there were always a lot of dramatic bad times!). When the soap moved production from New York City to Los Angeles in 2009, he retired, but continued to make occasional appearances on AMC over the following two years. Not only did he appear in the soap’s final episode on ABC in 2011, MacDonnell also returned for some episodes of the short-lived online revival of AMC.

Some of MacDonnell’s friends and castmates took to social media to share heartfelt memories of the late actor and you’ll find them with some classic photos in our special gallery below.

  1. Susan Lucci (Erica)

    Susan Lucci Agnes Nixon Ray MacDonnell
    ABC/Rick Rowell

    "Wonderful Ray MacDonnell!" enthused Lucci, seen here in a photo with the actor and AMC creator Agnes Nixon. "Yesterday afternoon, my lovely friend Jill Larson (AMC’s fabulous 'Opal') called to share the very sad news that beloved Ray had passed away. He was truly our AMC patriarch—and filled our studio with warmth and professionalism—and his delicious sense of humor—there were times during scenes that I couldn’t dare make eye contact with him—just a look from his eyes with that ever-present gleam—would dissolve us into peals of laughter. Thank you so much, Ray, for gracing our show on-screen and off—with your great presence! My heartfelt sympathy to beautiful Pat and your family—RIP, RAY💙💙💙🙏🙏🙏"

  2. Walt Willey (Jack)

    AMC Cast 2003
    Virginia Sherwood/ABC via Getty Images

    "So sorry to hear earlier today of the passing of Ray MacDonnell, the actor who played 'Joe Martin' on AMC. Ray played this beloved character for the entire run of the show. His professionalism kept everyone on their toes and his dry wit kept us entertained! RIP Ray."

  4. Alicia Minshew (Kendall)

    AMC Annie Kendall Joe
    ABC/Jeff Neira

    "My heart sank when I read that. I loooved Ray so much! He was a gem to work with. Thinking of his sweet family. He will be missed. ❤️🙏"

  5. Aiden Turner (Aidan)

    AMC Greenlee hospital group
    ABC/Steve Fenn

    "Rest in peace Ray. A loving, fun, generous, handsome fella 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Love hugs and prayers to his family."

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