A Special Tribute to Soap Star Jerry verDorn

By Michelle Moro Parkerton May 3, 2022

ABC/Donna Svennevik

The daytime community lost another one of its leaders when Jerry verDorn passed away on May 1 after a months-long battle with cancer. The beloved actor spent 25 years bringing popular GUIDING LIGHT attorney Ross Marler to life before assuming the role of ONE LIFE TO LIVE patriarch Clint Buchanan for the last eight years of the ABC sudser’s run.

The 72-year-old actor leaves behind his wife, Beth, two sons, and three young grandchildren. But verDorn also left a lasting impression on many of his colleagues during his three decades in daytime television. In the hours after news spread of verDorn’s death, many of his friends and co-workers from both GL and OLTL shared touching tributes to the kindhearted gentleman on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

To read some of the heartfelt messages they shared, please scroll through the gallery below.

Elizabeth Keifer (Blake, GL)

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“My heart is broken and filled with bittersweet love for Jerry and his family,” wrote Keifer, who played verDorn’s TV wife for many years and was incredibly close with the actor in real life as well. “Thank you for being my trusted friend on screen and off. It was an honor and a privilege to be yours. Rest well, dear Jerry. You are loved beyond measure 💔.”
Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL)

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"Sunday was a heartbreaking day of sadness for all who knew Jerry. I don’t think anyone who knew him didn’t love him. I certainly did. He was a remarkable, splendid person. His kindness and humor, his intelligence and talent, and love of so many things were an inspiration to all. I send love and sincerest condolences to Beth and his family. This is a very great loss. Working with Jerry was never work; it was pure pleasure. I will forever carry in my heart a picture of him with that impish smile on his face. He is at peace now, without pain. God bless you dear Jerry, Rest In Peace! We have all lost a great man.”
Laura Wright (Carly, GH; ex-Cassie, GL)

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Before she moved to Port Charles to play GENERAL HOSPITAL's Carly, Wright worked with verDorn in GL’s Springfield. “Such a great loss. We send our condolences to all of Jerry's family and friends.”
Robin Strasser (Dorian, OLTL)

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Strasser played GL’s Hope a few years before verDorn was cast on the soap — but they were later romantically paired on OLTL. “Jerry verDorn [was] a fine actor and true gentleman. It always felt good to see him, not just because he was so darn good looking (he was), but because he was so affable and easygoing while being thoroughly hardworking and dedicated to the work. All honor to one of the best of the best.”
Gina Tognoni (Dinah, GL; Kelly, OLTL)

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“Jerry was the real deal,” wrote Tognoni, who played verDorn's daughter on GL and worked with the Emmy winner again years later on OLTL. “Strong, happy, and blessed. When he walked into a room everyone knew it, he was seen and heard with respect! You are a gorgeous human. A gorgeous spirit. Rest amongst the angels, my friend. God bless your entire family.”
Melissa Archer (Natalie, OLTL)

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“I’m heartbroken to hear of Jerry verDorn’s passing. I have so many wonderful things to say about this man, but I’ll try to keep it brief. I had the honor of playing his daughter on OLTL. He was genuine from start to finish. A giving actor, a caring coworker, funny, talented, and full of smiles. When he took over the role of Clint, it was seamless. It felt as though he’d always been there, and he formed family bonds with all of us quickly. His family are in my thoughts and prayers.”
Frank Dicopoulos (Frank, GL)

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“This is truly a sad day for all of us at Guiding Light and for its fans! Jerry was the absolute best friend, leader, and mentor that you could have. A total class act! May God bless you and your family and thank you for what you did for all of us! You will be missed by all. Rest in peace.”
Bree Williamson (Jessica, OLTL)

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“I am devastated to hear about the death of Jerry. He was a wonderful man, and I am so grateful for the time that I spent with him as my TV father. He was a talented and generous actor and a kind and gentle man. He made it effortless for me to feel close to him and to love him like a dad. I enjoyed every day I was lucky enough to spend with him and I will hold those memories of him in my heart and mind forever. 💔💔”
Robert Newman (Ashland, Y&R; Josh, GL)

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“This one really hits hard,” wrote Newman, who spent years in Springfield with the late actor before taking on his current role of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ Ashland. “Jerry verDorn was a wonderful actor and a beautiful person. He was one of my first role models. He actually was instrumental in getting me into [the actor’s] Union service. He was our AFTRA deputy on GL, and eventually, I took over for him in that role on the show. That planted seed led me to over a decade of serving on both the national and local boards of AFTRA, then SAG-AFTRA after the merger. One of the finest human beings I've ever known. Rest peacefully, Jerry.”
Rick Hearst (Alan-Michael, GL)

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“The world has lost a true gentleman of a thespian. I had the privilege of working with Jerry verDorn on Guiding Light in the early ’90s. One of the most professional, calming, and witty human beings I have ever met. His stories of his kids’ Halloween stash they called “the candy museum” and how he used to stack his coffee cups one under the other, so he knew how many he had that day were some of my favorite, endearing traits this beautiful soul possessed. Rest easy, dear man. If you wish to honor Jerry with a donation to the American Cancer Society or Autism Speaks, please do. He devoted so much of his time to these causes.”
Mark Lawson (ex-Dustin, GH; Brody, OLTL)

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Lawson got his daytime start playing Clint’s son-in-law. “Jerry verDorn. What a gentleman. I remember being so intimidated by both him and Bob Woods (Bo). Until I finally had scenes with them. Jerry was the consummate gentleman. So elegant and kind. With a blue-collar approach to the work and a respect and generosity for his fellow actors that flew beyond what was necessary. He was a benevolent king on that set. And funny. And ready to laugh. I was blessed that [last day of filming OLTL at the studio in Manhattan] to work with Erika [Slezak, Viki], Jerry, Bree [Williamson, Jessica], and Melissa [Archer, Natalie]. I think about that day and these people all the time. Farewell, sir. It was a pleasure to know you.”
Crystal Chappell (Olivia, GL)

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“Heartbreaking. He truly was the kindest, funniest, most selfless person. I’m so glad I got to see him not that long ago. Condolences to his family.”
Catherine Hickland (Lindsay, OLTL)

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“Jerry verDorn has graduated to Heaven. What a wonderful man, so very funny, so very talented, and most important, so very kind. I am sad he left us so early, my thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family, who I'm sure are devastated. I'll never forget him leaving a sticky note on Hilary Smith's [Nora] dressing room that said, "Good News! I found your hormones in my dressing room!" that really made me laugh, he was just adorable. God Speed, Jerry.”
Kassie DePaiva (Chelsea, GL; Blair, OLTL)

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“I had the privilege and honor to work with Jerry verDorn on GL and OLTL. What a gentleman and talent. So sad… because the world lost an amazing human being and the soap world lost a giant. RIP my kindhearted friend.”
Michael O'Leary (Rick, GL)

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In his post on Facebook, O'Leary quoted the line from Edwin Markham's poem "A Creed," which was used in the very first episode of the CBS soap and would continue to be spoken throughout GL's history. "'There is a destiny which makes us brothers; none goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.' — Edwin Markham. I can still hear you say these words, Jerry. I miss you terribly — but now you belong to the heavens. Your leadership, character, and kindness were a beacon of light that will never dim. I love you, Jerry. God bless you and keep you. Rest in peace."