Soap Vet Philece Sampler Dead at 67

Actress Philece Sampler, whose long list of performing credits includes roles on television and in anime, has died at the age of 67. The news was first announced by author Peggy Webb, who revealed that her “dear friend” had passed on both Twitter and Facebook.

“My heart is heavy,” Webb wrote on Facebook. “My dear friend, Philece Sampler, died unexpectedly at her home in Los Angeles. She was an enormously talented actress with a beautiful spirit, a loving heart, and a kind soul.”

Born on July 16, 1953, Sampler began acting in the late ’70s. Over the course of her forty-year career, Sampler logged nearly 200 performing credits, and was a prolific voice actor in animated television and video games. But to daytime fans, Sampler is best known for her roles as Donna Love on ANOTHER WORLD and Lee DuMond’s sister, Renee, on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

Although Sampler’s role on DAYS was short-lived, Renee was romanced by both Tony DiMera and David Banning before it was revealed that her character was Stefano’s long-lost daughter — and she was ultimately killed by the Salem Stalker. In a touching Instagram post, DAYS star Thaao Penghlis (Tony/Andre) shared a throwback photo of himself along with Sampler, Joseph Mascolo (Stefano), and Brenda Benet (Lee) from a scene celebrating the DiMera family on DAYS.

“So sorry to hear that Philece Sampler has passed on,” Penghlis wrote. “It’s hard to believe that all three actors have made their transition. Today I celebrate having known such talented pros. Here’s to Joseph, Brenda, and Philece.”

Soaps In Depth extends our condolences to Sampler’s friends and loved ones at this difficult time.