Ray MacDonnell (March 5, 1928 – June 10, 2021) was an American actor, best known for his role as
Dr. Joe Martin, patriarch of the Martin family, on the daytime soap opera ''
All My Children
''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 20 ...
'', a role he played for 40 years.
Early years
MacDonnell was born on March 5, 1928, in
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence is a city located in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Merrimack River. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 89,143. Surrounding communities include Methuen to the north, Andover to the southwest, and Nort ...
. He attended
Amherst College
Amherst College ( ) is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts. Founded in 1821 as an attempt to relocate Williams College by its then-president Zephaniah Swift Moore, Amherst is the third oldest institution of higher educatio ...
subsequently receiving a Fulbright Scholarship to London's
Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA; ) is a drama school in London, England, that provides vocational conservatoire training for theatre, film, television, and radio. It is based in the Bloomsbury area of Central London, close to the Senat ...
.
Career
MacDonnell received a Daytime Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2004. Prior to appearing on ''
All My Children
''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 20 ...
'', he played Philip Capice on the soap ''
The Edge of Night
''The Edge of Night'' is an American television mystery crime drama series and soap opera, created by Irving Vendig and produced by Procter & Gamble Productions.
It debuted on CBS on April 2, 1956, and ran as a live broadcast on that networ ...
'' from 1961 to 69. Other credits included ''Mame'' on Broadway from 1966 to 1970, and as Dick Tracy in 1967.
In 2009, MacDonnell retired from ''
All My Children
''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 20 ...
''. Production of the show moved from New York to California, marking the end of his 40-year run. His retirement from
All My Children
''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 20 ...
left
Susan Lucci
Susan Victoria Lucci (born December 23, 1946) is an American actress, television host, author and entrepreneur, best known for portraying Erica Kane on the ABC daytime drama ''All My Children'' during that show's entire network run from 1970 to ...
, portrayer of
Erica Kane
Erica Kane is a fictional character from the American ABC Daytime soap opera ''All My Children''. The character was portrayed by actress Susan Lucci from her debut on January 16, 1970, until the last broadcast television episode on September 23, 2 ...
, as the only original cast member on the show. In 2011, it was announced that MacDonnell along with on-screen wife,
Lee Meriwether
Lee Ann Meriwether (born May 27, 1935) is an American actress, former model, and the winner of the Miss America 1955 pageant. She has appeared in many films and television shows, notably as Betty Jones, the title character's secretary and daughte ...
as Ruth Martin, would be making a limited return to ''
All My Children
''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 20 ...
''. MacDonnell also returned to All My Children for its finale which aired on September 23, 2011.
Personal life and death
In 1961, MacDonnell married Patricia Anne Broderick.
They had three children- Sarah, Kyle, and Daniel.
He died at his home in
Chappaqua, New York
Chappaqua ( ) is a hamlet and census-designated place in the town of New Castle, in northern Westchester County, New York, United States. It is approximately north of New York City. The hamlet is served by the Chappaqua station of the Metro- ...
, on June 10, 2021, at the age of 93.
Ray MacDonnell Dies: Actor Who Appeared On ‘All My Children’ For More Than 40 Years Was 93
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References
External links
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Obituary
1928 births
2021 deaths
American expatriates in the United Kingdom
American male film actors
American male soap opera actors
Amherst College alumni
Male actors from Massachusetts
People from Lawrence, Massachusetts
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