Soap star Ron Hale has passed away. He was 78 years old.
Born Ronald Hale Thigpen, Hale played Roger Coleridge on ABC Ryan’s hope for its entire run, as well as mobster father Sonny Corinthos on the network’s long-running soap opera, General Hospital. He died on August 27, according to the obituary.
The cause of death has not yet been revealed at this time.
Ron Hale, Jackie Zeman appear in ABC’s TV series ‘General Hospital’ in 2007.
Adam Larkey / American Broadcasting Corporation via Getty
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After news of his death, tributes began to pour in.
“Whole General Hospital The family is saddened by the passing of Ron Hale,” said a statement posted on General Hospital X (formerly Twitter) account. “We would like to express our condolences to his loved ones at this difficult time. He was an incredible actor and an unforgettable colleague. May he rest in peace.”
“It is with a heavy heart that we have lost another great one. My dear friend Ron Hale has passed away. Ron was an incredible talent and an even better friend. I will miss you,” Days of our lives alum Billy Warlock (who played Frankie Brady on the daytime series) posted on X on Wednesday, October 2.
Television viewers knew Hale as Dr. Roger Coleridge Ryan’s hope from 1975 to 1989. Hale then starred in the General Hospital from 1995 to 2010 and GH spin-off series Port Charles from 1997 to 2000.
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Ron Hale in Ryan’s Hope.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
According to Hale’s obituary, the Grand Rapids, Michigan native attended Furman University. Before becoming a beloved soap opera star, he performed in Trustus Theater productions in Columbia, SC
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Hale made his screen debut in an episode of ABC NYPD 1968, followed by CBS’ Search for Sutra a year later — marking his first role in a soap opera, per The Hollywood Reporter.
The actor also played Watergate burglar Frank Sturgis in the 1976 film All the president’s people. He also played a bailiff in the 1994 court drama Trial by jury.
Hale earned Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for Ryan’s hope in 1979 and 1980.
The actor is survived by his nephews and nieces, Lori Brown (Janet Brabham), Max Brabham, Erin Wilson (Laurens) and Marc Brown (Betsy).
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