Actor Mitchell Ryan, who had a career in stage, film and TV lasting more than 50 years, has died at the age of 88.
Ryan was best known for appearing in Lethal Weapon, and for his role in the TV sitcom Dharma & Greg.
Other roles included soap operas Dark Shadows in the 1960s and Santa Barbara in the 1980s.
Ryan was born in Cincinnati and served in the US Navy before pursuing theater work. For over a decade, he worked on stage almost every night, both on and off Broadway.
His distinctive looks with a firm jaw and sleek hair led to screen parts too, his first uncredited role in the 1958 Robert Mitchum film Thunder Road.
His breakout performance came in 1966 with Dark Shadows, a TV soap opera about the lives of the wealthy Collins family. Ryan played ex-convict Burke Devlin for one season but was fired because of his alcoholism,...
Ryan was best known for appearing in Lethal Weapon, and for his role in the TV sitcom Dharma & Greg.
Other roles included soap operas Dark Shadows in the 1960s and Santa Barbara in the 1980s.
Ryan was born in Cincinnati and served in the US Navy before pursuing theater work. For over a decade, he worked on stage almost every night, both on and off Broadway.
His distinctive looks with a firm jaw and sleek hair led to screen parts too, his first uncredited role in the 1958 Robert Mitchum film Thunder Road.
His breakout performance came in 1966 with Dark Shadows, a TV soap opera about the lives of the wealthy Collins family. Ryan played ex-convict Burke Devlin for one season but was fired because of his alcoholism,...
- 3/6/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
At 88-years-old, beloved character actor Mitchell Ryan has died. The film, television, and stage performer had a career that spanned over six decades, delivering iconic performances as Burke Devlin on the original run of "Dark Shadows," Thomas Gibson's father Edward Montgomery on "Dharma & Greg," the ranch hand Shorty Austin in "Monte Walsh," and the mega-villain Peter McAllister in "Lethal Weapon." Ryan died of congestive heart failure at his home in Los Angeles as reported by his stepdaughter Denise Freed. Additional survivors include his wife, Barbara, and grandchildren Ashley, Jacqueline, Olivia, Kaila, and Noah.
Ryan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and raised in...
The post Mitchell Ryan, Lethal Weapon and Grosse Pointe Blank Actor, Dies at 88 appeared first on /Film.
Ryan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and raised in...
The post Mitchell Ryan, Lethal Weapon and Grosse Pointe Blank Actor, Dies at 88 appeared first on /Film.
- 3/5/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Mitchell Ryan, a veteran film and television actor who captivated daytime television fans in his role as Burke Devlin on the groundbreaking daytime soap Dark Shadows, has died. He was 88 years old and no cause of death was given.
His former costar Kathryn Leigh Scott shared the news on Facebook.
“My sweet, beloved friend Mitch died early this morning,” Scott wrote. “He was a great gift in my life. I cherish my warm memories of his beautiful soul. I’m heartbroken.”
Ryan and Scott played love interests Burke Devlin and Maggie Evans on Dark Shadows. That was before the vampire Barnabas Collins (played by Jonathan Frid) made a victim of Maggie. Ryan left the series in 1967 and was replaced by Anthony George in the role.
Born on January 11, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ryan made his acting debut in the play Thunder Road at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. From there, he moved to Broadway,...
His former costar Kathryn Leigh Scott shared the news on Facebook.
“My sweet, beloved friend Mitch died early this morning,” Scott wrote. “He was a great gift in my life. I cherish my warm memories of his beautiful soul. I’m heartbroken.”
Ryan and Scott played love interests Burke Devlin and Maggie Evans on Dark Shadows. That was before the vampire Barnabas Collins (played by Jonathan Frid) made a victim of Maggie. Ryan left the series in 1967 and was replaced by Anthony George in the role.
Born on January 11, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ryan made his acting debut in the play Thunder Road at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. From there, he moved to Broadway,...
- 3/5/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Mitchell Ryan, who played the father of Thomas Gibson’s character on “Dharma & Greg,” died Friday in Los Angeles. He was 88.
Ryan suffered from congestive heart failure, his stepdaughter Denise Freed said.
Kathryn Leigh Scott, his co-star on the 1960s gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows,” remembered him in a private post on Facebook. “My sweet, beloved friend Mitch died early this morning,” she wrote on Friday. “He was a great gift in my life. I cherish my warm memories of his beautiful soul. I’m heartbroken.”
A post by Kathryn Lee Scott.
Ryan suffered from congestive heart failure, his stepdaughter Denise Freed said.
Kathryn Leigh Scott, his co-star on the 1960s gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows,” remembered him in a private post on Facebook. “My sweet, beloved friend Mitch died early this morning,” she wrote on Friday. “He was a great gift in my life. I cherish my warm memories of his beautiful soul. I’m heartbroken.”
A post by Kathryn Lee Scott.
- 3/5/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Mitchell Ryan, an actor known for roles in “Dark Shadows,” “Dharma & Greg” and movies including “Magnum Force” and “High Plains Drifter,” died Friday in Los Angeles, his agent confirmed. He was 88.
Soap opera fans may remember Ryan best for his role of Burke Devlin on “Dark Shadows,” a gothic soap that aired on ABC in the late 60s and early 70s. Ryan played Burke until 1967, when he was replaced by Anthony George.
Kathryn Leigh Scott, who portrayed several roles on “Dark Shadows,” shared thoughts on her costar’s death in a Friday Facebook post.
“My sweet, beloved friend Mitch died early this morning,” Scott wrote. “He was a great gift in my life. I cherish my warm memories of his beautiful soul. I’m heartbroken.”
In addition to his work as Burke Devlin on “Dark Shadows” and Edward Montgomery “Dharma and Greg,” Ryan’s career included dozens of other...
Soap opera fans may remember Ryan best for his role of Burke Devlin on “Dark Shadows,” a gothic soap that aired on ABC in the late 60s and early 70s. Ryan played Burke until 1967, when he was replaced by Anthony George.
Kathryn Leigh Scott, who portrayed several roles on “Dark Shadows,” shared thoughts on her costar’s death in a Friday Facebook post.
“My sweet, beloved friend Mitch died early this morning,” Scott wrote. “He was a great gift in my life. I cherish my warm memories of his beautiful soul. I’m heartbroken.”
In addition to his work as Burke Devlin on “Dark Shadows” and Edward Montgomery “Dharma and Greg,” Ryan’s career included dozens of other...
- 3/5/2022
- by Wyatte Grantham-Philips
- Variety Film + TV
1960: As the World Turns' Grace wanted to help her son.
1979: Guiding Light's Holly received a marriage proposal.
1986: Young and Restless aired the "It's Ok to Say No" concert.
1986: Days of our Lives' Marlena and "Roman" were remarried."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: On The Brighter Day, Lydia's (Murial Williams) romantic life suffered as she became more stressed over her desire to confess that she had taken the silver clock.
1960: On As the World Turns, Dr. Cassen (Nat Polen) explained to Penny Hughes Baker (Rosemary Prinz) that he couldn't keep her husband,...
1979: Guiding Light's Holly received a marriage proposal.
1986: Young and Restless aired the "It's Ok to Say No" concert.
1986: Days of our Lives' Marlena and "Roman" were remarried."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: On The Brighter Day, Lydia's (Murial Williams) romantic life suffered as she became more stressed over her desire to confess that she had taken the silver clock.
1960: On As the World Turns, Dr. Cassen (Nat Polen) explained to Penny Hughes Baker (Rosemary Prinz) that he couldn't keep her husband,...
- 8/26/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1967: Dark Shadows' Jason asked patience from Willie.
1979: Guiding Light's Rita had a nightmare about Roger.
1985: As the World Turns' Bob and Kim were married.
1994: Another World's Carl planned on proposing to Rachel."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1967: On Dark Shadows, Jason McGuire (Dennis Patrick) implored Willie Loomis (John Karlen) to wait on getting revenge against Burke Devlin (Mitchell Ryan) until after they got their money.
1979: On Guiding Light, Rita Bauer (Lenore Kasdorf) had a nightmare about Roger Thorpe (Michael Zaslow...
1979: Guiding Light's Rita had a nightmare about Roger.
1985: As the World Turns' Bob and Kim were married.
1994: Another World's Carl planned on proposing to Rachel."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1967: On Dark Shadows, Jason McGuire (Dennis Patrick) implored Willie Loomis (John Karlen) to wait on getting revenge against Burke Devlin (Mitchell Ryan) until after they got their money.
1979: On Guiding Light, Rita Bauer (Lenore Kasdorf) had a nightmare about Roger Thorpe (Michael Zaslow...
- 4/12/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1971: DS' Bramwell was distraught over losing Daphne.
1984: Rh's Maeve and Johnny received a donation.
1990: Gh's Jerry and "Duke" shot each other.
2001: Oltl's Blair slipped off the Palace Hotel roof."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1942: Irna Phillips' radio soap opera The Guiding Light returned to NBC Radio. After Gl was canceled by sponsor Procter & Gamble, listeners sent over 75,000 letters in protest, leading General Mills to pick up the show 11 weeks later. Gl was canceled again on November 29, 1946, but returned again on...
1984: Rh's Maeve and Johnny received a donation.
1990: Gh's Jerry and "Duke" shot each other.
2001: Oltl's Blair slipped off the Palace Hotel roof."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1942: Irna Phillips' radio soap opera The Guiding Light returned to NBC Radio. After Gl was canceled by sponsor Procter & Gamble, listeners sent over 75,000 letters in protest, leading General Mills to pick up the show 11 weeks later. Gl was canceled again on November 29, 1946, but returned again on...
- 3/18/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Douglas Sirk took our heads off with this intense, thematically adult tale of love and obsession in a Depression-Era flying circus that’s the open air equivalent of the marathon dance craze — pilots die to thrill the crowd. The terrific-looking show provides career-best roles for some deserving actors: Robert Stack, Dorothy Malone, Jack Carson and Robert Middleton … but the newly-minted star Rock Hudson seems miscast.
The Tarnished Angels
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1957 / B&W / 2:35 widescreen / 91 min. / Street Date March 26, 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Rock Hudson, Robert Stack, Dorothy Malone, Jack Carson, Robert Middleton, Alan Reed, Alexander Lockwood, Chris Olsen, Robert J. Wilke, Troy Donahue.
Cinematography: Irving Glassberg
Film Editor: Russell F. Schoengarth
Original Music: Frank Skinner
Written by George Zuckerman from a novel by William Faulkner
Produced by Albert Zugsmith
Directed by Douglas Sirk
Douglas Sirk made his name with big, glossy soap operas starring Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson,...
The Tarnished Angels
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1957 / B&W / 2:35 widescreen / 91 min. / Street Date March 26, 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Rock Hudson, Robert Stack, Dorothy Malone, Jack Carson, Robert Middleton, Alan Reed, Alexander Lockwood, Chris Olsen, Robert J. Wilke, Troy Donahue.
Cinematography: Irving Glassberg
Film Editor: Russell F. Schoengarth
Original Music: Frank Skinner
Written by George Zuckerman from a novel by William Faulkner
Produced by Albert Zugsmith
Directed by Douglas Sirk
Douglas Sirk made his name with big, glossy soap operas starring Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson,...
- 3/12/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
1966: Dark Shadows' Burke gave Carolyn false info on his return.
1991: Another World's Cass saved Kathleen, then took her on a caper.
1992: Aaron Spelling primetime soap Melrose Place premiered.
2002: Days of our Lives' Gemini Twins were rescued."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1935: Radio soap opera Girl Alone premiered. Betty Winkler starred as Patricia Rogers. The cast included future Days of our Lives patriarch Macdonald Carey.
1991: Another World's Cass saved Kathleen, then took her on a caper.
1992: Aaron Spelling primetime soap Melrose Place premiered.
2002: Days of our Lives' Gemini Twins were rescued."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1935: Radio soap opera Girl Alone premiered. Betty Winkler starred as Patricia Rogers. The cast included future Days of our Lives patriarch Macdonald Carey.
- 7/9/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
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