According to TVLine, veteran actor Ron Hale (Matlock, The Brothers Flub, Trial And Jury), known for his memorable roles in two iconic soap operas, Ryan’s Hope and General Hospital, has passed away at the age of 78. Hale died on August 27, according to an official notice from a funeral home in his hometown of St. George, South Carolina. No cause of death has been released at this time.
As mentioned by TVLine, Hale’s career spanned decades, with his early claim to fame coming in 1975 when he joined the original cast of Ryan’s Hope. He portrayed Dr. Roger Coleridge, a role he held throughout the entire 14-year run of the show on ABC. For his work on the series, Hale earned two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in 1979 and 1980, cementing his place as a beloved figure in daytime television.
In 1995, Hale took on another memorable role, joining the cast of General Hospital as Mike Corbin, the estranged father of mobster Sonny Corinthos, portrayed by Maurice Benard (Joy, All My Children, Passions, Hold On). His portrayal of Mike, a man battling gambling addiction and trying to mend a broken relationship with his son, resonated with fans. As mentioned by TVLine, Hale appeared in more than 200 episodes and reprised his role in the General Hospital spinoff, Port Charles, further solidifying his status as a daytime TV icon.
Hale retired from acting in 2010, but his impact on the soap opera world continued to be felt by his fans and colleagues. According to TVLine, tributes poured in following the news of his passing. Among them, Days of Our Lives actor Billy Warlock (Society, Baywatch, The Thing Below) shared a heartfelt message on social media, writing, “It’s with a heavy heart that we’ve lost another great one. My dear friend Ron Hale has passed away. Ron was an amazing talent and an even better friend. I will miss you.”
Hale’s legacy in daytime television, which includes roles that touched millions of viewers, will continue to live on through his work. He leaves behind a storied career and a lasting influence on the soap opera genre.