Jerry verDorn was an actor who starred as Ross Marler in “Guiding Light” and Clint Buchanan in “One Life to Live.”
- Died: May 1, 2022 (Who else died on May 1?)
- Details of death: Died at his home of cancer at the age of 72.
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Acting career
Known primarily for his work in soap operas, verDorn had a brief stage career in the 1970s, including a stint on Broadway. He joined the “Guiding Light” cast in 1979, playing a character who rose from a law practice to serving in Congress over more than 26 years. Ross Marler was written off the show in 2005, killed in a plane crash. verDorn was one of the show’s longest-running actors, and he won two Daytime Emmy Awards for his performance. Within weeks of his last appearance on “Guiding Light,” verDorn began his run on “One Life to Live,” taking over the role of cowboy-turned CEO Clint Buchanan from actor Clint Richie. He remained with “One Life to Live” until the show’s cancellation in 2012.
verDorn on changes in soap operas
“[T]his medium got into trouble when they started worrying about production values. I don’t think there is one soap opera fan that tuned in to see how well we would blow something up. They tune in for one thing, and that is story. We could do this in front of a black screen and it would be fine. The special effects we should worry about are: ladies gowns, perhaps, and some perfectly romantic lighting. But setting a major fire or having an earthquake, and a lot of gunplay, the fans don’t care about that. They care about what Viki feels after the earthquake is over and are the children okay, and all that kind of stuff.” —from a 2011 interview with Michael Fairman
Tributes to Jerry verDorn
Full obituary: People
