MacDonnell was an original cast member of “All My Children” when it debuted in 1970. His Dr. Joe Martin was the patriarch of the show’s Martin family. MacDonnell remained on the show until 2009, retiring when production moved from New York to California. Later, he returned for several additional episodes, including the 2011 series finale. Prior to his time on “All My Children,” MacDonnell played Philip Capice on “The Edge of Night” in the 1960s. He played the title character in a 1967 pilot for a live-action “Dick Tracy” TV show that was never picked up.
Tributes to Ray MacDonnell
"Seeing #AllMyChildren happy, settled with the ones they love, it's all I've really wanted." Rest in Peace to the greatest soap opera patriarch, Ray MacDonnell. pic.twitter.com/F58eaDVXXz
When the word patriarch feels like not strong enough to describe his significance. #RIP — All My Children's Ray MacDonnell Dead at 93, Played Patriarch Joe Martin https://t.co/Jg7kn7mefd via @TVLine
News editor, Legacy.com. Named 2017's Obituary Writer of the Year by the Society of Professional Obituary Writers. Quoted by CNN, the New York Times, and Macleans.
