“General Hospital” and “Ryan’s Hope” star Ron Hale has died. He was 78.
Hale, who lived in St. George, South Carolina, passed away on August 27, according to his obituary.
A cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Hale was famous for his role as Mike Corbin on “General Hospital.” The show paid tribute to Hale on social media after his death.
“The entire General Hospital Family is saddened to hear of Ron Hale’s passing,” the soap opera series wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.
“We would like to extend our condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time. He was an incredible actor and an unforgettable colleague. May he rest in peace,” the statement added.
Hale’s former co-star Billy Warlock, who played Frankie Brady, also honored Hale on X.
“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,” Warlock’s tweet read.
Hale was born on January 2, 1946 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attended Furman University in Greenville, S.C and then graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York in 1967.
The late star made his onscreen debut in an episode of “N.Y.P.D.” in 1968. His first soap opera role was in CBS’ “Search for Tomorrow” in 1969.
From 1975 to 1989, Hale starred in the ABC soap “Ryan’s Hope” as Dr. Roger Coleridge.
His performance garnered him two nominations for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He was also nominated for a Soap Opera Digest Award.
Hale began his recurring role on “General Hospital” as the father of mobster Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) in 1995. He appeared on the show until 2010 and also popped up on its spinoff, “Port Charles,” from 1997 to 2000.
His other acting credits included the films “Me, Natalie,” “All the President’s Men” and “Trial by Jury,” and the shows “Matlock” and “MacGyver.”
Hale’s final acting role was in the 2017 movie “The Ghost and the Wale.”
Despite having a long career in Hollywood, Hale always knew how to separate his real life from his job.
“You have to be a person before you can be an actor,” he said in an interview in March 1976.
Hale is survived by his nieces, Lori and Erin, and nephews Max and Marc.