13:38 PST 1/10/2021
in
Lexy Perez
The actor was best known for his role as Sean Donely in the ABC soap.
John Reilly, a veteran daytime television actor who starred in General Hospital and Passions, died. He was 84 years old.
Reilly’s daughter, Caitlin Reilly, shared the news on her Instagram. “The brightest light in the world has gone out. Imagine the best person in the world. Now imagine that person being your father,” she wrote. “I am so grateful that he is mine. I am so grateful that I have to love him. I am so grateful that I arrived in time to hug him and say goodbye.”
She added, “Honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know he’ll be with me. I love you forever, Daddy.” The cause of death was not announced.
Born in Chicago, Reilly started his acting career in the 1960s, as a guest actor in Days of Death Valley, Apple way and Gunsmoke. In 1974, he replaced John Colenback as Dr. Dan Stewart in As the world spins. His other early roles also included appearances in As the west was defeated, Quincy ME and portraying Roy Ralston in Dallas.
Reilly was best known for his role as Sean Donely at ABC’s General Hospital. He joined the daytime drama in 1984 and left in 1995. He returned as Donely in 2008 in General Hospital by-product Night shift and for the show’s 50th anniversary in 2013.
General Hospital paid tribute to the late actor in Twitter writing: “The whole family at General Hospital is heartbroken when they hear of John Reilly’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to loved ones. Rest in peace.”
Other functions include your passing as ANcrane list in Passions, in which he replaced the late David Bailey in 2005, and as Del Douglas in Sunset Beach.
Reilly also appeared in Beverly Hills, 90210, where he had a recurring role as Kelly Taylor’s father. He also voiced Hawkeye in the Marvel movie Iron Man animated series.
Reilly also appeared in films, including The Big Waldo Pepper (1975), Century Business (1983) and Touch and go (1986).
Reilly leaves his wife, Liz, and three daughters.