Guiding Light And One Life To Live Star Jerry VerDorn Dead At 72

The world of soaps has lost another icon as Jerry verDorn has passed away. Jerry was best known for his roles as Ross on Guiding Light and Clint Buchanan on One Life To Live. Sources reveal that verDorn has been battling cancer for months.

Jerry VerDorn – Months Long Cancer Battle

Jerry was born in Sioux Falls, S.D., and attended Minnesota State University Moorhead. After graduation, Jerry performed in a lot of summer theater productions before studying for a year at an acting academy in London. In 1977 verDorn married his college sweetheart, Bethea “Beth” Stewart.

The couple moved to New York City where verDorn continued with stage productions including an understudy for George Grizzard in the lead role of Shaw’s Man and Superman, a Broadway production. Jerry played matinee performances for several months there. These performances lead to verDorn being discovered by Guiding Light agents.

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Jerry VerDorn – Best Known As Ross Marlar

Gerald “Jerry” verDorn was best known for his role as Attorney Ross Marlar on Guiding Light. Jerry played Ross from March 1979 to 2005. Jerry received 6 Emmy nominations for this role winning two of them. In 2005, Jery moved to One Life To Live to recreate the role of Clint Buchanan, formerly played by Clint Richie. Jerry and Erika Slezak were magical as Clint and Vicki Buchanan. Clint and Vicki certainly had their ups and downs dealing with her DID diagnosis but the two of them loved each other and managed to pull through. Jerry also appeared on the online version of One Life To Live as well. After the online series ended, verDorn retired after 34 years of daytime television. Of course, One Life To Live fans tried for years to convince ABC to bring the soap back to no avail. However, Vicki and Clint were mentioned from time to time until John McBain’s (ex-Michael Easton) return to Landview to win back his child.

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Jerry VerDorn – Another Iconic Actor Gone

One Life To Live fans love verDorn and are saddened by his passing. verDorn is survived by his wife, Beth as well as his sons and daughters-in-law, Jake and Laura verDorn and Peter and Erin verDorn. As well as, his sister Bonnie Simpfenderfer and brothers Jim verDorn and Dan verDorn and their families including three young grandchildren. Jerry leaves a lasting legacy of acting in both theater and daytime tv. Jerry will be missed by all who knew him in his chosen profession.

Jerry’s family plans to have a private memorial service later in the summer. The family also asks that instead of flowers, contributions in Jerry’s memory can be made to the American Cancer SocietyAutism Speaks, the Actors Fund, or a charity of choice. Our condolences to Jerry’s family and his soap family as well.