Young and the Restless veteran Jerry Douglas has passed away November 9, just days shy of his birthday on the 12th. The actor, who was best known for his iconic role John Abbott, succumb to his "brief illness" and died in his Los Angeles home. He was 88.
Young and the Restless: A Look Back at Jerry Douglas' Legacy
Jerry Douglas was a mainstay on the longtime running CBS soap Young and the Restless. For more than 30 years, he gave life to cosmetics magnate John Abbott in Genoa City.
From 1982 to 2006, Douglas never failed to impress daytime TV fanatics. Viewers first met him as the dashing single father, who is helping his children, Jack, Ashley, and Traci learn the ropes of adulthood.
Douglas was considered one of the few genuinely good guys on Young and the Restless. For instance, he did not let his business rivalry with Victor Newman grow to personal hatred. When he learned that Ashley wasn't his real daughter, he still accepted her wholeheartedly.
John Abbott's romances were nothing short of controversial as well. His memorable one was when he fell in love with the family's beloved maid, Mamie. His marriage to the gold-digging Gloria was also quite unforgettable.
Please join us in sending our condolences to the family of Jerry Douglas, known for his long-running role as the iconic John Abbott on the The Young and the Restless. He will be greatly missed by the Y&R family. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7Kihvgqiel
— Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) November 11, 2021
Aside from Y&R, he showcased his skills in several roles both on TV and in movies. Some of his memorable projects include "The Bionic Woman," "Barnaby Jones," "The Streets of San Francisco," "Arrested Development," "Cold Case," and "Melrose Place."
The Young and the Restless star was also a stage actor and singer. He released a jazz album in 2007 called The Best Is Yet to Come.
Y&R Family Mourns Great Loss
Young and the Restless family is now mourning the passing of Jerry Douglas. Anthony Morina, executive producer of the hit CBS soap, released a statement, extending their condolences to his family.
"On behalf of the entire company of The Young and the Restless, we send our deepest sympathies to the Douglas family on the passing of Jerry Douglas," Morina said. "Jerry came to Y&R in 1982 with an impressive resume of credits. Our show was lucky to have an actor of his caliber join the Y&R cast and introduce the audience to the iconic Abbott family. His contribution to the legacy of Y&R as Abbott family patriarch, John Abbott is still felt to this day. He will be sorely missed."
Jerry Douglas is survived by his wife Kym Douglas, three children, and two grandchildren.