Jerry verDorn, who won the hearts of daytime fans in the roles of Guiding Light's Ross Marler and One Life to Live's Clint Buchanan, passed away this week of cancer at the age of 72.
As the news of the beloved actor's death spread among the entertainment industry, many of his colleagues from soap operas took to social media to share their memories of the performer, who was greatly admired, respected, and loved. Read some of the tributes from the daytime community below, and let us know what you remember about Jerry verDorn in our Comments section at the end of the article.
My heart is broken and filled with bittersweet love for Jerry and his family. Thank you for being my trusted friend onscreen and off. It was an honor to be yours. Rest well, dear Jerry. You are loved beyond measure.
My heart is broken and filled with bittersweet love for Jerry and his family. Thank you for being my trusted friend onscreen and off. It was an honor to be yours. Rest well, dear Jerry. You are loved beyond measure pic.twitter.com/KabO0P0iBR
— Liz Keifer (@lizkeifer) May 2, 2022
"For anyone who knew Jerry verDorn, Sunday, May 1st, was a heartbreakingly sad day. He was a man of such warmth and kindness, talent, intelligence, and most importantly humor, that every day spent working with him could hardly be called work. It was joy, Slezak shared. He so loved what he did and was so very good at it. I was the very lucky recipient of his last 8 years in daytime and I thank God for that.
"I'm heartbroken to hear of Jerry VerDorn's passing. I have so many wonderful things to say about this man, but I'll try to keep it brief. I had the honor of playing his daughter on oltl. He was genuine from start to finish. A giving actor, a caring coworker, funny, talented, and full of smiles. When he took over the role of Clint, it was seamless. It felt as though he'd always been there and he formed family bonds with all of us quickly. His family are in my thoughts and prayers."
"I am devastated to hear about the death of Jerry. He was a wonderful man and I am so grateful for the time that I spent with him as my TV father. He was a talented and generous actor and a kind and gentle man. He made it effortless for me to feel close to him and to love him like a dad. I enjoyed everyday I was lucky enough to spend with him and I will hold those memories of him in my heart and mind forever."
"Jerry VerDorn has graduated to Heaven. What a wonderful man, so very funny, so very talented, and most important, so very kind. I am sad he left us so early, my thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family, who I'm sure are devastated. I'll never forget him leaving a sticky note on Hilary Smith's dressing room that said, 'Good News! I found your hormones in my dressing room!' That really made me laugh, he was just adorable. God Speed Jerry"
"I had the privilege and honor to work with Jerry Ver Dorn on GL and OLTL. What a gentleman and talent. So sad....because the world lost an amazing human being and the soap world lost a giant. RIP my kind hearted friend."
I had the privilege and honor to work with Jerry Ver Dorn on GL and OLTL. What a gentleman and talent. So sad....because the world lost an amazing human being and the soap world lost a giant. RIP my kind hearted friend.
Kassie DePaiva (@KassieDePaiva) May 2, 2022
This one really hits hard. Jerry Ver Dorn was a wonderful actor and a beautiful person. He was one of my first role models. He actually was instrumental in getting me into Union service. He was our Aftra Deputy on Guiding Light, and eventually I took over for him in that role on the show. That planted seed led me to over a decade of serving on both the National and Local boards of Aftra, then SAG-AFTRA after the merger. One of the finest human beings Ive ever known. Rest peacefully, Jerry.
"#JerryVerDorn a fine actor and true gentleman. It always felt good to see him, not just because he was so darn good looking (he was:) but because he was so affable & easygoing; while being thoroughly hardworking and dedicated to the work. All honor to one of the best of the best!"
#JerryVerDorn a fine actor and true gentleman. It always felt good to see him, not just because he was so darn good looking (he was:) but because he was so affable & easygoing; while being thoroughly hardworking and dedicated to the work. All honor to one of the best of the best!
Robin Strasser (@robinstrasser) May 2, 2022
"Sad to hear the news that Jerry Ver Dorn has passed away. Jerry stepped into the role of Clint Buchanan in 2005 and quickly made it his own, playing a loving husband and father and eventually a very convincing villain, although the man himself was all heart. Rest in peace."
Sad to hear the news that Jerry Ver Dorn has passed away. Jerry stepped into the role of Clint Buchanan in 2005 and quickly made it his own, playing a loving husband and father and eventually a very convincing villain, although the man himself was all heart. Rest in peace. #OLTL pic.twitter.com/6avn7eZktI
Ron Carlivati (@carlivatiron) May 3, 2022
"I was very sad to learn about the passing of my friend and all around great guy, Jerry verDorn (Clint #OLTL.) On behalf of everyone here at #GH, we send our heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends."
I was very sad to learn about the passing of my friend and all around great guy, Jerry verDorn (Clint #OLTL.) On behalf of everyone here at #GH, we send our heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.
Frank Valentini (@valentinifrank) May 2, 2022
"Jerry verDorn. What a gentleman. I remember being so intimidated by both he and Bob Woods [ex-Bo Buchanan]. Until I finally had scenes with them. Jerry was the consummate gentleman. So elegant and kind. With a blue collar approach to the work and a respect and generosity for his fellow actors that flew beyond what was necessary. He was a benevolent king on that set. And funny. And ready to laugh. This photo was from the very last moments of filming OLTL at the studios in Manhattan. I was blessed that day to work with Erika [Slezak, ex-Victoria Lord], Jerry, Bree [Williamson, ex-Jessica Buchanan], and Melissa. I think about that day and these people all the time. Farewell, sir. It was a pleasure to know you."
"We here at Daytime Stars and Strikes are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved 'Santa' Jerry verDorn on May 1, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. We lost a hero, a mentor, a father figure and one of the most beloved people to have graced our screens and our hearts. Here is the link to the full obituary. Rest In Peace Jerry! We will miss you but you will forever be in our hearts. Our condolences go out to Beth, Jake and Peter verDorn and their extended family to include Millie. Love, Jerry's Elves."
"So sad to hear of Jerry verDorn's passing. What a fine actor and a good guy. He never stopped thanking me for a special GL episode I wrote for him (Ross's Election Day dream), but I loved his work way back when Ross was with Vanessa [Maeve Kinkead], then Carrie [Jane Elliot], and then later, with Blake [Elizabeth Keifer]..."
So sad to hear of Jerry verDorn's passing. What a fine actor and a good guy. He never stopped thanking me for a special GL episode I wrote for him (Ross's Election Day dream), but I loved his work way back when Ross was with Vanessa, then Carrie, and then later, with Blake... pic.twitter.com/rgOnUbAy4W
Patrick Mulcahey 🇺🇦 (@MulcaheyPatrick) May 2, 2022
"This is truly a sad day for all of us at Guiding Light and for [its] fans! Jerry was the absolute best friend, leader, and mentor that you could have! A total class act! May God bless you and your family and thank you for what you did for all of us! You will be missed by all. Rest in peace!
"Such a great loss," the actress shared. "We send our condolences to all of Jerry's family and friends."
"He was so incredible in all the best ways," the actor shared in the comment section of Bree Williamson's tribute post.
"We send our deepest condolences and love to the family and friends of #JerryverDorn on his passing. He will truly be missed."
Would you like to leave a tribute to Jerry verDorn? What do you remember most from the beloved actor's illustrious career? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
