The John Abbott depicter passes away at the age of 88 and his television wife and real-life spouse are quick to pay tribute to the late actor on social media.
- November 12, 2021
AceShowbiz - Veteran U.S. soap star Jerry Douglas has died aged 88.
The actor appeared in almost 900 episodes of "The Young and the Restless" over three decades, portraying cosmetics company boss John Abbott. His character was killed off in 2006, but he returned as Abbott's ghost, most recently in 2016.
Douglas' TV credits also include "Melrose Place", "Mission: Impossible", and "The Incredible Hulk" while he appeared on the big screen in movies like "JFK".
Born Jerry Rubenstein in Massachusetts, he joined "The Young and the Restless" in 1982.
"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," the show's executive producer Anthony 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."
Actress Jess Walton, who played Jerry's onscreen wife on the show, remembered the actor on Twitter, "Rest in peace my dear TV husband Jerry Douglas. Thank you for the laughter all those years. Much much love to you and your beautiful family Kim and Hunter and everyone."
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, television host and author Kym Douglas. In response to condolences from a fan, she wrote on Twitter, "I am broken-hearted I have been with him since I was 22."
