‘General Hospital’ Stars Joan Benedict & Douglas Sheehan Died 5 Days Apart: Details

Joan Benedict, the talented actress, has died at the age of 96. According to her family’s spokesperson, the actress passed away on June 24 at L.A.’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering complications from a stroke.

The news of her death has left fans in shock, especially since it came just five days after the passing of another “General Hospital” star, Douglas Sheehan.

The outpouring of condolences from our Amomama readers has been overwhelming. Messages flooded in, with one fan writing, “My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families,” while another simply expressed their disbelief with, “Wow.”

A heartfelt sentiment shared by many was, “Rest in peace and prayers for her family.” Condolences for Sheehan’s family were equally poignant. One message read, “That’s too bad,” and another, “So sad.” A fan even shared a personal memory, saying, “I had such a crush on him. RIP.”

Sheehan, born in 1949, passed away at the age of 75 on June 29, 2024. He died peacefully at his home in Wyoming, surrounded by his loving wife, Cate Abert. Beyond his iconic role in “General Hospital,” Sheehan’s career was marked by numerous notable performances.

He portrayed Ben Gibson in the drama series “Knots Landing” and brought Brian Harper to life in the Emmy-nominated series “Day by Day.” His diverse acting credits also include roles in “That Was Then,” “What I Like About You,” “Passions,” and “Clueless,” among others.

While Sheehan had a remarkable career, Benedict has also left an indelible mark in the acting industry. Her illustrious career began in the vibrant heart of Brooklyn, New York. From the tender age of seven, she graced the stage at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, captivating audiences with her innate talent.

Her artistic journey continued at the Rome Opera Ballet School, followed by studying under legendary acting coaches Robert Lewis and Stella Adler, the founders of the Actor’s Studio in New York.

Her career continued to soar in the 1950s with a memorable stint on “Candid Camera,” where she famously tickled unsuspecting men with her feathered hat. This playful moment became one of the show’s highlights and showcased her unique charm.

Throughout the 70s and 80s, Benedict’s versatility shone as she starred in “The Steve Allen Show” and “Apple’s Way.” She also secured recurring roles on beloved soaps like “General Hospital” and “Days of Our Lives.”

In recent years, Benedict continued to impress with roles in the 2006 film “The Theory of Everything” and the 2009 TV show “Dollhouse.” Her stage presence was equally remarkable, with acclaimed performances in “Promises, Promises,” and “The Beauty Queen of Leenane.”

She also starred in “The Octette Bridge Club,” “The Traveling Lady,” and “The World is Made of Glass.” The actress shared the stage with Don Knotts in the comedy “The Mind with the Dirty Man,” and dazzled in classics like “Richard III,” “The Dybbuk,” and “Dr. Faustus.”

Benedict’s talent extended to her solo shows, “Leona,” based on the infamous Leona Helmsley. The show “The Loves of My Life,” is also a reflection on her own remarkable journey. Her role in the 2011 feature “Dead Border” further cemented her legacy as a versatile and enduring actress.

Growing up as the only grandchild in a bustling family with seven uncles, Benedict’s childhood was nothing short of magical. She lived in her grandfather’s house near Prospect Park. She fondly described it as her own “Eloise at the Plaza,” where every room was a place of wonder and enchantment.

Interestingly, her career thrived alongside three long-term relationships. She nostalgically described the relationship as being with “three of the greatest guys in the world.” While marriages between actors have their fair share of challenges, Benedit, experienced an unusual harmony in all three of her relationships.

The actress who was married twice and had a lifelong partner, said the men in her life were wonderful and respected her as an actress. “They all passed away from different forms of cancer, so my memories are sometimes bittersweet, but I have no regrets,” she said.

Intriguingly, Benedict met all three of these men in New York at the very beginning of her career while she was still a teenager. At 19, she encountered actor Rod Steiger, who immediately took a liking to her when they appeared on the same television show.

Although their initial romance was short-lived due to their career commitments, Benefit soon fell in love with leading stage actor John Myhers. Their marriage, which lasted thirty years, saw them settled in a home near Sunset Plaza in the Hollywood Hills until Myhers’ passing.

In the late 1990s, fate brought Steiger and Benedict back together. Steiger, impressed by rave reviews of Benedict’s stage work, reached out to her unexpectedly. She recalled getting a call from Steiger and they reconnected after all those years.”

The pair became nearly inseparable, both as creative partners and spouses when they married in 2000. They even appeared in two films together, “A Month of Sundays” and the telefilm “The Flying Dutchman.”

Still, their relationship was marked by highs and challenging lows, including Steiger battling chronic depression throughout much of his career.

His death in 2002 was a devastating blow for Benedict, but her long-time friend and veteran actor Jeremy Slate stepped in to fill some of the void. Slate became her partner until his passing in 2006.

Reflecting on the men who captured her heart, Benedict said, “They were all actors, writers, directors—brilliant, funny men. As Joan rests in peace, her legacy, both on and off the screen, continues to inspire those who remember her.

The beloved series “General Hospital” has lost many stars over the years, including Johnny Wactor, who passed away in May 2024.