Categories: News

John Ingle, 'General Hospital' Star Of 19 Years, Dies At 84

Actor John Ingle, best known for his role as Edward Quartermaine on ABC's General Hospital, died in his California home at the age of 84 on Sunday.

Ingle, who had been battling cancer, made his last appearance on General Hospital, on which he’d been a cast member for 19 years, on September 11, 2012, and he left behind a glowing legacy.

"Always the professional, after his first surgery he was worried about whether 'Edward' would wear a cap,” castmate Leslie Charleson (Monica Webber) told ABC. “I for one, will miss that cap, because he wore it well. But above all I will miss him, and especially his wonderful smile.”

"In our brief time working together, I have enjoyed getting to know a great man who embraced life, cherished what he did and, most of all, loved his family," executive producer Frank Valentini added. "He is already truly missed by the General Hospital family."

Ingle, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 7, 1928, started out as a drama teacher, and a successful one at that. In addition to founding the performing arts departments at both Hollywood High School and Beverly Hills High School, he mentored such star pupils as Albert Brooks, Nicholas Cage and Richard Dreyfuss, among others.

Ingle retired from teaching in 1985 at which point he kicked off an acting career with notable film parts in Batman and Robin and Robocop II, as well as a number of television appearances including recurring roles on the General Hospital spinoff Port Charles, NBC's Days of Our Lives (Mickey Horton), ABC's Life Goes On (Father Holduin), HBO's Big Love (Ernest Holloway), and ABC's The Drew Carey Show (Father Seymour).

Ingle’s wife of 57 years, Grace-Lynne Martin, passed away in February 2012. He is survived by his five daughters, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. —Hal Sundt