Photos: CBS/ABC
Happy 70th birthday to Jerry verDorn! Let’s take a look back on his life and career!
Jerry verDorn was born on November 23, 1949, and is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is known for his roles on Guiding Light and One Life to Live, but acting wasn’t his first choice. He attended Moorhead State University in Minnesota with the intention of becoming an English teacher. As fate would have it, he wound up in the school’s theater department. He would eventually move to London where he studied at the famed Studio 68 academy. He married his wife Beth in 1977, and the two had two sons Jake and Peter.
He made his soap opera debut in March of 1979 on the beloved Guiding Light. His character, Ross Marler, was brought on as an ambitious attorney hired to represent Roger Thorpe (Michael Zaslow) against the allegation that he had raped his wife Holly Norris (Maureen Garrett). He made a huge impression on the audience and was able to stand out during the dramatic storyline. Though, his biggest storylines revolved around his relationship with Roger’s daughter, Blake, who was played by Elizabeth Keifer. The couple’s relationship started off as any soap couple would. With Blake seducing Ross during his senate run to get back at her mother, who was Ross’ former flame. Lol. The two would inevitably fall in love and become one of the show’s best couples. Ross’ relationship with his daughter Dinah also deserves a shout out! The pair had some amazing scenes throughout the years. During his 26 years run as Ross Marler, verDorn would earn seven Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor, winning two of them in 1995 and 1996.
After leaving the CBS soap in 2005 he landed on ABC’s One Life to Live as Clint Buchanan, taking over the role from Clint Ritchie. He would play the role until the show’s end in 2013. During his stint as Clint, his character was involved with his brother Bo’s ex-wife Nora (Hillary B. Smith). The relationship caused quite the stir among fans, but eventually, the two broke up. And Clint reunited with his true love Viki (Erika Slezak).
Recently, verDorn reunited with fellow Guiding Light alums Kim Zimmer, Michael O’Leary, Robert Newman, and Jessica Leccia on Crystal Chappell’s web series Venice the Series. To watch their reunion you can check out Venice the Series on Vimeo.
Check out some of his other fantastic throwback photos:
Happy birthday, Jerry! We hope it’s your best one yet!
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