It is a truly sad day for soap fans around the world. Rif Hutton, who played David Ward on General Hospital in 1995 and returned as Lenny in 2021, died at the age of 73 on Saturday, April 18. He passed away at his home in Pasadena following a year-long battle with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer.
This heartbreaking news comes on the same day that soap fans learned of the passing of Patrick Muldoon, who is known for his role as Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives.
A Remarkable Life and Legacy
Hutton’s death was confirmed by his family to TMZ and shared by close friends on Facebook. Steve Apostolina, a friend and voice-over colleague, shared a touching tribute online.
“A remarkable human being has left this earthly plane,” Apostolina wrote. “To say that Rif Hutton was one of a kind is a gross understatement… People knew when they hired him for a voice job that he was going to be the most prepared. He always was. He was also always first to show up on a gig. I had the great pleasure of beating him a few times and scooping a treasured chair, but those were few and far between.”
Rif Hutton was born on November 28, 1952, in San Antonio, Texas, and raised in East Orange, New Jersey. While soap fans loved him on General Hospital, he was a staple of American television for decades. Many will remember him as Dr. Ron Welch on Doogie Howser, M.D. from 1990 to 1993, or as Lt. Cmdr. Alan Mattoni on JAG.
He was also a very familiar face in commercials during the 1990s, famously playing Russ Beeler, the fictional KFC owner.
From Humble Beginnings to Hollywood
Rif’s journey to success wasn’t easy. He moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s to chase his acting dreams. Like many starting out, he faced some incredibly tough times. In those early years, he went to countless auditions and eventually found himself broke and homeless, relying on the kindness of friends to get by.
His perseverance clearly paid off, leading to a prolific career that spanned over forty years. He was a talent who brought preparation and kindness to every set he walked on. He will be deeply missed by his colleagues, his family, and the fans who grew up watching him.
Soap Opera News sends our condolences to his family and friends during this very difficult time. Rest in peace, Rif.
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