Ray MacDonnell (March 5, 1928 – June 10, 2021) was an American television actor, best known for his role as Dr. Joe Martin, patriarch of the Martin family, on the daytime soap opera ''

All My Children ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 2 ...

'', a role he played for 40 years.

Early years

MacDonnell was born on March 5, 1928, in

Lawrence, Massachusetts Lawrence is a city located in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Merrimack River. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 89,143. Surrounding communities include Methuen, Massachusetts, Methuen ...

. He attended

Amherst College Amherst College ( ) is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1821 as an attempt to relocate Williams College by its then-president Zepha ...

subsequently receiving a Fulbright Scholarship to London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Career

MacDonnell received a Daytime Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2004. Prior to appearing on ''

'', he played Philip Capice on the soap ''

The Edge of Night ''The Edge of Night'' is an American mystery crime drama soap opera, created by Irving Vendig and produced by Procter & Gamble Productions. It debuted on CBS on April 2, 1956, and ran as a live broadcast on that network for most of its ...

'' from 1961 to 69. Other credits included ''Mame'' on Broadway from 1966 to 1970, and as Dick Tracy in the 1967 TV pilot of the same name. In 2009, MacDonnell retired from ''

''. Production of the show moved from New York to California, marking the end of his 40-year run. His retirement from

left Susan Lucci, portrayer of Erica Kane, as the only original cast member on the show. In 2011, it was announced that MacDonnell along with on-screen wife, Lee Meriwether as Ruth Martin, would be making a limited return to ''

''. MacDonnell also returned to ''All My Children'' for its finale which aired on September 23, 2011.

Personal life and death

In 1961, MacDonnell married Patricia Anne Broderick. They had three children- Sarah, Kyle, and Daniel. He died at his home in Chappaqua, New York, on June 10, 2021, at the age of 93.Ray MacDonnell Dies: Actor Who Appeared On ‘All My Children’ For More Than 40 Years Was 93
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References

External links

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Obituary
1928 births 2021 deaths American expatriates in the United Kingdom American male film actors American male soap opera actors Amherst College alumni Male actors from Massachusetts People from Lawrence, Massachusetts {{US-tv-actor-1920s-stub