'All My Children' Star Ray MacDonnell Dead at 93, Susan Lucci Pays Tribute to 'Our 'AMC' Patriarch'

Ray MacDonnell.Photo: Robin Platzer/FilmMagic

Ray MacDonnell, known for his 40-year run as Dr. Joe Martin onAll My Children, has died. He was 93.

Susan Lucci, MacDonnell’sAll My Childrencostar, shared atouching tributeto the actor on Instagram.

“Wonderful RAY MACDONNELL! Yesterday afternoon, my lovely friend Jill Larson (AMC’s fabulous “Opal”) called to share the very sad news that beloved RAY had passed away,” she wrote in the caption.

“He was truly ourAMCpatriarch—and filled our studio with warmth and professionalism—and his delicious sense of humor—there were times during scenes that I couldn’t dare make eye contact with him—just a look from his eyes with that ever-present gleam—would dissolve us into peals of laughter,” Lucci continued. “Thank you so much, Ray, for gracing our show on-screen and off—with your great presence! My heartfelt sympathy to beautiful Pat and your family—RIP, RAY.”

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Next to Lucci, MacDonnell was the longest-running original cast member onAll My Children. His contribution to the soap opera earned him a Daytime Emmy Award for lifetime achievement in 2004.

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MacDonnell was born March 5, 1928 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He attended Amherst College, before receiving a Fulbright Scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

source: people.com