On the afternoon of September 12, news broke that All My Children star Mark LaMura died.
The actor who was best known for his role as Mark Dalton on the long-running soap opera passed away the previous day at the age of 68 following a strenuous battle with lung cancer, according to TV Line. The website confirmed the sad news with LaMura's close friend actor Donnie Kehr (House of Cards).
LaMura held his role on All My Children from 1977 to 1989 before leaving to take on other projects. He made occasional guest appearances on the show throughout the 1990s.
The Emmy-nominated actor also appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation, As The World Turns, One Life to Live, L.A. Law, The Sopranos, Law & Order: SVU and Damages. He starred in several theatrical productions including the 2013 revival of The Odd Couple.
In 2012, LaMura confessed that he didn't "love" being on the soap opera and described it as "a heavy like affair."
"The problem with them is they cost too much compared to four hosts and a guest sitting on a couch," he told We Love Soaps. To act in them, however, was like being able to play all 88 keys on a piano and only being allowed to plunk out the same 8 every day."
"The director has to shoot it, the actors have learn "˜all them words' the night before," he continued. "Love "” no. Thanks for the dough. It was a heavy like affair."
Despite it all, LaMura made some lifelong friendships. His costar and friend Susan Lucci, who played LaMura's on-screen sister, Erica Kane, shared a heartfelt tribute after hearing about the actor's passing.
Lucci posted a photo of her and LaMura on Instagram accompanied by a touching caption.
"How can this be?" she wrote. "I just received the shocking and deeply saddening news that wonderful Mark LaMura has passed away! Mark played my brother Mark on All My Children."
"He was such a talented and accomplished actor / a bright and charming presence in all our AMC lives "” and a really great guy," she added. "Mark was loved and he will be missed! RIP, my friend."
Mark's death comes just a year after the death of the creator of All My Children, Agnes Nixon. Lucci also paid tribute to Nixon at this year's Daytime Emmys.
Our thoughts and prayers are with LaMura's loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
