Former Days of Our Lives star Jed Allan has died at the age of 84. The sad news of Allan’s passing was announced on Saturday evening on his Facebook page by his son Rick Brown according to Soap Opera News
Jed Allan’s son’s post reads, “So sorry to post the very sad news of my fathers passing tonight. He died peacefully and was surrounded by his family and loved so much by us and so many others. Thank you for all who are part of this wonderful tribute to my dad on Facebook.”
Allan was no stranger to soap opera fans worldwide. He began his long-running daytime soap career in with his debut as Ace Hubbard on Love of Life in 1964. From 1964-65, he was also one of many actors to play college professor Paul Britton on The Secret Storm.
Jed is best known throughout the soap world as Don Craig on Days of Our Lives. Allan portrayed the immensely popular character from 1971 to 1985, his exit taking place as many of the show’s veteran cast members were being written out so the show could focus on younger characters.
Allan’s love interest on the soap was Dr. Marlena Evans played by Deidre Hall. In 1977, a prominent storyline quickly started involving Marlena’s jealous twin sister, Samantha (played by Hall’s real-life twin, Andrea Hall).
Dedicated Days fans will remember this particular story line as one of the most exciting of the time. Samantha impersonates Marlena and has her institutionalized. Marlena makes a quick attempt to escape and contact Don, but Samantha catches on.
Don, noticing an extreme personality difference in Marlena, starts suspecting that something is up. With the help of Laura Horton, he releases Marlena and has Samantha arrested. He proposes to Marlena, and the two are married later that year.
During this time, Marlena and Samantha make peace and share a heartfelt reconciliation. Marlena gives birth to a premature son she and Don name DJ. He dies of SIDS, which causes a rift between the couple. Don has an affair and the couple divorced soon after.
Allan’s departure from the soap soon after caused quite a ruckus for Days fans as his character was abruptly written out with no further explanation. Allan did not stray from daytime television for too long and respectfully gained a new audience when he took over the role of C.C. Capwell in Santa Barbara from 1986 to 1993. After his time on Santa Barbara, Allan had a recurring role in Beverly Hills, 90210 playing Rush Sanders the father of Steve Sanders.
In 2004, Allan returned to daytime when he started playing the role of Edward Quartermaine in General Hospital. Prior to starring on GH, he starred in its spin-off Port Charles.
In real life, Allan was married to Toby Brown from September 21, 1958, until her death in 2001. The couple had three sons, Mitch, Dean, and Rick. Allan lives in Palm Desert, California Jed married Toby in 1958. The happy couple remained together until Brown’s death in 2001.
Jed Allan is survived by his three children.
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[Photo credit: Jed Allan/Facebook]
