John Callahan Dead: ‘Days of Our Lives’ Star Unexpectedly Dies at 66

John Callahan, famous for playing the role of Edmund Grey on All My Children, and Dr. Baker on Days of Our Lives, suddenly died on March 28, 2020. He was 66.

As reported by Soap Opera Network, Callahan died unexpectedly after suffering a massive stroke at his Palm Desert, California home on Friday, March 27. “Paramedics responded to a call and rushed the actor to Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California where he was put on life support.” On Saturday morning, he passed away.

Callahan was previously married to first wife Linda Freeman, with whom he shared two stepsons. After they divorced in 1995, he later tied the knot with actress and former All My Children co-star Eva LaRue in 1996. Together they had one daughter, Kaya Mckenna, who was born on December 6, 2001. Callahan and LaRue divorced in 2005.

A rep for Callahan said that the actor did not die from coronavirus, “but due to the current hospital safety regulations, the younger Callahan and La Rue were able to see the actor for a limited time before having to exit the hospital. They were then notified of Callahan’s passing shortly after midnight by phone.”

Actress Eva LaRue Callahan with John Callahan and their daughter, Kaya, in 2002.

Ex-wife Eva LaRue said of his passing, “We are extremely saddened and distraught over the loss of John.  He was my great friend, co-parent and an amazing father to Kaya. The absence of his bigger than life, gregarious personality will leave a hole in our hearts forever. Words cannot express the shock and devastation we are feeling at this time. The Yankees just lost one of their greatest fans.”

Callahan Was a Pre-Law Student at UC Berkley Before Pursuing A Career In Acting

GetyEva La Rue, John Callahan and Rosa Blasi in 2003.

Born on December 23, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, Callahan first moved out to attend college at the University of California at Berkley, where his goal was to one day become an attorney. While a student, he made extra money working as a bartender, and after being hired as a nightclub manager, Callahan realized he wanted to pursue a career in entertainment.

His first credited acting role came in 1982, where he played the role of “reporter” on the TV series, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. For the next few years, Callahan continued to land more prominent guest-starring roles on shows such as Fantasy Island, General Hospital and Hotel, before landing his first starring role on Falcon Crest.

As Eric Stavros, Callahan starred alongside Lorenzo Lamas and Jane Wyman on the popular primetime serial. He appeared in 66 episodes between 1989 and 1992, which propelled his career into soap opera stardom.

Callahan Starred on ‘Santa Barbara,’ ‘All My Children,’ ‘Days of Our Lives,’ & ‘The Bay’

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For decades, Callahan was a familiar face on primetime TV. He played the role of Craig Hunt on the soap opera Santa Barbara from 1989 to 1992 before nabbing the part of Edmund Grey on All My Children. From 1992 to 2005, during which time he met and married La Rue, who played the role of Dr. Maria Santos Grey on the long-running series.

In 1998, he won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for his role on All My Children, which he was previously nominated for in 1997, as well.

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