'Dark Shadows' Star Humbert Allen Astredo Dead at 86

Humbert Allen Astredo

Humbert Allen Astredo, an actor who appeared in numerous daytime dramas and played multiple roles on gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, died on February 19. He was 86.

Astredo was born on April 4, 1929, in Pasadena, California, and spent much of his childhood in San Francisco. Part of a family of restaurateurs, Humbert had no interest in joining the family business at the Union Street Astredo's Exchange. Instead, he considered working as either a lawyer or an electrical engineer, but eventually took to the stage, appearing at the Hollywood Bowl in "Faust."

In 1965 he appeared at the New York Shakespeare Festival, followed in 1966 with roles for the Repertory Theatre of New Orleans. In 1968, he joined the cast of ABC's original Dark Shadows series where he played the characters of Nicholas Blair, Evan Hanley and Charles Dawson. He also played Dr. Forbes in the House of Dark Shadows movie in 1970.

In 1970, he split his time between Dark Shadows and Another World, where he played interior designer Joe Bruno. His other soap work included roles on The Edge of Night (Mayor Finley), One Life to Live (Bruno Weston), Love of Life (Dr. Applegate), Loving (James Preston), Guiding Light, Somerset, Texas and For Richer, for Poorer.

Astredo loved working on the stage. His Broadway credits included "Les Blancs," "Murderous Angels," "An Evening With Richard Nixon and..." and "The Little Foxes."

He retired from acting in the mid-1980s, and moved to Connecticut, where he pursued his passion for sailing.

In the Dark Shadows clip below, Astredo's Nicholas Blair battles Reverend Trask (Jerry Lacy).