Saturday, March 4, 2017

Longtime 'Another World' Star Michael M. Ryan Dead at 87

Michael M. Ryan debuted on NBC soap opera Another World during
the show's first year on the air.
Actor Michael M. Ryan, who played John Randolph on NBC soap opera Another World during the show's first 15 years, passed away March 1 at K.C. Hospice House. He was 87.

Ryan was born in Wichita, Kansas on March 19, 1929. He attended St. James grade school and Lillis High School, then enlisted in the United States Navy. He later graduated from St. Benedictine College, and received a degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown.

After college, Ryan went to New York to study acting with Stella Adler. He performed Shakespeare at Central Park, and went on to play numerous roles on stage and screen. His film credits included Tootsie, Hamlet, The Strangler and Body Heat.

On April 1, 1963, Ryan took on the title role of new NBC daytime drama Ben Jerrod. The show lasted just under three months.

Another World's Pat and John were married on June 24, 1965.
In November 1964, he debuted on Another World as John Randolph, the attorney Mitchell Dru brought on to defend Pat Matthews (Beverly Penberthy) against murder charges. Over the next 15 years, John would fall in love, marry and later divorced Pat; became father of twins Michael and Maryanne; dealt with paralysis after a car crash; developed a drinking problem; had a nervous breakdown which led to him being institutionalized; went on trial for murdering Evan Webster; married Olive Gordon; and much more. John died in a fire in March 1979.

Ryan's other soap roles included George Foley on ABC's The Edge of Night (1982), and Vince Gardello on Christian Broadcasting Network's Another Life (1981-1984).

Ryan is survived by his wife, Camille Yoder; three sons, Michael Ryan, Christopher Ryan and his wife Kristin and Anthony Ryan; a daughter in law, Patty Ryan; four grandsons and four granddaughters; his brother, Terry Ryan and his wife Amy; a sister in law, Ann Ryan and several nieces and nephews.

Check out a clip of Michael M. Ryan in a 1974 episode of Another World below.

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