Veteran US actor Jack Axelrod has sadly passed away at the age of 93.
News of the star's passing was confirmed by his representative, Jennifer Garland who shared the heartbreaking news with Entertainment Weekly, telling the outlet: "I had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with him in his last years, as he had no immediate family [...] We spent much time outdoors, where Jack loved to sketch, read news articles and recite Shakespearean sonnets."
Axelrod - who is perhaps best known for his role as Victor Jerome on General Hospital in the late 1980s - died in Los Angeles on November 28. Garland stated that he died of natural causes.
Axelrod's career, spanning over six decades, left an indelible mark on both the small and big screens. And despite being best known for General Hospital, there is a strong chance Axelrod appears in at least one of your favorite TV shows over the years.
Despite leaving behind a career that spanned sex decades, his journey into acting was an unconventional one. Initially, he embarked on a path in architecture after studying at the University of California, Berkeley - later becoming a licensed architect in Washington.
However, his unyielding love for the art of acting ultimately drew him into a six-year acting program under the tutelage of the renowned German actress Uta Hagen at the Herbert Berghof Studio in the vibrant setting of New York City.
In the 1970s, Axelrod landed his first roles in major US TV shows, like Dallas and Kojak.
Following more minor roles on shows like Dynasty and Night Court, he would land the biggest tole of his career in 1987 in General Hospital - appearing in 40 episodes of the series.
What truly set Axelrod apart was his unwavering commitment to his craft. He continued to grace both screens well into his golden years, defying expectations and proving that age is no barrier to talent. On the big screen, he appeared in hit movies like Hancock, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and The Lone Ranger
His later roles in Dexter, The Office, Shameless, and Raising Hope were also a testament to his enduring passion for acting.
Other hit US TV shows that benefitted from Axelrod's talents include Alias, Frasier, It's All Relative, Malcolm In The Middle, Scrubs, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, NCIS, and Hawaii Five-O.
On IMDb, his final listed acting role came in the 2020 movie Bad Therapy.
Throughout his career, Axelrod's magnetic presence and impeccable acting skills left an indelible legacy. His contributions to the entertainment industry continue to be celebrated, and his work will undoubtedly inspire future generations of actors. In fact, prior to his passing, Axelrod worked as a guest teacher at the Aaron Speiser Acting Studio in Los Angeles.
Rest in peace, Jack Axelrod, and thank you for the magic you brought to our screens.
Our thoughts go out to Axelrod's loved ones and fans at this time.
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