Politics
‘Guiding Light’ Star Passes Away At 65
Veteran soap star Mark Dobies, best known for his roles on Guiding Light and One Life to Live, has passed away at the age of 65. His death occurred on March 11, according to an obituary from New Jersey.
No cause of death has been disclosed.
Dobies had a diverse career that spanned television, film, and theater. He gained recognition playing Dr. Noah Chase on the long-running CBS soap Guiding Light before taking on the role of District Attorney Daniel Colson on ABC’s One Life to Live from 2003 to 2005.
His character on One Life to Live was a closeted gay man who resorted to criminal activities to keep his secret, a storyline that sparked discussions about LGBTQ+ representation in television.
Beyond daytime television, Dobies made appearances in popular primetime shows, including Just Shoot Me!, Home Improvement, Melrose Place, Everybody Loves Raymond, CSI: Miami, Gossip Girl, and Fringe. He also showcased his stage talents in the 2004 Off-Broadway revival of The Normal Heart, performing alongside Richard Bekins, Raul Esparza, and Billy Warlock.
Alan Locher, a former publicist for Guiding Light, shared the news of Dobies’ passing on Instagram, describing it as “really sad and unexpected.”
“Mark was a talented actor with a career that spanned film, television, and theater,” Locher wrote. “I was lucky to work with Mark at Guiding Light and always knew him as a genuinely good guy.”
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Before making his mark in Hollywood, Dobies was a standout athlete. Born on April 3, 1959, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he played college football at Delaware Valley University.
He was a key player in leading his team to their first Middle Atlantic Conference championship in 1980. A lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan, he took great pride in watching the team secure its first Super Bowl victory in 2018.
Outside of his acting career, Dobies was a devoted father to his three children: Francesca, Olivia, and Robert. He is also survived by his mother, Suzanne, his brother, Paul, and his sister, Sandy. His obituary fondly remembered him as a man who lived with “passion, perseverance, and love.”
“Mark’s warmth, generosity, and adventurous spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him,” his family wrote. “May he fly high like his Birds off to heaven.”
Dobies’ impact on the entertainment industry and his personal legacy as a loving father and friend will not be forgotten. His contributions to television and theater, along with his passion for sports and family, paint the picture of a man who lived life fully and left a lasting impression on those around him.
