Retired soap opera star Ron Hale, best known for his roles as Mike Corbin on General Hospital and Dr. Roger Coleridge on Ryan’s Hope, passed away at the age of 78. Hale died on August 27 at his home in St. George, South Carolina, as confirmed by an online obituary. News of his death became widely known on Wednesday evening.
Hale, legally known as Ronald Hale Thigpen, retired from acting after his final appearance on General Hospital in 2010, where he portrayed Sonny Corinthos’ father from 1995 to 2010. He also starred in over 900 episodes of Ryan’s Hope, playing Roger Coleridge from 1975 until the show ended in 1989.
In addition to his soap opera roles, Hale had a notable appearance in the 1976 political thriller All the President’s Men, where he portrayed Watergate burglar Frank Sturgis, acting alongside Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford. His film and television career also included appearances in The Lord Protector, Search for Tomorrow, Matlock, and MacGyver.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Hale was the son of James Ray Thigpen Sr. and Elinor Jane Doerr Thigpen. Beyond his screen career, he performed in plays at the Trustus Theatre in Columbia, South Carolina, a theater founded by his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Kay Thigpen.
Hale is survived by his nieces and nephews, Lori Brown, Max Brabham, Erin Wilson, and Marc Brown.
Coincidentally, news of Hale’s death comes shortly after headlines about his former General Hospital co-star Kelly Monaco, who is set to make her final appearance as Sam McCall this fall.