All My Children star Paul Avery and his wife Sheila have died in a house fire at their home in Blairstown, New Jersey. The couple were found unconscious and removed from the building by firefighters shortly after midnight on Tuesday but died from their injuries soon after.
Career and Community
Avery, 81, was best known for his 12-year role as Hughie the bartender on the American soap opera All My Children. Over his 20-year acting career, he also appeared in shows such as Superman, Three's Company, and Tales from the Darkside. Later in life, he worked as a journalist and editor, writing film reviews and helping found the Ridge View Echo newspaper.
Family Tribute
The couple's daughter, Kyle Avery, shared her grief on Facebook: 'I'm devastated to share that our parents, Paul and Sheila Garry Avery, passed away early this morning. We loved them so much, and they loved us so much, and nobody ever had to wonder if that was so. We're grateful to the Blairstown Fire Department for their efforts. Service plans to follow.'
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which was brought under control by 1am, according to the Ridge View Echo.
Community Mourns
In 2018, Sheila suffered a stroke, and Avery stepped down from some public duties to become her full-time carer. Avery, an active community member, once wrote: 'The great thing about living in a small town is that you can actively participate in it.'
Ridge View Echo employee Joe Phalon paid tribute: 'I got a call saying what happened, and I just couldn't believe it. I always like to call Paul the most interesting man in the world, because he was when you consider everything he's done in his life. Acting, skydiving, Vietnam veteran, started a newspaper. His death is going to leave a real void in this community. Not just Blairstown, but the towns around as well.'
