Randall England, who brought trouble to Port Charles as General Hospital villain Jack Slater, has died at 75, leaving behind a career that stretched from daytime television to movies, theater and music.
England died September 25 in Los Angeles following esophageal cancer, according to reporting on his family’s announcement. News of his death became public in November, nearly seven weeks later. His family said he was surrounded by loved ones.
For soap fans, England remains associated with Slater, the supposed film producer whose respectable image concealed a life as a jewel thief. His run on the ABC drama lasted from 1984 to 1985, but acting was only one chapter in an unusually varied life.
Born in Oklahoma City in 1951, England was a University of Oklahoma baseball pitcher before a trip to New York opened the door to modeling. That work took him around the world, and he later studied acting with Kim Stanley and Stella Adler before an audition brought him to Los Angeles. He eventually made Beverly Hills his home for more than 40 years.
Beyond General Hospital, viewers saw him on Dallas, The Young and the Restless and Baywatch. His film credits included Looker, Star Crystal and Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and he also appeared in Maroon 5’s “Sugar” music video. Away from the camera, he wrote, produced and recorded music under the name RAE.
His family’s tribute, however, focused less on his screen credits than on the man who coached baseball, mentored young actors and freely offered encouragement. They described him as dependable and generous, with fatherhood and being “Pappaw” to his grandchildren bringing him his greatest happiness.
England is survived by his daughter, Micaela Reed, and her husband, Sam; grandchildren Katherine and Julian; mother Catherine Burgess; sister Linda Baker; and extended family. His loved ones requested donations to the Esophageal Cancer Action Network in his memory.