R.I.P. Phil Carey

[Reza]

OLTL Mourns the Loss of Another Star!


Actor Phil Carey (Llanview's feisty patriarch Asa Buchanan) has died! The 83-year old star died on Friday, February 6, just one week after his former co-star Clint Ritchie (ex-Clint Buchanan) also passed away. No known cause of Carey's death has been reported, however, he had been diagnosed and underwent chemotherapy for lung cancer back in June, 2006.

Eugene Carey was born July 15, 1925 in Hackensack, New Jersey and grew up on Long Island. As a young man, Carey joined the U.S. Marines and served in both World War II and the Korean War, and briefly attend New York's Mohawk University, followed by the University of Miami where he studied drama. During his college years, he met and eventually married, Maureen Peppler. After getting married, the couple had three children, Linda, Jeffrey and Lisa.

The 6'4" actor made his film debut in John Wayne's Operation Pacific in 1951, and later went on to star in such films as Cattle Town , The Man Behind the Gun , Calamity Jane , The Nebraskan and The Long Gray Line . During the 60's and 70's, Carey, guest starred in various television shows, including such hits as The Rifleman , The Virginian and Gunsmoke .

After his divorce from his first wife, Carey married a much younger woman named Colleen Welch, in 1976 and later had two more children by her, daughter Shannon (born in 1980) and son Sean (born in 1983).

It was in 1979, when Phil Carey, was offered the part of Asa Buchanan on ABC's One Life to Live , and became one of Llanview's most pivotal characters to hit town. Asa Buchanan, along with his sons Bo and Clint Buchanan, became key components to almost every major storyline over the next 25 years or so. In 2007, after being on contract with OLTL for 28 years, the show had opted not to renew his contract. After Carey had refused to go on recurring status, OLTL wrote his character off with Asa's death. In a surprise treat for many of his fans, Phil Carey, did make a few last guest appearances in 2008.

Phil Carey will surely be missed by his many fans, but will remain in the hearts of those who loved him and his outstanding character, the unforgettable - Asa Buchanan!