John Callahan's Death Mourned by 'All My Children' and Soap Fans

Daniel S. Levine

03/28/2020 05:48 pm EDT

Soap opera fans are mourning the sudden death of All My Children star John Callahan. The beloved actor died Saturday after suffering a massive stroke on Friday. Callahan, who also starred on Days of Our Lives, was 66. He is survived by his ex-wife, All My Children co-star Eva LaRue, and their daughter, Kaya Callahan.

The actor suffered a massive stroke at his home in Palm Desert, California and was rushed to a nearby hospital and put on life support. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, LaRue and Kaya could only see him at the hospital for a very brief time. They were informed of Callahan's death just after midnight by phone, Callahan's representative told Soap Opera Network.

"We are extremely saddened and distraught over the loss of John," LaRue said in a statement to Soap Opera Network. "He was my great friend, co-parent and an amazing father to Kaya. The absence of his bigger than life, gregarious personality will leave a hole in our hearts forever. Words cannot express the shock and devastation we are feeling at this time. The Yankees just lost one of their greatest fans."

LaRue also shared an emotional Instagram post, writing that Callahan's "bigger than life, gregarious personality will leave a hole in our hearts forever." The couple were married from 1996 to 2004.

Since news of Callahan's death spread, fans and his colleagues have rushed to social media to send his family their condolences. Scroll on to see how Callahan is being remembered today.

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kelly Ripa React

"Get past the horrible eyebrows on me and you will notice the incredibly handsome man, standing beside, me at my high school graduation," actress Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote. "That's [John Callahan] or better know to me as GP (but why I called him that remains between us and those closest to him) He stepped into a lot of moments in my life because I didn't have a father to be there. Johns greatest joy in his life, was when he had a daughter of his own [Kaya]. John left us this morning. I promise you GP just as you were there for me, I will always be there for smoosh (Kaya) and @evalarue as well. I will tape a pic of you to my hand held mirror (that's for you [Kelly Ripa]) This is all too much, especially right now, but I want the world to know how much you meant to so many people."

"No words still," Kelly Ripa, who starred on All My Children, commented on Gellar's post.

'Sending Love'

LaRue shared several photos on Twitter, providing fans with a venue to share their condolences.

'I Cannot Even Imagine'

LaRue shared a recent photo of the former couple with their daughter Kaya. She was born in December 2001.

'Such a Great Actor'

LaRue's next photo included the proud parents wearing Notre Dame jerseys, with Kaya in her cheerleader outfit. The photo quickly attracted more than two dozen comments from fans.

'Heartbreaking'

LaRue also shared a magazine photo taken during her pregnancy. The picture shows Callahan kissing LaRue's baby bump.

Fiona Hughes Remembers Callahan

Fiona Hughes, who played Alexandra Devane Marick on All My Children, said she was "very sorry" to hear of Callahan's death. She called him a "true Irishman," who always had a joke or a funny story ready.

Photo credit: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Festival

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