Randall England Dies: Actor Who Played ‘General Hospital’ Villain Was 75

Randall England died on September 25 in Los Angeles after a battle with esophageal cancer, Deadline reported, citing his family. He was 75. The actor was best known for playing the villain Jack Slater on General Hospital in 1984 and 1985, a role that Soap Opera Digest called "villainous" and Deadline called "memorable."

England was born on September 22, 1951, in Oklahoma City, People.com reported. He began modeling in the early 1970s after moving to New York City, and the work took him to London, Zurich, Milan and Los Angeles, according to Deadline. He studied acting with Kim Stanley and Stella Adler, then settled in Beverly Hills, where he lived for more than 40 years. People.com said he attended the University of Oklahoma before pursuing modeling following a "fateful trip" to New York City.

His career spanned television, film and theater. On stage, Deadline reported, he performed in productions of All My Sons and The Glass Menagerie, and he shared a 1994 Drama-Logue Award for Best Ensemble Cast for a Los Angeles production of The Three Sisters. His screen credits included Dallas, The Young and the Restless and Baywatch, along with films such as Ruby and Oswald, Looker, Star Crystal, Dream Machine, Skyscraper, Hellborn, Cat City, Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Shiner. He also appeared in Maroon 5's "Sugar" music video and wrote, produced and recorded music under the moniker RAE, People.com reported.

On General Hospital, England was introduced as Jack Slater on November 15, 1984, first appearing in Texas at the home of Mariah Ramirez, June Lockhart's character, Soap Opera Digest said. Slater, who also went by the name Matt Hines, claimed to be a movie producer while working for Sean Donely, who was running a scheme to smuggle Aztec treasure out of Mexico. The storyline involved Laura Spencer catching him going through Mariah's mail, Felicia Cummings being held hostage with Frisco Jones, and Slater's repeated attempts on the life of Dr. Tony Jones. After selling stolen jewels to a fence for $100,000 in New York on April 10, 1985, Slater framed Holly Sutton Scorpio for theft and eventually returned to Port Charles, where he died in a shoot-out with Sean, Soap Opera Digest reported.

People.com said England died surrounded by loved ones, and that his family described him as a man who "lived a life full of interesting people and stories" and considered being "Pappaw" to his grandchildren his favorite role. His obituary read: "Charming, loving, and generous with his time and energy, Randall was someone people could count on." He is survived by daughter Micaela Reed, son-in-law Sam Reed, sister Linda Baker, grandchildren Katherine and Julian, and mother Catherine Burgess. Fans are encouraged to donate in his memory to the Esophageal Cancer Action Network, People.com reported.