Michael Tylo, who was best known for playing the archaeologist Quinton Chamberlain on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light, has died at age 73.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where Tylo worked as a film professor, announced that he had passed away on Tuesday.
In addition to his major Guiding Light role, the actor was a regular fixture on a variety of soap operas, including The Young And The Restless, General Hospital and All My Children.
Soap star: Michael Tylo, who was best known for playing the archaeologist Quinton Chamberlain on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light, died Tuesday at 73, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas announced Thursday; seen in 2006 in Las Vegas
‘Michael Tylo was a beautiful and caring human being — he was so special, said Nancy Uscher, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, in a statement.
‘He was an exemplary friend, colleague, teacher, and artist. He had such a distinguished and rich career, but he was humble about his accomplishments. He loved his family dearly and lived a joyous life, but he left us way too soon. We will miss him greatly, but feel deep gratitude about all that Michael contributed to the College of Fine Arts, UNLV, and the world.’
His first major soap appearance came in 1980 when he had a small part on Another World.
The following year, he began his most popular run on Guiding Light, where he stayed until 1984, though he returned to the series for two episodes in 1996 and one in 1997.
Big break: Tylo starred on Guiding Light from 1981 to 1984 as the archaeologist Quinton Chamberlain; pictured with Lisa Brown
Tylo played the debonair archaeologist Quinton Chamberlain and became a fan favorite when his character was partnered with Lisa Brown’s Nola Reardon.
His next major soap appearance was as Matt Connolly on All My Children for a run in 1987, and two years later he appeared as Charlie Prince on General Hospital.
Although he was best known for his Guiding Light role, Tylo’s longest sustained appearance was on The Young And The Restless, where he appeared from 1992–1995 as the twins Rick and Blade Bladeson.
His final soap role was in 2000 for a brief stint on The Bold And The Beautiful as the lawyer Sherman Gale.
Not forgotten: On Wednesday, The Young And The Restless’ Twitter account posted a tribute to Tylo
On Wednesday, The Young And The Restless’ Twitter account posted a tribute to Tylo.
‘Our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Michael Tylo who graced #YR with his talents as Blade and Rick,’ it wrote.
Later in the 1980s, Tylo appeared on high-profile primetime projects including the iconic miniseries Lonesome Dove and A Man Called Hawk.
In 1990 and 1991 he became a regular on the TV series Zorro, playing Alcalde Luis Ramone.
The soap star became the final killer to be exposed by the classic defense lawyer Perry Mason in star Raymond Burr’s final appearance as the character, the 1993 TV movie The Case Of The Killer Kiss.
Fittingly, the film featured the murder of a soap opera star.
Academia: In 2003, Tylo began as a visiting professor in theater and film at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he later became the assistant dean for the College of Fine Arts; seen with his ex-wife Hunter Tylo in 1998 in Beverly Hills
By the 2000s, Tylo appeared on television less frequently and took up a second complementary career in academia, starting in 2003 as a visiting professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
He later became the assistant dean for the College of Fine Arts and taught courses on acting.
Tylo is survived by his wife Rachelle Tylo, as well as his daughters Kolette, Izabelle and Katya. His son Michael Tylo Jr. died in 2007 in a drowning incident, according to Soap Opera Digest.
Tylo also shared a stepson Christopher with his ex-wife, soap actress Hunter Tylo.