David Gail, best known for his roles on the hit 1990s teen drama “Beverly Hills, 90210” and the “General Hospital” spinoff “Port Charles,” has died at the age of 58.
Life and Career
Gail was born in Los Angeles in 1965. He got his start in Hollywood playing minor roles in films like “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” before landing a recurring part as Scott Scanlon on “Beverly Hills, 90210” in 1990.
| Year | Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990-1991 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Scott Scanlon |
| 1997-2003 | Port Charles | Dr. Joe Scanlon |
| 2005-2006 | The Young and the Restless | Damon Porter |
He appeared in over 30 episodes of “Beverly Hills, 90210” before his character was written off the show. Scott’s most memorable storyline involved accidentally shooting himself at his own birthday party.
After his stint on the iconic teen drama, Gail went on to play Dr. Joe Scanlon on the “General Hospital” spinoff “Port Charles.” He was one of the main cast members for all 6 seasons of the show.
Gail’s other credits included guest spots on “JAG,” “CSI: Miami,” and recurring roles on daytime soap operas like “The Young and the Restless,” “Days of Our Lives,” and “Passions.”
Death Confirmed by Co-Stars
The news of Gail’s passing at the age of 58 was first reported on January 21st. Many of his former co-stars took to social media to confirm his death and share memories of working with him.
Kin Shriner, who played Scotty Baldwin on “Port Charles,” tweeted:
“My dear friend and original castmate on ‘Port Charles,’ David Gail, passed away suddenly. I’m so so sorry & sad about this. He was nothing but kind to me. My heart goes out to his family and friends. The angels have you now David. Rest In Peace my friend.”
Erin Hershey Presley, who played Alison Barrington on the show, wrote on Facebook:
“David had a heart of gold and was always so kind to me during my awkward teen years. He made me laugh nonstop with his quick wit and shenanigans on set.”
So far, no cause of death has officially been released.
Shocked Reactions from Co-Stars & Fans
Fans and celebrities reacted with shock and sadness over David Gail’s untimely passing:
- Brian Austin Green, who starred alongside Gail in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” simply posted “RIP David” on his Instagram story.
- Tiffani Thiessen tweeted: “Shocked & saddened to hear of David Gail’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with him on 90210 back in the day. He was such a kind soul. My heart goes out to his loved ones. Gone too soon.”
- One fan account wrote on Twitter: “No!!! Omg I’m so sad about this. I absolutely loved David Gail. He was such an incredible talent and seemed like the nicest guy.”
- Another fan tweeted: “This makes me so sad. As a longtime fan of Port Charles, Joe and Alison were my favorites. David brought so much to that role. 58 is far too young.”
The official “Beverly Hills, 90210” social media pages and many of its other stars have not issued public statements yet.
What Happens Next
It’s unclear if there will be a public memorial service for David Gail announced. Port Charles co-star Jon Lindstrom did suggest on Twitter that he and other cast members hoped to organize something.
There has also been no cause of death reported, so it’s unknown if more details will later be released by his family or the coroner’s office.
While certainly best remembered by daytime audiences for “Port Charles,” David Gail’s time playing Scott Scanlon on “Beverly Hills, 90210” remains one of the most memorable tragic character deaths in TV history.
His sudden passing at only 58 years old is a sad loss for the entertainment world and for those who worked with David throughout his wide-ranging career in Hollywood. This tragic news is sure to sadden both new and old fans alike as we look back on his storied career.
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