The daytime community is mourning the passing of David Hedison, who "passed away peacefully" on July 18 at the age of 92, say his daughters Alexandra and Serena. The actor was known for Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea but also played Arthur Hendricks on The Young and the Restless, Spencer Harrison on Another World, and Sam Dexter on Dynasty.
A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Hedison discovered his passion for theater at Brown University and later studied under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse and Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. He began his career using his given name, Al Hedison, in Off-Broadway productions alongside Uta Hagen and Michael Redgrave.
Hedison began appearing in films in the 1950s, including the sci-fi classic The Fly and the swashbuckler Son of Robin Hood. Those roles led to a contract with Twentieth Century Fox, after which he appeared in series like Five Fingers, Perry Mason, and The Saint. However, his performance as the heroic Capt. Lee B. Crane in the submarine-set 1964-68 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea secured his place in major television history.
Hedison landed his first soapy role in 1983, playing farming/mining tycoon Sam Dexter on Dynasty. He then went on to play Spencer Harrison on Another World in 1991 and Judge Arthur Hendricks on Y&R in 2004. Fans of the latter soap may recall that Arthur is the father of Tucker McCall (Stephen Nichols), whose mother was the late Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper).
Said that actor's family in a statement: "Even in our deep sadness, we are comforted by the memory of our wonderful father. He loved us all dearly and expressed that love every day. He was adored by so many, all of whom benefitted from his warm and generous heart. Our dad brought joy and humor wherever he went and did so with great style."
Hedison is survived by his daughters, Alexandra and Serena. His wife Bridget, a producer on Dynasty and its spinoff The Colbys, died in 2016.
Hedison's family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Actor's Fund.
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