Mark Dobies, Star of One Life to Live and Guiding Light, Dies at 65

Soap opera star Mark Dobies has died.

According to a local obituary, Dobies died on March 11 in Dunellen, New Jersey at the age of 65, although his cause of death was not revealed. He is described as “a loving father, accomplished athlete and talented actor” who “lived a life full of passion, perseverance and love.”

Born on April 3, 1959, in Philadelphia, PA, Dobies was a football player-turned-actor. In 1997, he landed his first onscreen role on the drama series Fame L.A. In 2000, he booked a job on CBS’ Guiding Light playing Noah Chase.

Then, in 2003, he took on the role of District Attorney Daniel Colson on ABC’s One Life to Live until 2005.

During his two years on the series, Dobies made waves in the daytime television world when it was revealed that his character (who was married to Hilary B. Smith’s Nora Buchanan) was gay.

After Daniel killed Brock Cuchna’s Paul Cramer for threatening to expose his affair with a man, GLAAD protested the portrayal for perpetuating negative stereotypes surrounding the LGBTQ community.

TVLine reported that the show’s executive producer responded by stating, “This is a story about the harsher side of intolerance and about one man not being true to himself.”

Dobies also made guest appearances on Home Improvement, Melrose Place, Everybody Loves Raymond, Just Shoot Me!, Fringe and Gossip Girl, as well as films such as In My Sister's Shadow, Followers, Perception and, most recently in 2016, the sports drama Greater.

In addition to on-camera gigs, Dobies had a passion for theater. In 2004, he starred as Bruce Niles in the off-Broadway revival of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart at The Public Theater in New York City. 

“His presence on screen and stage reflected his dedication and talent as a performer,” his obituary reads.

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Dobies has three children: Francesca, 27, Olivia, 24, and Robert, 21. His obituary describes them as “the center of his universe.”

He is also survived by his mother, Suzanne, his brother, Paul, and his sister, Sandy.

“Mark’s warmth, generosity and adventurous spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him,” the obituary concludes. “His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the love he gave so freely. May he fly high like his Birds off to heaven.”