Robert Rodan, an actor whose brief career made a lasting impact on young Dark Shadows fans enthralled by his performance as the supernatural soap’s Frankenstein-like character Adam, died March 25 of heart failure in Oregon. He was 83.
His death was announced on the Dark Shadows newsletter Shadowgram.
The imposing Rodan, born Robert Trimas in Newark, New Jersey, was cast in 1968 to play the ABC daytime drama’s latest addition to its stable of monsters. Following the introduction of a vampire, a witch and various ghosts, the Dan Curtis production decided to add a storyline based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
With stitches scarring his face and manacles often on his feet, Rodan’s Adam began as a silent, childlike innocent who turned violent and monstrous after various mistreatments.
Unlike other performers on the series, Rodan did not portray a multitude of characters; when the Adam storyline came to a close within the year, Rodan left the series. He starred in the 1969 grindhouse drama The Minx before pursuing a real estate career in Southern California.
Rodan returned to the Dark Shadows universe in the early 2000s with occasional appearances on a series of audio dramas.
Rodan is survived by daughters Mandi and Laura, son Jordan and granddaughter Brianna.
The actor’s death marks the third Dark Shadows cast member to pass away in recent weeks. Geoffrey Scott, who played the soap’s Sky Rumson, died Feb. 23 from Parkinson’s disease, and Christopher Pennock, who played a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde character on the show, died Feb. 12 following a battle with cancer.
We're sad to share the news that #DarkShadows actor Robert Rodan has died at the age of 83. Robert played the Frankenstein-esque Adam during on the show in 1968. Robert passed away in Oregon on March 25 of heart failure. His ashes will be scattered off Catalina Island. pic.twitter.com/KmdddO0y5i
— Dark Shadows News (@DarkShadowsNews) March 27, 2021...
His death was announced on the Dark Shadows newsletter Shadowgram.
The imposing Rodan, born Robert Trimas in Newark, New Jersey, was cast in 1968 to play the ABC daytime drama’s latest addition to its stable of monsters. Following the introduction of a vampire, a witch and various ghosts, the Dan Curtis production decided to add a storyline based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
With stitches scarring his face and manacles often on his feet, Rodan’s Adam began as a silent, childlike innocent who turned violent and monstrous after various mistreatments.
Unlike other performers on the series, Rodan did not portray a multitude of characters; when the Adam storyline came to a close within the year, Rodan left the series. He starred in the 1969 grindhouse drama The Minx before pursuing a real estate career in Southern California.
Rodan returned to the Dark Shadows universe in the early 2000s with occasional appearances on a series of audio dramas.
Rodan is survived by daughters Mandi and Laura, son Jordan and granddaughter Brianna.
The actor’s death marks the third Dark Shadows cast member to pass away in recent weeks. Geoffrey Scott, who played the soap’s Sky Rumson, died Feb. 23 from Parkinson’s disease, and Christopher Pennock, who played a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde character on the show, died Feb. 12 following a battle with cancer.
We're sad to share the news that #DarkShadows actor Robert Rodan has died at the age of 83. Robert played the Frankenstein-esque Adam during on the show in 1968. Robert passed away in Oregon on March 25 of heart failure. His ashes will be scattered off Catalina Island. pic.twitter.com/KmdddO0y5i
— Dark Shadows News (@DarkShadowsNews) March 27, 2021...
- 3/29/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Christopher Pennock, whose long career in daytime drama is best remembered for his portrayal of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde character on ABC’s supernatural soap Dark Shadows, died Feb. 12 following a brief hospitalization in California. Pennock, who was diagnosed with melanoma last summer, was 76.
His death was announced on the Dark Shadows News Facebook page. Pennock’s wife, Lynn Dunn Pennock, told the site that her husband, a lifelong Buddhist, “has transitioned into the pure land of Dewachen with complete enlightenment leaving only a rainbow body behind.”
Dark Shadows actor David Selby, a friend of Pennock’s since their days on the 1960s-’70s show, wrote on his blog, “Chris was the most fun loving, generous and kind man with a great smile. He was the kind of person this world needs more of…His spirit and joy of life will be with me and all those who...
His death was announced on the Dark Shadows News Facebook page. Pennock’s wife, Lynn Dunn Pennock, told the site that her husband, a lifelong Buddhist, “has transitioned into the pure land of Dewachen with complete enlightenment leaving only a rainbow body behind.”
Dark Shadows actor David Selby, a friend of Pennock’s since their days on the 1960s-’70s show, wrote on his blog, “Chris was the most fun loving, generous and kind man with a great smile. He was the kind of person this world needs more of…His spirit and joy of life will be with me and all those who...
- 2/17/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
1981: Another World's Cecile announced she had married Jamie.
1987: One Life to Live's Tina went over a waterfall to her "death" in Argentina.
1987: Another World's Donna & Michael married.
2007: Ashley Abbott arrived on The Bold and the Beautiful."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1953: On Love of Life, nine-year-old Ben "Beanie" Harper (Dennis Parnell) and his roommate planned to escape from the boarding school.
1970: On Dark Shadows, Carolyn Stoddard (Nancy Barrett) told Jeb Hawkes (Christopher Pennock) she could not go through with the wedding.
1987: One Life to Live's Tina went over a waterfall to her "death" in Argentina.
1987: Another World's Donna & Michael married.
2007: Ashley Abbott arrived on The Bold and the Beautiful."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1953: On Love of Life, nine-year-old Ben "Beanie" Harper (Dennis Parnell) and his roommate planned to escape from the boarding school.
1970: On Dark Shadows, Carolyn Stoddard (Nancy Barrett) told Jeb Hawkes (Christopher Pennock) she could not go through with the wedding.
- 3/9/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1965: Peyton Place's Elliot learned he was a grandfather.
1971: Dark Shadows' Gabriel stabbed Kendrick.
1989: Another World's original Donna Love returned.
2004: All My Children's Bianca remembered killing Michael."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1962: On The Edge of Night, Louise (Mary K. Wells) learned about Phil's (Ray MacDonnell) car crash, unaware that he had been replaced by a double, John Lambert (Ray MacDonnell).
1965: On As the World Turns, Chris (Don MacLaughlin) told Pa (Santos Ortega) about a rare disease that Dan had contracted,...
1971: Dark Shadows' Gabriel stabbed Kendrick.
1989: Another World's original Donna Love returned.
2004: All My Children's Bianca remembered killing Michael."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1962: On The Edge of Night, Louise (Mary K. Wells) learned about Phil's (Ray MacDonnell) car crash, unaware that he had been replaced by a double, John Lambert (Ray MacDonnell).
1965: On As the World Turns, Chris (Don MacLaughlin) told Pa (Santos Ortega) about a rare disease that Dan had contracted,...
- 2/23/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1981: Another World's Cecile announced she had married Jamie.
1987: One Life to Live's Tina went over a waterfall to her "death"
in Argentina. 1987: Another World's Donna & Michael married.
2007: Ashley Abbott arrived on The Bold and the Beautiful."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1953: On Love of Life, nine-year-old Ben "Beanie" Harper (Dennis Parnell) and...
1987: One Life to Live's Tina went over a waterfall to her "death"
in Argentina. 1987: Another World's Donna & Michael married.
2007: Ashley Abbott arrived on The Bold and the Beautiful."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1953: On Love of Life, nine-year-old Ben "Beanie" Harper (Dennis Parnell) and...
- 3/9/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1965: Peyton Place's Elliot learned he was a grandfather.
1971: Dark Shadows' Gabriel stabbed Kendrick.
1989: Another World's original Donna Love returned.
2004: All My Children's Bianca remembered killing Michael."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1962: On The Edge of Night, Louise (Mary K. Wells) learned about Phil's (Ray MacDonnell) car crash, unaware that he had been replaced by a double,...
1971: Dark Shadows' Gabriel stabbed Kendrick.
1989: Another World's original Donna Love returned.
2004: All My Children's Bianca remembered killing Michael."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1962: On The Edge of Night, Louise (Mary K. Wells) learned about Phil's (Ray MacDonnell) car crash, unaware that he had been replaced by a double,...
- 2/23/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1970: Dark Shadows' Jeb dug up Paul's grave.
1976: Ryan's Hope's Reenie begged her father to help her.
1999: Y&R's Katherine was tempted to drink.
2003: As the World Turns' Dusty returned to Oakdale."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: On The Secret Storm, Pauline Harris (Haila Stoddard) refused to help Peter Ames (Peter Hobbs...
1976: Ryan's Hope's Reenie begged her father to help her.
1999: Y&R's Katherine was tempted to drink.
2003: As the World Turns' Dusty returned to Oakdale."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: On The Secret Storm, Pauline Harris (Haila Stoddard) refused to help Peter Ames (Peter Hobbs...
- 2/18/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Written by Creepybopper #1 Mc – Michael Culhane
Be with the first exclusive set visit — here & Now — on FM.com with dispatches and teasers until the new Doctor Mabuse: II sequel that is currently under production wraps. (And: look forward to a special announcement here from Mc for FM at Comic-con.)
FM first discovered Ansel Faraj and his first Doctor Mabuse at the movie’s World Premiere on Coronado Island, CA, at the Coronado Village Theatre on April 27. The audience was enthralled by the dark and haunting handmade film, and perhaps not a little surprised that a man of barely drinking age helmed this intelligent, weirdly troubling, claustrophobic, quasi-detective story of evil, seemingly set in some period place in a parallel universe, though one disturbingly resembling our own.
What makes it work? Jerry Lacy… Those eyes…
Jerry Lacy Is Doctor Mabuse, and with his eyes alone he brings the evil.
This...
Be with the first exclusive set visit — here & Now — on FM.com with dispatches and teasers until the new Doctor Mabuse: II sequel that is currently under production wraps. (And: look forward to a special announcement here from Mc for FM at Comic-con.)
FM first discovered Ansel Faraj and his first Doctor Mabuse at the movie’s World Premiere on Coronado Island, CA, at the Coronado Village Theatre on April 27. The audience was enthralled by the dark and haunting handmade film, and perhaps not a little surprised that a man of barely drinking age helmed this intelligent, weirdly troubling, claustrophobic, quasi-detective story of evil, seemingly set in some period place in a parallel universe, though one disturbingly resembling our own.
What makes it work? Jerry Lacy… Those eyes…
Jerry Lacy Is Doctor Mabuse, and with his eyes alone he brings the evil.
This...
- 6/18/2013
- by Barrett
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
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