General Hospital's Edward Quatermaine dies: John Ingle's legacy - Examiner.com

"General Hospital" actor John Ingle is dead at age 84. The veteran actor passed away on Sunday but official release of his death wasn't made until the next day, Sept 17. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/17/john-ingle-dead-dies-general-hospital-actor_n_1891436.html

His career spanned more than three decades including two at GH. Among his other acting credits are the feature films "Batman and Robin," "Death Becomes Her," "Robocop II," "Heathers" and "Senseless." Children and adult audiences alike know his voice as Cera's dad on the animated feature film "Land before Time." He also enjoys the distinction of being kissed by supermodel Cindy Crawford in two Revlon commercials. In addition, Ingle had a recurring guest-starring role on the ABC hit television comedy, "The Drew Carey Show."

John Ingle wasn't always an actor. He actually spent the first 30 years of his career grooming and mentoring young actors while teaching English and drama to students first at Hollywood High then at Beverly Hills High School. He also taught at several colleges including UCLA. He couldn't have known them but during that time he helped nurture the careers of a multitude of future stars – his legacy.

Among his now famous students were Albert Brooks, Nicolas Cage, Richard Dreyfuss, Joanna Gleason, Barbara Hershey, Swoosie Kurtz, Stefanie Powers, David Schwimmer and Jonathan Silverman. Ingle retired from teaching in 1985 and began an acting career the same year. He joined "General Hospital" in 1993.

ABC says Ingle taped his final appearance on GH on Aug. 24, and that episode aired Sept. 11, fulfilling a wish to play Edward Quartermaine one last time. He developed and molded the gruff, unscrupulous corporate raider's character over the last two decades showing viewers careful glimpses of his kind and loving side. It was that side of him that we saw in his last performance.

When I heard that scene was his last one I went back and watched the segment. The impact of the script had a different meaning now that we know it was his last show and not just the ending of a long-loved character.

After giving the only vial of an antidote to a deadly virus to his "adopted" granddaughter he sat alone in a conference room. Tracy, his television daughter, stood outside of the room looking upon her father through a large window. He smiled and waved one finger at the camera. Tracy held back tears and then gave a heartfelt GH tribute which the audience believed only was meant for the television character.

"He always says there is no reason for sadness. Daddy's had a long life: A good life, a life filled with laughter, adventure, happiness. A life filled with love, with fortune, friends and family but not without pain, loss, sadness or regret. He wouldn't change a thing and if this is his time, he's going to be reunited with the woman he loves." At GH the woman referred to was his cherished Lila, played by Anna Lee until 2003.

Today "Tracy's" words reflect the thoughts of family, friends, students and fans of John Ingle. Ingle's wife Grace-Lynne Martin Ingle had passed just seven months ago. They had been married 57 years.