The soap opera world is in mourning today.
Sonya Eddy, an actress known, respected and loved for her role as Epiphany Johnson on the popular drama General Hospital, passed away on Monday.
He is 55 years old.
The bad news was confirmed Tuesday afternoon by Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, who announced the death of her close friend on Instagram in the following message:
“The world has lost another creative angel. Legions of @generalhospitalabc fans will miss him.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones, friends and fans.”
No cause of death has been announced at this time.
“I am saddened by the loss of the wonderful Sonya Eddy,” said Frank Valentini, executive producer of General Hospital, in a statement obtained by various celebrity gossip and entertainment news outlets.
“I really love her not only as an actress, but as a friend.
“The lights in the nursing center will now be a little dimmer, but the passion and light will continue to be on both at the show and on our location.”
Eddy has been an integral cast member of General Hospital since 2006 as Johnson’s Epiphany nurse.
He reprized his role in the 2007 spin-off General Hospital: Night Shift, which ran for two seasons.
Among other members of the General Hospital family who wrote heartfelt messages was actress Eden McCoy, who wrote on her Instagram Story:
“Rest In Peace to the Great Sonya Eddy. One of [a] well, really. Your General Hospital family will miss you.”
Apart from the long-running soap operas, Eddy has starred in dozens of soap operas and TV series, such as:
Married… With Children, Family Matters, Beverly Hills, 90210, Home Improvement, Gilmore Girls, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 2 Girls Broke Up, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Just Off the Boat, PEN15, and The Black Woman Sketch Show. His film credits include Daddy Day Care, Seven Pounds, and Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.
“On behalf of the entire cast and crew of GH, we send our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and fans. He will be missed a lot, “concluded Valentini.
We extend our condolences to Sonya Eddy’s friends, family members and loved ones.
May he rest in peace.