Emmy-winning actor, soap star David Canary dies at 77

He would go on to win five Daytime Emmy Awards (from 16 nominations overall) for his dual roles as diabolical mogul and patriarch Adam Chandler and his angelic, artist twin Stuart on the popular soap. He acted, free of charge, in a local theater production to raise money for A Better Chance (a Wilton charity meant to help kids prepare for college), he sang in Kiwanis holiday concerts, he spoke at an area school’s Career Day, and he was a supporter of Wilton’s public library.

Playing confident, classically-handsome Adam Chandler (and, at times, his timid brother Stuart), Chandler embraced the soap trappings. Canary then retired from acting full-time in 2010. He appeared on the big screen in films such as Hombre and The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre.

In addition to his work on “All My Children”, Canary was also known for his role on “Bonanza”.

When Leonard Nimoy and the producers of Star Trek were locked in a contract dispute of their own, Canary was one of the top candidates to play Mr. Spock, according to the 1996 book Inside Star Trek – The Real Story.

In 1975, David returned to NYC to continue his pursuit of theatre, and appeared in numerous plays including Tennessee Williams’ final play “Clothes for a Summer Hotel“, opposite Geraldine Paige.

He is survived by his wife, Maureen, and his three children, Christopher, Amy and Kathryn, Soap Opera Digest reported.

Susan Lucci, the Emmy-winning actress who played opposite him as Erica Kane, often described as one of the most memorable characters in soap-opera history, honoured him as a “warm and generous, talented and fabulous man, actor and friend”. “A wonderful man. I was lucky to know you”, his former co-star Kelly Ripa wrote on Twitter.

“So sad to learn of the passing of the great David Canary”.

As per an obituary posted on wiltonbulletin.com, funeral services for Canary will be private and for immediate family.