General Hospital star Ron Hale, best known for his role as Mike Corbin on the popular soap opera, has passed away at the age of 78. The veteran actor’s family confirmed the sad news on Wednesday, October 2, mentioning that Hale, a Michigan native, died on Tuesday, August 27. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. Hale portrayed mob boss Mike Corbin on General Hospital from 1995 to 2011, before retiring from acting in 2018. His character was succeeded by actor Max Gail. Prior to his time on General Hospital, he also had a significant role on ABC’s Ryan’s Hope from 1975 to 1989.
After retiring, Hale lived in St. George, South Carolina, and is survived by his nieces and nephews. He was previously married to Dood Hale, who had three teenage children from a previous relationship. Dood passed away in 1989, and Ron did not remarry. The actor began his soap opera career in 1969 on Search for Tomorrow and also performed at the Trustus Theatre in South Carolina, founded by his brother and sister-in-law. Hale appeared in the General Hospital spin-off series Port Charles and his final acting role was in The Ghost and the Whale before officially retiring in 2020 after a 50-year career.
Colleagues and fans have been expressing their condolences on social media, remembering Hale’s talent and contributions to the entertainment industry. Co-star Billy Warlock, who played AJ Quartermaine, shared a heartfelt tribute, calling Hale an incredible talent and a dear friend. With a successful career that spanned several decades and included iconic roles in soap operas, Hale’s legacy in the world of television will be remembered by many who were touched by his performances.