A beloved actor known for his role on “All My Children” was killed along with his wife in a devastating house fire.
Paul Avery — who played Hughie the bartender on the hit soap opera in the 80s — and his wife, Sheila, could not be saved after their Blairstown, New Jersey, home went up in flames, WFMZ reported.
Firefighters rushed to the house just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, rescued the couple that were in critical condition and performed CPR — but they both died shortly after, the Ridge View Echo reported.
Paul Avery — known for playing the role of Hughie the bartender on the hit soap opera in the 80s — and his wife, Sheila, were found unconscious inside their home in Blairstown Tuesday morning. Facebook/Kyle Avery
Avery’s daughter Kyle paid tribute to her parents with a touching message on Facebook. Kyle Avery / FacebookAvery played the charismatic character of Hughie, who worked at a dive bar called Foxy’s, on “All My Children” for more than a decade.
He also appeared in the original 1978 “Superman” movie, performing the uncredited role of a TV cameraman, and founded the community newspaper the Ridge View Echo.
The couple’s heartbroken daughter, Kyle Avery, posted a tribute on Facebook.
“I’m devastated to share that our parents, Paul and Sheila Garry Avery, passed away early this morning. We loved them so much, and they loved us so much, and nobody ever had to wonder if that was so,” she wrote.
The cause of the fire is reportedly under investigation.
Paul Avery’s friend, Joe Phalon, who works at the paper Avery founded, told WFMZ: “I always like to call Paul the most interesting man in the world, because he was when you consider everything he’s done in his life. Acting, skydiving, Vietnam veteran, started a newspaper.”
“His death is going to leave a real void in this community. Not just Blairstown, but the towns around as well,” he added. “I think we’ll really miss him, and I think it’s going to become more apparent over time.”
