‘All My Children’ Alum Dead at 84 After Tragic House Fire

Former soap opera actor Paul Avery and his wife, Sheila Avery, tragically died in a house fire at their home in New Jersey, their daughter confirmed.

“I’m devastated to share that our parents, Paul and Sheila Garry Avery, passed away early this morning,” Kyle Avery shared via Facebook on Tuesday, June 16. “We loved them so much, and they loved us so much, and nobody ever had to wonder if that was so. We’re grateful to the Blairstown Fire Department for their efforts. Service plans to follow.”

Paul — who was 84 years old at the time of his passing — spent two decades in Hollywood, landing guest-starring roles in shows like Soap and Three’s Company. He also had a small part in the original Superman movie in 1978. He later landed a recurring role as Hughie the bartender in All My Children.

In his later years, he worked as executive editor of the Ridge View Echo online newspaper.

“The great thing about living in a small town is that you can actively participate in it,” Avery said during a 2023 profile.

In addition to acting and writing, Avery was an avid skydiver and motorcyclist. He was also a member of the United States National Guard, and spent a year serving as a helicopter crew chief in the Vietnam War.

Paul and Sheila welcomed two daughters, Kyle and Parker, during their marriage.