Phil Carey bids goodbye to TV

NEW YORK (AP) — Phil Carey, known for his role as business tycoon Asa Buchanan on the ABC soap One Life to Live, has died. He was 83.

Carey died at his New York City home following a battle with lung cancer, according to ABC network officials.

“His presence will always be a part of One Life to Live,” said Frank Valentini, the show’s executive producer. “The best way to describe Phil was bigger than life. Like Asa, he possessed an undeniable quality that drew you to him.”

Born Eugene Joseph Carey on July 15, 1925 in Hackensack, New Jersey, Carey began his film career with a part in Operation Pacific, starring John Wayne.

It led to contracts with Warner Bros. and Columbia Pictures and starring roles with some of Hollywood’s legendary actors, including Gary Cooper in Springfield Rifle; Henry Fonda in Mister Roberts; Peter Fonda in Fighting Mad; and Tyrone Power in The Long Gray Line. He also starred with Fred MacMurray and Kim Novak in Pushover.

Carey’s primetime television credits include starring roles in Philip Marlowe, Laredo and The Untamed World.

He toured in such stage plays as Arthur Miller’s All My Sons and Cyrano de Bergerac.

Carey originated the role of Asa in 1980 and played the billionaire tycoon until the character died in his sleep in August 2007.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen, and their two children, Shannon and Sean, as well his three children — Lisa, Linda and Jeff — from a previous marriage.