‘All My Children’ and ‘Superman’ Actor Paul Avery, 81, Dies Alongside Wife in Tragic New Jersey House Fire

Veteran television and film performer Paul Avery—best known to daytime audiences as Hughie on “All My Children” and to moviegoers as the Daily Planet cameraman in Christopher Reeve’s 1978 “Superman”—has died at the age of 81 after a pre-dawn house fire in Blairstown, New Jersey. According to New Jersey State Police, firefighters pulled Avery and his wife, artist Sheila Garry Avery, from their burning farmhouse around 3 a.m. on June 16; both were pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a nearby hospital. Authorities say the investigation into the blaze remains ongoing, but foul play is not suspected. A decorated Vietnam War veteran and licensed pilot, Avery parlayed stage work into a steady acting career in the late 1970s. Alongside his recurring stint on ABC’s “All My Children,” he logged guest roles on “Three’s Company,” “Soap,” “Tales from the Darkside” and several PBS children’s specials, earning a reputation as a reliable character actor with an easygoing on-set presence. Away from the camera, Avery was deeply rooted in Warren County civic life. He co-founded the hyper-local news outlet Ridge View Echo, served on the Blairstown Township Committee until 2018 and became his wife’s full-time caregiver following her stroke that same year. Their daughter, Kyle Avery, wrote in a Facebook post that the couple’s “greatest role was being loving parents and partners,” adding that funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days. Tributes have since poured in from the soap-opera community. Long-time “All My Children” star Susan Lucci called Avery “a generous scene partner whose warmth lit up the studio,” while former castmate Darnell Williams remembered him as “a consummate pro with a pilot’s calm.” Fans searching for information on “Paul Avery actor obituary,” “Paul Avery house fire” and “All My Children Paul Avery” continue to spike as condolences spread across social media. For now, colleagues and residents alike are honoring a performer whose final act was a life devoted to family, artistry and public service.