After the passing of Emmerdale and Hollyoaks actress Georgina Hale, another star has passed away. David Gail was best known for his role as Brenda Walsh’s fiancé in the American prime time TV series 90210, Beverly Hills. He also played Dr Joe Scanlon on the daytime soap Port Charles.
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News broke of Gail’s death on Friday 19 January. He was only 58. Let’s take a look back over his career and into the heartwarming messages his friends and family have shared.
David Gail’s career
Gail was born on February 27 in 1965. He first entered the world of television with a role in a 1990 episode of Growing Pains, an American sitcom that ran for seven seasons. He went on to guest star on Doogie Hoswer, M.D., Murder, She Wrote, and Matlock.
Gail later landed a recurring role in the iconic Beverly Hills, 90210 series in 1993. His character, a rich boy named Stuart, went on a blind date with rebel girl Brenda Walsh, played by Shannen Doherty. The pair hit it off and got engaged. The plan was to elope to Las Vegas, but eventually reason prevailed and Stuart ended up in the friendzone.
After his stint as Stuart, Gail starred in the short-lived soap Savannah before coming to the screen again as Dr Joe Scanmon in Port Charles (a spin-off of General Hospital). He stayed in the role for 216 episodes, and then worked sporadically throught the early ‘00s.
Messages from family and friends
Gail’s sister announced her brother’s death on Instagram. On Friday, she wrote that he had been her ‘wingman’ and ‘best friend’. She shared a photo of the siblings hugging and wrote:
There’s barely been even a day in my life when you were not with me by my side always my wingman always my best friend ready to face anything and anyone w me.
She called him a ‘gorgeous loving amazing fierce human being’:
missing you every second of every day forever there will never be another
Pete Ferriero, host and producer of the Beverly Hills 90210 Show podcast, also shared some heartfelt words:
He was filled of life and incredible stories
I am grateful I got to know. I am so saddened for your loss, and the world’s loss. He was a gift to us all.
A cause of death is yet to be announced to the public.
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Sources used:
People: Actor David Gail, Best Known for Beverly Hills, 90210 and Port Charles, Dead at 58
Entertainment Weekly: David Gail, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Port Charles actor, dies at 58
