Actor James Mitchell, who played Palmer Cortlandt on All My Children for thirty years, died Friday from pneumonia and pulmonary disease in Los Angeles.

I grew up with my mom watching this soap all of the time so I felt like I almost knew Palmer Cortlandt like a relative. I at least knew most of his vices and lovers from second-hand viewing over my childhood.

He also had a very successful Broadway career working for Agnes de Mille.

Mitchell is survived by his longtime manfriend Albert Wolsky, an award-winning costume designer in his own right.