Hale, former Furman student and longtime TV, movie personality, passes away at 78

Daytime TV star Ronald Hale (Thigpen), who attended Furman University in the early to mid-1960s, passed away on Aug. 27 at the age of 78. The St. George, South Carolina, resident was best known for his roles in “Ryan’s Hope” (1975-1989) where he earned Daytime Emmy nominations, “General Hospital” (1995-2010) and GH spin-off “Port Charles” (1997-2000). He also held big screen roles in “All the President’s Men” and “Trial by Jury,” among others.

Hale was born Jan. 2, 1946, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the late James Ray Thigpen Sr. and Elinor Jane Doerr Thigpen. Before becoming a beloved screen actor, Hale frequently appeared in plays staged by Columbia’s Trustus Theatre, an enterprise of his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Kay Thigpen. After attending Furman, Hale moved to New York and finished his education at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1967.

Read more in an obituary, People, Soap Opera Digest and Variety (via MSN).