Dark Shadows and General Hospital star Christopher Pennock dies aged 76 after skin cancer battle

Actor Christopher Pennock has died aged 76, after being diagnosed with melanoma last year.

The actor – who was famous for his roles in Dark Shadows and General Hospital – died on February 12, following a brief hospitalization in California.

His death was announced on the Dark Shadows News Facebook page as his wife Pennock’s wife, Lynn Dunn Pennock, shared a statement with the site.

She explained that her husband, a lifelong Buddhist, ‘has transitioned into the pure land of Dewachen with complete enlightenment leaving only a rainbow body behind.’

Pennock made his daytime TV debut in Days of Our Lives in the 60s, before going on to join the cast of Dark Shadows.

He famously played Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde characters Cyrus Longworth/John Yaeger in the original series.

However, Pennock also appeared in several roles of supernatural soap opera during its run such as Jeb Hawkes, Sebastian Shaw, and Gabriel Collins.

Then he landed the role of Mitch Williams on General Hospital, becoming a fan-favorite as the ambitious D.A. who married Tracy Quartermaine.

His other acting credits included The Young and the Restless, Guiding Lights, Dynasty, and Melrose Place.

More recently, Pennock appeared in Brandon Riley Miller’s streaming series High, with his final episode to be aired later this year.

In addition to his wife, Pennock is survived by daughter Tara and other family members.

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