'Dark Shadows' Actor John Lasell Dies at 95: A Look Back at His Life and Career

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According to his family, character actor John Lasell, of Los Angeles, died on October 4, 2024. Lasell was best known for his roles on TV's groundbreaking gothic daytime drama Dark Shadows and The Twilight Zone, the iconic sci-fi/fantasy anthology series, among others. He was 95 years old and this is his story.

A Closer Look

John Lasell was born John Whitin Lasell Jr. on November 6, 1928, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He later became an actor on Broadway, appearing in plays like the 1960 production of Roman Candle, in which he portrayed a fire control officer.

He soon began making regular appearances on the acclaimed TV horror soap opera Dark Shadows, which originally aired on ABC from 1966 to 1971. Lasell portrayed Dr. Peter Guthrie, a vampire hunter. Jonathan Frid played the hunted vampire-with-a-heart Barnabas Collins.

Dark Shadows has retained a strong following all these decades later and continues to gain new fans.

Beyond the Shadows

Beyond his role in Dark Shadows, John Lasell was also seen on TV in a 1961 episode of The Twilight Zone, portraying John Wilkes Booth.

That same year, Lasell appeared in two episodes of Wagon Train, and an episode of Hazel. In 1962, he was seen on Route 66, followed by Flipper in 1964. Two years later, he was cast in episodes of As the World Turns and Perry Mason.

In 1972, one year after Dark Shadows ended its historic run, Lasell appeared on the original Mission: Impossible TV, as well as Night Gallery and Mannix.

A decade later, Lassel did a guest spot on Dallas. His last screen credits was in 1985. He was married three times, including to Patricia Smith.