The first actor to play a transgender character on daytime television, Jeffrey Carlson, has died at the age of 48, it has been reported.
News of the actor's death emerged on Saturday when Time Out New York's Adam Feldman took to Twitter to pen an emotional message.
"RIP Jeffrey Carlson, 48, exposed-nerve star of Broadway (Billy in The Goat, Marilyn in Taboo) and TV (the groundbreaking trans character Zoe on All My Children)," he penned, adding: "I first saw him in a Lee Blessing play called Thief River when he was still in Juilliard and it was clear he was something special."
Jeffery was born in California, with reports saying that his mother named him Jeffrey because she was a fan of All My Children and of the character Jeff Martin on the show. He then began acting in the show All My Children in 2006.
It was in August 2006 that Jeffrey first starred in the hit television series, that first aired in 1970. In the series he played a British rock star named Zarf. In November 2006, he returned to the role and his character Zarf was revealed to be a transgender woman named Zoe.
Aside from Jeffery starring on the screen, he also had a glowing career on-stage, and starred in many productions. His love of the theatre was apparent, and Jeffrey even made his Broadway debut years before his All My Children stint.
Taking to the comments section below Adam Feldman's tweet regarding Jeffrey's death, fans and friends of the star were quick to share heartfelt messages of condolence.
"Devastated to hear of this. A wonderful friend and brilliant actor. We did a play together many years ago and he dazzled me," penned one.
"As a soap person, not enough can be said about how important his AMC [All My Children] character was (despite a bungling at the start). I also of course remember him from his many theatre performances and the kindness he showed me. This one hurts," added a second.
While a third person touchingly wrote: "Jeffrey Carlson was a mammoth talent and a kind, smart, enthusiastic, sweet human. After seeing his brilliance in Taboo, I made a point of seeing him any time I could, and it was never a disappointment. He was pure talent and the performing world is dimmer without him."
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