Jeffrey Carlson, the first actor to play a trans character on American TV, dies at 48

Jeffrey Carlson, the actor who played the first transgender character on an American soap opera, has died at the age of 48. According to People magazine, the information was shared by actress Susan Hart, a friend of hers and part of the Shakespeare Theater Company, who attended a production of the show. Hamlet, with him. Susan said the actor died on July 6 and didn’t say why.

Time Out New York’s Adam Feldman also shared the news via his Twitter profile.

“Rest in peace, Jeffrey Carlson, 48, nervous star of broadway (Billy inside The goatMarilyn inside taboo) and TV (the innovative trans character Zoe in All my children). A powerful actor and a painful loss,” he wrote her, adding, “I first saw him in a play by Lee Blessing called Thief riverwhen he was still at Juilliard [prestigiada escola de arte dramática e artes dos EUA] and it was clear that it was something special.”

RIP Jeffrey Carlson, 48, nerve-racking star of Broadway (Billy in The Goat, Marilyn in Taboo) and TV (the innovative trans character Zoe in All My Children). A powerful actor and a painful loss. pic.twitter.com/ZdZdmlKtTP

— Adam Feldman (@FeldmanAdam) July 9, 2023

Born in California, USA, his breakout TV role was in soap operas All my childrenappearing in more than 50 episodes starting in 2006. The first appearance was as the rock star Zarf and then he returned when the writers decided to include a trans woman in the story, Zoe.

Throughout the serial, the character’s transition was presented in detail, including consultations with endocrinologists, support group meetings, and outreach to parents. Previously, American productions had featured minor trans characters, but at the time, Carlson’s role was her first on a daytime soap. She has also had small film roles, including comedy Will Smith since 2005, Hitch.

Source: Terra