BIRTHDATE: November 12
BIRTHPLACE: Chelsea, MA
STAR SIGN: Scorpio
YEARS ON SHOW: 1982-2006; 2007, 2008
MARITAL STATUS: Married to wife Kymberly since 1985
CHILDREN: Daughter Ava and son Jod with ex-wife Arlene Martel; son Hunter with Kymberly

For over two decades, Jerry Douglas reigned in Genoa City as Abbott patriarch John Abbott. Raised in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Douglas went to Brandeis University to earn a degree in economics. Eight months into law school in Manhattan, he gave up the books and started auditioning. However, his lack of training frustrated him, and he eventually moved then-wife Arlene and daughter Ava to California.

Settling in the San Fernando Valley, Douglas sold insurance by day, and took acting classes at night. Although he still struggled, he received encouragement after appearing in the play John Brown's Body. A critic said he was terrific, which inspired him to hire an agent.