Actor Paul Avery, best known for his long-running role on the hit soap opera "All My Children," died earlier this week in a fire at his home in New Jersey. He was 81. His wife, Sheila Garry Avery, also died in the blaze. Avery played Hughie the bartender on the popular series. Over the course of his career, he also appeared in the 1978 film "Superman" and in the television series "Three's Company" and "Tales from the Darkside."
According to New Jersey State Police reports, firefighters and police were called in the early morning hours to the couple's home on Mohican Road in Blairstown, where they found the building completely engulfed in massive flames. Firefighters who managed to enter the house found Paul and Sheila unconscious. Crews pulled them from the burning structure and performed advanced resuscitation efforts, but sadly, both were pronounced dead a short time later.
Alongside his acting career, Avery devoted much of his life to journalism and public service. He previously served on a local township committee in his hometown and worked as a reporter and film critic for leading New Jersey newspapers. In his later years, he also helped establish the local digital news outlet Ridge View Echo, where he served as the paper's founding editor.
As of now, the cause of the deadly fire remains unknown, and New Jersey State Police, together with specialist fire investigators, are conducting an active and comprehensive investigation at the scene. Avery's family said details regarding the time and location of the funeral would be announced at a later date.
