Doug Sheehan

Douglas Stuart Sheehan (April 27, 1949 – June 29, 2024) was an American actor who played Ben Gibson throughout four seasons of the prime-time drama Knots Landing from 1983 to 1987. His character was the second husband of Valene Ewing (Joan Van Ark).

His first major role was as Joe Kelly on the daytime soap opera General Hospital from 1979 to 1982. He was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the role in 1982.

He also played one of the leads in Day by Day as well as Mel Horowitz on Clueless from 1997 to 1999 replacing Michael Lerner. He also appeared on Sabrina the Teenage Witch as Sabrina's father.

In 1984, Knots Landing co-star William Devane persuaded Sheehan to take up polo as a hobby. Doug's wife Cate Abert, a professional photographer, would be seen taking photos of him playing polo. Doug is a founding member of The San Diego Polo Club.

In 2005, Sheehan's ranch in Julian, California, was destroyed by a wildfire.

Sheehan died at his home in Big Horn, Wyoming, on June 29, 2024, at the age of 75.