For years, ABC’s All My Children was a staple on daytime TV. Characters like Erica Kane, Brooke English, Adam Chandler, Tad Martin and Dixie Cooney have found fans across multiple generations over the years, and have been fondly remembered even after the series ended just a few short years ago. Now, one of the show’s most famous names has died. David Canary, who played the aforementioned Adam Chandler along with his twin brother Stuart, died of natural causes in Wilton, Connecticut. He was 77.
Canary actually passed away a few days ago, but his family opted to release the information just this week. Reports indicate that Canary was living in assisted living whenever he passed away in Connecticut. His death occurred on November 16.
Canary is probably most known for his role on All My Children, a gig he occupied between 1983 and 2010. (He later made guest appearances before the series was ultimately cancelled in 2011.) However, his career was a lot more storied than one soap. He had a role in the TV series Peyton Place way back in the mid-sixties, and later came to even more prominence when he took the role of Candy Canaday on Bonanza in the late sixties—another role which Canary is quite well known for. In Bonanza Canary played a ranch foreman who was brought in to replace Pernell Roberts.
A few years and roles later, David Canary briefly signed on with the NBC soap opera Another World. That gig was short, but it led to other opportunities, including Canary being cast in the ABC soap opera All My Children. Canary spent a good chunk of the rest of his career on that series, also occasionally popping up in ABC’s other big daytime soap, One Life to Live. During that time he became notable for playing twin brothers Adam and Stuart. Adam was known for his cunning and ruthlessness, along with his multiple marriages. But occasionally Canary would get to change things up, wear sweater sets and get to play Stuart, an honest guy and popular character throughout the show’s run.
By all accounts, Canary lived an unusual life. He grew up in the Midwest after being born in Elwood, Indiana and was quite good at football. Variety reports he was offered the chance to play for the Denver Broncos, but turned down the team to pursue an acting career. The gig on Peyton Place came soon after.
It’s always sad when a someone who played a TV character as well-known as Canary dies, but at least his family can take comfort in knowing that the actor will be fondly remembered by fans for years to come. Our thoughts go out to David Canary’s family and friends at this time.
