Alan Dysert, who played con man Sean Cudahy on ABC’s All My Children, died Oct. 23, his wife announced. He later became a beloved acting teacher in the Nashville area.
Alan Dysert, who played the scheming Sean Cudahy on ABC’s All My Children, has died. He was 75.
His wife, Michele Dysert, announced on Facebook Sunday that he died Friday, Oct. 23, Deadline reported.
“My heart is broken as I share that my beloved husband, Alan, passed away on October 23, 2026,” she wrote. She called their marriage “the love of a lifetime.”
She didn’t share a cause of death. In his 2023 memoir, Lights, Camera, Cancer!, Dysert wrote about living with a rare, aggressive cancer, according to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.
Who did Alan Dysert play on All My Children?
Sean Cudahy, a devious but funny con man. Sean was the troublemaking brother of good guy Tom Cudahy, played by Richard Shoberg, Deadline reported.
Dysert first showed up as Sean in 1979, left in 1981, then came back for another run from 1988 to 1990, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Deadline counts 79 episodes in all.
He loved the part. “My scenes are written better than stuff on nighttime TV,” he told People in 1981, as THR noted. “This is such a fun role! I love it.”
What was All My Children?
One of ABC’s longest-running daytime soaps. Created by Agnes Nixon, it was set in the fictional town of Pine Valley and aired on ABC from 1970 to 2011.
It’s best remembered for Susan Lucci’s Erica Kane, but the show had a deep bench of schemers, and Sean Cudahy was one of its 1980s troublemakers.
ABC has been part of The Walt Disney Company since 1996.
How did Alan Dysert get his start?
On a farm. Dysert was born on June 12, 1951, and grew up in Oakwood, Illinois, according to THR. He graduated from Oakwood High School and the University of Illinois, where he studied television arts, Parade reported.
Before acting full time, he worked in real estate and did stand-up comedy, THR reported.
His first screen jobs were small ones:
An uncredited role on a 1978 episode of ABC’s sitcom Soap
An uncredited part in Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie in 1980
Then All My Children came calling.
What did Alan Dysert do after All My Children?
He stayed busy behind the camera. Dysert wrote, directed, produced and acted in the 2015 film The Senator, THR reported.
His producing credits also include The Grift, Becoming Jesse Tate, My Many Sons and, this year, The Legend of Van Dorn, according to Deadline.
He also taught. Dysert founded The Actor’s School in the Nashville area in 1991, THR reported, and he coached recording artists there on acting and performing, according to Parade.
His wife said that’s how many people knew him best.
“Many knew him from his years on All My Children, while thousands of others knew him as the teacher and mentor who encouraged them to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams,” she wrote, as Deadline shared.
How are friends and fans remembering him?
As an encourager. Former students and friends paid tribute on Facebook, Parade reported.
“Alan always encouraged me, every time I saw him he was always positive and smiling. What a heart he had!” wrote singer-songwriter Brady Seals.
Pro wrestler Zack Harris shared a photo from one of Dysert’s classes. “Alan went out of his way to help people when he didn’t have to,” he wrote.
Michele Dysert said her husband wanted people to celebrate his life, not just mourn it, according to Parade.
“Thank you for loving me, for making me laugh, for the adventures, the memories, and the beautiful life we built together,” she wrote, as THR shared. “I would choose you all over again, without hesitation.”
Who survives Alan Dysert?
His wife, Michele, whom he married in 2008, and his sons, Cody and Cooper, according to THR.
Pine Valley fans will remember him as the Cudahy brother you couldn’t quite trust. His students will remember the teacher who told them they could make it.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
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Hat Tips:
Deadline (Oct. 26, 2026), Michele Dysert’s announcement, his All My Children role and his film credits
The Hollywood Reporter (Oct. 26, 2026), his early life, his years on the show, the 1981 People quote, The Actor’s School and survivors
Parade (Oct. 26, 2026), his education, his coaching in Nashville and the tributes
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