Paul Avery, best known for his 12-year run as bartender Hughie on the beloved soap opera All My Children, and his wife Sheila Avery have died in a devastating house fire at their home in Blairstown, New Jersey. The actor was 81 years old. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Firefighters responded to a call about a burning building on the couple’s property just before 1:00 a.m. local time. When emergency responders arrived, the house was completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters managed to enter the home and found Paul and Sheila unconscious. They were pulled from the burning structure and given CPR, but both sadly succumbed to their injuries shortly after.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
The Family’s Grief and Community Tributes
Their daughter, Kyle Avery, confirmed the heartbreaking news on Facebook on June 16.
“I’m devastated to share that our parents, Paul and Sheila Garry Avery, passed away early this morning. We loved them so much, and they loved us so much, and nobody ever had to wonder if that was so. We’re grateful to the Blairstown Fire Department for their efforts.”
Tributes also poured in from the local community. Joe Phalon, an employee at the newspaper Avery founded, described him as the most “interesting man in the world.”
“His death is going to leave a real void in this community. Not just Blairstown, but the towns around as well.”
A Life Beyond All My Children
Paul Avery had an extraordinary life that went far beyond acting. He joined the cast of All My Children in the early 1980s, playing Hughie, a bartender at the dive bar Foxy’s. He remained in the role for 12 years.
Before his soap opera fame, he appeared as a cameraman in the 1978 film Superman. He also had roles in popular shows like Three’s Company, Soap, and Tales from the Darkside.
After retiring from acting, Avery transitioned into journalism. He worked for the New York Times before becoming the founding editor of the Ridge View Echo, a local New Jersey newspaper.
His life also included service as a helicopter crew chief in the Vietnam War, and he was a skydiver and avid pilot.
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Paul Avery’s Net Worth and Caregiving
While exact figures are not public, Paul Avery had a successful career across acting, journalism, and commercial work. He appeared in more than 300 commercials for brands like AT&T and M&M’s. In 2018, he stepped back from his career to become his wife Sheila’s full-time caregiver after she suffered a stroke.
Paul Avery is survived by his daughters Kyle and Parker, his son Paul, and other family members.
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