By 1979, Jerry verDorn landed the role of attorney Ross Marler on the now-defunct CBS soap opera, "Guiding Light." The actor's first storyline on "GL" was one of the most memorable in soap opera history as Ross was the attorney representing the Roger Thorpe when he was accused of raping his wife, Holly, according to Soap Hub. verDorn won two Daytime Emmys in a row for best supporting actor, one in 1995 and one in 1996, for playing Ross, per Soap Opera Digest.

In 2005, after more than a quarter of a century, verDorn left the role of Ross behind and by 2006, he landed the role of urban cowboy Clint Buchanan on ABC's "One Life to Live," replacing Clint Ritchie and making the part his own. The actor remained on the soap until its cancelation in 2013, per IMDb.

During his years as a soap actor, verDorn hosted and organized an annual event called "Stars and Strikes" in which fans and soap stars would bowl and earn money for charities like Autism Speaks and The American Cancer Society, per Soap Hub.

The actor is survived by his wife, Beth, his sons Jake and Peter, as well as their wives, Laura and Erin. verDorn also had three small grandchildren named Benjamin, Nora, and Penelope, per Soap Opera Digest.