James Houghton, a distinguished actor and writer renowned for his contributions to American soap operas, passed away on August 27, 2024, at the age of 75. His death was attributed to peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. citeturn0search0

Born on November 7, 1948, in Los Angeles, California, Houghton was the son of producer Buck Houghton. He embarked on his acting career with appearances in television shows such as “Man With A Camera,” “The Twilight Zone,” and “McKeever & the Colonel.” His breakthrough came as an original cast member of the CBS daytime soap opera “The Young and the Restless,” where he portrayed Greg Foster from 1973 to 1976. citeturn0search14

Houghton’s most prominent role was that of Kenny Ward on the long-running CBS prime-time soap opera “Knots Landing,” a character he played from 1979 to 1983. His television career also included guest appearances on series such as “Fantasy Island,” “Hotel,” “The Love Boat,” and “Remington Steele.” In addition to acting, Houghton ventured into screenwriting, contributing to shows like “Days of Our Lives” and “The Young and the Restless.” His writing prowess earned him four Daytime Emmy Awards as part of the writing staff for “The Young and the Restless.” citeturn0search0

Houghton’s filmography includes roles in movies such as “Sweet Sugar” (1972), “One on One” (1977), “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” (1978), “More American Graffiti” (1979), “Superstition” (1982), and “Purple People Eater” (1988). citeturn0search14

He is survived by his wife, Karen Snider, and their two children.

James Houghton’s legacy in the entertainment industry, both as an actor and a writer, remains influential. His contributions to iconic soap operas have left an indelible mark on television history.