The circle of life comes to soap operas both on-screen and off.

Favorite characters often die as a plot point and something to move the story along.

Two of those deaths occurred in recent times, while others happened years ago.

John Reilly General Hospital

The next year, Lee passed away from pneumonia at the age of 91 (viaSoaps.com).

John Reilly debuted as Sean Donely, the head of the fictional World Security Bureau (viaIMDb).

Annie was also played by Reilly’s real-life daughter, Caitlyn Reilly (viaSoap Hub).

Anna Lee in 1936

John Beradino

Susan Brown General Hospital

John Reilly as Sean Donely General Hospital