Dark ShadowsJohn Lasell, character actor best known for
Published on December 13, 2025 EDT

John Lasell, who appeared in 70 projects over his 25-year career, died Oct. 4 in Los Angeles at the age of 95, according to a family notice.

Lasell was best known for his recurring role on the cult ’60s soap Dark Shadows as vampire hunter Dr. Peter Guthrie in 25 episodes.

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Lasell was born on Nov. 6, 1928, in Worcester, Mass., and made his screen debut in 1960 on an episode of Armstrong Circle Theatre. He went on to work steadily throughout the decade, with parts on nearly everything from The Twilight Zone to Gunsmoke to Perry Mason and The Fugitive. He landed his role on Dark Shadows in 1967.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

In the ’70s he continued to work mostly in television (Mission: Impossible, The Mod Squad, Mannix) with the occasional movie role (The Organization, Honky, Deathmaster). His final role was in the 1985 TV miniseries A Death in California.

Lasell was married three times, to Nancy D. Coulter, Patricia Smith, and Elinor Gabrielle Hegemann.

Related articles