Actor Alec Musser, best known for his work on the U.S. soap opera “All My Children,” has died over the weekend, according to his fiancée, Paige Press. He was 50.
Ms. Press told Fox News Digital that Mr. Musser, who played Del Henry on the long-running soap opera from 2005 until 2007, died at their home in Del Mar, California, on Jan. 13.
Ms. Press revealed that her fiancé was suffering from “a severe case” of COVID-19 at the time of his death and noted that she believes the disease was what ultimately killed him.
However, she also pointed out that an autopsy would be conducted to determine the exact cause of his death.
Mr. Musser was both vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, Ms. Press told the news outlet.
“He was a very healthy person. I mean he took exceptional care of his body and what went into it. … He’d eat some cookies and that was the worst thing I ever saw him do,” she said.
“Alec was a wonderful man. He was the best fiancé. The best dog dad. Very kind hearted person,” she added. “Seeing how many messages and people have reached out to me from his childhood … in the last couple of days, people I’ve never even met, sending me photos from him from high school and when he was in there [sic] wedding … He was so loved and touched by so many people.”
Ms. Press paid tribute to her late fiancé in a series of posts on social media, writing over a photo of the couple on Instagram. “The day we got engaged was the happiest day of my life,” she wrote.
“I am never taking off my ring,” Ms. Press wrote over another photo in which she showed off her diamond engagement ring. “@alecmusser I love you forever,” she said.
The couple, who got engaged in 2023, had not chosen a wedding date, but planning was on the horizon, Ms. Press told Fox News Digital.
Tributes
Mr. Musser’s other credits include an appearance in Adam Sandler’s comedy “Grown Ups.” In a post on Instagram, Mr. Sandler shared his condolences with the late actor’s family.
“I loved this guy,” Mr. Sandler wrote alongside a picture of Mr. Musser. “Cannot believe he is gone. Such a wonderful, funny good man. Thinking of Alec Musser and his family and sending all my love. A true great sweetheart of a person.”
Mr. Musser’s fiancée also commented on Mr. Sandler’s post, saying working on the movie “Grown Ups” was one of the best times of her fiancé’s life.
“He spoke so highly of you,” Ms. Press wrote. “My heart is so broken.”
Early Life and Career
Mr. Musser was born in New York City on April 11, 1973, and raised in New Jersey and Connecticut before moving to San Diego, California, according to IMDb.
After graduating from the University of San Diego, Mr. Musser worked as a ski patrolman at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, a large ski resort along the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the Inyo National Forest.
He was then approached by a modeling agent and landed his first modeling job with Abercrombie & Fitch. The avid athlete and bodybuilder eventually made the covers of several magazines, including Men’s Health, Men’s Workout, and Exercise Health, TMZ reported.
Additional modeling credits include Speedo, Target, Gianfranco Ferre, and Cosmopolitan, according to IMDb.
In 2005, Mr. Musser won the reality TV contest “I Wanna Be a Soap Star.” The winner of the competition was promised a contract role in the popular soap opera “All My Children.”
Mr. Musser became the second actor to portray Del Henry, who was last played by “The Bold and the Beautiful” actor Winsor Harmon from 1994 to 1995.
Although the show stated that the role of Del Henry was just a 13-week contract, head writer Megan McTavish ultimately extended Mr. Musser’s contract.
Mr. Musser appeared on the show for 43 episodes between 2005 and 2007, according to IMDb.
Besides “All My Children” and “Grown Ups,” Mr. Musser also made appearances in “Road to the Altar,” “Rita Rocks,” “The Phantom Executioner,” and “Desperate Housewives.”