John Karlen Dies At 86

Above, John Karlen (far left) at a 1989 Dark Shadows convention in Los Angeles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sad news.

Actor John Karlen, best known as Willie Loomis on Dark Shadows and as Harvey on Cagney and Lacey (for which he won an Emmy as Best Supporting Actor), passed away yesterday from congestive heart failure at a Burbank hospice. He was 86.

Karlen was a fan favorite with a great sense of humor when he appeared at Dark Shadows conventions.

Karlen's Willie Loomis freed vampire Barnabas Collins from his chained coffin. A clip from that scene is below.



He had suffered a stroke some months ago, it was reported.