Santa Barbara star Nicolas Coster dead as daughter mourns 'inspiring' actor

27 June 2023 , 12:31

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Nicolas Coster has died

Nicolas Coster, who is best known for playing Lionel Lockridge on Santa Barbara, has died at the age of 89.

His heartbroken daughter Dinneen Coster confirmed the news on Facebook, writing: "There is great sadness in my heart this evening, my father actor Nicolas Coster has passed on in Florida at 9:01 pm in the hospital.

"Please be inspired by his artistic achievements and know he was a real actor's actor! I will remember him as always doing his best and being a great father. Rest In Peace."

Nicolas' Santa Barbara co-star Adolfo Martinez also took to the social media site to remember his friend.

"It was an honor to work in a company with him, and I’ll always hold his friendship and his sterling strengths as a professional close to heart.

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Nicolas Coster has died at the age of 89 (WireImage)

"Unsolicited one day, he gave me this profoundly useful advice: 'What you choose to do with a scene doesn’t have to be the probable thing. You can choose any course imaginable - no matter how unlikely - as long as it's possible'," he wrote.

Tributes have been pouring in for the soap icon, with one fan tweeting: "Oh no… he was one of the best!"

Another person remembered his achievements, writing: "Rest In Peace, Nicolas Coster. 9 roles across 8 soap operas. An Emmy award winning performance on #TheBay and so much more! He will truly be missed."

The actor starred in a lot of TV shows in his career (NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

"We've lost one of the greatest soap actors of all time," a third person said.

In his early career, Nicolas starred alongside actors such as Elizabeth Taylor in theatre shows before making the move into film and TV.

As well as starring in Santa Barbara, he also had roles in shows such as All My Children, Young Doctor Malone and The Facts of Life.

In 2017, the star was awarded a Daytime Emmy for his performance as Mayor Jack Madison in The Bay.

Scarlett O'Toole