Paul Avery, known for “All My Children” and the 1978 “Superman” film, died this week in an early-morning house fire in Blairstown, New Jersey, alongside his wife. The New Jersey State Police say troopers arrived shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, found both
Paul Avery didn’t make it out.
The flames had already consumed their Blairstown home when New Jersey State Police troopers arrived shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, according to a statement. Avery and his wife were found unresponsive inside, and both later succumbed to their injuries.
The fire is still under investigation.
In a statement posted to social media, the couple’s daughter, Kyle Avery, said: “I’m devastated to share that our parents, Paul and Sheila Garry Avery, passed away early this morning.” She added, “We loved them so much, and they loved us so much, and nobody ever had to wonder if that was so.”
For viewers, Avery’s name carried a familiar kind of warmth. He appeared in the soap opera “All My Children” as bartender Hughie. His screen work also included a role in the 1978 film version of “Superman,” where he appeared in Christopher Reeve’s first outing as the character.
Avery’s career wasn’t limited to one kind of role. His television credits included appearances on “Three’s Company” and “Tales From the Darkside.”
But the details that people in Blairstown now share go beyond entertainment. At home. he was deeply involved in the local community. serving as a Blairstown committeeman and as a long-time member of the local Rotary Club. He also worked as a newspaper editor. a role reported by Ridge View Echo. a local news outlet founded by Avery.
Before the spotlight—before acting—there was a different kind of service. Avery was a Vietnam veteran and worked as a helicopter pilot. Ridge View Echo also reported that on Sunday mornings, he flew gliders from the Blairstown Airport.
Those who knew his wife, Sheila Garry Avery, described her as an accomplished artist. Her health had changed in recent years: she suffered a stroke in 2018 and required full-time caregiving, a responsibility Avery took on willingly, Ridge View Echo reported.
The night police arrived after 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday has now become the defining moment for a household that had long been held together by routine—community meetings, local work, Sunday flights—and by the steady caregiving that followed the 2018 stroke.
The investigation into how the fire started continues, and no further details have been publicly released.
Paul Avery All My Children Superman 1978 Blairstown New Jersey State Police house fire Sheila Garry Avery Kyle Avery