The actor who originated General Hospital’s Cassadine dynasty has died, leaving behind a legacy tied to one of the most iconic storylines in daytime history.
General Hospital fans are mourning the death of André Landzaat, the Dutch actor who brought the Cassadine family to life on daytime television. Landzaat, best known for originating the role of Tony Cassadine during the soap’s legendary Ice Princess storyline, died at the age of 81, Soap Opera Digest reported.
From Europe to Hollywood
Born in the Netherlands in 1944, Landzaat developed a love of acting early on. He studied in Paris and later trained at the famed Actors Studio in New York, where his classmates included Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. By the 1970s, he had settled in Los Angeles and built a steady career with appearances on shows such as Family, Laverne & Shirley, and The Six Million Dollar Man.
The First Cassadine
In 1981, Landzaat won the part of Tony Cassadine, beating out Thaao Penghlis, who would go on to star as Tony DiMera on Days of our Lives. Introduced under the alias Tony Castle, the character became romantically involved with Lesley Webber and Alexandria Quartermaine. Tony’s reign of terror ended when he froze to death during the Ice Princess saga, one of the most famous storylines in daytime history.
The role not only earned Landzaat a Soapy Award for Favorite Villain but also laid the foundation for decades of Cassadine drama. From Mikkos and Helena to Nikolas, Alexis, and Valentin, the Cassadine family dynasty has remained one of GH’s most powerful legacies.
Life Beyond Port Charles
After his time on GH, Landzaat continued acting in the U.S. and Europe and became a respected acting instructor. In 2021, after decades in Malibu with his partner, actor Ed Lesemann, he returned to the Netherlands. He faced health issues in his later years, including heart problems and a stroke, before his passing.
With his work as Tony Cassadine, Landzaat changed the course of General Hospital history, ensuring the Cassadine name would remain synonymous with power, danger, and unforgettable drama.
