Mark Mortimer dead at 59: Another World soap star endured ‘fearless journey with cancer’

Another World star Mark Mortimer has died aged 59 after a ‘fearless journey with cancer,’ his heartbroken family have confirmed.

The actor, best known for his role as hunky Nick Hudson on the soap opera from 1996 to 1999, died surrounded by his loved ones on September 23, per his obituary.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Christie, daughter Hunter, mom Sharlene, father Emil, six siblings and ‘many’ nieces and nephews.

After his success on Another World, Mortimer starred on a 1999 episode of Spin City. His final acting role was in 2005 film, The Nowhere Man.

He turned his back on acting to pursue a career in building, founding Inside Out Construction with Christie and business partner Dave.

His obituary reads: ‘He was an Army veteran, a model, an actor, an entrepreneur and a builder. He was a husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was curious and determined, willing to take chances, start something new, change direction and figure things out along the way. 

‘But of all the titles Mark held throughout his life, the two that mattered most to him were husband and dad.

‘Mark’s greatest love story began in 2000, when he met Christie at Hunter Mountain in New York. What followed was 25 years of marriage, adventure, hard work, laughter, faith, risk-taking, reinvention and a love that grew deeper through every season.

‘After waiting 11 years to become parents, Mark and Christie welcomed the greatest gift of their lives. Mark loved being Hunter’s dad. He was honest with her. He was present. And everything he did as her father was filled with love. 

‘When Hunter was little, Mark put her to bed every night. As she grew, he made the deliberate choice to build his life around being her father. He didn’t fit fatherhood in; he scheduled his work life around fatherhood. Being there for Hunter was never something Mark squeezed into his schedule. She was the schedule.’

Mortimer was diagnosed with cancer in 2024. He revealed while his first battle with the disease was ‘conventional,’ the cancer later metastasized to his lungs, in an emotional Facebook video.

He poured his efforts into founding the Integrative Access Foundation, which was ‘created to give people facing cancer access to integrative therapies that might otherwise be financially out of reach. What began in the middle of their own difficult journey became a mission of hope for other families.’

It continues, ‘Mark faced the end of his life with the same faith with which he lived it. His confidence did not come from believing everything would turn out the way he wanted. It came from knowing where he was going. 

‘He believed in Jesus. He believed in the promise of Heaven. And as his earthly life drew to a close, that belief gave him peace.

‘Mark showed those who loved him that courage is not the absence of fear. It is choosing to live, love, laugh, hope and trust God even when the road ahead is uncertain.

‘Mark’s legacy will live on in Hunter, in Christie, in the company he helped build, in the work of the Integrative Access Foundation, in the conversations he shares through Beyond the Diagnosis, and in every person who chooses to help someone else because of his example.’

Mortimer shot to fame in 1996 when he became the third actor to play Hudson, following in the footsteps of Justin Chambers and Kevin McClatchy.

He told Soap Opera Weekly in 1999, ‘My fondest memory of being on the show was getting an opportunity to work with fine actors like Jensen Buchanan, Eric Morgan Stuart, Anna Stuart –  they’ve really been great.

‘When I came on the show, I didn’t know much about acting, but they’ve been very helpful to me. It’s been like one big class for me, which has been really rewarding.’