David Bailey, who played ruthless "Passions" patriarch Alistair Crane, died last Thursday (Nov. 25). The New Jersey-born actor was 71.

Bailey died on Thanksgiving Day after accidentally drowning in his apartment pool.

A soap opera veteran, Bailey appeared for years on "Another World" playing cardiologist Russ Matthews. He also did stints on "Guiding Light," "As the World Turns" and "Ryan's Hope" in a career that dated back to several episodes of "Dennis the Menace" in 1963.

Bailey was also a founding member of the Black Book Theatre Company and wrote and directed a number of plays.

The actor's "Passions" character was first seen in September after debuting as an unseen voice in 1999. In a sad twist, Bailey had recently filmed scenes of his character being poisoned and falling into a coma.

"David Bailey made an immediate and indelible impression in his role as patriarch of the Crane family on 'Passions,'" says NBC Universal Television's Senior Vice President of Daytime, Sheraton Kalouria. "He will be warmly remembered and greatly missed."

The character of Alistair Crane will, reportedly, be recast.