James Houghton, known for his role as Kenny Ward in CBS’s “Knots Landing” and his four Emmy-winning stints as a writer for “The Young and the Restless,” has died at 75.

The actor passed away at his home in Encino, California on August 27, 2024, succumbing to peritoneal mesothelioma, as confirmed by his wife, Karen Houghton. She disclosed the news to The Hollywood Reporter, having not spoken about it previously.

Born in Los Angeles, California, on November 7, 1948, Houghton was the son of Buck Houghton, a producer for the initial three seasons of “The Twilight Zone” on CBS. He made an early appearance on the same show in 1962, in an episode titled “The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank.”

After receiving his education from the Harvard School in Studio City, Institut Le Rosey in Rolle, Switzerland, and UC Berkeley, Houghton started his acting career in the early 1970s. He featured in the ABC series “Alias Smith & Jones” and the film “Sweet Sugar” before securing a significant role on “The Young and the Restless.”

From 1973 to 1976, Houghton played the role of attorney Greg Foster, Nikki Newman’s first husband, on “The Young and the Restless.” He worked alongside William Espy, who portrayed his brother, Snapper Foster.

After leaving “The Young and the Restless,” Houghton was cast alongside Martin Kove in the CBS action series “Code R,” which centered around a rescue team on the Channel Islands. The series, however, was short-lived, airing only 13 episodes in 1977.

In 1979, Houghton’s career took a new turn when he joined “Knots Landing,” a spin-off of “Dallas.” For four seasons, he played the character of Kenny Ward, an unfaithful record producer. He was one of the four original couples in the show, living alongside Gary and Val (Ted Shackelford and Joan Van Ark), Sid and Karen (Don Murray and Michele Lee), and Richard and Laura (John Pleshette and Constance McCashin).

Reflecting on his time on “Knots Landing” in a 2006 interview, Houghton said, “The thing about Knots Landing was, because we were all on a cul-de-sac together and because we interacted with one another, it was still very much a family. Plus, we were putting on a show that — the initial season or two at the very least, a new show — we were in this foxhole mentality of ‘we’re all in this together.'”

After appearing in 66 episodes, Houghton’s character was written off the show in 1983, with the storyline that Kenny and Ginger moved to Nashville to pursue country music careers. Despite his desire to stay, Houghton understood the decision, stating, “There comes a time when you’ve got to throw some ballast overboard in order to make room for something else. You know, it’s a pretty surgical process. I didn’t take it personally.”

Houghton continued his acting career post-“Knots Landing,” featuring in ABC’s “The Colbys,” a “Dynasty” spin-off, as U.S. Senator Cash Cassidy, a rival of Charlton Heston’s character, Jason Colby, from 1986 to 1987.

Houghton’s filmography includes “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” (1978), “One on One” (1977), “More American Graffiti” (1979), “Superstition” (1982), and “Purple People Eater” (1988). He also guest-starred in various television shows, such as “Fantasy Island,” “Hotel,” “The Love Boat,” and “Remington Steele,” and was cast in the 1986 ABC miniseries “North and South: Book 2, Love and War.”

Besides acting, Houghton co-wrote three episodes of “Knots Landing” in 1982 with his sister, Mona Houghton. He returned to “The Young and the Restless” as a writer in 1991, contributing to the show’s dominance in daytime television ratings.

During his tenure as a writer for “The Young and the Restless,” Houghton shared in four Emmy Awards for outstanding drama series writing, off 14 nominations through 2007. He also wrote for another CBS soap opera, “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and published a crime thriller novel, “The Hooligan’s Game,” in 2017.

Houghton devoted time and resources to charitable causes, supporting organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Special Olympics, and School on Wheels.

Houghton is survived by his wife Karen, whom he married in November 1994, his mother Wanda, sister Mona, children Daniel and Alisa, son-in-law Jim, and grandson Milo.