Forrest Compton

**Forrest Compton** (September 15, 1925 — April 4, 2020) was an American actor. He was best known for the role of District Attorney Mike Karr on the American daytime television soap opera *The Edge of Night*, from June 1, 1971 to the soap's final episode on December 28, 1984.

## Early life and education

Forrest was born on September 15, 1925 in Reading, Pennsylvania. His father sold aluminum pots and pans and worked at a local steel mill. After graduated from high school, Forrest was fought in the 103rd Infantry Division of the United States Army during World War II. When the war ended in 1945, Forrest attended Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, where he initially studied pre-law and political science but later switched to English. Forrest also began acting school theatre productions. After graduating from Swarthmore College, Forrest earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama in New Haven, Connecticut, where he befriended Paul Newman.

## Career: 1957-1971

In 1957, Forrest began his professional acting career, by guest-starred as Bowie in an episode of the American television series *The Gray Ghost*. One year later, he guest-starred as Connell in an episode of the American television series *American U-Boat III*. In 1959, he had guest-starring roles on these American television shows: *Death Valley Days*, *Johnny Ringo*, *Troubleshooters*, *Black Saddle*, *Fury*, and *Flight*. In the 1960s, Forrest had guest-starring roles on these American television shows: *Hennesey*, *The Roaring 20's*, *The Law and Mrs. Jones*, *Route 66*, *Checkmate*, *General Electric Theater*, *Hawaiian Eye*, *The Twilight Zone*, *77 Sunset Strip*, *The Fugitive*, *Arrest and Trial*, *12 O'Clock High*, *The Invaders*, *Divorce Court*, *My Three Sons*, *The Queen and I*, *Gomer Pyle: USMC*, *Mayberry R.F.D.*, *Hogan's Heroes*, *That Girl* and *The F.B.I.* In 1961, he played the role of John Bradley in the American war drama film *The Outsider*. From 1961 to 1962, he played the role of Grayling Dennis on the American daytime television soap opera *The Brighter Day*. From 1970 to 1971, Forrest had guest-starring role on these American television shows: *Mannix* and *Dan August*.

## Mike Karr on The Edge of Night

On June 1, 1971, Forrest began playing the role of Mike Karr on the American daytime television soap opera *The Edge of Night*, becoming just the 3rd & final actor to play the role. He would remain playing the role until the soap's final episode on December 28, 1984.

## After The Edge of Night: 1986-2002

After *The Edge of Night*, Forrest appeared in the American television film *Rage of Angels: The Story Continues* on November 2, 1986. He played the role of Alfred Cory on the American daytime television soap opera *Another World* on January 26-27, 1987. In 1989, he guest starred as a Man on the American primetime television comedy-drama series *Tattinger's*. In 1991, he played the role of President Flynn in the American crime-drama film *McBain*. He played the role of John in an episode of the American daytime television soap opera *All My Children* on November 29, 1991. From 1992 to 1993, Forrest played the role of Dr. Godsham on the American daytime television soap opera *Loving*. And his final acting work was playing 2 recuring roles on the American primetime television comedy/drama series *Ed* from 2001 to 2002.

## Personal life

Forrest married Jeanne Sementini on September 28, 1975. After acting, Forrest retired in Shelter Island, Long Island, New York, where he died from COVID-19 on April 4, 2020, at the age of 94.