THE actor Chris O'Neill, who played the part of Michael in the l960s TV serial The Riordans, is on a life support system in a Florida hospitals and is not expected to live, according to friends in New York where he is now based.
He became ill two weeks ago while working in Florida. "He walked into St Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach and 20 minutes later he was in a coma," said his friend and fellow actor Paul Ronan. After a week he came out of the coma but then suffered a relapse. He is in his 50s.
Mrs Helen O'Neill (84) flew from Dublin to be at her son's side, with her daughter Margaret and grand-daughter Aisling (Chris O'Neill's daughter).
He worked for five years with the Abbey company in Dublin and served on the board of the Gate Theatre. He also played TV roles in Remington Steele, The Irish RM and Black Beauty.