Rif Hutton, Renowned for His Role in ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.,’ Passes Away at 73 Following Health Challenges

Rif Hutton, a distinguished actor celebrated for his role in the TV series “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” has passed away at the age of 73.

According to TMZ, Hutton died at his residence in Pasadena, California, on Saturday, April 18, as reported on Monday.

His family revealed to the publication that he had been battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, for more than a year.

Hutton, whose passing comes just before that of fellow soap opera star Patrick Muldoon, was known for his portrayal of Dr. Ron Welch on “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” a series featuring Neil Patrick Harris as a young prodigy doctor.

In a heartfelt message on Facebook, Hutton’s friend, voice-over artist Steva Apostolina, expressed grief over his passing, stating that “a remarkable human being has left this earthly plane,” as noted by Deadline.

‘To say that Rif Hutton was one of a kind is a gross understatement… People knew when they hired him for a voice job that he was going to be the most prepared — he always was,’ Apostolina wrote. ‘He was also always first to show up on a gig — I had the great pleasure of beating him a few times and scooping a treasured chair, but those were few and far between.’

Rif Hutton, the prolific television actor best known for his work on Doogie Howser, M.D. has died at 73. Hutton died at his home in Pasadena, California, on Saturday, TMZ reported on Monday; pictured on General Hospital

His family told the publication that the actor had been stricken with brain cancer for over a year. Hutton played Dr. Ron Welch on Doogie Howser, M.D., which starred Neil Patrick Harris (front center) as a teenage doctor

The tribute painted a portrait of Hutton as someone who was determined to support his fellow actors.

‘When the SAG strike broke out,’ Apsotolina wrote, ‘he was on the line every day at Warner Bros. — a constant vision of support.’

According to Deadline, Hutton was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2025.

His cancer, glioblastoma, is considered both the most common and most aggressive form of brain cancer, and tends to have a poor prognosis, with most people diagnosed with it only living another 12 to 18 months, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

After five years, glioblastoma has a five-year survival rate.

Following his diagnosis, Hutton participated in the National Brain Tumor Society’s Southern California Brain Tumor Walk to raise awareness about the disease.

‘Every person facing Glioblastoma, or any brain disorder, deserves this kind of support — to be surrounded by encouragement, by prayer, and by stalwart champions of hope and light,’ Hutton wrote on social media at the time, via Deadline. ‘There continues to be meaningful advancements in the fight against [glioblastoma], and that fight needs all of us. Please support it in whatever way you can.’

Hutton was a recurring character on Doogie Howser, M.D. for 17 episodes from its first season in 1989 to its fourth and final season in 1993.

Hutton (pictured with Kathryn Morris on Cold Case in 2003) was diagnosed with the brain cancer glioblastoma in March 2025. The condition, which is the most common and most aggressive form of brain cancer, has a poor prognosis, with most people only living 12 to 18 months after diagnosis

Hutton played Dr. Ron Welch on Doogie Howser, M.D. (pictured), which starred Neil Patrick Harris as a teenage doctor

Hutton was a recurring character on Doogie Howser, M.D. for 17 episodes from its first season in 1989 to its fourth and final season in 1993; (L–R) James Sikking, Neil Patrick Harris and Belinda Montgomery on Doogie Howser, M.D.

Later, he became known for his work on JAG, on which he appeared in 15 episodes as Lt. Cmdr. Alan Mattoni. More recently, Hutton appeared on 32 episodes of General Hospital, from 2021 to 2022; pictured on Rattled! in 2022

Later, he became known for his work on JAG, on which he appeared in 15 episodes as Lt. Cmdr. Alan Mattoni. 

More recently, Hutton appeared on 32 episodes of General Hospital, from 2021 to 2022.

He was previously featured on all 95 episodes of the teen-focused Fox soap Tribes, which only aired from March through July of 1990.

In addition to his work on numerous TV shows, Hutton also starred on a popular series of KFC commercials in the early to mid-1990s. 

Although he was best known for his TV work, Hutton was also featured extensively in films, though he tended to work behind the scenes as a voice actor. 

He provided multiple voices for 2016’s Ice Age: Collision Course, while one of his final on-screen roles was in the 2022 crime comedy Rattled!. 

Hutton was born in 1952 in San Antonio, Texas, and his family later moved to East Orange, New Jersey. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, he experienced a period of homelessness in his 20s after moving to California’s Bay Area in the mid-1970s as he tried to get into acting. 

Hutton experienced a period of homelessness in the mid-1970s after moving from New Jersey to California’s Bay Area in his 20s, but the experience led him to support multiple charities throughout his life after becoming a successful actor; seen on Step By Step in 1993

‘I had [brought] $1,000. I kept going on auditions, thinking I would get a job that would turn things around,’ he told the newspaper in 1993 while starring on Doogie Howser. ‘One day, I looked in my wallet and realized I had no money for a room for the night. I snuck into a hotel that was being refurbished and slept on newspapers, and the next night I slept in a movie theater. 

‘I finally made it out, with the help of friends,’ he added.

The experience led Hutton to regularly support and donate to charities like the Los Angeles Mission for the Homeless, where he would serve Thanksgiving dinners, and he distributed Christmas toys to patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and organized events for military veterans. 

‘I thought then, when the time comes, I want to help,’ Hutton told the LA Times. ‘I want to give back.’

Hutton is survived by his wife, the voice actress Bridget Hoffman, and his son Wolfy.