'Superman,' 'All My Children' Actor Killed In NJ Housefire

WARREN COUNTY, NJ — The man who died in a house fire in Warren County this week has been identified as actor Paul Avery, best known for his role on a soap opera that ran for more than 40 years.

On Tuesday, just after 12:30 a.m., police were called to a Mohican Road home in Blairstown Township on reports of a fire.

Authorities discovered the home was "fully engulfed in flames."

Inside the home was Avery and his wife, Sheila. They did not survive. He was 84 years old.

Related: Couple Killed In North Jersey House Fire

Avery's acting career kicked off when he landed a small but iconic role in 1978's "Superman," starring Christopher Reeve. In the film, he plays a TV reporter who spots the titular character flying through the sky, saving Lois Lane, when he ad-libs, "What the hell is that?"

(Hear Avery's line at 1:02)

In the 1980s, Avery played Hughie on "All My Children," a bartender at Roxy's dive bar. He portrayed the recurring role on the soap opera for 12 years. The soap opera, debuting in 1970, ran until 2011.

He is also credited with starring in more than 300 commercials, some of which he voiced the Yellow M&M, according to the Ridge View Echo online newspaper (which he created and served as executive editor).

In addition to being an actor, Avery was a Vietnam War veteran, journalist, and community leader. He volunteered in several capacities in Blairstown and served on a number of boards.