Soap opera fans were saddened this week to learn that "All My Children" star Jeffrey Carlson had died at 48. 

According to Deadline, Carlson first appeared on the show in 2006 as Zarf before later returning to play the transgender character Zoe.

Cause of death has yet to be revealed

The actor's death was confirmed in message posted by the official Twitter account of "All My Children." It noted that Carlson's acting career dated back to the early 2000s.

Jeffrey Carlson, known to soap fans as Zarf and later their Transgender character of Zoe Luper, has died at the age of 48. Carlson was also known for their Broadway career in the early 2000s. May they Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/GVlpDFotsG

— All My Children (@_AllMyChildren) July 9, 2023

Tributes to Carlson quickly appeared online, including from Time Out New York theater editor and critic Adam Feldman. Feldman called Carlson "a powerful actor" and said that his death was "a painful loss."

RIP Jeffrey Carlson, 48, exposed-nerve star of Broadway (Billy in The Goat, Marilyn in Taboo) and TV (the groundbreaking trans character Zoe on All My Children). A powerful actor and a painful loss. pic.twitter.com/ZdZdmlKtTP

— Adam Feldman (@FeldmanAdam) July 9, 2023

Fellow actors share fond memories of Carlson

Voice actress Eden Riegel tweeted that she was "devastated beyond measure to hear of the passing of the beautiful and gifted Jeffrey Carlson" and felt "fortunate to have called this kind soul a friend and see his brilliant work up close."

Devasatated beyond measure to hear of the passing of the beautiful and gifted Jeffrey Carlson. I feel fortunate to have called this kind soul a friend and see his brilliant work up close. Gone far too soon — an unimaginable loss. Love you, Jeffrey. Rest friend. ❤️

— Eden Riegel (@edenriegel) July 9, 2023

Fellow actor Matthew Rowland said it was "such a privilege to perform with and meet" Carlson, adding that he was "so sweet and kind to me."

“I can see a legend in you” ❤️ Jeffrey Carlson ❤️

I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of a such a talent, and a man who was so sweet and kind to me. It was such a privilege to perform with and meet him.

Rest well, beautiful soul xxx pic.twitter.com/lQBejjCJip

— Matthew Rowland (@matthewrowlandx) July 9, 2023

Carlson had a decades-long theater career

Meanwhile, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) put up a Facebook post stating that it "is saddened to learn of the recent passing of Jeffrey Carlson."

"Jeffrey gave beautiful and nuanced performances during his career, which took him from television and film to Broadway and, fortunately for us, to STC," it continued.

"We send our love to Jeffrey's friends, family, and colleagues, those who knew and loved him dearest," the group went on to add.

STC recalled how Carlson had appeared in a number of plays, including, "Lorenzaccio" in 2005, "Hamlet" in 2007, "Romeo and Juliet" in 2016, as well as "Free For All" in 2016 and again in 2017.