You may not have known his name, but soap fans have been watching the creations of Chip Dox on daytime dramas General Hospital and Days of our Lives for decades. Sadly, the former production designer, who designed rooms at the Quartermaine mansion and other sets, passed away on August 15.
Chip Dox: In Memoriam
“Frankly, I think at this time, anyone’s chances of making a living in the film industry are terrible.” Had Dox taken to heart a 1970 rejection letter from a studio executive (who wrote the above), he would not have spent the past five decades working as an award-winning art director and production designer.
Attending the Carnegie Institute of Technology (AKA Carnegie Mellon University), getting some experience in local theater, serving two years in the U.S. Army, and going back to his alma mater to teach, Dox was determined, regardless of the rejection letters, to move to the West Coast and launch his career in the entertainment industry.
Dox’s designs extended beyond the soap opera world. He designed rock & roll touring shows for world-renowned acts, including Elton John, The Beach Boys, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Jackson Browne. He worked with Tracey Ullman on her sitcom Tracey Takes On, as well as the Lifetime comedy series, Oh Baby. Chip also spent time at Telemundo, working on the sitcoms Viva Vegas and Los Beltran.
But Daytime TV was where Dox truly made his mark as a production designer for more than 27 years. Working in soap operas allowed him to showcase his ingenuity and limitless creativity.
Working with producers, directors, and writers, he had the enormous challenge of making sure he could bring the words on the page to life. Challenged to not only design elaborate home interiors and hundreds of sets, but also create boat and train wrecks, fires, earthquakes, and even a demonic possession (Marlena’s [Deidre Hall] on DAYS), all while sticking to a shrinking daytime soap opera budget.
Chip spent 17 years on DAYS, where he was nominated and won his first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Set Direction in 1997. It was not unusual for Dox to bicker over budgets with DAYS’ Jeanne Haney — his wife! Despite their heated discussions, the couple wed after a decade of working together. The pair had just celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary.
After DAYS, Dox began working for ABC, where he designed sets for Port Charles, the SOAPnet series Nightshift, and GH, where he collected another Daytime Emmy before retiring in 2015. While at GH, Dox created sets for the Nurses Ball, which was revived in 2013.
Dox was generous in every aspect of his life. He mentored up-and-coming art directors, giving them an opportunity to start their careers, helping to re-design a Pilates studio where Haney convinced him to “try it just once” (and he continued going for over 22 years) or volunteering with California advocacy group Hang Out Do Good, preparing brown bag lunches every Sunday for the homeless. He volunteered to work on Broadway charity events and designed numerous family weddings and parties.
As proud as Dox was of his professional work, he was devoted even more to his family. He and Haney affectionately called their home “Windblown Manor.” In addition to Haney, Dox is survived by daughters Morgan Dox, Katie Segal, Hayley Dox-DaCosta, and stepdaughter Megan Younger and their families, granddaughters Rae Kim, Kiddo Dox-DaCosta, and grandsons Henry and Charlie Segal as well as a large extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an organization that was near and dear to Dox — The World Central Kitchen. Soap Hub sends sincere condolences to Dox’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.
