General Hospital
Constance Towers and Tristan Rogers: Two Of Tony Geary’s Most Memorable Scene Partners Share Thoughts On His GH Exit, Their Scenes & His Contributions To The Genre!
Courtesy/ABC
Today General Hospital fans watched the final episode of Anthony Geary as Luke Spencer, as the one of a kind character, and actor left Port Charles for good.
While so many tributes and interviews have been printed or posted over the last few weeks to honor Tony for what he has meant to the soap opera genre and its viewers, there have also been so many memorable scene partners along the way during Geary’s 37-year run, some more delicious, playful, wicked, and original than others!
Two standouts to On-Air On-Soaps are that of Tony’s on-screen chemistry with Constance Towers as the villainess Helena Cassadine, and Tristan Rogers, who played Luke’s partner in crime and best friend, Robert Scorpio. We spoke separately with Constance, and with Tristan, to get some insight about working with Geary: the indelible mark and the legacy the eight-time Daytime Emmy winner leaves behind, some of their favorite moments and scenes with him over the years, and what they thought of Luke’s ending, and how GH wrapped up his story in Port Charles. While Tristan is busy over at The Young and the Restless these days as Colin Atkinson, he took a few moments to honor his former colleague and their history, as did Constance, who is always elegant and thoughtful in every way. So here are some of the comments that they shared with us as we put a capper on #FarewellTony!
Constance, you came back for these final key scenes between nemesis’ Helena and Luke, where she basically steps aside in her vendetta against him, and rights the wrong by coping to having Little Jake Spencer (James Nigbor) being held on Cassadine Island all of this time, while Luke believed he killed the boy. What did you think about your final scenes with Tony?
Courtesy/ABC
CONSTANCE: GH had called and asked me to come back. I heard that Tony was going to leave, and of course, I had heard that so many times before that you don’t believe it. But this was touching to me to have these scenes, because he really was leaving. I thought the scenes were very simply and nicely written. It was just about two people who had quite a history, but still had affection for one another. It was a farewell, and it was a goodbye. We finished the scene, and I had kind of forgotten that it was our last scene together! Tony ran after me, got me and said, “You didn’t say goodbye.” So then we did have a big hug. I had the opportunity to wish him well. We both feel we will see each other again, whether I go to Amsterdam, or he magically returns. Who knows?
Tristan, were you aware that Tony was truly going to leave GH this time for good?
TRISTAN: Tony started talking to me in earnest at Christmas time about leaving. I heard it mentioned prior to that, but now he was being more specific. I guess he had made up his mind, and all it all, it came as no surprise.
When you look back, what are some of your most memorable moments filming scenes with Tony?
Courtesy/ABC
CONSTANCE: One of my favorite scenes was early on, because Tony has a delicious sense of humor, and I’m a giggler! I think it was within the first three years that we worked together, so we didn’t know each other that terribly well. Luke came on to Helena’s yacht. He was wearing a black leather jacket, and he was going to crawl into Helena’s bed, and he was going to stab her. Luke had one of those knives where you push a little button and the blade pops out. We were shooting, and I was in the bed and I could feel he was on the bed. But I heard the knife, and then I heard it go “pop”. Then I heard this “Ouch”! Tony had stabbed himself by mistake. He started to laugh, and I got hysterical. The two of us had to go take a walk around the studio, and then come back in a half an hour and shoot it again, because we just couldn’t do it. That was one of my favorite moments. I loved the time Helena was in jail and Luke brought her a hamburger. She was being starved, and so he took a big bite of the hamburger! Later Helena ends up eating one little piece out of it, and then she is writhing in pain for like a week! We just enjoyed that immensely, and made fun it when we were off camera. We had a lot of fun together.
Courtesy/ABC
TRISTAN: One of the best scenes that really sums up Robert and Luke’s relationship was back in 2006 when I went back there, and Luke hadn’t married Tracy (Jane Elliot) at that point, and Emma Samms (Holly) was on the show. We were in a scene at a bar and I said, “Let’s just totally wing it,” and we did, and it summed the two of them up perfectly. I have spoken to a lot of guys in the business who said, “The work that you two did opened the door for a lot of people to take liberties with the script.” In my case, I opened the door for accents, and we had a studied looseness about us that just worked!
Tony had this incredible on-screen repartee’ with Constance as Helena and Tristan as Robert. Much seemed, and was known to be ad-libbed!
CONSTANCE: The thing I loved about Tony is that you could rewrite a little word here and there, and find a joke in your lines. He would get it immediately, and he would then rewrite his lines to make it even better. Tony had the right to do that, which made it even better. So, I was able to slip in a lot of things that I wanted that were funny, charming, so we had more things to play with. Tony is such a good actor, and so sensitive to his fellow actors, that he reacts to what you give him. He will take it and play with it. That is how we found this unrequited sexual tension between the characters. One day I blew a little extra air in his ear in a scene, and Tony went with it. The writers went, “Ooh, what was that?” And from that point on, they always wrote that sexual tension that we were always able to play.
Courtesy/ABC
TRISTAN: We had taken the basic script, and we had a producer who allowed us to ad-lib. We demonstrated right from the start that we could do it, and do it in a very entertaining way. Gloria Monty’s (former GH executive producer) role in this was to give us some order for it to make sense. She would say, “OK guys, I need these pieces of information to come out, because they are involved in plot down the road, and a part from that … have fun with it.” And we did! Ultimately what we established was a very unique and interesting relationship between two guys.
What are your thoughts of what Tony meant to daytime? Where he goes from here? And, how he is being written-off the show as Luke makes his exit?
CONSTANCE: He had so many years with the show, and now he has some free time, and not having to be getting on a plane going back and forth. Tony also told me that, “New York is not that far away from Amsterdam. Maybe the theatre will call me, and I will return to where I started.” It will be interesting to see what Tony does. Luke left the show now being a sort of likeable guy. They kind of cleansed him in the end, and explained why he never did anything that somebody might have objected to, and gave it a reason. He came from a dysfunctional home, and then he had all these psychological reasons for doing the things that he did. They sent him off having been forgiven for everything.
Courtesy/ABC
TRISTAN: Tony’s contribution to daytime was priceless. He was a commanding figure with a very unique and penetrating acting style that really struck a chord with a lot of people. You could not ignore him. He had a presence in that role that is something you don’t forget easily. He is not a person that could be easily replaced. I was curious to see how GH was going to write him in his final scenes. At least they didn’t kill him-off. But I can imagine if they would have come to Tony and said, “We’re going to kill you!” Tony would have gone: “Terrific! I am all for it!” (Laughs) And that didn’t happen.
Do you agree that Constance and Tristan were two of the more formidable and dynamic scene partners of Tony Geary’s? What did you think of the stories they shared on working on scenes with him? What were your favorite Helena and Luke, or Robert and Luke moments through the years? Share your thoughts below! And sure to come back later this week for more with our chat with Constance Towers. Could there be a Helena Cassadine sighting in the near future on GH?
Robert was a big hit from the get go and I loved the scenes Tristan had with Tony. Loved it with Laura and Emma Lutz especially. Really enjoyed them together.
Tristan is great! You can tell from the interview that HE (unlike Tony) doesn’t forget what happened with the characters/storyline–his specific example proves that.
ROBERT SCORPIO SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE AT THE END TO SAY GOODBYE AND TO TAKE PART IN ENDING STORY.
When Luke, Robert and Laura were stuck on Cassadine Island in 1981: Laura became sick with fever and it was looking scary for a while. Luke was crazed with worry and he was frustrated at Robert for being so calm. Robert snapped at Luke and said: “I happen to LOVE her! I love the BOTH of you!” I will always cherish my memories of that trio and 1981 will always be my favorite year of GH. I prefer the first half of 1981 when most of the scenes took place in Laura’s apartment with the sticky door. Once they got onto the Cassadine yacht and onto Cassadine Island I wasn’t 100% in favor of the Science Fiction vibe. But I will always love the chemistry the three of them shared in spite of the absurd theme(s). I loved their freedom to ad lib. Anytime the actors are having fun, it shines through and I just enjoy it immensely as a viewer.
Marie, love your vivid memory recall–I could see it through your words and yes, I remember that scene now!
Nancy, I do so agree with you.
I wish they could have found a way to have Tristan come back to bid adieu to his old mate. After Luke bid Laura a tearful and poignant goodbye on a foggy pier, Luke and Robert (who is wearing his classic Long Fog raincoat) could walk off into the fog together with Robert saying, “Luke this is the start of a beautiful friendship.”
Oh what it could have been!
ohh goodness!
All the greats were involved with Tony/Luke..
I wonder what will become of Constance Towers/Helena without Luke..
I hope the new writers hold onto the past and bring Helena back in often..
It’s hard to imagine GH without Tony/Luke..
He was not killed-off and now always open for a stint comeback..
I’m sure that is why killing Luke off was not allowed by ABC, also his fans would be hell unleashed if they had killed him..
I just feel sometime someday we will see Tony/Luke again ..
Tony and General Hospital are synonyms ..
(( I think Tony and GH had a love affair going on .. lol
and-
Tony and Constance Towers! They were thunder, lightening and roses !
Thanks for interviewing Constance and Tristan !!
Wow is this a soap actor leaving or a tribute to the likes of Cary Grant..Jimmy Stewart..John Wayne..enough already he’s gone..it almost makes you think someone has a secret room with an outrageous memory wall in their basement..LOL
Well for daytime, he was an icon.
Simmer down. Your check is in the mail bro.
Spending 37 yrs loving Tony we will somehow some way see him again. Beautiful memories…thinking of Helena’s nude painting at Luke ‘s . Crazy loveable actor just being real. Guess WSB mission coming up. We’ll be seeing you again. Sonny needs his best man Luke! God willing
Oh Mr Fairman, thank you so much for this great interview with Constance and Tristan.
It’s just what the doctor ordered, and I suspect you knew this.
Robert Scorpio and Luke Spencer were things of beauty together and yes, their humor came through without disrupting the storyline. These two men invented the idea of bromance and God, how I wish Tristan could have come back to GH to bid his old mate a fond adieu.
I also just love Constance and her sado-masochistic, somewhat kinky love-hate relationship with Luke made me want to page Dr Freud.
Thank you for posting something which actually triggered a positive response from me as it gets tiresome always playing the cantankerous Negative Nellie.
Well said, Harry! ‘Twas a true tragedy that TR’s Robert Scorpio couldn’t take his rightful place in Luke’s (and AG’s) swansong. I would have much preferred witnessing Mr. Spencer bid his sentimental adieus to his old spy game cohort than fellow partner-in-crime, Sonny, during those last precious onscreen seconds amidst the familiar fog-filled docks. As for Miss Towers’ freaky femme fatale, Helena, she is, quite simply, Old Hollywood glamour personified. Her cool, classic, Kelly-esque presence never gets old….thus, I am hoping that just because Queen Cassadine’s arch-enemy has thrown in the towel, his absence doesn’t portend a similar fate for her….she’s far too valuable a villainess for GH to also retire her to the ash heap of Port Charles history.
Hear, hear. If only Constance could continue on GH and bring on her gorgeous husband, John Gavin, to play opposite her! That would be divine. I loved him in BACK STREET with Susan Hayward and IMITATION OF LIFE with Lana Turner. If he still has his health like the indomitable Constance, he’d make a great GH on-screen partner and keep Helena around despite Luke leaving town “for good” (time will tell).
Harry, just what I wrote above–ROBERT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE.
How great those times were–for us–and, apparently, for the actors. I have heard TG in interviews say that he was “jealous” of Tristan Rogers at first–afraid he would take the “lead” away from him–but soon they became great pals and loved the ad-libbing and fun on-and off-screen.
Tristan was great with Genie also–Scorpio and Laura even went on a date once–remember? And Luke was jealous. Remember the scene where Luke has a bad cold and he comes to Laura’s (stuck) apartment door and asks Laura about the date the two had? Fun times, indeed. I really long for and miss those halcyon days, don’t you?
Harry, I so like your vision of the ending as it should have been written–like Casablanca, with Scorpio and Luke walking off in the fog with that classic conversation of “the start of a beautiful friendship”–how perfect that would have been. Maybe we could also have seen the twinkle in their eyes as it used to be.
Gives me chills. I thought of that myself the other day. Oh, what might (and could easily) have been! A great lost opportunity by the writers and actors.
Those two couples were always magic together!! I was a little disappointed on the way they treated the last times Tristan and Tony worked with each other, but always friends. I will miss Luke a lot, and hope one day that Robert can come back and work with Anna. I know Constance will be back…at least in a few weeks.
If Tristan ever retires, THAT is when I will cry. GH will do just fine if they can get him back as Robert Scorpio. Helena loves to torture Robert, too. 🙂
I hope they can get Tristan’s back on GH..He’s truly missed..
I want his entire body back on GH, not just his back.
Thank you, Michael Fairman.
You see there Luke haters, he came up with Gloria Monty as EP and Tristan confirmed that they were given a lot of rope in those days to ad lib so he always had the ability to add or subtract lines and as he got older his status let him have control of his character. Dont crucify the guy for doing what he was allowed to do for so many years! He earned his stripes from an early age.
Yes, thanks, Michael F.–now THAT’S the kind of interview I love to read. Wish you could interview Genie again (ask her what is in the letter Luke left to his “Angel”–lol). Oh, I’m getting nostalgic again–just thinking on the word “Angel.” (Sigh!)
Two extraordinary talents and two extraordinary class acts. It doesn’t get much better than this. Tristan has always given Tony tremendous praise and their working relationship and onscreen chemistry is unmatched to this day. Constance, is class personified and is an amazing actress. A combination of any of these 3 if pure gold.
Tristan deserves a shot at male patriarch lead of the shoe now!
When Tony left in 1985, Tristan did just that! He was a great male lead for GH, a very strong, charismatic presence. He dominated GH for 7 years until he decided to leave, that’s when they brought Tony back. Now that Tony’s gone, they can afford to put Tristan on contract. He’s always been good for the ratings. He’s wasted on Y&R.
Yes i remember that fondly. It makes sense they do that now with Finola back on the show. Finola, Tristan, and Genie should rule the roost.
Robert sure wouldn’t be afraid to drop the hammer on Sonny. And with Luke out of the picture, Robert wouldn’t have to deal with any friendship conflict there.
2 True class act..Loved the interview.
I really enjoyed the interview. Luke and Robert were an incredible pairing – right behind Luke and Laura. Luke’s exit short changed both these critical pairings!
there just is no one like him!
Great interview! Remember when Constance and Tristan had a scene together a few years ago? It was when Faison was wearing the Duke mask. Robert was trying to convince Helena that Faison was alive and it was a hilarious scene. Of course, Helena knew Faison was alive but she wasn’t about to let Robert know she knew.
I really wish we could have seen Robert in Luke’s farewell storyline. I loved the scene with Luke and Helena.
Very enjoyable interview. Even though I thought Luke’s exit storyline was poorly written and sloppily thrown together for the most part, I did love the final scenes he had with Helena and the incomparable Constance Towers. They always had a tremendous chemistry over the years, and it was on display in those last scenes.
I’ve said it many times since it happened, it’s a damn shame GH allowed Tristan Rogers to walk away. I don’t watch Y&R, so I don’t know what he’s involved in there. I just know that Robert Scorpio is sorely missed, and especially for Luke’s farewell.
Of course, for all we know, even if he had been on the show, the writers might not have even bothered writing a final scene between Luke and Robert, since they couldn’t be bothered writing one for Luke and Laura, which should have been the easiest and most obvious slam dunk.
It’s a bit of a long stretch to say Tristan is busy over at Y&R. Haven’t him go rages, and his name wasn’t even mentioned on the CBS questionnaire.
Correction…” Haven’t seen him in ages.”and his name, etc.
Thank you for the nice article about 3 of my favorite actors. I have watched Luke be Luke for the last 37 years. A lot of people will not understand Luke choosing to leave as he did. But Luke never cared much about what people thought of him unless he was scamming them. There are no words strong enough to say how fortunate I have been to watch Anthony Geary act for all these years when he was definitely talented enough to have been hidden away in exotic movies or on Broadway.
I absolutely love Constance Towers & Tristan Roberts! Two of the greatest Actors in Daytime! I hope we get to see Helena, Robert & for Tony Geary to return in the Future! Love them all!!
I was very disappointed that they didn’t have Tristan come back for a final scene with Tony. The least they could have done was have some flashbacks to their time together on the show. With all of the scenes they shared, and story lines that they were involved in, I think GH missed the mark. Thanks for interviewing him to get his feelings on Tony Geary’s departure. I’m glad someone was considering what the fans would have wanted to know.
I guess if your getting paid a pretty penny it doesnt matter much but Tristan hasnt been on Y&R in months. What does he do work for craft services! I hope when his contract expires he comes back to GH and puts Sonny away OR rids Port Charles of the mob identity for good. A lot of you want Constance back. Yes, have Robert rescue a recasted Robin from Helena. Then I would like Robert to kill Helena once and for all!
I just loved seeing Tony Geary and Constance Towers work together. Luke and Helena were so much fun.
I would like to see a Genie/Tristan/Fiona triangle romance to see which one wins Robert. Robert and Laura were good together back in 81. Tristan was really good with Genie. Very convincing. The best pairing after Luke and Laura.
Not sure what to think about Anthony(wouldn’t dare call him Tony and offend him!) Geary watching the montage and reminiscing backstage with cast and crew but didn’t want his fans to have the pleasure. I get the feeling he disliked his fans. Too bad. He is famous and rich because of them.
I would like to see Holly and Robert back on GH. Best couples EVER…
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
General Hospital’s 16,000th episode was packed with little reminders through points in today’s script that the ABC daytime drama series has set another milestone and it paved the way for the return of fan favorite and newly nominated Daytime Emmy Lead Actor nominee Steve Burton (Jason Morgan). The 16,000th episode also introduced viewers to the new surgeon in Port Charles Dr. Tristan Roberts played by Dean Geyer.
Here are the key takeaways and what went down on the July 13 episode: Tristan and Jason are seated next to each other on a plane heading to Port Charles. Throughout the flight, a beaten up Jason has flashbacks to being thrown into, and being held captive in a cell and tortured. It appears Jason is suffering from some form of PTSD from what he was put through after being dragged out of Port Charles by the WSB months ago.
As the plane prepares to land, Tristan tells Jason there would be a car waiting for him once they land and to enjoy the rest of his life. Later, Tristan arrives at the nurses and doctors hub at GH and approaches Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). He tells her his name and that he is the new surgeon on staff.
Photo: ABC
A REUNION PLUS A HEAD NURSE DEFENDS SONNY
Meanwhile, at the end of the episode, Jason is outside the Quartermaine boathouse looking bewildered when he runs into Danny (Asher Antonyzyn), who is so thrilled to see his father, and the two hugs each other as tears are shed.
Elsewhere, Elizabeth tells Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he thinks its a great idea for him to get the 16th seat on the hospital board, but when it comes times to convince Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) of that, things go awry when Tracy, Laura and Sonny try to work things out. After Tracy launches into Sonny about killing Alan and Monica’s son AJ, Sonny walks away dejected.
Next, Sonny runs into Elizabeth, where he informs her what happened with Tracy. So what’s a head nurse to do? Elizabeth marches into the conference room and reminds Tracy of all the different donations and ways Sonny has contributed to the hospital from the Stone Cates AIDS wing, to the Michael Corinthos Center for Pediatric Head Injuries as well as his constant support each year for the GH Nurses’ Ball.
Courtesy/ABC
WSB WAR SCARS
Then, in one of the best parts for longtime fans of the series, Elizabeth talks about her legendary grandparents, Audrey and Steve Hardy and she tells Tracy they would have wanted Sonny to have a seat on the board for all the good that he has done for the hospital. After Elizabeth states Sonny’s case, things took a turn and Tracy and Sonny wound up shaking hands as Sonny is board member #16.
In the how great was it to see Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) together scenes department, the pick-up of last Friday’s cliffhanger is played out as the two former lovers fill each other in on what has gone down in their lives in the last several months including Valentin admitting he had been living in Carly’s attic, and Anna realizing she was kidnapped by Cullum, Sidwell and Cassius Faison. During their conversation, Anna sees the hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) right while Valentin is standing there.
Courtesy/ABC
Later Anna was on her way to saying goodbye to Valentin, when the two share an emotional hug. After Valentin made his exit, Peter reappeared and warned Anna to not let Valentin distract her because she has important work to do. Anna answers, “I know.”
So, what did you think of General Hospital’s 16,000 episode? What do you think is wrong with Jason? What is the important “work” that Anna has to do? Were you glad to see Sonny get a seat on the hospital board, or not so much. Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out the scenes on Jason and Tristan’s long flight to Port Charles.
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