General Hospital
Do You Have The "IT" Factor To Get A Role On GH? Casting Director Mark Teschner Fills Us In!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
General Hospital Casting Director and Daytime Emmy winner, Mark Teschner gives soap fans inside look, and actors who aspire to get a role on the iconic soap, a rundown of what he looks for when casting a role in Port Charles in a portion of his segment which will be seen on tomorrow’s night’s ABC News 20/20 special edition – General Hospital – The Real Soap Dish (9PMEST) with host Katie Couric!
Teschner says you have to have the “It” factor to be cast on General Hospital, and it’s more than just being sexy, beautiful and talented!
The casting wizard’s advice to those who want to get into daytime acting is , “You have to be prepared to bring it, and you better be the best actor you can be, because hundred and hundreds of actors audition for every role. And it’s not enough just to have a great look, or somebody told you should be on soaps … I don’t even know what that means!”
Watch the segment with Mark after the jump, then let us know if you think the cast of GH has the “IT” factor? And if you were auditioning for a role on GH, could you bring it? Plus, was it interesting to listen to Teschner’s advice for that inside perspective? Weigh-in!
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, new and old motivations come into play with dangerous consequences. According to the just released GH video spoilers video for the week of August 3-7, a bailiff calls out, “All rise!”
Now it’s Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) vs. Curtis (Donnell Turner), as the surgeon is suing the owner of the Savoy for assault that ruined is ability to operate. At the end of the day, which of these men has enough evidence against the other? Portia (Brook Kerr) is by Isaiah’s side, while Jordan (Tanisha Harper) is with Curtis.
Next, Lucy (Lynn Herring) has a plan to get the controlling shares of Deception away from Michael (Rory Gibson). She wants her daughter, Serena (Kelly Kruger) to seduce Michael. She tells her, “Pick out your most seductive suit.” Soon, we see Serena in her bathing suit at the Metro Court face to face with Michael.
Later, there is a small baggie containing three blue pills. Nina (Cynthia Watros) ask Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), “What did you do?” We also see Michael asking the same thing of Jacinda (Paige Herschell). Leading into this week, viewers know that Willow doesn’t want the former escort anywhere near her children, Amelia and Wiley. Is this how she stops her, or is Jacinda up to old tricks and wants to frame Willow? Remember when Jacindsa drugged Drew (Cameron Mathison)? Stay tuned.
Finally, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, an emotional Jason (Steve Burton) continues to tell Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he cannot work for him anymore. Sonny ask, “So that’s it? You’re Out?” We fade to black.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Jason makes a sacrifice for Danny. Elizabeth becomes privy to a secret. Carly is touched. Valentin has a warning for Nina. Josslyn cautions Brennan.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Brook Lynn and Chase celebrate a milestone. Trina gets an earful. Carly’s plan backfires. Curtis is skeptical. Michael is anxious about his family’s’ future.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Sonny wants answers. Ava is struck with inspiration. Curtis’ trial begins. Brook Lynn wrestles with a big decision. Lucy and Serena scheme.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Sonny makes a stunning announcement. Serena makes her move. Willow faces a new threat. Isaiah takes the stand. Lucy questions Laura.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Josslyn is taken aback. Ava courts a new ally. Jordan and Anna catch up. Isaiah vents to Lucas and Elizabeth. Michael questions Jacinda.
Check out the latest ABC promo for General Hospital entitled, “What Did You Do?” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think GH is about to pair Serena with Michael? Is it curtains for Jacinda? Can anyone stop Willow once and for all, or make her pay for her crimes? What will Jason do without Sonny and the mob? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.
PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
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So…us “ugly” ppl don’t have a chance.
Youd have to put an s&h in front of ‘it’ to describe my looks and no talent…if only Felix could do a makeover on me! Then he’d be forever known as a miracle worker! LMAO!!!
it’s more than “JUST” being…. “sexy” beautiful… Talented”…
COME HITHER…
read my lips… my oscar is within’ reach…..
i’m a show unto myself.
dare say… who deigns to exist with me.
east coast, central…. and Pacific…. shout out….
WRITERS… ????? WTF… ???
I hate to be snarky but I guess Mark was on vacation when they recast Kristina? A very rare casting misfire. You could tell they knew because the actress was hardly airing even when Trey was alive. The actors who play both Rafe & TJ are very good.
She was hardly airing because there was no story for her. They brought her back for the sake of bringing the character on. Waste of Lindsey’s talents.
The soap medium pisses me off with their looks. I’m tired of seeing these unrealistic men and women on my TV screen. Not everyone loves it. He seems so snide to me.
I wish they didn’t recast kids just because they were growing up a little awkward, loved Jake on Two and a Half Men, he was so relatable and funny.
Can someone please direct me… I saw the poster of gh 50th anniversary framed of the georgous “Sonny Corenthois” hope not misspelled. Anyway can not find again evev goggle. I want to purchase. And while I have u wonderful ppl. To talk to is there anyway someone can convience ” sonny to go on dancing with the stars as one of the new cast maybe next yr.!!!! Plz. I am one of his biggest fans can’t go one day without my sonny fix!!! Plx. Convience him! Tks. Wish jason was still there too…. 🙁
Please, how ignorant can one be? He’s hardly a wizard, just got lucky that’s all.
HOW DID KA GET HER JOB NO TALENT OR LOOKS AND THERE BRING HER BACK UGH. KA IS NO STARR
I am LMAO!! She irks me and agree no talent at all..
Casting directors really need to hire more actors of color for leading roles. There is still a serious lack of racial minority actors who portray lead chars. gh’s fictional town is ny based. There really should be more actors of color on gh. These chars of color should be lead roles. My opinion is that most of casting really has to do w/ an actor having the “right look”. Tons of hollywood actors used to model. An athletic scout can’t discover an athlete by going to a mall. While tons of actors are plucked from obscurity bec they have the right physical appearance. No acting experience and training is necessary for actors. Actress quevenzhane wallis portrayed a char from black poverty. Of course they cast a black child actress who is very dark skinned. Actress wallis has never had any acting experience. A child actress w/ no acting experience already has an academy award nod w/c is considered the “highest honor” for hollywood. There really is no acting experience necessary for hollywood. Anyone can act. Anyone can get cast if they have the right look for that role.
My opinion is that a lot of casting has to do w/ preserving the definitions of beauty bec anyone can act if they know their dialogue. The definitions of beauty are being limited by fashion and hollywood. Fashion magazines regularly lighten the skin of women of color. It’s the same w/ promotional pictures from hollywood tv shows. Actors of color are often made to look less like a racial minority when their skin is lightened. Its bec actors of color who are dark skinned and do not have anglo features are often considered ugly for tolerant hollywood’s “beauty standards”. A lot of racial minority actors that are cast tend to appear racially ambiguous and light skinned to conform to hollywood’s white standards of beauty.
hollywood has a horrid track record of awful casting for racial minority roles. Light skinned actress zoe saldana was hired to portray dark skinned nina simone. They didn’t hire a black actress who is dark skinned. They darkened zoe’s skin bec her skin tone can be manipulated. But her facial feautres conform to white standards of beauty compared to other black actresses.
It’s even worse for Asian american actors. The film “dragon ball” cast all the Asian american chars w/ white actors. The film “last airbender” whitewashed the lead roles and only cast dark skinned Asian american actors for villainous roles. The film “all you need is kill” cast tom cruise to portray a char who should be a Japanese soldier. The movie 21 is based on Asian american students from MIT. But majority of the cast was whitewashed. The lead char was portrayed by british actor jim sturgess. Tolerant hollywood would rather hire a dialect coach for sturgess than cast an Asian american actor to portray an Asian american char! It’s bec Asian american actors don’t confrom to hollywood’s definition of leading men. There are still no Asian american actors and actresses who are part of hollywood’s a list!
It really begins w/ the casting and writing for tv shows. There should be more racial minority writers to create racial minority chars. There really should be more racial minority casting directors who cast the right actors of color to portray chars of color.