Connect with us

General Hospital

55

Don Harvey Joins General Hospital As Tom Baker … Elizabeth's Rapist!

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo: IMDB

Photo: IMDB

General Hospital is utilizing a horrific event of the past most likely to cause conflict for Liz and Franco (or ultimately solidied them), and for Franco to do some serious self-evaluation, since Franco once upon a time made Sam (Kelly Monaco) believe he raped her and was her baby’s bio-daddy!  That is because actor Don Harvey debuts on Tuesday as Liz’s rapist, Tom Baker.

In story, Baker is now apparently being paroled from prison, and had raped a young Liz when she was a teenager. The character was last seen in 1998.

As for Harvey’s other TV credits, they include turns on the dramas: Blue Bloods, The Blacklist, Superman, Luck and Medium.

The casting news was first reported by Soap Opera Digest.

So, what do you think of GH bringing back Tom Baker, Elizabeth’s rapist in story? Comment below!

55 Comments

55 Comments
oldest
newest

I’m intrigued to where they are going to go with this story. I have trust what Shelly and Jean have done so far with the Friz story so I trust they will do right by this.

He wasn’t punished for raping Liz so that might be the order of business for this character. I think what might happen is that he will wind up dead and fingers will be pointing at a few people before the mess is over. Maybe a possibility of another character who is on the canvas now (or two?) being violated. I don’t think they dug out this character from the past to just be a day player or an under five.

I’m so excited for this story to play out! LOVE Franco and Liz together and love that they are using Liz’s history for story now. It makes so much sense to be used now in light of Franco’s dark past. I love the investment that this writing team has in Liz and Franco, both together and separately. And what a fantastic actor for them to cast as Tom! Great job GH! Can’t wait to watch all of this play out!

I’m intrigued! They brought on a solid actor to revisit one of the best told stories in GH history. I hope Jean and Shelly do it justice – pulling for them. #TeamFriz

Another example of trying to get the audience to come around on Franco. Let’s count some of the ways:
1. Making him Jason’s twin, thus a Quartermaine.
2. Initially introducing Kiki as his daughter.
3. Changing Kiki’s dad to Silas. Attempting to create sympathy for Franco.
4. No he’s not a Q, he’s the son of 2 beloved vets – Scotty & Heather.
5. Brain tumor made him do it.
6. Carly falls for him.
7. He goes above/beyond for mental patient Nina.
8. He’s the only one who bonds with Jake when he returns.
9. Elizabeth

I probably forgot something, but making him an anti-hero isn’t going to fly. Don’t get my wrong, Roger is an outstanding actor. A resolution on the PP lawsuit appears to be on the horizon. If so, let’s hope they send Franco away on a Monday and have Todd Manning mysteriously appear at the end of that Friday’s episode.

That would be FANTASTIC!

Because Todd the actual rapist would be so much better? I prefer Franco, and enjoy his current ties to the canvas. Scotty, Heather, Kiki, Liz, etc.

Unlike Franco, Todd was not a serial killer. He did some time for his crime. I’m not saying he’s a saint — and not recommending he be paired with Elizabeth.

While I would miss Franco’s connection with Scotty, Todd has some history with Carly and Sam.

In that case, GH is full of killers who haven’t paid for their crimes. I get the feeling some of y’all just hate on Franco without thinking it through…

I’m a longtime viewer (going back to the Gloria Monty years) who has thought this through. Placing Elizabeth with Franco would be on the same level as if Anna would suddenly fall for Faison. Franco worked with Nina because they are two troubled souls.

Not every character needs to be redeemed. Ava works, despite killing Connie, because we see her as strong multi-faceted woman. Like her son, Heather has done multiple murders, but I wouldn’t expect to see her as a receptionist in the hospital. And, love him or hate him, there’s a reason why Sonny has been around over 20 years.

As for characters how have been redeemed, other longtime viewers can recall how Alan went from attempted murderer to one of the most beloved characters on GH. Monica went from adulterous home wrecker to esteemed mother & chief of staff. I could go on, but the point here is that character redemption has to be somewhat organic. And it doesn’t work with Franco.

Finally, you can’t separate the James Franco version vs. the Roger Howarth version. Which version stabbed, then buried his mother alive, then made Jordan (and others) believe they were trapped in room with a bomb? We don’t call Sean Kanan the good AJ vs Billy Warlock the bad AJ. Carly’s history can’t be ignored because Sarah Brown played her when she slept with Tony as opposed to Laura Wright.

So yes, many longtime viewers have given thus plenty of thought.

I don’t even compare this version of Franco to James Franco’s Franco. Two different characters in my mind so it doesn’t bother me. All I see with this version is a guy with a bad reputation who’s supposedly been redeemed as the acts he committed in the past were out of his control. If he suddenly reverts, that would be ridiculous…you don’t go from madman to normal back to crazy. So I’m enjoying the story of an insecure man trying to prove himself to a mostly hostile town…and his struggle within ie insecurity, self-doubt…

I like Liz and Franco together but I still have a feeling the end game is Liz anfpd Griffin.

Rebecca…It’s not so much that I don’t like the current Franco. In fact I really like Roger, but too bad he’s never got away from the rapist tag since OLTL. When he was allowed to redeem himself as Todd I just liked him and Blair better than Franco and Liz, which doesn’t do it for me.

But I guess in my mind he’s inherited the twisted version and vision James Franco brought to it (for me his ego gets in the way, but I did like him in the original Spider-Man). Will never forget what he did to Sam and Jason, it was awful and creepy…and I guess Sam won’t either.

Really liked the new Dr. Strange movie . He’s my favorite Marvel character. There was a time I collected the Dr.’s comic books. Have 80 dating back to 1962.

Ugh Rose…don’t get me started. Too long to get into here but about 500 comics that I’d saved for about twenty years were sold to a comic book store a few months ago by someone who was storing them for me. (Lol…this is where private messages would be helpful.)

Haven’t seen Dr. Strange. I want to see the film with Eddie Redmayne…love him…L O V E!

Are you watching “Westworld?” I think it’s really well done. Still need to catch up on the latest “Poldark” episode.

Franco??? Sigh. Let me put it this way…I like Roger a lot and wouldn’t want to lose him on the show. Do I think making him Franco in the first place was a good decision? No. I would rather him have been a new character or a Quartermaine…matter of fact when someone’s will was read…can”t remember whose…didn’t Heather find out there was another Quartermaine out there that no one knew about? They dropped that…could’ve been Roger…

As Franco stands now..like I said I just don’t relate him to the other Franco. If it had been a legacy character…or someone who was an integral part of the landscape for many years, I might not have been able to get passed it. But to me that was a fun turn with James Franco..I enjoyed the ride. To me..though he goes by the same name, there’s no other connection. I think they started this version as an idiot…lol..really. He was just juvenile and imbecilic. They’ve evolved him though he still has a way to go. I’d like to see him become a very cool character.

Sorry, not the same. Franco is just as much of a victim of his tumor as everyone else. I don’t need to explain to you why, I’m sure you can look the clips up on youtube (when Dr. Drake diagnosed him). This is the same soap that gave us latex masks, Luke/Fluke, and the whole mind control thing Jakeson underwent. At least Franco’s condition is somewhat based in reality.

And keep in mind, the same allowance you make for your faves, others do for theirs. I see just as much good in present day Franco as any other character on the canvas. I don’t want or need Todd to return so he can be in Carly and Sam’s orbit – that would be a MASSIVE downgrade.

I am very intrigued by the return of Tom but any Sam involvement needs to be little to none. This story needs to be primarily about Liz and secondarily about Friz.
I’m glad Jelly are using GH history. Liz’s rape story was iconic (one of best in Daytime history).
Love that Jelly have slowly built Friz and how every beat has been played & how their issues are organic and not the typical tropes of third parties for example.
Liz dealt with Tom as a traumatized 15 y/o. I look forward to seeing Liz handle his return this time 18 years later as a strong woman who’s made a life for herself from the ashes of that horrific act.

This show is so ridiculous. I will not say any more.

I’m very intrigued. I love when they use actual history of characters. Hope that this brings Liz and Franco closer than ever. I also want this to put to rest all of the whining of people who say Franco doesnt pay, the tumor isnt a good excuse, he isnt remorseful. When your faves are murderers and mob bosses and cons, you dont get to be outraged over a different fictional character. Stones and glass houses…

Great (yawn). Now if anything bad happens to this creep, Jordan can arrest both Jason AND Franco since they both have history with Elizabeth. That’s her favorite past time anyway.

I think this is a great use of GH’s history and an important story to bring to the forefront. Elizabeth hasn’t had front-burner story in a little while, and GH needs to solidify her relationship with Franco, as he will likely help her deal with what happened in her past. It also provides some serious self-reflection for Franco and deals with one of the worst things he did before his tumor was removed. It was a good decision to revisit this story. I just wish Emily and Lucky were still around because of how integral of a role they played in the original story.

I think that this could be a very good catalyst to solidify the relationship between Liz and Franco. I’m really enjoying them as a couple and look forward to their scenes. I know this has nothing to do with the topic, but I really hope that James Patrick Stuart will be around for a long while as Valentin. He’s wonderful!

Agreed , Sigrid. James P Stuart is captivating. I hope TPTB allow Valentin to make a complete turnabout into a good, ‘misunderstood’ guy.

Valentin was suppose to be the worst Cassadine! The actor is good BUT the character is a wimp!

It’s the wimpy ones we “gotta look out from”. LOL….But, my Timmmy….he’s sooo smoooth….

Since the writers only brought back Tom to use him to redeem Franco and make him
more viable romantic hero, I’m not interested.

Exactly. The only use that Elizabeth seems to have in this story is propping Franco. It’s about his redemption (for the umpty umpth time). Even with Bobby and Laura on the canvas these days – given that they were significant in the original story, this one will be all about Franco. Just…. sad.

I can’t stand the coined phrase..lol…to ” prop” Franco. I don’t think they’re “propping” anyone. It’s a storyline. Franco and Liz. Her past now in the present. How will this effect her, Franco, others. Could be good…maybe not. Camera, action…

Unfortunately Franco is the star in this storyline…. thus, the use of the word “prop.” When even the head writer is interviewed and talks about this story as a means of redeeming the despised character, you can say what you want. To me there is no better definition of the word.

Hi Elizabeth.. I didn’t read that interview; is it on this site? Nevertheless, I still don’t see it as “about” Franco and personally I think he redeemed himself over and over from his being almost killed to save Carly, to his self-sacrifice for Nina when she was loopy (er), his love for Kiki, his kindness to little Jake, etc. If this story also has Franco experience a revelation about himself…or we get to see yet another side of him, that sounds interesting to me as I’malready rooting for him; he’s not a despised character to me.

Too bad he is Elizabeth’s rapist. I like this actor.

Yes, Celia, I agree. Don Harvey is a reliable, accomplished character actor who’s been working since the 80s, as I remember. He was one of the soldiers gone wrong in CASUALTIES OF WAR in 1989 with Sean Penn & Michael J. Fox (a very underrated movie) and countless others. I’m glad he has the work, I’m just feeling cynical right now about any new stories and actors brought in, even if this is not technically a “new” story. But I’ll give it a chance since many of the posts are hopeful regarding this new twist. Just keep Jordan and her endless vendettas against Franco and Jason out if it!

Hey, hey, Soaphound,
I am so sick of Jordan, hands on ( no) hips, circling her ‘suspects’ like a skinny hen….her skimpy, colorless plumage all a’ruffled.
I am familiar with Don Harvey’s acting. Here goes another waste of talent!!

Speaking of GH, CELIA, how can you not be attracted to Jax! Did you you see his crystal blue eyes bouncing off his blue blazer in those scenes with Alexis in the dive bar? He looked great!

Awwwww!!!! My adorable, Timmmy. Are you a romantic, deep within? Love you for it!!
But, gee…I don’t know. I am not mesmerized by Jax. I will not be a hypocrite and deny the beauty of his eyes….limpid ‘blues’…..as azure as a summer sky on a shiny, cloudless, sunny day.
Nonetheless, I am not feeling the vibes….there is no “Crystal Blue Persuasion”. Ask Tommy James.
There must be something wrong with me!!!! I am very picky. LOL.
Luv-ya, Timmmy.

PS.
Timmmy, Carly is still married to Sonny. What the heck her cuddling up with ex, all about? Any man worth his salt would hit the roof. I know my husband would ( well, I don’t have an ex. That’s bedide the point. LOL).
I am so mad at myself. I was beside myself feeling sorry for Carly…pitying her; wanting to hug her. Now, I want to smack her a few rounds.
And, Jax should know better. I don’t care if he was trying to comfort her in her time of need.
I would not put it past the writers to write them right into bed…or that sofa.

@Celia…CeeCee sweets… This is not Carly’s first go round….
Whenever she’s been involved/committed with either one of
these men in the past, she habitually cheats on one w/ the other.
This is her M O when it comes to Sonny and Jax… Sonny and Jax
have a long bitter history that of course involved Sonny’s first love
Brenda who then loved Jax….Jax first entered the scene as a
Corporate Raider he brought Sam onto the show…. Just a tease
of yesteryear. Later sweetie.

What an astute observation, Fanny! Yes, Carly is definitely one of those “Have your cake and eat it, too” sort of gals….whenever she”s married to Sonny, there’s always another who tickles her fancy, and yet, when she’s otherwise involved with anyone else (Franco, Jax or take your pick….) she can’t scamper over fast enough to “Chez Corinthos” for a quickie with the “man of the house!” Hence nothing new here to see….

@Fanny.
Yes, my dear Fanny. I have definitely noted that about Carly; and, I have verbalized ( in writing) my feelings about her libido. LOL.
As my Shay says, “…she can’t scamper fast enough….).
A bientot, my lovely lady.

That was 18 yrs ago,,
the story won;t have much to do with that guy it will be about Franco.
I don’t see much interest in 18 yes back because its too long dead to get emotional over it now.
I assume he is short stay charater.

I can only hope Franco goes dark again for some excitement.

He looks like Tony Jones!

UH, EWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!

Short term, I hope; VERY short term.

I really was tired of the Sonny/Julian kind of mobster In Port Charles all of the time, but I think if they have to have the dark side they were preferable to serial killers, and rapists (reformed or not).

Yawn!
I’m also growing weary of Franco. His behavior is consistently appalling and outrageous. This guy is a total whackjob and it’s unsettling to see Elizabeth get deeper into a relationship with him. She deserves better. Ditto for Roger Howarth. Please drop this character.

Unless they plan on bringing back Lucky with JJ I don’t want to aee this. Lucky played a HUGE role in the rape story with Elizabeth and only a mention of him is incredibly disrespectful to the character and actor. If they use this to change Franco to make him worthy of Liz that’s sick. Told wrong, and wothout even one day of Lucky onscreen could most definitely sink this show.

So agree Jonathan Jackson should return as lucky to help Liz deal with this. He’s the only one that could shake her off this

Franco IS worthy, with or without this storyline. Since his recent incarnation, he’s done nothing but good for the people he loves. He risked his life for Carly, has loved and protected Kiki, went to extreme measures to help and stand by Nina, is adorable with little Jake and adores Elizabeth. Odd man out? Yes. But as much or more loyalty to those he cares about as any of the other “citizens” of Port Charles.

GH you’re losing me. Fluke, serial killer, Morgan/Sabrina mourning, Finn’s bad bug, Alexis/Julian, Sonny’s made for daytime award acting. It’s gotten to the point that this was the first time I turned it off. Dark, dark, dark. Too bad the writers don’t know how to write good stories without all of the gruesomeness. I don’t like Liz with Franco at all. Liz has trouble picking winners, and Franco has never fit since James Franco’ ego made up this troubled, perverted character in his name. Poor Roger trying to make something of him. He deserved better on GH. Every so once in a while we get a glimmer of someone being happy or a smile, then they turn the lights out for this other crap. Makes you wonder what the writers personal lives are like.

This would have been better if Lucky, Nikolas and Emily were there instead of Franco!

This will be interesting 18 years later Liz has moved on from that traumatic night . Never thought of Tom Baker until now hearing that her rapist is out on parole makes her relive that night. It’s like him doing it all over again. Now she’s like 33 years old she’s going to relive it once she comes in contact with him I hope we see flashbacks.

I find this storyline sick and vile. There is no need to relive a 15 year old girls brutal rape. Why don’t the writers and you Michael speak out against the vile people who are saying that Liz raped Jason when she slept with him? You need to handle that mess and stop it -instead of buying into them who wanted to see her face her rapist –a true rape ( not something in their heads). Or are the fans supposed to think you are just catering to a certain group of people and don’t care what the loyal viewers really want ..not just the nasty ones?

I’ve wanted to see tom come back for years. I want to see Liz cope with this, no longer a scared teenager but a strong woman. Let Liz save herself this time. Maybe force her to start examining how this life changing thing has made it hard to trust, to think she isn’t worth someone fighting for her. I want to see a strong Liz become stronger. But instead I get a story where it’s all about Franco. Franco’s pain. Franco’s guilt. How sorry Franco is. How hard this is for Franco. Even the interview the writers gave in SOD was all about Franco. It honestly pisses me off and frustrates me.

First of all, the story just began. We have no idea how it’s going to play out. Second, rapists are released in real life, unfortunately, and I doubt all women are screaming…” Yeah mutthafukka, bring it on…” Liz’s reaction seems about right…nervous, unsettled, troubled. Franco’s seems right too. Most men would be proactive, protective…particularly men in the GH world such as Sonny, Jason and yes Julian, Curtis…probably Dante and Nathan would even “pay a little visit” to the creep. So, I see nothing wrong with the immediate handling of the story. I’m not sure I’ll like it going forward but in terms of what was brought up…it’s on the right track in my opinion.

I’m not liking this story at all. He’s got this creepy look today as if adding salt into her injuries seeing her again like he did nothing to her. I really think this is a mistake.

ABSOLUTELY AGREE….NOT A GOOD STORY LINE AT ALL…..SET THE RECORDER AND FAST-FORWARD BUTTON FOR THIS…

Another thing put Liz together with Griffin. Franco’s got issues she needs none of.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

Published

on

By

Dominic Zamprogna

General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).

On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.

Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”

Courtesy/ABC

HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT

Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”

Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”

Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”

Dom and Liz

Photo: ABC

DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES

In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”

Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”

You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.

Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy  for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)

Published

on

By

Patrick J. Gibbons

At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.

However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.

Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Photo: ABC

FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG

Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!

Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”

MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL

Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).

Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”

Photo: JPI

PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY

Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”

It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”

A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”

Photo: PGibbons

IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS

As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”

He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”

Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.

So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Admits That He Didn’t Expect the Role of Michael Corinthos to be Recast, and Would Consider Working on Another Soap (Exclusive)

Published

on

By

Chad Duell, the Daytime Emmy-winning actor, who stepped away from the pivotal role of Michael Corinthos on General Hospital, opened up about: his previous decision to leave the series after nearly 15 years, where’s he’s at now after time away from the demands of a daytime soap opera, and took a stroll down memory lane with some of Michael’s most-acclaimed storyline during his run, during a livestream chat on August 19 on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.

Viewers last saw Duell on-screen as Michael in January of 2025, and with his successor in the role, Rory Gibson making his debut at the GH Nurses’ Ball in episodes that aired later in May. It was clear that during the conversation, Chad was a bit surprised that the GH brass decided to recast him when he thought he was just taking some much needed time off.

Burn-out of the daily grind of being on a soap was definitely a part of Chad’s decision to take a break. Duell explained “People know when you’re doing something for so long or your character is kind of in the same place for so long or doing the same stuff over and over again, you do get a a little burnt out, you get a little stiff, stale, a little stiff at times. I didn’t want that to be any sort of lasting impression. I have 15 years of a body of work of I’ve done on that show, which is fantastic.”

Chad Duell

Photo: ABC

WHILE CHAD WAS AWAY GH RECAST MICHAEL CORINTHOS WITH RORY GIBSON

Chad shared, his mindset when leaving GH was, “I’m taking some time away, we’ll see what happens.” Then he added, “Obviously, they decided to go in a different direction with Michael when I was gone. I didn’t think they were going to bring somebody back in my place. But you know, it’s the business. You never know what can happen.”

Duell also shared he has not watched a single episode of General Hospital since he left the series, but now feels he reenergized following the loss of his father and stepping away from the GH, “I’m in a place now mentally, where I’m ready to sink my teeth into it again.”

Courtesy/ABC

Even though he is no longer Michael on GH, Chad was very happy with his final storyline where Michael was set on fire when a bomb exploded at Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) penthouse. “It was fun to put him in a dangerous situation, because I was wanting Michael to be in something scary instead of trying to be a hero character or just things happening around him, but to be the center point of tragedy happening to him. (I always saw) Michael as the heart of the (Corinthos) family.”

When Michael was badly burned the show chose not burn his face, which normally a soap does when they are recasting role and switching actors. Chad weighed-in, “They didn’t burn my face because I told Frank Valentini (EP, GH) I’m willing to come back. It was just a little bit of a break. So, I assumed that if they would have burned my face, they could have brought somebody back looking different than me… if that’s what their plan was.”

Courtesy/ABC

MEMORABLE MICHAEL STORYLINES

One of Chad’s most memorable performances was the in the storyline of Michael’s rape while he was sentenced to prison in 2010 and the confession of it in 2011. “It was so well-written and I was very nervous,” recalled Chad. “When I get really nervous about something, it ends up being really good when I do it, because it just means I care a lot about it”

“I have to put a lot of effort and work into it, and I really want it to be good.  I was working with Dominic  Zamprogna (Dante) and Steve Burton (Jason) a lot during those scenes, and Laura Wright (Carly). It was great working with Steve and Dominic, especially, during that storyline.

A NEW SOAP ROLE FOR CHAD?

As to a future soap opera role, Chad is open to the idea and would love to jump back in to a juicy role, “I know people over at The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Young and the Restless. They know that if they’re interested, I would love to come in for a screen test or something, and they can see what I’m doing.”

Meanwhile, Chad has been busy putting out new music under the moniker Duelly and during the interview he explains how he creates his EDM tracks and much more. You can stream his latest single, Static in the Quiet Room on Spotify, Apple Music and You Tube Music.

You can check out the full conversation with Chad Duell below.

Now let us know: what show would you like to see Chad cast on down the line? BTG, DAYS, B&B, Y&R, or a new role on GH? What did you think of his thoughts on the casting switch while he was away in the role of Michael? What was your favorite Michael storyline during Chad’s 15-year run on the ABC soap opera? Let us know via the comment section.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

55
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x