Breaking News
Eva LaRue’s Run on ‘General Hospital’ Comes to an End
As predicted, Eva LaRue is out as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez on General Hospital. The actress made her debut back in late February of 2024 as the judgmental and homophobic mother to her daughter, Blaze (formerly played by Jacqueline Grace Lopez) who was at that time in a relationship with Kristina (Kate Mansi).
LaRue’s character was vilified from the start at rightfully so, and while GH tried to figure a potential way to put her in an on-screen pairing with Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), the writing was on the wall for awhile that she was going to be exiting the series.
In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, who confirmed LaRue’s exit, Eva expressed when she felt her time with the soap was drawing near, “I started to feel it in January. They tried to rehabilitate my character, and then all of a sudden, I have these scenes in January where, because Natalia had lied about her ex-husband (Jenz Sidwell) and broken his trust, Sonny was like, ‘We can’t be friends anymore.’ And I thought, ‘Uh-oh, there we go,’ because that (relationship with Sonny) was kind of my character’s only lifeline.”
Photo: ABC
As Eva shared, the fans weren’t buying the relationship between her and Sonny: “They just hated my character so much. I was so vilified that no matter what (the writers) did, it just wasn’t a solid enough rehabilitation that they were gonna buy me with Sonny. And so when they finally let that idea go, I realized, ‘Okay, I’m probably not much longer for this world.’”
Photo: ABC
In a statement on her departure, Frank Valentini (executive producer, GH) said, “Eva’s been a dear friend for years and I am so pleased we found an opportunity to work together! What originally was meant as a guest star arc turned into a longer and more satisfying arc, in thanks to Eva’s terrific work and chemistry with our cast. I was thrilled Eva was available to us in this extended role. I wish her all the best in her upcoming projects.”
On today’s June 30th episode of GH, Natalia, when realizing she had no way out of her situation and Sonny wasn’t coming with her to Belize, ingested a dangerous mix of pills and alcohol in a state of despair. Will anyone find her in time? Look for LaRue’s final airdate this week on General Hospital.
Photo: ABC
Daytime fans first knew Eva from her work as All My Children’s Maria Santos, a role she played from 1993-98; 2002-05 and again in appearances in 2010 and 2011. One of the things LaRue noted in her exit interview was she was glad her initial short- term run got extended, which enabled her to share scenes and hang out with several of her former AMC co-stars including: Michael E. Knight, Cameron Mathison, and Finola Hughes.
So, what do you think about Eva exiting GH? Will anyone find Natalia in time? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Welcome to Hell, Natalia!
Eva LaRue is a great actress who was dealt a hard no win role. I will looking forward to seeing her on her next project.
She did play Natalia perfectly since the role was so despised
I agree
Honestly, sometimes it’s best if a guest arc remains a guest arc. Frank Valentini and company tend to take a guest role and overextend it well beyond their use.
Good point. If only she came in as “ Saint Maria of the Push-up Bra” as Erica Kane used to refer to her, she would’ve received support from the fans. Ahem, perhaps I should rephrase that.
It would have been uplifting for sure!
It certainly would shape up the storyline.
she was very good in a thankless role
It’s nice to see that Eva understood the fans and their dislike of her character. She gave it her all. Had the character not had so much baggage, a pairing with Sonny might’ve been feasible.
Natalia’s demise is shaping up to be sadder than a murder. Does Marco now feel guilty? With her mother going (and Kristina in trouble) would a short-term Blaze return be out of the question?
I LOVED Eva on AMC as Maria, but there has not been a character on GH that seemed to be as universally deprised as Natalia. I think fans were mad when Blaze left the show. She was at least driving story. Natalia seemed to be filling a void and the writers didn’t know what to do with her. With Eva and Jonathan both leaving in the past month and with Josh Kelly being bumped to recurring, I think this might be good for a very bloated cast. Now, can we please stop having so much Trina and Kai? Can we have Willow FINALLY see that all of the people telling her to run from Drew aren’t crazy? Can we move the Gio/Dante/BLQ storyline along? The pacing of the show is sometimes a head scratcher.
While her character was rather despised, for those who have watched for years, Natalia may not make the bottom 5 (only counting characters that stayed at least a year):
– Peter August
– Courtney Matthews
– Dawn Winthrop
– Anyone named Eckherdt
Long-time viewers – feel free to add…
CBS needs to reboot another one of the CSI shows and bring Eva on.
I’m sure Eva, Natalia was as bored with the character role as her fans.
I’m so very sorry to see Eva La Rue go. She’s a wonderful actor and I really like her. Natalia, not so much. I was hoping the character would have grown from her horrible beginning with Kristina and Blaze and, perhaps, have some kind of positive relationship with Sonny. I assumed she wasn’t long for this world when we learned she was Sidwell’s ex and Marco’s homophobic mother. Eva deserved a better role. Much luck to her in the future.
Sad to see Eva LaRue go. The character never really caught on but that was not her fault at all. Can’t wait to see her in her next project, and if the other soaps are wise, they’d scoop her up quickly. I could see her being a very formidable
Sparring partner/love interest for Joey Armstrong on beyond the gates.
I liked “Natalia” and thought she and “Sonny” had chemistry. I also would liked to have seen more of her relationship with Marco and Sidwell. A lot of great story potential wasted by killing her off. Why? Because some viewers couldn’t get passed her problem with her children being gay? Couldn’t “redeem” her? From what? She grew as a person, she protected Kristina who was responsible for their car accident, saved Sonny’s life, kept his secret about his heart condition AND accompanied him out of state to the consultation with his cardiologist. They did the character and the actress wrong….
She didn’t keep Sonny’s secret. In fact, she betrayed his secret to the worst possible person, Sidwell. It was Natalia that let Sonny’s most dangerous nemesis know that he just had major heart surgery which likely led to that murder attempt in his hospital room. I also take issue with you saying that they tried to redeem the character. She was nasty to
Marco and rude to Lucas and then she moved on to get behind the wheel while inebriated. I don’t really see that she has redeeming qualities, and sorry, committing perjury to save that awful Kristina to garner favor with Sonny doesn’t cut it. Awful character. Glad she’s gone!
Let’s see. Sonny took AJ’s son for life by threatening to kill AJ. In the end he did kill AJ; ignoring Michael’s pleas not to, even though Michael had told him Ava set AJ up.
Carly drugged AJ when he was in recovery. She then poured alcohol all over him so everyone would think he’d relapsed and therefore she’d still be able to keep him from seeing his son.
Carly not only was never going to let Nina know Nelle had been her daughter; but was never going to tell her Wiley is her grandson. She stole Nina’s DNA and was never going to tell her Willow is her daughter. Carly also stole her mother’s husband.
Tracy withheld her father’s heart medication.
Anna blackmailed Martin and Lucy into helping her spy on Victor Cassadine.
Ava’s a backstabber. She told her “bestie” she’d work on Sonny in hopes of him hearing Nina out, and instead she decided she wanted Sonny and betrayed Nina. Ava framed AJ. She also thought she’d killed Nikloas and continued smiling in Laura’s face.
There are SO MANY characters that have done worse than Natalia. Oh. And I like Kristina. I don’t think she lied to protect Kristina because of Sonny only. I think she realized how truly Kristina and Blaze cared for each other and was still trying to make amends, which is more than other characters do: make amends. Carly has never apologized to anyone she’s truly wronged; and the list is many.
Thank you, Rebecca1, for the great summary of plot points of bad behavior. Sonny and Carly top the list of abject criminality (including murders) and immoral behavior. That is why I have never understood the GH brain trust in keeping these two reprehensible characters as the focal point of this “hospital” show. I never cared for either character, but I know they have their fans.
I don’t disagree with your criticism of Sonny and Carly even a little bit. To use them as a moral compass for the other characters is insane and in my view, has hurt the show tremendously. I was just disagreeing with your summation of Natalia.
But they should be used as a comparison. How many times have viewers who are the biggest Carly and/or Sonny fans found other characters irredeemable..so much so that they want them off the show. To say Natalia was “irredeemable because you thought she was rude to Lucas or told Sidwell (under duress) that Sonny was going to need a heart operation, or you’re unhappy that she stood up for Kristina at trial (another character you don’t like) and don’t trust that she was sincere in her motives..does not make a character not redeemable, especially when other characters are murderers and/or take others kids. Characters who exhibit little empathy with a boatload of cruelty. We don’t all have to like the same characters but there’s a difference between that and thinking relatively minor things they do or say are equal to or worse the truly cruel things other characters have done and said. I just think Natalia went from strong and fierce to humbled and changed to desperate and sad. Rejected. Forlorn. Trapped. Forced by Sonny to leave her life while delusionally thinking he’d stay with her. There was no need to write such a tragic downfall of a strong women…it was sad (to me) and I personally think it would have been wise to expand the Natalia/ Blaze/ Sidwell/ Marco family dynamic, and the struggle between good and evil: Natalia vs Sidwell, the “kids,” how it affected their relationships to other people in Port Charles…even keeping Natalia and Sonny a couple as Sonny and Sidwell begin a treacherous war with each other…
But alas, there are many characters I don’t think should have been killed off; the biggest being Alan Quartermaine and AJ. So many stories that could have been….
Maybe I dozed off during a segment in the last few weeks. Did Sonny actually promise Natalia he’d be living in Belize with her? I don’t remember him saying that to her. I only remember him telling her he would support her financially in Belize.
No Carrie – you didn’t miss a scene. Delusional Natalia just made up in her mind that Sonny setting her up in Belize meant he was going s as well. Like Sonny was going to leave his entire family (who unlike Natalia still like him).
The could’ve done a better job over the last month showing Natalia’s path to borderline insanity, but what’s done is done.
Thanks for confirming. I agree with you. They could have done a better job with it. I should know by now to just lower my expectations. 🙂
Yes and see? Natalia had many flaws— she was judgmental, controlling and rigid. Concurrent with those flaws is that she was organized, had finely tuned executive functioning skills, and she was realistic. Suddenly, without any lead up, Natalia is harboring crazy unrealistic romantic fantasies about Sonny. It doesn’t add up. Adding to the wild incongruity of the writing is that Natalia, a control freak, offing herself with an accidental overdose of booze and drugs. And she could have lived happily ever after in beautiful and blissful Belize.
And we’re supposed to believe this tightly wound, control-loving person has secretly been a lush this whole time. A day-drinking, habitual drunk driver with 2 DWI arrests. Someone who routinely drunk-texts her son and passes out.
What a shame! I’ll miss Eva LaRue. Why the writers had to kill her off … really irks me.
Breaking News
‘One Life to Live’ and ‘General Hospital’ Actress Bree Williamson Mourns the Loss of Husband Michael John Roberts
In heartbreaking news, Bree Williamson (ex-Jessica Buchanan, One Life to Live, ex- Claudette Beaulieu, General Hospital) is mourning the loss of her husband Michael John Roberts who passed away after his battle with glioblastoma om Wednesday, November 11 and at just 48-years-old.
The Hollywood Reporter initially reported Roberts death sharing he died after a brief battle and was surrounded by loved ones and died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles.
Michael was a well-known animator and director behind Comedy Central’s Trip Tank and Netflix’s BoJack Horseman among others.. He also created the YouTube Red series Dallas & Robo, starring John Cena and Kat Dennings.
Taking to her Instagram following the news of Michael’s passing, Bree Williamson expressed, “Thank you to everyone that has reached out. We are heartbroken and taking some time.” Bree and Michael share a son McGreggor, who is 16-years-old.
Photo: JPI
OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FROM ONE LIFE TO LIVE CO-STARS
Williamson received an outpouring of love and support from many of her One Life to Live co-stars below:
Tuc Watkins (ex-David Vickers): “Michael Roberts. Words are clumsy. I watched the ways he was kind, and I admired him. I love him and his family, individually and collectively. He was so many things. He did so much. There would have been more.”
Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr Manning): “Beyond tragic, He was so kind, I only remember him with that exact smile every time I saw him. I remember when we met him & just knew you found the best partner. So deeply sorry Bree. We love you so much.”
Eddie Alderson (ex-Matthew Buchanan), “Sending you infinite amounts of love. He was so fantastic. He’ll be very missed by all who knew him.”
Others who sent messages included: Laura Wright (Carly, GH) and Finola Hughes (Anna, GH) and Martha Madison (Belle, DAYS).
MICHAEL JOHN ROBERTS INCREDIBLE TALENT REMEMBERED
The family shared a statement via an obituary that read, in part, on the gifted artist that Michael was and his remarkable gifts:
“Michael saw the world a little differently. A gifted artist with an extraordinary talent, he could find something worth exploring in what others might overlook. His creativity was not limited to what he put on paper; it shaped the way he thought, questioned, and understood the world around him.”
FAMILY STATEMENT ON THE LOVE MICHAEL HAD FOR BREE AND MCGREGGOR
The obituary also spoke on Michael’s family, love of Bree and their son McGreggor:
“Above all, Michael cherished the family he had built. His wife, Bree (Williamson), was his beloved partner, and the person he was so proud to have beside him. He treasured their shared journey, their everyday moments, and the simple privilege of walking through the world together. His son, McGreggor, was a source of immense pride. Michael wanted nothing but the best for him, and saw in the young man he was becoming, possibilities greater than he could ever have imagined for himself. He was already deeply proud of the life his son was building, and eager for all that lay ahead of him.”
It concluded with, “Although his illness came suddenly and the time that followed was heartbreakingly short, it cannot define the man he was. His life is better remembered through what he created, the conversations he inspired, the friendships he nurtured, and the love he gave so freely to those closest to him.”
Michael is survived by Bree, their teenage son, McGreggor; sister, Jane; niece, Gwen and nephew, Vaughan. He was also close with his cousin Hrothgar, whom he saw as a brother, and his wife, Emily, and their children, Evie and Lili.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Bree Williamson and McGreggor at this time on such a devastating loss of such an exceptionally talented man and beloved husband and father. Share your thoughts for Bree on the loss of Michael John Roberts in the comment section below.
Days of our Lives long-running cast member James Reynolds revealed on the November 10 edition of Entertainment Tonight that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his character of Abe Carver will now be going through an on-screen Parkinson’s battle as well.
Speaking with ET’s Nischelle Turner, the 80-year-old actor and Daytime Emmy winner shared how he attempted to hide the warning signs dating back to 15-20 years ago when he would have, “What they call the hallucinations. My wife (Lissa) would say, ‘You were hitting me last night in bed,’ and I would say, ‘What?!’ I was having these really horrible dreams.” Reynolds also added that he realized falling out of bed was an early symptom of Parkinson’s too.
Discussing the on-going tremors that have become more noticeable over time especially in hands, James shared that when he finally told the Days of our Lives cast they were nothing but “extraordinarily helpful and supportive.”
Photo: ET
SCREEN LIFE TO MIRROR REAL LIFE
Now with DAYS about to launch into Abe’s Parkinson’s storyline, Reynolds hopes that he can turn his experience into something positive by encouraging others facing the disease to keep fighting. During the sit-down, Reynolds co-star Jackée Harry (Paulina Price) recalls her reaction to learning of Reynolds’ real-life diagnosis and how she has continued to search for new treatments to inform James about.
Although Parkinson’s disease currently has no cure, there are medications and treatments can help those manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The condition progresses at a different pace from individual to individual.
As discussed in his conversation with ET, Reynolds cited Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda as two high-profile celebrities who have brought awareness to the disease.
Photo: JPI
In story on DAYS, Abe in recent weeks had been experiencing tremors which led to seek help and a diagnosis Dr. Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans). Soon Abe and others will find out of his battle with Parkinson’s. Although on the promo for this week’s DAYS, Abe is seen telling Kayla, that he will do something, “when the time is right.”
James Reynolds is one of the most prolific performers, being the longest-running Black Actor in a role on a television series, not to mention his aforementioned Lead Actor Daytime Emmy win in 2018, and being inducted in 2025 into the Daytime Emmy Gold and Silver Society of honorees.
You can check out James’ in-depth conversation on his Parkinson’s diagnosis below.
Share your thoughts for James after learning of his health battle, and what do you think of Days of our Lives incorporating the disease into Abe Carver’s Salem storyline? Let us know in the comment section.
The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards red carpet arrivals featured many a leading man from your favorite soaps, plus the younger stars and veteran actors you’ve come to love.
The gents were definitely about the bowties this year, plus fashion-forward trends, classic suit and tux looks, or sport jacket and no tie. There were a myriad of fashion choices on display from the one thing the soaps are usually known for, ‘hot’ guys.
This year for the first time the red carpet featured the cast of Beyond the Gates who were eligible for Daytime Emmy competition for the first time in their young history, bringing fresh faces and new vibes to the festivities.
LEADING MEN, VETERAN STARS AND NEWCOMERS STRIKE A POSE
Many of this year’s nominees who went on to become eventual winners, previous Emmy winners, and more, took to the carpet to strike a pose for the paparazzi in attendance.
Some of the standout looks came from (pictured above): Steve Burton (Jason Morgan, General Hospital) in traditional black tux with a sheen, Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter Walton, The Bold and the Beautiful), Giovanni Mazza (Gio Palmieri), Jibre Hordges (Jacob Hawthorne, Beyond the Gates) and Michael Graziadei (Daniel Romalotti, The Young and the Restless), all wearing tuxes, suits or sportcoat and trousers with a bowtie, plus now two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, The Young and the Restless) who gave us that stellar jacket and more relaxed vibe for the carpet.
Now below, check out the other actors who made an impression with red carpet fashion at the Daytime Emmy Awards this past Friday night.
Photo: NATAS
Days of our Lives and Brilliant Minds alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez), a Daytime Emmy nominee in light green suit.
Photo: NATAS
Beyond the Gates’ Jaden Lucas Miller (Tyrell Richardson) had it put together from head to toe making his first appearance at a Daytime Emmy red carpet.
Photo: NATAS
The icon, Y&R’s Eric Braeden, a nominee this year for Lead Actor for his performances as Victor Newman took to the red carpet alongside his granddaughter, but took a moment to pose solo for the cameras.
Photo: NATAS
Alex Cheeks who plays Donnell McBride on Beyond the Gates took to the carpet in this blue suit with brooch.
Photo: NATAS
General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) entering the red carpet from the street stylin’ in blue jacket and white sneakers.
Photo: NATAS
The Bold and the Beautiful’s Harrison Cone (Deke Sharpe) bringing the on-trend fashion to the Emmys, as well as he would as the young fashion designer at Logan!
Photo: NATAS
General Hospital’s Sawandi Wilson (Dr. Isaiah Gannon) in velvet red tuxedo stood out on the red carpet.
Photo: JPI
Last year’s Lead Actor Daytime Emmy winner, Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis, Days of our Lives) returned this year to present several awards on-stage and hit the red carpet in very stylish black kilt.
Photo: NATAS
Days of our Lives’ newest leading man, Kyle Pryor made his debut on the Daytime Emmy red carpet. He premieres tomorrow on the November 2nd episode of the Peacock streaming soap operas as Dominik Marino.
Photo: NATAS
Beyond the Gates star, Sean Freeman (Andre Richardson) always looks super cool. This time in white jacket and packets making a fashion statement on his first Daytime Emmys red carpet.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
The Bold and the Beautiful’s Crew Morrow (Will Spencer) opted for a jean jacket and black sheen jeans to take to the carpet, but still bringing the swag.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Days of our Lives alum Christopher Sean (Paul Narita), a nominee for Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama Series took to the red carpet in beautiful blue.
So, which men do you think were looking good? Did the actors bring it to the red carpet? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.
‘The Bachelor’ Names NFL Quarterback Sam Hartman as Lead for Season 30
‘One Life to Live’ and ‘General Hospital’ Actress Bree Williamson Mourns the Loss of Husband Michael John Roberts
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Carly Fears Escalating Tensions Between Sonny and Josslyn: ‘I’ve Already Lost One Kid Because of That Man. I Won’t Lose Another’
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
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‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
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