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Adrian Anchondo Opens Up On Marco’s Heartbreaking ‘General Hospital’ Exit, His Co-Stars, Shutting Down Online Rumors (Exclusive)

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

Need to Know

  • Adrian Anchondo ended his one-year run as Marco Rios, when last week on the March 25 episode of General Hospital after being fatally stabbed by WSB director Ross Cullum, he died in the OR.
  • Marco’s boyfriend, Dr. Lucas Jones performed surgery on the man who killed his beau, Cullum, while Marco died in another OR.
  • Anchondo shares he found out he was being killed-off the soap opera when the show came back from its holiday break and filmed his last episode on January 30 as detailed in this exclusive interview.

This past week, General Hospital fans were feted with an incredibly dramatic, harrowing and emotional series of episodes where at its epicenter saw Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) murdered by WSB director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), and later the guy attempts to end the life of Jason Morgan (Steve Burton).

Now as a new week begin in Port Charles, Jason was carted away by the WSB and Dr. Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) must face life without the love of his life, Marco, who’s life was taken from him much too young.

In an exclusive sit-down virtual interview on the Michael Fairman Channel, Adrian Anchondo opened up about the ups and downs of his one-year journey on General Hospital, where as his run came to an end found viewers of the show rooting for the character. All this, after Marco agreed to help Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) and Lucas get the vials of medication stashed away at Wyndemere so she could reverse engineer the drug and get out from under Cullum and Marco’s father, Jenz Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) thumb. Only, it all went horribly wrong.

Courtesy/ABC

Anchondo, who made his Port Charles debut last March, shared that late last summer he had an inkling his character might be written off the canvas, he just didn’t know the mechanism of how. Suffice to say, instead of just having Marco leave down for Miami, where he previously worked and resided, GH set off a huge umbrella story, where the character will be remembered for some time to come.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the exclusive chat with Androndo on his time with General Hospital.

BEING WRITTEN-OFF

“I found out when we came back from the end of the year break. It was something that I kind of felt was going to happen. It was heading that direction. I was feeling that since August of last year. It was more a question of when it would happen and how, than if. Of course, I would’ve loved to be on this show for many, many years. I’ve been keeping this secret for a long time, so it’s such a relief to finally let it go. We filmed this all on January 30th, because that was the end of my contract before if it were to be renewed. So, there were a lot of things that had to be squeezed in the last week. They actually gave me a four-week warning (that it was coming), which was great.”

VAN HANSIS AS LUCAS GRIEVES OVER MARCO’S BODY

Photo: ABC

“Even though I had no lines and I was just laying there, it allowed me to be like, ‘OK, it’s their turn. It’s their turn to shine. It’s makeup’s turn to shine. It’s Van’s turn to shine.’ The hardest thing for me in that part as you might’ve seen, I’m kind of breathing a little bit, but it’s hard to play dead, especially when you’re moving so fast, trying to get the next shot and the adrenaline’s running. My heart’s beating for Van to make sure that he’s doing his best, and that’s he’s getting to do his best work. He killed that monologue. And you can’t tell, but I am bawling my eyes.”

Adrian added, “I had tears running down my eyes. They had cover me up because there was this finality to it all. I was saying goodbye, but in this most beautiful, sad way. I felt like once I’m done with this, I’m never going to see them again. But that’s not true. I’m going to continue my relationship with everyone at the show. So, I was feeling so many mixed things. I was just so grateful (for the experience).”

CARLO ROTA AS SIDWELL’S HEARTBREAK TURNS TO ANGER 

Courtesy/ABC

“The taping was different than the way he performed it in the rehearsal. It was very sad in the performance in the rehearsal. Something clicked in him where he is just a brilliant actor where he has to instill fear in the audience. His job is to tell a story beyond what’s happening right there and set up for what is about to happen. He was just great. Carlo did a great job. He scared me.”

NANCY LEE GRAHN AS ALEXIS FINDS MARCO ON THE FLOOR OF HER LAW OFFICE

Photo: ABC

“Oh, God. Technically there was was so much blood and she’s putting her hands on me, and if there’s something (in protocol to stop bleeding) that’s messed up, you have to do it over again. We have to have a spare blanket in case we have to shoot it again. There is also that adrenaline when you’re literally watching someone bleed out and they’re panting and you’re trying to make a phone call and and she’s trying to stop the bleeding. All this stuff is happening and you’re thinking about your lines and the camera angles. Nancy is such a pro. There was one moment where I wanted to reach up to her to look her in the eyes, like, ‘please save me,’ or tell, tell ‘Lucas I love him.’ I think she felt it. Afterwards when they yelled ‘cut,” Nancy was really emotional. We had grown to have a good relationship on the set.”

STEVE BURTON AND RORY GIBSON

Photo: ABC

“I had a great talk with Steve because he was leaving the show (for his hiatus) at the same time as me, that I’m grateful that he was willing to share that before this happened, because it would’ve been two major shockers (for the audience). Around this time he was talking that he wants to go live his life and he wants to go be with his partner (Michelle Lundstrom) and it’s never goodbye with Steve. I also got to talk to Rory Gibson (Michael) a lot as well. He’s someone that I really wanted to work with more. He came in to the show two months after me. His one-year anniversary is coming up. I’m just like so amazed what he’s done on the show and how people love him. I want to celebrate everyone that’s on there.”

KELLY THIEBAUD

Photo: ABC

“There was a scene that we had together where I’m giving Britt her medication and she’s trying to reach me. She’s trying to reach me on a human level. She’s saying I have to work for my father too. You can make a different choice. You don’t have to do this. I think that was the real shift in Marco even before Lucas confronts him about everything that he’s found out. Kelly is a rock star!”

MARCO AND GAY LOVE STORIES ON THE SOAPS

Photo: ABC

“The amount of love that I have received from the this ending has been insane. I think it’s because a lot of people were just starting to like Marco, even though I knew his heart, he was doing questionable things. So now, I’m seeing all the love that that I wish I had maybe seen earlier for the character. I think when it comes to gay stories, I want Lucas to have a happy ending. Just because our relationship ends, doesn’t mean that he won’t find love again. I could be a stepping stone for Lucas’ true love in the future.”

ADRIAN’S CONFIDENCE AND ONLINE CHATTER

Photo: ABC

“There was a lot of speculation online and questions about me not being included in certain things that made me just feel less confident. Sometimes, I think on set, when I came in, there was some anxiety and fear that I couldn’t like, let go and really play. I didn’t feel like the ease that I saw some of the other actors having. I had some great conversations with Cynthia Watros (Nina) and with Nancy Lee Grahn and other people who have been on the show who said to give in and let go of control of things. They also shared they have seen some amazing actors come in and out of here, and it has nothing to do about the performance. So, that helped me a lot and I was able to halfway through my run let go a little bit more.”

Speaking on the slippery slope that is social media, while representing both the LGBTQ and Latino communities on a soap opera, Anchondo shared, “I saw some things online that also just made me sad; homophobic and racist things. Here I am on the show while in the world there’s so much going on outside that is scary. I wanted to present myself in my real life and be true to myself during that time. So yeah, it was tricky trying to balance everything. I said to myself, ‘I’m going to give it my all, and hopefully, even if people don’t like the character, my heart will shine through in what I’m doing.”‘

You can check out the full conversation with Adrian Anchondo below, which features at the end a special guest appearance by Adrian’s boyfriend, Colton Little (Andrew Donovan, Days of our Lives).

Now let us know, what did you think about the comments Adrian shared on his feelings during all the emotional scenes surrounding Marco’s death? Are you sad to see him go? What do you think will happen next, when Lucas realizes it was the man he saved in the OR. Cullum, who killed his boyfriend? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

 

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They always have to kill of the minorities no matter how popular they are, what shame. A young good actor. You kill him and what you lose your audience. Way to go GH

Kill them off: Natalia, now Marco… who else?

Write them off permanently/temporarily: Blaze, Terry, Brad, Deanna, Felix… who else?

GH needs a hispanic family like the Hernandez family on DAYS. The cast remains dominated by white performers. I give them credit for black representation with Curtis, Jordan, Portia, Isiah, Trina, Kai, Aunt Stella and Marshall & Brick.

For the development of what could have been the making of a new hispanic family… a missed opportunity with Natalia, Blaze and now Marco. They screwed up with the development of Natalia, Blaze was alright, though, I would have had the role recasted… and, Marco had great potential until he shifted into Sidwell 2.0. Now, GH is lacking hispanic representation, so they must rebuild.

I remember when we had Sabrina, Carlos, and was just all most currently – 10 years ago or so.

Let’s write-off: Nathan, Joselyn, Christina, Chase, Ezra Boyle,

& Cody — most of them are dull and banal characters… as for Cody, he’s a dud, always has been… always has been, the only interesting move was to make him Mac’s son, but I understand why the storyline between Mac & Cody is hard to explore with John (Max) working minimally which is understandable. Cody has nothing going on except Molly but I don’t see them as endgame. Molly needs a new story involving her father Ric. I think GH should recast TJ. Molly & TJ were a couple when they were much younger and it was so healthy to watch them grow into their adult lives. Or, if not, pair Molly up with a new fellow.

Where is Terry?!?!?! …. She must be at the same ongoing conferences Monica was attending!

I welcome these suggestions.

Adrian is so classy. He will be sorely missed. Who knows, maybe he’s a twin too, and may come back…you never know!

While the sudden appearance of a “twin” is one of the most over-used cliches in the soap genre, this is one case where it could actually work.

Because when Blaze and her mama used to argue about her brother, he was always a studio musician named Eli. Not a lawyer named Marco.

So Eli could still be out there somewhere, I guess?

Love you Adrian, Thanks for the GH Memories.

Adrian represented a handsome young gay professional very well. He will be missed.

So interesting. I never thought about how difficult it must be for an actor to play dead while their grieving loved one said goodbye to their lifeless body. How sad! It gives me a whole new appreciation for the incredibly sad goodbye scene that transpired between Lucas and Marcos. As I said from the start, these two had intense chemistry from the start. They really are classic, star crossed lovers.

Loved Marco, big mistake killing him off

I really enjoyed Marco’s acting even much more when he showed the softer side of himself.
such an amazing actor and I feel that only bigger and better
opportunities are ahead.
When Marco was lying there supposedly he had passed I saw his eyes blink a little, I thought to myself no he’s not really dead but he’s going to come back into the show but I guess he is really passed .
thank you enjoyed your acting and your personality wishing you only the very best for you Adrian.
“Your hard work and professionalism meant more than you’ll know.
wishing you the best in your next chapter” God Bless you Adrian.

General Hospital

Anthony Geary’s Husband, Claudio Gama, Shares Remembrance of How Much the ‘General Hospital’ Legend Loved Working with Erika Slezak

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It’s hard to believe, but it’s been five months since the passing of General Hospital icon and eight-time Daytime Emmy winning actor, Anthony Geary. Since the news of Tony’s passing at the age of 78, broke last December 14, 2025, tributes have poured in from Geary’s co-stars, and GH even honored the incredible legacy of Luke Spencer on a special episode where the characters take a moment to remember him.

On-screen, Luke had died in 2022. Geary retired from the soap in 2015, to spend his life full-time in Amsterdam with his husband, Claudio Gama and only made one other brief appearance in 2017 to usher off Jane Elliot, who at that time was leaving as Tracy Quartermaine.

Gama, has continued to provide memories of his beloved husband over the past many months as he continues to mourn his loss. Now, with it being the 5-month mark since Tony’s death, Claudio took to his Instagram to share how Tony felt about his leading ladies, and in particular, in this post, six-time Daytime Emmy winner, and One Life to Live icon, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki).

Photo: ABC

It was back in 2010 that then ABC Daytime launched the What If series which featured crossover vignettes or mini-stories which crossed a character from one soap in their daytime line-up with a character from another soap. And of course, the one that every one waited for was to see Erika and Tony act together for the first time.

In fact, after Geary’s passing and as previously reported, Erika Slezak shared a statement, on her official website, Erika expressed, “I am so terribly saddened by the death of Tony Geary. He was a charming man, a brilliant actor and all together a very nice man. I send my sincerest condolences to his husband Claudio, and I will keep him in my prayers. We had such fun together when we did the What If crossover promotions in 2010. I thoroughly enjoyed him and loved watching him on television.”

LUKE SPENCER AND VICTORIA LORD MEET

In his new post, Gama wrote: “It has been exactly six months since you left to be up there, where the stars shine for eternity. I miss you so much every day. I miss your smile, your warm hugs that wrapped me in love. Rest in peace, my love.  Max and I miss you and will always love you. Greetings to everyone from Amsterdam — it’s a holiday here today, Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day). I’m going to do a little work, then head back home to Max and continue sorting through more videos and photos. So many tears, but also so many beautiful memories, and those keep me going. Have a safe and healthy week”

Claudio then added, “Tony always loved Erika Slezak, a truly classy lady. As Tony would say about all the talented ladies he worked with, he was always a gentleman. I was just told it is 5 months actually but it feels like a long time.”

With that, as you can see in the Instagram post below, Claudio posted the What If Luke Spencer crossed paths with Victoria Lord, as they get stuck in an elevator together. Check that out, followed by the What If Series Promo.  The What If series was the brainchild of current General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini.

Now let us know, what did you think about Claudio’s heartfelt message missing his husband, Tony? Did you love seeing Tony and Erika together in the What If series? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

 

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A post shared by Claudio Gama (@claudiogama_71)

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Cullum’s Got Plans to Keep Brennan Out of His Way

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On General Hospital, the Wednesday, May 13 episode saw Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) plotting to keep Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) from ever being a problem for him again, as Lucas (Van Hansis) reveals his hopes for a plan to rid the world of Cullum and his co-conspirator, Sidwell (Carlo Rota) in one fell swoop.

At the hospital, Nina (Cynthia Watros) is still freaked out by what she did by jabbing Jack with the dose of medication meant for Drew (Cameron Mathison). Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) comes to the hospital to try to get her mother to get a grip and then heads out to do damage control.

Cullum arrives and questions Nina about Jack’s medical condition. Nina lies and tells Cullum he should talk to Dr. Lucas Jones about Jack. In a tense exchange, Cullum shows Lucas he has documents that make him Brennan’s medical proxy and wants an update on his condition. Britt stumbles upon the scene and comes up with a fake emergency in another patients room to pull Lucas away from the WSB director.

Courtesy/ABC

STARING MY BOYFRIEND’S KILLER IN THE FACE

Now alone in the hallway, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) warned Lucas that if he acts like that around Cullum, he will get suspicious. Lucas says they should just tell Sidwell that Cullum stabbed Marco, so Cullum will be killed and Sidwell would be sent to prison. Lucas drops the idea realizing if Cullum dies Britt cannot get her hands on her Huntington’s disease medication. However, Lucas warned Britt how everything would explode once Sidwell found out that Cullum killed Marco, so they have to be certain that they have the evidence that Cullum’s the culprit.

Inside Jack’s room, Cullum tells an unconscious Jack that his stroke may have saved his life, because he planned to kill him. Meanwhile, Willow arrived at Wyndemere to see Sidwell. She explains that Jack accidentally got the dose of Drew’s medication and kept her mother’s name out of it. Sidwell is livid.

Courtesy/ABC

TWO MEN HAD “STROKES” AT MY HOUSE!

Willow thinks it’s time to stop drugging Drew so that people would be focusing on his recovery, rather than the odds that two different men had “strokes’ at Drew’s house. Willow threw the responsibility back on Sidwell telling him that he needed to figure out a way to make sure Drew didn’t expose them. Next, Sidwell reminded Willow that he gives the orders around here and not her. For good measure, he threatens that if they were exposed, she would have the most to lose.

At the end of the episode, and at Wyndemere, Sidwell informed Cullum that Brennan had been dosed with Drew’s medication. When Sidwell declared that things would go from bad to worse when Brennan wakes up and out of his locked-in state, then Cullum fired back, “Then he can’t come out of it.”

Courtesy/ABC

Meanwhile, Willow unexpectedly shows up at Michael’s (Rory Gibson) office while Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is there.  She demands to talk to her ex-husband now, as the photo of Chase (Josh Swickard) and Willow looking close snapped by the private eye is sitting on Michael’s desk.

So, do you think Sidwell should be the one to kill Cullum and then be carted off to prison … 0r, would you like to see Willow get caught for murdering someone since she got away with shooting Drew? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, check out the threatening exchange between Willow and Sidwell from today’s GH.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Rocco is Coming Apart at the Seams

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On the Tuesday, May 12 episode of General Hospital, Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) was at its epicenter and the secret which is destroying him. Previously, Rocco shot WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) in the back to stop him from killing Jason (Steve Burton) and to save Britt (Kelly Thiebaud). 

However, the consequences of Rocco’s actions are weighing so heavy on him, that now he is starting to crack, and with good reason! While Rocco has been suffering in silence, he is wracked with guilt over Jason taking the fall for him, being carted away by the WSB, and worse yet, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) losing his father.

While Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) confronts “Nathan” (Ryan Paevey) about how he covered-up and “advised” Lulu (Alexa Havins) to stay quiet about the night on the pier which saw Rocco shoot Cullum, Dante can clearly see that the man in front of him seems off. His responses and demands and insights are not those of the good-natured “Nathan.” Will Dante be the one, or the last to know that “Nathan” is really Cassius Faison?

Courtesy/ABC

STAY AWAY FROM MY SON

In yet another confrontation, Lulu and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) go at it over Rocco. Lulu blames Britt for Rocco being on the pier at all that night, because Rocco cares about Britt, and she warned her not to get close to Rocco, but Britt did anyway.

Then, at the Quartermaine boathouse, Rocco was shocked to learn that Danny overheard Sonny saying that Jenz Sidwell was responsible for Jason getting taken away, and confided in Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) the intel several weeks ago. Rocco tried to cover his guilt as Danny and Charlotte explained they hadn’t confided in him because he has been so withdrawn lately.

Courtesy/ABC

ROCCO AND DANNY AT ODDS

Next, Danny asks Rocco to help him and Charlotte break into Wyndemere. Danny is determined to get info on Sidwell to try to find Jason. It’s at that point Rocco loses it. He shouts that Sidwell is a dangerous man and Danny needs to stay away from him.

In the most surprising turn of event, Rocco threatened both Charlotte and Danny that if they tried to sneak into Wyndemere he would turn them in.

Danny loses his cool and firmly tells Rocco, that unlike him, he didn’t have parents to clean up his problems for him and told Rocco to stay out of his way. As Rocco walked away, he asks Charlotte if she was coming with him. When she refuses, he tells the both to screw off.

Courtesy/ABC

THE ONLY PERSON I CAN TALK TO

Later, Britt returns to her room at Bobbie’s and finds Rocco waiting for her. He begins to share with her how freaked out he has been feeling over shooting Cullum. Britt hugs him and attempts to comfort Rocco letting him know he is a hero for saving her life and Jason’s. Britt tells Rocco she can talk to her anytime, as the two hug one more time. We fade to black.

Finn Carr delivered another excellent performance within his storyline. It’s clear GH made the right call by giving this young actor the ball with such a high stakes dramatic and emotional storyline to play.

So, do you think Danny will find out what Rocco did and come after him for letting his dad take the fall for shooting Cullum? Do you think Rocco will continue to turn to Britt, further upsetting Lulu? Will Dante get a clue about Cassius? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, in case you missed it, check out the emotional moments between Rocco and Britt on yesterday’s GH below.

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