General Hospital
Chris McKenna Speaks Out On His Final Day as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jack Brennan with Words of Wisdom to ‘Finish Strong’
When Jack Brennan was found dead and floating in the Metro Court pool on the September 1 episode of General Hospital, it unfortunately meant the end of the road for Chris L. McKenna, who had returned to the soaps to play the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief.
As with any death on the soaps, and a litany of subjects in this whodunit, Brennan’s death opened the door to more story, as fans are still grappling with the decision to kill off the character.
The bittersweet exit was not the first time Chris had been written out of a soap. On The Young and the Restless, Chris played detective Mark Harding from 2014-2015, who ended up dead, and guess who was in that scene? None other than GH’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) when he was over at the CBS soap opera taking on the role of Dylan McAvoy.
Now. on an all-new episode of the That’s Awesome podcast with Burton and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli, GH) released on Friday, September 18, the duo welcomed Chris McKenna direct from Clearwater, Florida.
Courtesy/ABC
MAKING SURE PAIGE HERSCHELL WAS OK
During the conversation, Chris explained how his last day went and how he went about lifting the spirits of the GH cast and crew with very special attention to Paige Herschell (ex-Jacinda Bracken).
McKenna shared how he knew for a bit about his departure, before the rest of the cast knew he was exiting the show, explaining. “I had time to process it. It had been a surprise to many, to me, and to many people in the building when it first happened. But by this point, Paige Herschell found out at the same time that she wasn’t going to be coming back. She had her last day, the day before mine.”
“Paige hadn’t been through this before. I had,” shared the soap vet. “I had a show that was on the air and it was in primetime, and then it got canceled. I thought it was devastating, and that I was never going to work again. So, this has happened so many times to me (throughout my career), that I don’t get rattled anymore by it.”
Photo: ABC
WHEN YOU GET BAD NEWS …
McKenna said he wanted to go out on a high note: “It was important to me to make sure, first of all, everybody else felt comfortable because everybody felt bad and felt sad and felt upset. I was like, ‘It’s fine. We’re okay. I’m going to be fine. So, let’s make sure everyone’s okay.'”
Out of concern for his exiting co-star, Chris recalled, “I wanted to make sure that Paige got her flowers, and she had her attention and got her send off appropriately. I wanted to make sure I hugged her and told her to finish strong. It it was important to me, and also I was working with the kids (Scarlett, Danny). I try to be a mentor to some of the younger actors as well.”
LEAVING PORT CHARLES
The message Chris wanted to impart before he left the GH studios for the last time was, “I’ve been doing this so long, so I wanted to show them how to handle it. When you get bad news, it doesn’t have to devastate you, and it’s not the end of the world, and to make sure everybody’s laughing and having fun. I tried to make the the last day fun for everybody else, so that everybody could enjoy it with me.”
You can check out the full discussion with Chris with Steve and Bradford below.
Now let us know, are you still sad over the departures of Chris McKenna and Paige Herschell? What do you think about Chris’ motivational message to “finish strong?” Share your thoughts via the comment section.
I miss Chris. I have watched him on Y&R and OLTL as well. He’s a great actor and needs to come back to GH. It would be great if his body disappeared from the Sanctuary only for him to bring down Drew and Ava.
I miss Chris.
Agreed. He and Nina, proving to be a great actress, tho Britt is the best these days, would have been a good pair.
I would buy that storyline in a heart beat!
I agree. But I had read that OUTBACK went on a little excursion into the woods and found where Jack was buried. While Brennan was coming out of his “coma” OUTBACK found him and dug him up. Now it is the SOAPS so I don’t know… I guess anything is possible!!
I heard the same thing. Outback never misses an opportunity to go back to the nature preserve to dig but she keeps getting foiled by the humans who only see a cute family pet instead of a highly intelligent dog. Beagles are natural trackers with a sense of smell much keener than the average human. Outback will prevail but will need an equally smart human with tracking abilities by her side.
He seems like a real sweetheart.
Honestly I may Never Recover! I have Not Been Able to watch another episode of GH Ever since that Horrible Day/Night? that Jack was found in that pool. I will also Forever Miss what could’ve been with Jack and Nina.
Agreed!
And it’s funny how nobody is talking about who actually killed Brennan. Don’t know how he got from the elevator to the pool. I hope we have a lot of good twists and turns ahead.
Yuppers!!
He is so cuddly!
It was a colossal mistake to kill off Jack but of course it does not surprise me as the lazy writing and Frank Valenti continue to ruin this show
Yes, I will miss them both. Hope they return sometime in the future.
Oh HELL NO! I’m pissed!!! I love Jack ❤️ and he belongs with freaking Carly ❤️
Bring back Jack ditch Peter
yes yes
Totally agree!!!
Will he be coming back as a recast
I will miss Chris ! Good Lucky !
General Hospital needs a whole new staff of WRITERS, it’s amazing they pay all this money to them and can’t write a decent scene if they tried. All they are doing is rewriting scripts from previous years, only thing different is the Actors and Actress. They are slowly removing all the Soaps from TV, can’t wait until they remove GH. And not to mention how racist they are, let’s see, Ava has killed two to three people on GH and has never been found guilty or done jail time, Curtis hits another black man and gets 10 years in jail, out in two for good behavior, and you call this being fair, how long is Portia suppose to be scarded up, you sent Ava right away to have her face restored. You all are not writing on how people should love one another, all of your story lines have everyone being killers, criminals, liars, and how to destroy relationships. Should be ashamed of calling yourselves writers. And you have the young adults turning out just like their dysfunctional families, what a farce.
LAR, is this your first soap opera? Soaps are not intended to be PC (no pun intended) happy-go-lucky reflections of real life. It’s elevated angst with rich, entitled, powerful families. GH has been airing daily for 63 years, so yeah, there are going to be variations on a finite number of themes. Inevitable. Is the writing uneven? Sure! But there are times when you can’t look away, and those moments require a slow build. Emotions are heightened as are actions. “Guest” characters get whacked by regulars (funny that you pick on Ava, but you have no problems with Sonny’s list of crimes) who cannot be permanently removed from the canvas, or your ratings go in the toilet. And if the young adults all turn out like Beaver Cleaver, from where will the angst come in the future? If you don’t like the show, nobody’s holding a gun to your head and forcing you to watch.
Jordan is the one scared not Portia.
Jordan is scarred not Portia. Other than that, I agree with you 1000!
Spot on. More live in the afternoon. And they could have soften up Drew a bit. And, did I read Scout will not be his child and that Jason is the father? Hope so! Miss the old Scout but aging her up and the new actress works for me, she’s talented!
I am heartbroken that Chris was let go. I love his work and will miss him everyday. Jack Brennan was a great character. I wish Chris tremendous success in the future.
I was a mixture of sad and disappointed because I felt like the writers could have done so much more with Chris McKenna character. He is a good actor. So, I know that another opportunity is right around the corner. I like what he said about finishing strong. I’m going to borrow that. I think that we could use that through out life.
I enjoyed him on OLTL and G.H., didn’t want to see him go.
The podcast was awesome! He really seems like a great person.
I looked forward to watching Jack Brennan he and Carly were the perfect couple bring him back dont like storyline now HE was an asset to Gh and the other old actors that came and left
I miss Kenna was surprised they killed him off
I truly hope he returns one day to get revenge and save Nina! McKenna s a powerful actor and deserves to be a mainstay on GH!
I totally agree, bring back Jack, ditch Peter, PLEASE. Wanted to see love mix w/Jack & Nina. Sick of Drew, Willow, Ava & Chase! Writers do better, FV!!!
I would think female GH fans would be happy he is gone. They are the ones who wrote mean and horrible posts about Chris when he first took over the role. Something about the older man with an accent who first played the role but who did not like doing daytime television.
Something about the older man with an accent who first played the role but who did not like doing daytime television.
It had nothing to do with not liking daytime television. He did not like what he found to be a toxic backstage political environment. It had nothing to do with the genre.
Fake news! I’m not buying your theory about “toxic backstage politicial environment” at GH- backstage on the GH set, is not toxic, believe you me!
Uhm, those are Charles Mesure’s own beliefs of how he viewed the backstage of General Hospital. If you take it that seriously, then that’s on you. But several actors have discussed the backstage politics of GH on several occasions, and they’re all similar stories.
back up yo claim… “several actors”… sure!
Well, that was hilarious. I especially appreciated the concluding line,”believe you me,” on the heels of you saying you don’t believe the commentator with whom you’re taking umbrage.
@ Harry, girl you be cray-cray.
Don’t know why they did it unless Ava or Drew are leaving the show and will be sent to jail, etc. Jacinda, actress, leaving was a big mistake. Serena has no pizzaz, don’t really want to see her with Michael. Bring back the bad girl! And Vanessa Marcil!
Yes, still shocked and so disappointed, especially since he is a hometown boy where I live and I knew his parents when my son played football with Chris’s younger brother. I was so happy to see him on the show I’ve been watching since 1st grade and I’m now 67!
This is all made worse by what a terrible actor Cameron Matheson is. He delivers every line leaning forward, eyes bulging, hands flailing with his condescending throat pinching tone that adds nothing to the scenes. He plays one note and it’s not a good one. This is a stupid storyline but could be very soapy with Maura West’s boundless talent if she had a scene partner who wasn’t overacting every line. It is amazingly irritating to watch.
Bring back Roger Howarth! he and Maura West had a very unique and dynamic chemistry, and he IS definitely talented. Too bad Y&R snatched him up, shame on GH for letting Roger go. I agree with everything you say JJJ, especially, the “throat pinching tone” from Matheson…the streeching!!!
I really don’t like the way Drew has become. He was such a nice fella in the beginning, but this character is just not real. I don’t like him at all.
Why couldn’t there be a who killed Drew story?!
Why did it have to be Jack who all the fans actually adore!!
OMG I love this man! I loved Brennan and thought he was a true asset to the show. Frank is an idiot for letting this one go! Not to mention, the man is gorgeous.
I keep hoping when they find the grave just beyond the Quartermaine property where Drew and Ava buried Brennan that the hole is empty. Maybe the pills that Ava slipped him were powerful enough to put him into a comatose state that could be mistaken for death, but he didn’t die, instead he woke up, climbed out of the hole, dusted himself off, and Jack Brennan is alive out in the world somewhere.
Hey, it’s a soap, much stranger things have happened, lol.
For someone that didn’t like him as Brennan initially following Charles Mesure in the role, Chris McKenna really grew on me, and I grew into liking him and enjoying his take on the character. They made a big mistake getting rid of him.
Would love to see Jack back and get together with Nina- pretty couple!
The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards are in the record books, and after the winners names were announced many of your favorite soap stars took their new gold statuette and then posed for photos at the Winners Walk.
For the first time in her career, Tamara Tunie won a Daytime Emmy, and for her leading role as Anita Dupree Williams, the matriarch of the Dupree family on CBS’ Beyond the Gates.
Tunie became the second actress in history to win for the newest soap in the competition, after Ambyr Michelle won earlier in the evening and became the first performer in the series history to win gold. Michelle won in the Outstanding Emerging Talent category.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
EMOTIONS RAN HIGH
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series went to The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton, who won his fourth Emmy overall and second in Lead for his touching performances as Liam Spencer during Liam’s medical crisis storyline for an inoperable brain tumor, which turned out to be a ruse.
During his acceptance speech, Clifton shared, “This means so much to me, not the thing, the attaboy from my peers. I can think of few things that bring me more joy than that.”
Speaking on his fellow nominees which included the likes of Y&R’s Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) and GH’s Steve Burton, (Jason Morgan) Clifton said, “I am in awe of all of you, and you’ve taught me so much. It was a really hard year, and you made me invincible. You are my existential oxygen tank. And I don’t know what I would do without you. I love you, and I am grateful to you.
DECADES BETWEEN
In the Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress categories, two longtime names synonymous with daytime drama, Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, Y&R) and Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott, Y&R) won their second Emmys in their career. Roger 32 years after his last Emmy playing Todd Manning on One Life to Live in 1994, and Beth Maitland for winning 41 years after becoming Y&R’s first performer to win Emmy gold back in 1985.
General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini and his producing team took home the gold for the sixth year in a row for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series for the ABC soap. He later shared a moment with Scott Clifton, who started his daytime career as Dillon Quartermaine on GH.
During the ceremonies, the iconic Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) was presented with the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband actor and director, Jonathan Frakes. After Francis received the award she posed for some snaps for the photographers in attendance.
Take a look at the photos below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Beyond the Gates‘ Ambyr Michelle with the well-deserved gold!
Photo: Hutchins Photo
Y&R’s Beth Maitland winning 41 years after her first Supporting Actress victory for the moral center of the Abbott family, Traci Abbott.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Genie Francis proud of receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions and performances as Laura on GH.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Mandi Line, the costume designer for The Young and the Restless, took home the gold in the costume category.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini, sharing a backstage moment with former GH star and now four-time Daytime Emmy winner from The Bold and the Beautiful‘s Scott Clifton.
So, who were you thrilled to see win a Daytime Emmy from those who appeared in the Winners Walk after their big wins last night at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Heather Webber Makes a Surprise Return Stunning Trina; Alley Mills Weighs-In on Her Comeback
The Friday, October 30 episode of General Hospital came to a conclusion with a one-two cliffhanger. The first, as Trina (Tabyana Ali) and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) finished rehearsing their song at the Cats Eye Lounge, a woman’s feet where seen entering the club.
When the camera panned up it revealed a well-dressed Heather Webber (Alley Mills) applauding and yelling “bravo!” at the two young performers, but with Trina absolutely shocked to see her!
While General Hospital fans knew two-time Daytime Emmy winner was rejoining the show as the supposed reformed “Hook” killer (after cobalt poisoning due to her hip surgery played with her mind), what is Heather’s ‘state of mind’ now?
Courtesy/ABC
For months, GH has been teeing up the mystery of who is stalking Trina, with someone adding clippings of Trina to their “obsession” board.
Many viewers have felt that it will wind up being Heather who is seeking revenge on Trina, since Heather’s daughter Esme Prince (Avery Pohl) went overboard a boat and into the Siene in France, and is believed to be dead, after Spencer (last played by Nicholas Alexander Chavez) saved Trina from her.
Speaking with TV Insider about her GH return this fall, Alley Mills shared on her first scenes back: “That was so fun because I love working with Tab, but I’ve never worked with the other kids before. I’ve seen them on TV, but I have never met them before, and they’re really talented, and they definitely got in Heather’s face. And the blessed Shawn Reeves, the wonderful costumer, put me in this fabulous outfit.”
Photo: ABC
With Heather soon to mix-up with the residents of Port Charles, Mills added that Heather now has some wealth to boot! “It’s been an uphill battle, and she just hopes that people will understand and forgive her,” explains Mills. “But with the wonderful voice of Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte (co-head writers, GH and this year’s Daytime Emmy winners for Outstanding Writing in a Daytime Drama), she just has so much spunk.”
Mills added, “I love the way they write her (Heather). She doesn’t really have a ton of boundaries and social awareness and softness. But she just won’t let people get her down. She’s like one of those dolls outside the gas station. You throw them down, and they pop back up. I feel like Heather is kind of like that now, but in Gucci.”
So, were you stunned to see Heather Webber dressed quite elegantly and showing up at the Cat’s Eye Lounge? Do you think that now more than ever Heather is Trina’s stalker? Let us know via the comment section. But first, you can check out when Heather makes her presence now below.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Takes Drama Series, Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Top Acting Honors
The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards have just concluded on Friday night, October 30, and it was ABC’s General Hospital who took home the top prize for Outstanding Drama Series for the sixth time in row. Executive Producer, Frank Valentini accepted the award on behalf of the show.
Beyond the Gates scored its first two acting honors in the young history of the show. Veteran actress, Tamara Tunie won her first ever Emmy for Lead Actress a Daytime Drama Series for her performances as Anita Dupree, while Ambyr Michelle took home the gold in the Emerging Talent category.
Scott Clifton won his fourth Daytime Emmy overall, and second Lead Actor Emmy for his heart-tugging performance as Liam Spencer, who believed he was battling an inoperable brain tumor, only for it to turn out to be medical ruse to bilk Liam’s father out of $1 million dollars.
Courtesy/NATASYouTube
DECADES BETWEEN BETH MAITLAND AND ROGER HOWARTH LAST EMMY WIN
In the Supporting Actor and Actress categories, Daytime Emmy history was made with Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott, The Young and the Restless) winning her second Emmy 41 years since she won her first won, and Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, The Young and the Restless) following suit for the men with his coming 32 years after he won in 1994 for One Life to Live.
Courtesy/NATASYouTube
Jeff Kober picked up his second Daytime Emmy win for his role as Cyrus Renault on General Hospital in the Outstanding Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama Series category. He previously won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the role in 2022, following a nomination in the same category in 2021.
The Kelly Clarkson Show, meanwhile, won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series it its final year, while Sherri Shepherd won for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host after finding out her talker had been canceled after four seasons.
Photo: NATAS/YouTube
THINK OF LAURA
General Hospital star Genie Francis (Laura) received the Lifetime Achievement Award and shared from the stage, “I know 50 years sounds like an awfully long time, but it doesn’t feel like that to me,” she said. “As they say, if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.”
Overall, General Hospital, Beyond the Gates and The Kelly Clarkson Show received the most gold statuettes for the night with four wins apiece.
Here’s a look at the honor roll for tonight’s big winners below:
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
General Hospital
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree, Beyond the Gates)
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer, The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, The Young and the Restless)
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott, The Young and the Restless)
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas, Beyond the Gates)
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
General Hospital
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jeff Kober (Cyrus Renault, General Hospital)
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing in a Daytime Drama Series
Days of our Lives
Outstanding Talk Series
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Outstanding Talk Series Host
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Costume Design/Styling for a Daytime Program
The Young and the Restless (Episode 13273)
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, The Kelly Clarkson Show
So, who were you happy to see win a Daytime Emmy on tonight’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Do you think the right show and actors took home the gold? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section. In case you missed it, you can watch the replay of tonight’s livestream of the Daytime Emmy ceremony below.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners Walk (Photos)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Heather Webber Makes a Surprise Return Stunning Trina; Alley Mills Weighs-In on Her Comeback
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Takes Drama Series, Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Top Acting Honors
Who Should Win Outstanding Daytime Drama at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards? (Poll)
Who Should Win Outstanding Lead Actress at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards? (Poll)
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Takes Drama Series, Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Top Acting Honors
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
Who Should Win Outstanding Lead Actor at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards? (Poll)
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Heather Webber Makes a Surprise Return Stunning Trina; Alley Mills Weighs-In on Her Comeback
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Takes Drama Series, Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Top Acting Honors
‘General Hospital’s Wil Traval Revealed to Be Jude Jacks; the Son of the Nefarious Jerry Jacks
‘General Hospital’s’ Nancy Lee Grahn Hosts Daytime Emmy Lead Actress Dinner Keeping the Tradition With a Twist!
Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award Preview: Genie Francis Talks Historic Run as ‘General Hospital’s’ Laura and Longtime Co-Star Tony Geary
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