Connect with us

Breaking News

39

Jonathan Jackson Leaving ‘General Hospital’; EP Frank Valentini Confirms Five-Time Emmy Winner’s Exit

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo: ABC

In what has been rumored, proved to be true, following the airing of the Thursday, June 5th episode of General Hospital which saw Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) explaining to Lucky (Jonathan Jackson) why she won’t remarry him after turning down his marriage proposal.

With talk that Lucky plans to leave Port Charles again, and that it is “sudden,” Elizabeth said she knew he would never be happy long term in Port Charles, but her life is here and she likes it the way it is, while Lucky shared, that “being here, knowing that we can’t be together, it just hurts too much.”

Next, General Hospital and its executive producer confirmed that indeed, five-time Daytime Emmy winner Jonathan Jackson is on his way out and is departing the ABC soap opera shortly.

Photo: ABC

GH’s executive producer, Frank Valentini shared to TV Insider, “We were so glad Jonathan was able to reprise the role of Lucky, even if it was for a limited time. We wish him nothing but the best, and the door is always open for Jonathan to return.”

Jackson returned to the place which gave him his major break in show business, when he was cast in 1993 at 11-years-old as Luke and Laura’s son. Now fast forward, in what had everyone excited, the former star of Nashville was headed back home to Port Charles in August of 2024, in what now turned out to be only a nine month run.

Photo: ABC

Originally, it seemed that Jonathan was set to stay for quite some time as fans were hoping for major story befitting his talents. However, after being bogged down in the Sidwell/Africa diamond caper and being held hostage, then returning to Port Charles in hopes of helping his sister, Lulu as her liver donor, working at Charlie’s with Kristina (Kate Mansi) and then hoping to rekindle things with the love of his life, Elizabeth, it looks like that’s all she wrote.

Photo: ABC

When he signed on to return to GH in the summer of 2024, Jackson expressed, “When I came back in 2015, that was just for a few episodes for Tony (Geary’s) exit and this is not that. This is back in a substantial, real way, which I’m excited about.”  Whether his 9 month stint was always the current plan, or whether Jonathan decided to end his stay earlier than intended is still not known.

Before Jackson ends his current run, look for Lucky to say goodbye to his family members which we hope includes: Laura, Lulu (Alexa Havins)  and his son Aiden (Colin Cassidy). In fact, our favorite scene during Jonathan’s latest run was the scene where Aiden told Lucky he was gay.

So, what are your feelings knowing Jonathan Jackson is once again exiting General Hospital? Were you hoping Liz and Lucky would get back together? Did GH drop the ball in terms of Lucky’s story? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

39 Comments

39 Comments
oldest
newest

I was really hoping to see the love story work out for Liz and Lucky this time

I saw a youtube clips “GH rumors” that he was going to Beyond The Gates, I didn’t believe it but after Thursday’s episode and now Mr. Fairman confirming his departure.. is it true?

Sad to see him go.. hope Isisah isn’t going anywhere with him. Hope those Gannon roots start to surface soon.

.

Interesting

Probably wishful thinking on my part but maybe they can rehire Roger Howarth or Michael Easton now.

Seriously? Again? Please, God, no!

I wouldn’t blame either one of them for saying no, after the way GH treated them. I saw where they’ve rehired Kelly and I’m happy with that. I knew they’d probably bring somebody back due to J.J.’s leaving, I just didn’t know who.

I am bummed to the max. It seems they didn’t know what to do with Lucky from the get-go. There were so few meaty scenes. I say shame on TPTB for not planning this out better, especially if they knew Jackson was only going to be here for nine months. I don’t think his return did anything for the ratings, but it did my heart good to see more of Laura’s children around town. Too bad we didn’t get to see them all together too often. It seems like such a waste. And poor Elizabeth! She and Lucky should have been end-game. But now that they’ve made it clear they’re too different, I want someone stable to come into her life.

What a steaming pile of dragonshit.
The idiot professor is NOT needed.
Vaughn is NOT needed.
Sidwell and his entire dysfunctional family are NOT needed.
Parasite Nina and Hallmark Drew are definitely NOT needed.
If you have to fire all of the above to keep Lucky Spencer, then DO it, with zero hesitation.

Agreed. Except for the Nina part.

And Marco. Please give him a story… I am so confused when GH gives and actor a contract but no storyline.

Yes! Watros is a brilliant actress who manages to rise above the lousy-Nina-must-lose- writing thrown at her time and time again. She can stay.

They need to draft a storyline for Nina that doesn’t involve her being Willow’s mother and her constant feud with Carly. Cynthia Watros is a very good actress. Give her a new love interest. And, please, please, please, do not place Elizabeth with Rick!

This is a bummer as Lucky is a legacy character. Did producers and writers lay out a long-term bible for Lucky? This development makes it seem they moved to get the actor before establishing story. I would have accepted a recast too. I never believe anyone is irreplaceable.

This has been the biggest waste of talent in the history of daytime. I’m not sure why Lucky was brought back, other than Laura not having any connections on the show. Now, I would love to see Nicholas, Dillon, Brenda and Spencer come back and the Sidwell/Natalia storyline needs to end. I don’t feel any connection between Lucas and Marco. The Joss/WSB/Vaughn storyline is a snooze (no offense to Eden McCoy). The fans need more Ava.

biggest flop in soap history

This is hilarious to me; Deadline Hollywood reported his return as a “long run”, and now he’s out after nine months. It’s clear he did not want to be there and there was no story there. Honestly, it was a waste of contract money; Rick Hearst (as Ric) should’ve gotten the contract (likely at half the price). This is no big loss for anyone; I feel bad for both Genie Francis and Rebecca Herbst, both of whom likely thought they’d have some solid story to tell with Jackson’s return as Lucky, and instead… it was absolute shit. Not to mention, it should have been Greg Vaughan who returned as Lucky, who re-joined the PCPD to be partnered with Dante.

I would have been fine with them just handing it over to Greg Vaughan at this point. I guess they prefer to keep the absentee father narrative set by Luke and Lucky. Sigh. I was hoping the character of Lucky would man up and stick around long term for his family.

Firmly, I don’t believe anyone at Disney ABC wants anyone else in the role of Lucky if it isn’t Jackson, which is why Vaughan has yet to return to the role. Plus, I don’t know if he’d want to return to a role he was successful in recasting but fired to bring the original actor back for two years only.

You’re probably right.

What a bust, and a waste of talent, maybe his return was meant to be short term all along , still the storyline that was constructed was poorly executed from the get go, from instead of Laura finding him, they had Jason , the shows captain America find him, or when crazy uncle Cyrus when in for the kill we were left with the horrible fill in , at the end Lucky really hasn’t grown up he’s still a man child or at least for some horrible reason that’s how the show wants him to be..

This will go down in soap history as one of the worst returns of a big-name soap star ever. I don’t know who’s responsible for botching it, but if JJ is indeed leaving ahead of schedule and it’s by his choice, I certainly cannot blame him. Someone apparently forgot to tell the writers (or Frank, or the ABC brass) that when you get a fan favorite back, you have to actually write for him.

Actually, it’s not just Lucky’s early departure (though heaven knows that’s bad enough to warrant an intervention), but what the hell is going on at GH the last couple of years? It’s as though nobody can figure out what direction the show should take; they hire and fire writers and actors, stories get dropped, characters’ personalities get shifted, and the whole thing feels adrift and rudderless, even though individual episodes or short arcs are sometimes great and you have a few performers (Jane Elliott in particular) really holding things together. It’s like the seeds of a really good show are there but they can’t get their act together enough to chart a consistent course and create a compelling product.I’m wondering–and this occurred to me back when Patrick Mulcahey came and went in a millisecond–if there are warring factions behind the scenes with radically different visions for the show and what we’re getting is a mishmash. Whatever it is that’s going on, they need to get their you-know-what together fast.

Comes as no surprise to me. I never believed that Jackson would be satisfied returning to GH long term. If TPTB want Lucky on canvas for long term, they have to recast. My preference is Greg Vaughan. Since he’s tied up with Days, I would not be unhappy to see Jacob Young return or someone new.

Now that he is gone, pair Elizabeth with Jason so #Liason can have their #LiasonReunion2025

Ugh, no. If Elizabeth didn’t want to travel the world with Lucky, she’s not going to agree with Jason’s profession. She’s got kids and a decent job. She never did agree with his lifestyle which is much more dangerous than Lucky’s travels around the world.

Yes, please no!!

I was really hoping he would stay they belong together I really wish they wasn’t leaving again this breaks my heart and I’ve been watching him since 1997.. they will never ever truly get their happy ending never and that’s what’s sad and disappointed

I wanted him to stay for the long haul to be with his family. He could work with Ana, or Spinelli doing PI work.

So, you bring back a 5-time Emmy winner, son of the show’s most famous couple and you don’t give him a compelling storyline? It’s almost like they checked to see if he was available but had no story arc. Once Lulu woke up they just had a haphazard reconnection with Elizabeth. Thank goodness they used the flashbacks at least.

The departure seems rushed as Elizabeth goes from a major leg cast to dancing without crutches the next day.

When the recurring onscreen question was will Lucky stay? It should be no surprise to anyone that he’s departing.

And, don’t get me started on the covering for Kristina plot.

I really was hoping for Lucky and Liz to finally get and stay together. Love Jonathan and always will, Lucky could never be replaced, Good Luck in all your endeavors

Disappointed. I thought that his scenes, especially with sister Lulu, were wonderful. But it seems to me that the writing let Jackson down. It would me, as a performer. It felt like Jackson wanted to come back, and the contracts were signed BEFORE the show could figure out what to do with Lucky. The show is on fire right now with episodes regarding paternity and child custody, and Lucky Spencer needs to have action-adventure storylines to keep him engaged and on-canvas. And where were all the scenes with Lucky and Laura? Both actors professed excitement at performing together again, and once Lulu woke up, it never happened.

Not happy about it I am not happy about it. I am not happy about it. I was helping him and this is to remarry and live happily ever after. Plus he needs to be there for his mom Laura because she’s going through a hard time politically and his sister Lulu just came back into the picture. I watched General Hospital since day one and have been totally invested in all of the characters right now. I do not like Drew at all. He needs to go if you’re gonna get rid of anyone, I like the new Michael.

I was hoping that they would give him a better story line. I wanted to see him in a mystery like story line getting even with his attackers from Africa. His story line was boring. In fact story lines lately with certain actors are boring. Only good ones are Carly Sonny Michael Jason

Sad to see him go…. Would have been nice if he and Liz had hooked up, they will always be sweethearts in my book. I think we were lucky to have LUCKY stay as long as he did and I feel that he will be back someday. I WISH HIM THE VERY BEST IN ALL OF HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS .

I wished that Lucky & Elizabeth got back together

I absolutely adore Jonathan Jackson but I really hate that he comes and goes. It would be awesome if he and Rebecca could be the next Luke and Laura with crazy adventures now that their “kids” on GH are basically grown.

Just one question in the 9 months he was on did he ever wash his hair? Left GH when Billy Miller left never looked back JJ was a great child actor but he unfortunately never fit the adult role. GV was excellent in the drug storyline and let’s be honest Tony Geary treated him badly.

Good news. Be gone! Jonathan looked bored, disinterested and out of place. He had no chemistry with the show. Who is to blame? Not sure. Bring Greg Vaughn next time and be done with this mistake. Greg is a better adult Lucky. It’s okay, recasts can work. Look no further than the new Michael. He is awesome!

Considering Greg seems to be on the “revolving door” plan over at Days, it’s not likely that he would commit to a long term role at GH either.

I think whats sad is Lucky is leaving in the midst of all the Gio confusion. Aiden’s dad leaves again after all the dad drama. While other kids are getting their dads back, Aiden loses his. Even Jason is promising to stay for Danny and to keep the boyd together. I get Lucky wanting to leave because its too painful for him but what about Aiden.? Liz says she has a way to present the news. I hope its really good. When you think of it they couldn’t even get Lucky cleaned up for the longest time.

Breaking News

Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62

Published

on

By

Robert Kelker-Kelly

Robert Kelker-Kelly, who became prominent as a one of the leading men in soap operas back in the late 80s and 90s has died at the age of 62. TMZ first reported the news of Robert’s passing on Saturday, October 3 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri.

According to the St. Peters police report, officers responded to call at around 8:16 pm about an unconscious man who was not breathing, as paramedics and other EMS were en route, Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event.

Officers and paramedics administered life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful in reviving Kelker-Kelly. The cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.

Robert Kelker-Kelly

Photo: NBC

Daytime fans first saw Robert back in 1987 when he was cast as Sam Fowler on Another World. He played the role for three year suntil 1990. Two years later, he took over the role of Bo Brady on Days of our Lives replacing Peter Reckell, who at that time decided to leave the show.

As Bo, Kelker-Kelly was major in story playing opposite the likes of: Crystal Chappell as Dr. Carly Manning, Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed. When Peter Reckell returned to his signature role in 1995, Kelker-Kelly left the show.

Next, Robert returned to his original stomping grounds at Another World but this time as race car driver, Bobby Reno who was actually Dr. Shane Roberts. His second AW stint lasted from 1996-1998.

Robert Kelker-Kelly, GH

Photo: ABC

Eventually, the actor would begin his run as the evil Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital in 2001, then make returns in 2002 and 2003. In 2013, he briefly returned as Stavros as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and made one last appearance in 2014.

Robert has also became a professional pilot full from 2003 to 2015 and had been married to former Days of our Lives star, Miriam Parrish (ex-Jamie Caldwell) from 1997-2011, but the couple divorced in 2011. Since that time, he has not remarried.

Recently, Robert was back in the news when Lisa Rinna talked about her time working with her former Days of our Lives co-star in her recently released memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.

Rinna shared on her then on-screen love interest, “Behind the scenes, we hated each other. Remember when Kathy Hilton said I was the biggest bully in Hollywood? Not true. Not even close! I have legit stories about the real bullies in this town. Robert Kelker-Kelly is one of those bullies.”

The former Billie Reed and reality star even punctuated that with, “He made my life a living hell on the set of DAYS, He was horrible to me, I’d go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.”

Michael Fairman TV will provide further updates as they become available on the death of Robert Kelker-Kelly.

Now, share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Robert Kelker-Kelly via the comment section below and let us know of all his daytime roles, which was your favorite.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death Revealed

Published

on

By

Hayden Panettiere

On Tuesday, September 22, the Greenville, South Carolina Coroner’s office ruled that actress Hayden Panettiere’s death was an accident, attributing the 36-year-old’s passing to be a combination of toxic effects from fentanyl and other drugs that were in her system.

Panettiere was found unresponsive on Sunday, August 16. There have been numerous reports and sources speaking to various outlets about the manner in which the Nashville and Guiding Light alum died, but nothing was certain until now.

The Greenville County Coroner’s office shared that fentanyl, combined with 4-ANPP, Alprazolam (also known as Xanax), Methocarbamol (a muscle relaxant) and Quetiapine (used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia but is sometimes prescribed to treat depression), were all found in Hayden’s system.

Hayden Panettiere Guiding Light

Photo: CBS

GUIDING LIGHT ALUM’S DEATH IS STILL UNDER AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION

Meanwhile, the Greenville Police Department shared there is still an ongoing investigation into this case. “Our detectives will continue to follow leads and gather information as we work toward resolving this case,” the department shared.

That is, because despite Panettiere’s death being ruled accidental, authorities continue investigating whether anyone might be criminally responsible for providing the star with a lethal substance. It is being shared that this is  “cross-country investigation” stretching from as far as South Carolina to California.

As we previously reported, TMZ shared on September 14 that law enforcement officials believe Hayden’s “long time drug dealer” may have been the person responsible for supplying her with an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl which she took the morning of her death.

Panettiere “had been temporarily staying” at the apartment in Greenville, the coroner’s office said in August. Authorities did not say whose apartment it was but it was said to later be an Airbnb. It was Hayden’s on-again off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach who called 911 the afternoon of August 16 to say Panettiere was unresponsive, according to police reports.

Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten, Nashville

Photo: ABC

HAYDEN PANETTIERE IMPRESSED IN EVERY ROLE SHE PLAYED

Soap opera fans still remember Hayden’s as a very young Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live from 1994 until 1997, and then her signature daytime role as Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light from 1996-2000.

She later went on to star on the Music City primetime soap opera, Nashville from 2012-2018 on ABC and CMT where she played country and western singer, Juliette Barnes opposite General Hospital alum, Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky Spencer), who played her love interest, Avery Barclay.

Over this past weekend, Jackson, Charles Esten (pictured above), Connie Britton, and others from the cast of Nashville gathered for a memorial service in Hayden’s honor to pay their respects for their beloved co-star.

So, what do you think about the ruling in the death of actress Hayden Panettiere that it was an accident involving toxic effects of fentanyl combined with other drugs and medications she was taking at the time? Share your reactions via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

Soap Alums Remembered During In Memoriam Segment at 78th Emmy Awards; Patrick Muldoon Omitted

Published

on

By

In Memoriam Emmys 2026

During last night’s 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony, as it does every year, the television academy paid tribute to those in the industry that they’ve lost over the last year; since the previous Emmys held each year in September.

Starting with an emotional tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara by three of her co-stars, Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy and Dan Levy and Home Alone’s Macaulay Culkin, the segment then dovetailed into Noah Kahan performing “Bridge over Troubled Water” as the faces and the names of those being remembered were shown on the screen.

Daytime soap alums, who either stayed in the genre for the majority of their career, or went on to primetime success as well, were honored including: Anthony Geary (Luke, GH), Hayden Panettiere (Sarah, OLTL, Lizzie, GL, Juliette, Nashville), James Van Der Beek, (Dawson, Dawson’s Creek, and Stephen, ATWT), Gil Gerard (Alan, The Doctors), June Lockhart (Mariah, GH), Patricia Crowley (Mary, Port Charles and GH), Randolph Mantooth (Clay/Alex, Loving and The City, and Richard, GH) and Jon Cypher (Alex, ATWT and Arthur, Santa Barbara).

Photo: TVAcademy

THOSE HONORED AND THOSE WHO WERE NOT

However, in a glaring omission, the producers of the In Memoriam failed to include Days of our Lives beloved star, Patrick Muldoon who played the OG Austin Reed and also Richard Hart on Melrose Place. Muldoon passed away in April of this year at 57.

After Kahan concluded his performance, a special tribute to Rob Reiner began with Jamie Lee Curtis taking to the stage to share some warm words about her late friend.

In a ironic and sad twist, Curtis shared ,“Last week, Robbie won an Emmy for guest actor in a comedy series for his beautiful work on The Bear, and he now holds the record of 48 years for the longest gap between acting Emmys, which was previously held by his father Carl Reiner, at 37 years.”

Reiner, who along with his wife, Michele Reiner were killed by their son, Nick Reiner, is currently awaiting a decision if he will stand trial. Prosecutors on Tuesday, shared they will not seek the death penalty if he is convicted at trial, but instead life in prison. Curtis said of Rob, “He was generous and kind and funny as hell, and a friend to all. We all miss Rob and Michele and all those we lost this year.” The Emmys then faded to black and went to commercial break.

So, were you happy to see those who you know from their work in soap operas included in the 2026 In Memoriam tribute at the Primetime Emmys? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, in case you missed it, you can watch it below.

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

39
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x