General Hospital
GH and ATWT Alum Martin West Dead at 82
On New Year’s Eve, former General Hospital and As the World Turns star Martin West passed away at the age of 82. Longtime GH viewers will recall he was the last actor to portray original series character of Phil Brewer. West’s run lasted from 1967-1975.
During West’s years on GH, in story: Phil was presumed dead in a plane crash and returned with amnesia as “Harold Williamson.” Throughout the years, Phil’s great love was Nurse Jessie Brewer (Emily McLaughlin). But when he returned, he took up with Diana Maynard (Valerie Scarrett). Eventually, Phil was killed-off and Jessie was accused his murder. Lo and behold it turned out the murderer was Augusta McLeod (Judith McConnell).
After his time on GH, West headed to Oakdale and As the World Turns as the replacement for the part of Don Hughes. He played that role from 1977-1978. He also appeared on primetime’s Dallas in the role of Phil McKenna in 1981.
West’s other television credits included: Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, Ironside, Highway to Heaven, Matlock, and LA Law. In addition, Martin appeared in many motion pictures from: The Andersonville Trial, Hitchcock’s Family Plot, and Mac and Me.
He is survived by his life partner, Ann Chernow and his three children, and two stepchildren.
Share your condolences and remembrances for Martin via the comment section below.
I wish his whole story as Phil wasnt missing…
Me, too, Jimh… Please see my other, lengthier comment here.
I remember him very well as Phil Brewer. He played the role the longest. May he rest in peace.
Phil Brewer.. .wow that’s going way back. I can barely remember him, except for the way he died by somebody bashing his head in with a big geode rock.
And Wally from Leave it to Beaver being the cop who investigated the murder.
My heart is heavy at this sad news…
I started watching GH in 1969, as Martin West played Phil Brewer and the lovely, popular, mesmerizing Valerie Starrett created the role of Diana Maynard. — I only wish a picture of Martin West with Valerie Starrett had accompanied this feature. And @Jimh, I will give some storyline details here. I know you and I have been down this road before… — Of course, Phil was involved with Jessie Brewer as well.
In story, Phil was working at a diner (as a cook, I think), with the alias of “Harold Williamson,” and Diana was a waitress at the diner. They started a love affair, but things went sour (to say the least) over time, as Phil raped Diana, after she became involved with Dr. Peter Taylor. If memory serves, Phil fathered both of Diana’s children: Tracy (boy) and Martha. Peter offered to marry Diana to give her unborn baby a name, even though they weren’t in love at the time of their nuptials.
The Phil Brewer murder mystery was quite engrossing. Jessie was arrested for Phil’s murder (via geode, as mentioned by @Satan), as she was found with Phil’s body. But there were a total of 5 suspects: Jessie, Diana, Peter, Jim Hobart (Audrey’s husband), and Augusta McLeod (revealed to be the murderer).
My memory of some of the storyline details is a bit hazy, but to this day, Valerie Starrett reigns supreme as my all-time favorite soap star. Years ago, I opined (perhaps ad nauseam?) my fandom for Starrett on these pages. (She played the role from 1969 until 1977.) Some storylines I remember vividly. Peter and Diana Taylor were a “supercouple” before the term was coined.
But Martin West as Phil (Harold) was Valerie Starrett’s first screen partner and love interest before Diana became a nurse and met her soulmate Peter Taylor.
So for the dearly departed Mr. Martin West, in my small way, I thank you and honor you for your impressive, entertaining work on GH. Like Starrett, you are not only an unsung hero of GH’s rich history but also a source of much nostalgic appreciation from this fan (and, I’m sure, many others). Your storyline hooked me into a decades-long viewership of GH. Those early days are ingrained in my mind. Rest in peace, Dear Sir…
my memory of the show is a bit fuzzy.from this era..used to watch it with my gram when at her house in the 60s/early 1970…do recall her as a waitress tho…i had a feeling you would be writing here!!!
Great to hear back from you, Jimh! Glad we share fond remembrances of those times… Take care, Friend!
Thanks for sharing this! Phil was dead and buried by the time I started watching but Diana was around and was a favorite character of mine from the get-go. I definitely heard the name Phil Brewer over the years though and appreciate his (and Mr. West’s) part in the history of GH.
John, thanks a million for your reply! Glad to read that Diana was a favorite of yours as well. I feel fortunate being able to remember so much of the GH story of that time, particularly all the ups and downs to the Diana and Peter relationship. And Martin West was so good at playing a villain; that particular triangle provided such a compelling dynamic. Best to you, Friend!
Thank you for the words on Valerie; she was my fav too.
Hello Louise W! Great to hear from another Valerie Starrett fan! And you’re right about those black-and-white days. So sad to hear about Martin West… Take care, Friend.
Thank you
Thank you for posting this; hadn’t heard this news. That picture says it all: GH in it’s black and white days; they were the best. Loved all those actors. RIP Martin!
General Hospital
THIS WEEK on GENERAL HOSPITAL: Dex and Josslyn’s Relationship at a Crossroad, Jason Contacts Diane For Help
Previews for the week of March 18-22nd on General Hospital, plus the latest promo for the daytime drama series, share that Jason’s (Steve Burton) return has already affected so many lives, especially given the fact that several key people aka Michael (Chad Duell), Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and Danny (Asher Antonyzn) know his location at this moment.
Eventually, Jason (Steve Burton) will get in touch with Diane (Carolyn Hennesy), from what one can only assume is legal help. However, John (Adam J. Harrington) seems hot on Jason’s trail, but the question remains, if Jason was working for John as seemingly revealed in a flashback to keep out of prison, are the two working together … or are they mortal enemies?
Meanwhile, it looks like its curtain for now in the relationship between Dex (Evan Hofer) and Josslyn (Eden McCoy). After Nina (Cynthia Watros) dropped a bombshell about Cyrus (Jeff Kober), Joss gets an earful of information from Dex, when he admits that he was in Cyrus’s hospital room to kill him on orders from Sonny (Maurice Benard).
According to Soap Opera Digest, Eden McCoy shared, ” I think what’s different about this situation, and what pushes her over the edge, is that it wasn’t, like, a self-defense situation. It wasn’t at a shoot-out. He wasn’t protecting Sonny. Cyrus wasn’t doing anything! And I think that really scares her, to see him in the light of voluntarily killing someone in their sleep. That is very different from, like, shooting someone that’s shooting at Sonny. She is just in shock, like she can’t actually believe it.” As told by McCoy, “At that point, Josslyn says.’I can’t do this anymore,’ and makes her exit.”
Take a look below at the rest of the official teasers for the week.
MONDAY, MARCH 18
Dex makes a confession to Josslyn. Tracy shares a moment with Sonny. Diane offers encouragement to Alexis. Kevin explains what might have led to Marshall’s misdiagnosis. Stella has an unlikely encounter.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
Josslyn opens up to Carly. Dex confides in Anna. Sonny offers Natalia some valuable insights. Jason gets a visitor. Brook Lynn lays into John.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
Tracy sees a new side of Cody. Alexis informs Molly about her plans. Natalia has a revelation. Anna makes an admission to John over drinks.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21
Drew has a proposition for Nina. A photo shoot at Deception goes wrong. Laura and Heather find some common ground. Willow is worried by her actions.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
Jason reaches out to Diane for help. Maxie calls Lucy out. Cody and Olivia comfort each other. Sasha makes a huge decision. Chase and Brook Lynn are stunned.
Now below, watch this week’s promo for the action in Port Charles.
What storyline are you looking forward to the most? The least? Let us know in the comment section.
General Hospital
REPORT: General Hospital Alum, Robyn Bernard, Homeless & Battling Addiction, Before Her Passing at 64
Robyn Bernard passed away earlier this week on March 12th, when her body was found in an empty field, which is allegedly behind a 7/11, and some trailer homes, in San Jacinto, California. The actress and singer, and former General Hospital alum, played Terry Brock from 1984-1990 and was 64-years-old at the time of her death.
New reporting on the life that she led over the past year, and longtime mental health issues and struggles with addiction, paint a picture that may have led to her death. Although it should be noted, the toxicology report is currently not completed or released. However, the sheriff department stated that no foul play is suspected.
Now, according to the Daily Mail, friends of Bernard spoke on how she had become part of their homeless community, and that she she struggled with alcohol addiction, and had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia through the latter part of her life.
In their accounts, things went south for Robyn when in 2014 she moved to the community in San Jacinto, which is 84 miles from Los Angeles. At that time, she moved into a trailer park for senior citizens and was beloved for her singing by her neighbors.
The report also notes that in 2015, tragically, Bernard’s trailer park home was burned to the ground taking 7 of her 8 beloved cats and all of her possessions. After that, Robin stayed with many people of the community, but the previous management chased her off of the premises. She then broke up with her boyfriend and eventually stopped communicating with her parents.
Bernard’s final home was in a community called Parkview Estates, facilitated by Riverside County’s Adult Protective Services Department. According to police records obtained by Daily Mail, through 2017-2019, Bernard faced numerous DUI drugs and alcohol arrests during that period.
Joni Woods, who lives opposite the space where Bernard’s trailer once was said: ‘I used to see her (Robyn) around town all the time pushing her shopping carts. She always had four or five of them, and I always felt so bad for her.” Robyn’s former boyfriend, Dan Berlin, expressed that the last time he had seen the GH alum was two years ago, “She was out there, talking to herself in a nonsense way. She was a schizophrenic.’
The friends of Bernard shared: “She used to say that Hollywood screwed her over,” adding, “They did her dirty and that’s why she ended up living in San Jacinto of all places.”
Share your thoughts on this tragic story of the last part of Robyn’s life, which again, stresses the importance of trying to find the appropriate help for those dealing with mental illness, being homeless, and addiction.
General Hospital
While ‘General Hospital’s’ Dante Lays in a Coma; Dominic Zamprogna Has Some Great New Portrait Headshots
On General Hospital, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) has thus far survived two bullets to the chest, and is laying in a coma. Sam (Kelly Monaco), his lady love, is by his side and beside herself after learning her ex Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) is alive and is of the belief that Jason have been the shooter who tried to take out Dante.
Sonny (Maurice Benard) has been wracked with guilt after he wasn’t so kind to his son, before the PCPD cop got shot. Meanwhile, Jason is hiding out at the Quartermaine boat house trying to recover from the gun shot wound he received.
While Dante’s life is still hanging in the balance, it appears that his portrayer, Dominic Zamprogna, took a diverse range of headshot and portrait photos under the eyes of talented photographer Jackson Davis. The photos were posted on Davis’ Instagram account.
A few former GH castmates commented on the photos including Marc Anthony Samuel (ex-Felix) who expressed: “Dante, Dante, Dante…,” and Mark Lawson (ex-Dustin) posted, “Dom!!!! Handle yo’ biz.”
Zamprogna joined General Hospital back in 2009 and has been nominated four times for a Daytime Emmy Award throughout his time thus far on the ABC daytime drama series.
So, what do you think will happen to Dante? Will he wake up and be just fine, or will he have another medical condition? What do you think of Dominic’s new headshots? Comment below.
-
PreviewsMarch 16, 2024
The Young and the Restless Previews: Jordan Still Has a Trick Up Her Sleeve, Ashley’s Troubling Alter, Connor’s OCD
-
NewsMarch 18, 2024
Clint Howard, Brother of Ron Howard, to Make Guest Appearances on The Bold and the Beautiful
-
General HospitalMarch 9, 2024
Kelly Thiebaud Shares Her Excitement at Former Leading Man, Steve Burton’s ‘General Hospital’ Return
-
NewsMarch 16, 2024
Daytime Talk Shows Hosts, Jennifer Hudson and Sherri Shepherd, Win 2024 NAACP Image Awards
-
General HospitalMarch 15, 2024
While ‘General Hospital’s’ Dante Lays in a Coma; Dominic Zamprogna Has Some Great New Portrait Headshots
-
General HospitalMarch 10, 2024
THIS WEEK on GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Explains Where He Has Been, Sam is Emotional