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GH and ATWT Alum Martin West Dead at 82

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

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).

Photo: ABC

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.

Photo: IMDB

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.

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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!

Breaking News

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’

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Josh and Kristen

General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.

The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.

Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.

Courtesy/ABC

WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?

Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.

So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?

Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.

Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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General Hospital

Kin Shriner Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ TV Daughter Kelly Kruger

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Kin and kelly

It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.

Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.

In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.

Serena and Jason

Courtesy/ABC

WHERE IS SCOTT?

On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.

In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”

The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.”  Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.

So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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