General Hospital
Gregory Harrison Talks His General Hospital ALS Storyline, Battling Addiction, ‘Falcon Crest’ on Maurice Benard’s ‘State of Mind’
Film and TV star, Gregory Harrison is currently appearing on ABC’s General Hospital in the role of Gregory Chase. In story, Gregory is trying to come to the terms with the fact he has ALS and is now displaying symptoms of the disease that will ultimately claim his life.
On the latest episode of Maurice Benard’s (Sonny, General Hospital) You Tube series State of Mind, the actor opens up about the challenges of playing a character with ALS, how he has battled addiction, his prime role on Trapper John M.D and Falcon Crest and much more.
In fact, it’s actually the the 40th anniversary of Harrison’s solo TV Guide cover as Dr. George Alonzo “Gonzo” Gates on Trapper John, M.D.

Photo: ABC
Speaking on his General Hospital storyline, and Gregory Chase’s battle with ALS, Harrison detailed: “He’s a complicated character any way, but we’ve added now ALS into the equation and that’s a really fun technical calibration for me. It’s a relatively quick demise – three to five years, generally for ALS, and it moves along pretty quickly. The body deteriorates pretty quickly and things happen, and there is an emotional kind of reaction to those that my character has. My character reacts to the loss of things and that’s what I am starting to be able to play.”
Harrison added, on how he is playing the nuances of ALS in the scripts he is given, “Where am I going to put in that slip and fall? Where am I going to put in that tremor in my hand? Where I am going to put in the stumble, or the slur of this word or that word? That’s real technical stuff, but I have to layer that on top of emotional honesty of what’s going on. So, for me, it’s a buffet and I love that.”
Benard and Harrison also delved into the fact that Gregory he has been sober for 36 years. Harrison opened about how addiction changed his personality at a time when his career was riding high: “If I was the kind of person who would be regretful, then I would say that during my prime, I was busy using all my acting skills to disguise my addiction instead of building my career. ”

Photo: ABC
As his fame rose, Harrison also started his own production company. He admitted to Benard, that at the time, he was barely getting through jobs and projects: “I could act, but I wasn’t doing as good as I should have been doing. I was just persevering … pouring massive amounts of energy into enduring my addiction … not into the creative artist that I was inspired to be. And then I found my way back.” At one point, Harrison sought help at the renowned Betty Ford Center. Gregory shared that he had to hit rock bottom, in order to build himself back up again.
At the conclusion of the episode, Maurice asked Gregory how he enjoyed being part of the cast of the defunct CBS primetime soap, Falcon Crest, to which Harrison said he loved playing the role of Michael Sharp back in 1990. He compared that character to the likes of Port Charles’ Sonny Corinthos.
Check out Maurice and Gregory’s conversation below.
Let us know, are you emotional invested and enjoying Gregory Harrison’s portrayal of the ALS storyline on General Hospital? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Disappointing; I think his comments about his character Gregory and his disease are completely callous and shallow. He’s playing someone who has learned he has a horrific, fatal disease and when describing how he has to act it out says, “that’s a really fun, technical calibration for me.” What a complete lack of sensitivity to the viewer who might have the disease or their loved one might or who might have lost someone from it. Then he says, “there’s an emotional kind of reaction to that his character has.” Well, yeah, Gregory. There’d probably be an “emotional kind of reaction.” smh
Someone has to nitpick about every goddamn thing on here it is unbelievable I’m not coming on this dumb site ever again
The points I made were valid. If you don’t like my point, and choose to “nitpick” because you don’t agree with me, scroll past it and post your own opinion which I see you didn’t do. And if you choose to leave, all I can say to that is, thank you! lol
I agree with you, Rebecca. I lost my dad to ALS and as I was reading the article I thought the way he spoke of ALS was disrespectful and out of touch with how horrible the disease progression and subsequent death really is.
I lost my Dad also to this disease, but he is acting. It’s hard to imagine what someone actually goes through if it’s not real.
I think he is doing a great job and people should just stop complain about everything.
You don’t seem to understand my comment. It’s not his acting that anyone has a problem with; he’s a great actor. But when discussing playing the role he said nothing other than it was “fun” to play it and all the falls and cramps and emotions. To me and some others, we found that insensitive and callous. On another note, I hate the story; I have no desire to see such tragedy in a soap. The writers have been writing one fatal disease after another. It’s horrible.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad, Julie. Yes; he came off not empathetic to those who have been touched by it or anything other than the satisfaction he got out of playing the different stages.
Bye, bye!
Bye
Rebecca 1
Rebecca 1
Sorry, but was/am having technical difficulties. You are so right.I was very disappointed in Mr. Harrison’s callous and cavalier attitude to something so devastating and painful, physically and mentally to patients and loved ones alike. I am rethinking my feelings about him.
I know; I was really shocked. I don’t know if you listened to the entire interview or just read the quotes above in Michael’s post, but Maurice had started off the show talking about someone he knew who had it and how devastating a disease it is; he seemed somber and empathetic. So I think when he got around to asking Gregory how he felt playing someone with it he, too, might have expected a different answer. Sigh. Sometimes it’s better if actors don’t talk, lol.
No, I didn’t see the interview. I just read the highlights and your comments. Actually I’ve gotten kind of tired of Maurices interviews as they most always get around to his own
afflictions and or similarities to the guests.
I feel the same. I don’t watch his podcast that often. But when I have? He spends most of the time talking about himself, pretends that he’s fascinated by what his guest is saying, and says “dayam” every other sentence in reaction to what his guest says. Actually, I did watch part of this interview and it was the first time he didn’t interrupt; he let Gregory actually speak! He seemed to truly be interested in Gregory’s answers, maybe because Gregory’s an experienced actor outside of soaps whom he respects. Dunno. I also don’t like how Maurice sort of mocks GH. Whenever he mentions the show it’s in a condescending way. He has no intention of staying with the show much longer, and now that he’s almost done and is no longer enthusiastic about being there, he feels he can mock it. But then what does that say about us? The viewers? It’s like he’s putting us down for watching it.(He wouldn’t have the lifestyle or his podcast if he wasn’t known from soaps; he should be a bit more appreciative.) I find I’m preferring to not know as much about actors; the more I find out the more I don’t like. Sometimes it’s better just to get lost in the characters they play…
His response on how it is to play a character with ALS also made me shake my head.
Thanks Michael. One would think it would’ve hit everyone the same way, unless they didn’t listen to his reply or truly absorb what he said, I mean, even if you didn’t listen to the actual interview, the article above has him quoted as saying in relation to playing all the nuances of the disease: “It’s a buffet and I love it.” Rather shocked how he can be so clueless…especially when he sounded more concerned about taking a life when they were discussing war (he discussed that in the actual interview). Maybe he’s the kind of person that can’t relate emotionally unless he’s gone through something on a personal level. Dunno..hard to comprehend.
Rebecca you missed the point. He was not talking about ALS, he was talking about acting.
I didn’t miss any point, He was asked how it felt to be playing someone WITH the disease. “Fun, is not exactly the response one would expect. “Where I am going to put in the stumble, or the slur of this word or that word? That’s real technical stuff, but I have to layer that on top of emotional honesty of what’s going on. So, for me, it’s a buffet and I love that” missed the point of Maurice’s question which to me, was what does it FEEL like to have such a heavy story and realize you’re playing someone with a devastating disease that has touched many. Gregory is entitled to “love” his work, but should understand that what to him is play-acting is reality to others, and express himself with a bit more sensitivity and empathy.
Gregory is doing a great job portraying a person with ALS, but this means he is going to have to leave GH since there is no cure. I’m not happy about that. Will they give him a different role so he can stay?
What happened if Gregory got misdiagnosed like Marshall. That doctor is no other than the one that is treating Sasha.
Doubt they’re going to go with a misdiagnosis as they mentioned Gregory got a second opinion at The Mayo Clinic. They wouldn’t disparage a real life institution.
The Dr. that treated Sasha will happily be gone soon, either killed or off to prison.
I thought I read that since he’s going for a second opinion it’s going to turn out to be something else. I’m sorry Rebecca that you are hurt so deeply by his answer. I had a cousin that passed from ALS and rather quickly not 3-4 years. Maybe fun was the wrong word to use. The soaps like to bring real life maladies and mobs into the storylines. I appreciate that they call attention to things that happen in the world. Maybe you could find a way to release your anger toward him by writing to him to let him know how you feel. Sending hugs.
I agree that playing the role of someone suffering, dying from ALS should never be taken lightly! I understand that someone ACTING, has no true idea of what an actual person suffering goes through. An actor or actress can only do their research and TRY to make it as believable as possible. I think he is doing the best he can treading through the complexity of such a HORRIBLE disease. I am speaking from experience, I lost my beloved sister to ALS in April 2011.. It came on out of nowhere, it took several doctors before she was diagnosed and the battle for her was UNBEARABLE!!!! She lost all of her bodily functions, she was TRAPPED inside of her body and NO ONE could help her. It still to this day breaks my heart. I will say THANK YOU for trying you’re best to portray something so devastating.
Hi Amanda; so sorry to hear about your sister. I agree; Gregory Harrison is doing a wonderful job. It’s not his acting I have a problem with. (I always liked him as an actor and was thrilled to hear he was coming aboard GH.) Until this interview I had hope that he’d been misdiagnosed because I, personally, don’t enjoy stories about fatal illness and GH seems obsessed with these fatalistic stories. I also think Gregory, the actor and the character is a great addition to the show.
My point was I didn’t like how Gregory responded in the interview when he was asked about how he felt playing someone with the disease. He said it was “fun” for him to go through the different affects/symptoms (as an actor) and to express how his character felt certain emotions because of those symptoms. His entire reply seemed like he was unaware that people in real life aren’t having “fun” with this disease. They’re stuck with the reality of it. I expected him to show more empathy for those who have gone through this in real life, or have lost someone to it… I thought he’d talk about the huge responsibility he felt in portraying someone who has it, and his hope that he and the writers do the story justice… Saying it was “fun” to go through the motions as an actor just really hit me the wrong way…
I believe that whomever Maurice has on his show, they become a target for whatever they say because of the immense hatred that some fans have for both Maurice and Laura. Let it go. Gregory is a talent. He is a wonderful actor who does a wonderful job. Lets celebrate his sobriety instead of looking for something to bitch about!
I haven’t “seen” you for years and you’re just as antagonistic as then. My point was apparently lost on you. Not shocked.
I don’t hate Maurice or Laura, Tim x3.
Very well said Timmm
If viewers are going to take this hopeless and horrendous ALS storyline journey, especially if they have endured, or are enduring, this personally, I don’t think the writers should make it an “oops” storyline just so the character stays on screen. Is this a storyline about rare misdiagnosis for ALS, or is this a story about the hopeless and devastating journey of ALS?
I have also hoped as others have that this horrible desease has been diagnosed, but have no idea what could mimic this horrible illness that has even fooled the GH doctors and The Mayo Clinic, which will be a pretty bad slam to them if they are proven wrong.
It’s so funny
Gregory played an ALS patient in
Touched by an Angel
He’s a great actor
Did anyone else think it was odd the Brit was suffering from Huntington’s disease when she died and ALS is also a neuromuscular disease?
I don’t think it odd; I think it’s the GH writes obsessed with writing devastating, incurable, diseases one after another. It’s way too depressing. I know some GH viewers are stuck on the word “HOSPITAL” in the title and therefor think GH should be full of people sick and dying. I’m not of that mindset. To me, soaps are about escapism. GH never had so many stories like this. Never. And when they did they were space apart. It’s way too dark; depressing which is why I’ve been loving the levity, the music, the warmer scenes that the temp writers have been writing. I WISH they hadn’t mentioned that Gregory got a second opinion from the Mayo Clinic, a real life, very reputable, hospital. They should have never written this story…but once they realized so many people didn’t want to watch this they should have left themselves a way to backpedal..
Very good story line. And add a cure to the story line that he lives
I don’t know if anyone remembers the multitalented actor Michael Zaslow who played not one but two extremely different characters on The Guiding Light (from which he was fired apparently) who actually had ALS and used it as a character on One Life to Live in a storyline. I too thought the wording was odd but I imagine Mr Harrison is very grateful he is acting rather than living with the disease. It would be a very tall order to do the part justice.
OMG, what a wonderful actor he was. I remember crying for days after his death, although he played such a despicable character. I noticed it very soon, something about the way he moved his mouth and than not too long after he made the announcement. R.I.P Michael, your fans will never forget you.
I love his storyline he portrays ALS so well and it actually makes me very emotional watching it, so he’s doing a excellent job pretending so kudos to Gregory Harrison, I think that’s why I love watching This soap opera because they discuss mental illness and not to mention different issues that affect us everyday on a daily basis! I think the storyline I loved the most well actually there were three storylines I loved the most were Mikes Alzheimer’s and Morgan’s bipolar those were absolutely incredible! I love Maurice he plays such a talented character!
In December my health took a turn for the worse I became very weak fast and could not even eat When I say fast I mean going from eating a full plate of food to three days later not being able to drink a a sip of water I went to VA hospital emergency room for dehydration and figure they schedule me for a feeling tube placement They admitted me and two weeks later I woke up to my standing over me in the hospital room this occurred during my second or third drug holiday from Radicava Again no way to know if what I experienced was a side effect When I was discharged I was completely paralyzed So i started on Ayurvedic treatment from Natural Herbs Centre as time went on movement returned to my legs and to my arms and hands Able to hold my head up and strength has returned I give credit to God and NHC for my recovery Almost forgot to mention I was on 24 hours ventilation Now only use vent at night and during naps Was diagnosed in 2021 with ALS, The website name is naturalherbscentre .com We’re a little scared to tell everyone because some people might not believe us, since there’s no cure for ALS. But when I saw this post, I decided to share our story. This treatment is a breakthrough!
I was diagnosed with (ALS) Lou Gehrig’s Disease 2 years ago. Unfortunately, I’m getting worse each day. I keep my faith in God always.
I think it was an unfortunate choice of words for Mr. Harrison – I doubt he meant any disrespect for those who have been affected by ALS (I had a friend who died of ALS about 10 years ago – left behind a wife and 4 children). GH made a questionable choice in identifying the disease, that everyone knows is fatal. They could make it a public service, highlighting current medical research , new treatments, help for patients and families to cope with ALS, etc. Nothing in that direction that I’ve heard – maybe still to come.
ALS is a cruel disease. My mum is 83 and had great difficulty speaking and swallowing much of anything. Food was getting trapped in her throat and blocking her air way was happening more often. she battled for each breath. The riluzole did very little to help her. The medical team did even less. Her decline was rapid and devastating. The psychological support from the medical centre was non-existent and if it were not for the sensitive care and attention of our primary physician, there she would have died. There has been little if any progress in finding a cure or reliable treatment. Acupuncture eased her anxiety a bit. this year our primary physician started her on Natural Herbs Centre ALS/MND Ayurvedic treatment, 6 months into treatment she improved dramatically. It has been a complete turnaround with her speech, she no longer needs the feeding tube to feed, the treatment is a miracle. She recovered significantly! Visit Naturalherbscentre . com
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
General Hospital
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.
Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.
However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Courtesy/ABC
BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON
Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.
He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.
Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”
General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”
So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
-

News7 days agoVivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
-

News1 day agoJess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
-

General Hospital6 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
-

General Hospital4 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Bluesy Burke Marks 1 Year as Charlotte Cassadine: ‘It’s The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received’
-

News4 days ago‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Drops First Look 40th Anniversary Opening Title Sequence











