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
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Drew and Willow Have Their Long-Awaited Showdown; Only She Gains the Upperhand and the End of Their Marriage

Finally, Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) can walk and talk and chew gum all at the same time as he shows up at the front door of his house, much to the dismay of his wife, Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen).
Drew just survived a murder attempt by Willow’s mother, Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros), only an unknowing Gio (Giovanni Mazza) jumped into the lake to bring Drew to safety, after Nina tried to rid the world of him by pushing the former congressman in his wheelchair into the water to hopefully drown, but it all backfired.
Now at the Cain residence, Drew taunts Willow, that he could not wait to see his “loving wife!” Willow, who shot Drew and got off on an attempted murder charge, who then turned to a paralytic drug and Sidwell (Carlo Rota) to keep Drew out of her life, was quickly shushed when she started to explain herself while in fear for her own life.

Courtesy/ABC
AN ENRAGED DREW THREATENS WILLOW WITH INTENTIONS TO MAKE HER LIFE A LIVING HELL
Drew stated, “I have listened to you for so long, and all I could do was just sit there and blink like a desperate idiot. Now it’s my turn. Go ahead, blink all you want while you still can.” Next, Drew actually tells Willow he can almost understand her reasoning for shooting him after she snapped, but he helped the jury get her off of the charges and she still drugged him and kept him a “prisoner in his own body” for months.
However, Willow’s fears of being killed on the spot get a reprieve when an angered Drew tells her, ”I’m Not Going to Kill You, But You’re Going to Wish I Did.” With rage and a smug smile, Drew informs Willow that he will tell her kids, Wiley and Amelia, what a psychopath she truly is, and then flaunts how Michael (Rory Gibson) will get full custody of her their children because she will be serving a life prison sentence.
Suddenly, Nina and Jack (Chris McKenna) burst in the front door as Jack holds a gun on Drew. Nina wants Jack to shoot Drew. Jack then reveals he doesn’t have to because he has the evidence right in his pocket on how Drew misappropriated federal funds designated for the McConkey Esplanade to instead fund his congressional campaign.

Courtesy/ABC
SAVED BY THE EVIDENCE
Telling Drew the first deed is a federal crime, Jack had more goodies on Drew. He informs Drew that there is evidence that he blackmailed the receptionist at the burn clinic in Germany to prevent Willow from speaking with Michael about custody of their children. Jack also claimed to have evidence that Drew bribed Judge Heran, who eventually wound up dead in the pier.
An angered and enraged Drew threatened to bring all three of them down, but Jack reminded Drew that his crimes held a minimum sentence of 20 years each.
Willow then played her own game with Drew warning if he went to prison for decades, he would lose his daughter Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) forever who will then be raised with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn), and Nina sniped that Tracy (Jane Elliot) and Michael would have a field day over Drew being locked up for most of his life.
FREEDOM
Next, Willow tells Drew nothing needs to change, and all he needs to do is agree to a divorce. Nina piled on that he cannot run for congress again or take back Willow’s seat, while Jack toyed with him that he could release the evidence that he has against him at any point in time.
Willow follows Jack and Nina out the front door, but before she exits removes her wedding rings and drops them on the floor, saying “freedom.” However, now alone in his house, Drew snipes, “Enjoy it while it lasts, you treacherous bitch!” We fade to black.
So, what did you think of the upshot of the highly-anticipated scenes where Drew and Willow would have it out? Were you pissed off that Drew didn’t try to murder Willow, or do something to her and Nina for what they did to him?
Glad that Willow and Drew ended their marriage and it seems like everyone is going to keep silent about everything? Does that feel like payback? Or, will Drew as he threatened, plan something heinous to pay back Willow, Nina and Jack? Share your thoughts via the comment section, but first take another look at some of the confrontation scenes from today’s GH below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s Kayden Brenna Tokarski Featured in Cast of Biopic ‘Bruton’

Kayden Brenna Tokarski, who thus far has been impressive as the aged-up Scout Cain on General Hospital, has also been busy over the last few year working in Indie films and more.
Now comes word that Kayden is part of the ensemble cast of the new biopic Bruton based on the life of Bryan Bruton, who was sentenced to a decade in a Florida prison for an unintended crime and briefly escaped. The film is set to bow in August at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.
According to the loglines per Deadline, Bruton follows a “charismatic hustler whose life is upended after one devastating mistake lands him in a Florida prison. Behind bars, he transforms incarceration into an economy all its own, building businesses, navigating impossible circumstances, and discovering the cost of a life spent chasing the next score. Blending humor, heart, and high-stakes drama, the film offers a fresh take on one of America’s most unforgiving systems.”
WHO IS IN THE CAST OF ‘BRUTON’ ALONGSIDE KAYDEN BRENNA TOKARSKI?
Tokarski is part of the cast which also features: Theo Rossi in the lead role plus Aya Cash, Tammy Blanchard (ex-Guiding Light), Tony Hale, Ronnie Gene Blevins, and Aaron Quick Nelson.
Taking to X when seeing the news on her upcoming film performance made public, Kayden expressed, “Couldn’t be more grateful to be part of this movie and for the world to see it!”
Bruton is produced by Demetrius Stear of A Mind’s Eye and Ryan J Francis of EverBright Pictures, with Colin Bates, Kris Dorrance, Vincent Grashaw, and Nicholas Carmona rounding out the production team.
Tokarski made her GH debut just over a week ago on the July 20th episode as the daughter of Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) and the late Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco).
So, intrigued to see more of Kayden’s work in different roles too, now that you have seen her for a bit as General Hospital’s Scout Cain? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Drew Emerges from Nina’s Murder Attempt Ready to Confront Willow

At the conclusion of the Monday, July 27 episode of General Hospital, Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) showed up at the front door of his house much to the shock and dismay of his wife, Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen).
The major turn of events, where for the first time in months, Drew is no longer in a locked-in state thanks to the paralytic drug that Willow and her mother Nina (Cynthia Watros) have been serving him, could mean the end for Willow, but will it?
Viewers learned that as Nina was in freak-mode with Jack (Chris McKenna) after pushing Drew in his wheelchair into the lake surrounding the Quartermaine boathouse, that Gio (Giovanni Mazza) found him in the water and saved him. Nina is mortified.

Photo: ABC
Meanwhile, Willow has just returned from the PCPD where she was brought in for questioning by Chase (Josh Swickard), about her dealings with Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota), just as she was trying to sneak out of town with Amelia and Wiley in tow.
As Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Molly (Kristen Vaganos) question Willow on her involvement with Sidwell, Willow gets mighty defensive and offended, while putting on her game face. After she walks out on the interrogation, she heads back to her home, so she can gather her belongings and flee the country.
Little does Willow know, Jack made a deal with Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), and recovered the missing black box which contains the dossier on Drew so he, Nina and Willow, all have leverage to hold over Drew.

Photo: ABC
Back at the Cain residence, Willow is gathering things off the living room floor when she sees muddy footprints. Suddenly, the front door opens and shuts. Willow turns around and see a soaking wet Drew with rage all over his face! We fade to black.
Today in the official GH preview of the Tuesday, July 28 episode (see below), Drew says to Willow, “I am so excited about what comes next.” Plus, look for Jason (Steve Burton) and Carly (Laura Wright) to finally see each other after Jason’s captivity by the WSB for months.
So, what else will Drew say to Willow? Do you think he has been affected by the long term use of the paralytic drug? Does he have amnesia? Does he know full-well everything Willow and Nina did to him, and will tell Willow how he is going to destroy her life? What do you hope goes down? Let us know you thoughts via the comment section below.
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