Breaking News
Jonathan Jackson Returning to General Hospital as Lucky Spencer
The big return that General Hospital’s executive producer Frank Valentini teased after the show won Outstanding Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards has turned about to be, as promised, a true fan favorite and beloved actor for longtime fans of the ABC daytime drama series.
Five-time Daytime Emmy winner, Jonathan Jackson is on his way back to the ABC soap in his signature role as Lucky Spencer, the son of the iconic supercouple, Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis).
According to Deadline, Jackson’s on-screen return will happen later this summer and is expected to be for a “long run.” This announcement comes on the heels of yesterday’s GH casting news when they revealed that two-time Daytime Emmy winner Bryan Craig was coming back for a one-day appearance in the role of Morgan Corinthos.
Photo: JPI
As for Jackson, he began his GH career at 11-years-old back in 1993, winning viewers hearts and captivating the audience with his brilliant performances. In fact, his on-screen dad, eight-time Daytime Emmy winner, Tony Geary, has many times said that Jonathan is his all-time favorite scene partner.
Jonathan stayed with GH until 1999. The role was then recast with Jacob Young and later with Greg Vaughan. Eventually, Jackson returned to the role of Lucky for another run in 2009 to 2011.
After his GH departure, Jackson went on to star in ABC’s country music soap opera, Nashville in the role of Avery Barclay for six seasons playing opposite another soap alum, Hayden Panettiere (ex-Lizzie, GL). Jonathan returned once again to GH for a limited run back in 2015. Jackson has won five Daytime Emmys for his work as Lucky in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2011 and again in 2012.
Photo: JPI
When Valentini told ABC7 ‘s On the Red Carpet at the Daytime Emmys, “A former cast member is coming back, and I think that the audience will go crazy for him,” speculation was rampant of just which male actor was coming back to the show. Many fans hoped and many predicted Jackson, and now they will get their wish. Could Lucky finally reunite with Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) when he returns to Port Charles? Stay tuned.
Recently, Jonathan has appeared in the film Unsung Hero about the family back-story of the hit Contemporary Christian/Pop duo For King and Country, plus has appeared in numerous other TV, film and music projects.
Photo: JPI
Jackson continues to perform as a musician around the world with his band Jonathan Jackson + Enation, plus several tours with cast members from Nashville, and is also an accomplished writer penning the theological prose, The Mystery of Art.
So, are you excited for Jonathan Jackson’s long-awaited return as Lucky Spencer? Comment below.
Thank you my prayers have been answered
Mine two – he was my 2nd guess. Have been waiting for this for years.
This is the best news ever and the best return possible. Yeah, he could reunite with Elizabeth. But if you remember last time he had chemistry with Maxie so this could put a wrench in her relationship with Spinelli. I think they really had good chemistry together.
Yeah, this is perfect all around for story lines. Lucky will easily fit right back into the scenery.
im so happy i have been waiting for years please let him be reunited with elizabeth his first love and his son they were alway my favorite couple.
Now, that is a shocking surprise!! Lucky &, Elizabeth!
Yay! Yay! Yay!!!! Yesterday when news broke that Brian Craig was returning, I was disappointed because I was hoping it would be Johnathan Jackson. I am beyond excited to see JJ is returning. This is the best news in years!!! While part of me was rooting for a Liason reunion, I would 100% be excited to see Lucky and Elizabeth back together.
Yesterday news that Morgan was returning was anti climatic only because it was gonna be for one episode especially the way Valentini hyped it up it didn’t make sense but Lucky returning for a longer run makes more sense for the hype, now I’m a little more impressed, now imagine if Frisco whose been mentioned pops up for a visit then too, that would make GH must see tv for the summer. As for Jonathan Jackson long term return , I hope the show do right to Rebecca and lets her have high drama with Finn, Jason and now Lucky, if freaking Carly can have all these men drooling over her then so can Liz.
Great news! Frank delivered on his hype, Jonathan returning is something the fans will indeed go crazy for.
Lucky has been conspicuously absent for some major happenings in the Spencer family in recent years, the supposed death of his father Luke, and the death of his aunt Bobbie, not to mention being an absentee father to his son Aiden, so it will be wonderful to have him back in town for many reasons.
Would love for him to come back and reveal that Luke is really alive, that the whole thing was a fake death ruse on the Cassadines, just to tie up that story that most fans have never accepted, that Luke died off screen in a nothing story. But I have a feeling they won’t go there, unless Tony Geary is returning, which is very highly unlikely, since he seems pretty happy being retired and living in Amsterdam.
Now that’s more like it GH! An actor we can sink our teeth into who didn’t tease us for days on the internet. Yes most of us can possibly “Go Wild” for this return. And Laura finally gets one of her kids back! Too bad Lucky wasn’t a Doctor – General Hospital needs more of those.They may need to rename the show to PCPD. There are more cops than Docs.
I have been wanting a Lucky comeback for years – and I would have taken it in a re-cast but this is so much better.
So happy Valentine’s teaser didn’t stop with Morgan – that would have been a total letdown.
hey lucky been off screen for 9 years so who knows maybe he became a Doctor.
It’s about eternally damned time! Welcome back Lucky! Time for a full on revival of the Spencer family. Next step: Bring Lulu back from VeggieLand.
And yeah, they need to resolve the ridiculous Luke fake death storyline too, though I’m not expecting Tony Geary to make a long term comeback. Would be cool if he came back for a few weeks.
Jonathan Jackson welcome, back to General Hospital. He is a wonderful actor. Jonathan is on contract. Now please bring back Lulu.
Can’t wait for JJ return. Been hoping for this to happen.
Great news! Just wonder what GH had to give Jonathan in order to persuade him to return as Lucky. I hope the writers don’t blow it.
Maybe a flexible schedule to do other things like Cameron Mathinson has
I maybe saw 2 days of J.J on GH before he left , but I do remember that I liked him on Nashville, it was a good show.
I can see I’m in the minority here but I’ve always found Lucky a bore. However, I’m usually happy whenever a legacy character returns. Let’s hope the writers treat him better than Y&R treated Tucker McCall.
I totally agree! They wasted Trevor St. John.
Trevor St John and Michael Easton are besties, so I’m guessing they have other logs in the fire once they both potentially depart. Both have incredible talent but were not properly written for on YR/GH.
I know what you mean. He’s a great actor whose character (in my opinion) was written poorly in the past. Also, and I’m nit-picking here, it annoyed me how the make up department often had him with bloodshot eyes. Toward the end of his run, his scenes were often so dark and draining. It just seemed like overkill much of the time and I can understand why he left. None of this was his fault. I’m just saying I hope it’s better for him this time around.
Balls of fire…NOW we’re in for some great story!!
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: JPI
On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.
Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).
Photo: JPI
Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.
At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.
Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.
Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.
All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.
Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.
Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.
Courtesy/ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’
After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…” Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.
Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine, The Knot.
So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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