General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Maurice Benard Opens Up on His ‘State of Mind,’ Sonny and ADA Turner, Co-Stars, All My Children, and Birthday Special Preview (Exclusive)

By Michael Fairman

Published

7 months ago

February 27, 2026

Michael

Photo: MBenard

General Hospital’s Maurice Benard previewed his birthday edition of his mental health series, State of Mind in new interview now on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Benard teased a major GH scene to come for Sonny Corinthos and his new romantic love interest ADA Turner (Nazneen Contractor),
The three-time Daytime Emmy winning star says he would be open to reprising his early soap role of Nico Kelly for the All My Children revival movies for Lifetime in the works fom Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.

It’s a big weekend for General Hospital’s Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos). The birthday boy, who turns 63-years-old on Sunday March 1, is celebrating with a very special episode of his mental health You Tube series, State of Mind on the same date.

In it, Benard who is used to interviewing his celebrity and soap star guests, had the situation flipped on him when his TV son, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante, GH) takes over the questioning and Maurice is the guest on his show. Look for Lisa LoCicero (Olivia, GH) to pop in too! “All in the Family,” State of Mind style!

Meanwhile, on General Hospital, Sonny is inching closer to a romance with ADA Justine Turner (Nazneen Contractor), as much as she protests and as much as he may have been playing her in the beginning! All this, while Jason (Steve Burton) and Sonny try to figure out how to stop Sidwell and their newest enemy WSB Director Ross Callum (Andrew Hawkes).

Photo: ABC

As a preview for Sunday, and to get the lowdown on the three-time Daytime Emmy winner’s life and times on-screen and off, Maurice visited You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat on Thursday, February 26 where lots of topic were discussed. Fans also had the opportunity to pose questions to the soap superstar. Here’s what Benard had to say in key takeaways below:

The Oprah Winfrey Show landmark appearance in 2004

Photo: JPI

“I’ve said this before, but I wish I could do it again, only because somebody said to me, ‘Don’t cry on Oprah.’ Showing that vulnerability is what you should do. And so, the whole time on Oprah, I’m trying not to cry. I’m like trying to be cool and stuff. That’s not the way to do it. But I learned my lesson there. That’s why now all I do is cry. If you watch State of Mind. I’m crying and I’m crying. I get vulnerable. I get emotional because I know there are men, even women, but mostly men that can’t. My theory is watch me and I have no problem doing it. It’s not a terrible thing and you should feel good about doing it. That’s what I’ve been doing and I’ll continue to do it. I don’t care.”

State of Mind skit

Photo: SOM

“You have to understand something about this skit. It is ridiculous. Funny as hell. If you are a fan of us (Sonny, Dante and Olivia) you’re not going to expect what we do here. A lot of overacting. … a lot of good acting. Dom is very funny. Lisa’s just a comedian. So, if you can imagine that all in one, it’s a family affair.”

Rory Gibson as a recast Michael Corinthos

Photo: ABC

“I’ve never seen anybody so quickly come in, and do it as well as he’s done. He’s a good kid, and a sweet kid. Rory is talented and he’s just taken the role and just made it his own. I’ve been there a long time, and I’ve seen people come and go, who can’t do that.”

Another Bipolar storyline for Sonny?

“When I go through things, it takes me a while to get right back up again. I can still act, but now I’m feeling like I can kick your ass, and I’m taking no prisoners. I’m back to that mentality. Now, if you said to me, ‘let’s do a bipolar story,’ I could do it, but it would have to be the greatest story writing because we’ve gone down that road so many times. Give me something like the Alzheimer’s story, and like the one I had, I’ll do it tomorrow.”

Sonny and ADA Turner romance

Photo: ABC

“I keep telling Nazneen and her husband Carlo Rota (Sidwell) that they’re so supportive of all the actors, and it’s not fake, and that says a lot about who they are. This story between ADA Turner and Sonny is actually pretty good. So, Carly (Laura Wright) can have boyfriends and I’m supposed to be a monk! Now, I’m everyone’s uncle! I’m like, ‘Let’s go, man.’ I think I’ve proven I can do something. As for Nazneen, I think we are a good fit together, and she can very well. Now it’s a matter of how they navigate it. Actually, we’ve got something coming up, that’s pretty intense. It will probably air in the next week. So stay tuned for that.

Who’s zooming who?

“I felt like in the beginning Sonny is playing her. Then, I decided to get her to fall for me, so I can get what I want. Now, whether she’s falling, I’m confused. I don’t know. Sonny doesn’t need to know. But, it would be great if she started falling for Sonny more and more.”

Repetitive themes on the soaps

“How many stories on General Hospital or any soap opera have not been done 10 times over like people coming from the dead? How many times have they done it? It isn’t about how many times it’s been done. It’s whether there’s chemistry or not, and whether it works. But you can’t say, don’t do it because it’s been done. Of course, it’s been done a thousand times. But that’s the truth.”

Steve Burton’s hiatus

Photo: ABC

“I always feel like, especially now for him, he’s doing what’s best for his life and his wife and his kids. So, more power to him. He’ll be back. It’s not forever. So I’m going to miss Jason. I think Sonny always feels safe with Jason, but now he’s got Ricky boy! Rick Hearst (Ric)! For Sonny with his brother, I’m playing like I love him. He’s proven already that I can trust him. Now if he breaks Sonny’s heart …. that’s not good.”

Respect for the late Anthony Geary

Photo: ABC

“I saw Tony Geary (Luke Spencer) in a one-man play. It was literally the best acting I’ve ever seen, ever, anywhere. We were friends and we respected each other. I respected him a great deal, and we did some great stuff together. What made him great was that he could do play anything. He was such a versatile actor. That’s the quality of a great actor. Now I can play quite a bit, but I’m just going to be a gangster (laughs).

All My Children start as Nico Kelly/Lifetime Movie Reboot

Photo: ABC

“It was good in terms of the actors. I met Michael Knight (ex-Tad, now Martin, GH), Susan Lucci (ex-Erica), and Peter Bergman (ex- Cliff, now Jack, Y&R) there. But they didn’t let me act on that show. I mumbled. They would say, ‘Why do you put your hand on your face and why are you taking so long when you talk?’ I said, ‘because that’s what we do in life.’

As for the All My Children reboot and if they brought Nico Kelly back: “Oh, I’d do it. 15 years ago, I wouldn’t have done, but I’d do it.”

WWE’s AJ LEE (AJ Mendez) Mental Health Story

Photo: SOM

“I’m trying to get her on again.” She said, ‘yeah,’ but we have to touch base again. AJ told the story that blew my mind when she was on State of Mind, where she wanted to commit suicide, and she went to a motel. Before she decided to do what she was going to do, she made one last phone call and it saved her life. And I thought, ‘Wow! That’s amazing.'”

Speaking openly

“When I talk about this, I have no problem doing it because my intention is, I need to talk about it more so people can start talking about it. Because what happens is, when we don’t talk about it, and we have a certain judgment on it, we hold that in, and then it gets worse, And then your thoughts are, ‘I can’t take it. I can’t do it anymore. The pain’s too strong.’ You can’t go through another day with that kind of pain, but the reality is you can. Always have hope that you can get out of it, if I did it, and I’ve done it, anybody could do it.”

You can check out the full conversation with Maurice below..

Drop your birthday wishes via the comment section below for Maurice! Then let us know, are you on-board for a Sonny/ADA Turner romance? Do you like Ric and Sonny becoming closer as brothers? What do you think about the inroads Maurice has made over the last 22 years for raising awareness for mental health? Would you like to see Maurice working with Susan Lucci in the All My Children reboot for Lifetime? Share your thoughts below.

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General Hospital

Van Hansis Marks Two Years as ‘General Hospital’s’ Dr. Lucas Jones

Published

3 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Michael

It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since Van Hansis made his debut as the recast Lucas Jones on General Hospital. It was back on October 4, 2023 that GH fans got their first look at the former As the World Turns (ex-Luke Snyder) favorite in his new soap role.

Hansis became the fifth actor to play the role of the adoptive son of the late Bobbie Spencer and Tony Jones, and the biological son of the late Julian Jerome and Cheryl Stansbury. Prior to Van, C.J. Thomason (2002–2003), Ben Hogestyn (2005–2006) Ryan Carnes (2004–2005, 2014–2020, 2024) and Matt Trudeau (2020–2021) had played the part.

When Van left daytime after As the World Turns sadly went off the air in 2010, it would be 14 years until he stepped back into the updated frenetic pace and grind of acting on a daily soap opera.

Photo: ABC

LUCAS CAME HOME TO PORT CHARLES

Since Lucas has been back in Port Charles, he fell in love with the late Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) who was murdered, moved into a new apartment with his current roommate (soon to be love interest?) Joe Fitzpatrick as played by Jonathan Bennett, has become best buds with the “Britch” Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and has found himself involved in multiple other storylines. However, now that Van is firmly implanted on GH, might Lucas get a leading storyline of his own? Stay tuned.

In the meantime, to acknowledge his two-year anniversary at General Hospital, Hansis shared via his Instagram a photo montage and some heartfelt “thank you’s’ and words. “Two years ago yesterday, Lucas Jones came home to Port Charles looking a little different. Looking exactly like me.” began Hansis.

“When I took on the role, I was told it would be a heavy recurring for a few months and then we’d see where it goes – being based in NYC at the time, I thought it would be a fun little gig that would bring me back to my old stomping grounds of daytime for a bit.”

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING FOR VAN HANSIS

Next, the longtime New York-based actor confirmed he has now moved to Los Angeles as this new chapter of his life has unfolded, and how grateful he is that the show’s writers and producers have continually given more for Lucas to do.

Van explained, “But then they kept writing for me more and I fell in love with Lucas, and everyone around him (in front of and behind the camera). I wanted to stay a while and am so grateful I have. Being a part of GH these last two years has been life changing. Literally. My family and I are Angelenos now, I’ve made incredible new friendships and have been able to revisit old ones.”

The three-time Daytime Emmy-nominated actor concluded with, “Thank you Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH), thank you Mark (Teschner, casting director, GH), for inviting me to the party. You throw a great one. ”

So, happy to know Van is sticking around General Hospital for some time to come? What has been your favorite Lucas Jones moment over the first two years of Van’s run? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Breaking News

Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62

Published

5 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Michael

Robert Kelker-Kelly, who became prominent as a one of the leading men in soap operas back in the late 80s and 90s has died at the age of 62. TMZ first reported the news of Robert’s passing on Saturday, October 3 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri.

According to the St. Peters police report, officers responded to call at around 8:16 pm about an unconscious man who was not breathing, as paramedics and other EMS were en route, Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event.

Officers and paramedics administered life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful in reviving Kelker-Kelly. The cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.

Photo: NBC

Daytime fans first saw Robert back in 1987 when he was cast as Sam Fowler on Another World. He played the role for three year suntil 1990. Two years later, he took over the role of Bo Brady on Days of our Lives replacing Peter Reckell, who at that time decided to leave the show.

As Bo, Kelker-Kelly was major in story playing opposite the likes of: Crystal Chappell as Dr. Carly Manning, Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed. When Peter Reckell returned to his signature role in 1995, Kelker-Kelly left the show.

Next, Robert returned to his original stomping grounds at Another World but this time as race car driver, Bobby Reno who was actually Dr. Shane Roberts. His second AW stint lasted from 1996-1998.

Photo: ABC

Eventually, the actor would begin his run as the evil Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital in 2001, then make returns in 2002 and 2003. In 2013, he briefly returned as Stavros as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and made one last appearance in 2014.

Robert has also became a professional pilot full from 2003 to 2015 and had been married to former Days of our Lives star, Miriam Parrish (ex-Jamie Caldwell) from 1997-2011, but the couple divorced in 2011. Since that time, he has not remarried.

Recently, Robert was back in the news when Lisa Rinna talked about her time working with her former Days of our Lives co-star in her recently released memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.

Rinna shared on her then on-screen love interest, “Behind the scenes, we hated each other. Remember when Kathy Hilton said I was the biggest bully in Hollywood? Not true. Not even close! I have legit stories about the real bullies in this town. Robert Kelker-Kelly is one of those bullies.”

The former Billie Reed and reality star even punctuated that with, “He made my life a living hell on the set of DAYS, He was horrible to me, I’d go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.”

Michael Fairman TV will provide further updates as they become available on the death of Robert Kelker-Kelly.

Now, share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Robert Kelker-Kelly via the comment section below and let us know of all his daytime roles, which was your favorite.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Everyone Turns Their Backs on Sonny; Can Anyone Get Chase to Open His Eyes About Willow’s Treachery?

Published

13 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Michael

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the ABC soap opera picks right back up with everyone turning their backs on Sonny (Maurice Benard), and now the one person he hoped would be by his side appears to be abandoning ship when Justine (Nazneen Contractor) doesn’t believe him about ordering the beatdown of Sidwell (Carlo Rota) in the latest spoilers video.

Sonny screams at Justine, “Someone is setting me up.” She says, “It’s over!” He proclaims, “I didn’t do it!” Little do they know that it was actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) who set Sonny up to take the fall for the Pentonville drama that left Curtis (Donnell Turner) with injuries as well.

Then, Lulu (Alexa Havins) is seen using her voice memo app on her phone to record her discussion with Sidwell while he is recovering from his injuries at the hospital. This moment is intercut with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) saying, “I wish there was someone who could get Chase (Josh Swickard) to open his eyes about who Willow truly is!”

Next, Willow is seen happily waving while at a table at a Metro Court Gardens, while Chase, Michael (Rory Gibson), Brook Lynn and Ava (Maura West) all receive text messages. Tracy (Jane Elliot) punctuates the promo stating, “That’s the real Willow,” while the words “The world knows” comes across the screen.

Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week of October 5-9 below.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
Sonny challenges Justine. Josslyn takes matters into her own hands. Britt and Willow discuss matters of the heart. Jason is taken to task. Serena finds herself in a bind.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
Felicia has welcome news for Anna. Brook Lynn confides in Valentin. Hudson tries to talk Josslyn down. Lulu makes a daring play. Willow and Chase discuss his marriage.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Carly asks Anna for a favor. Tracy bites her tongue with Gio. Drew and Alexis go at it. Scout tries to broker peace between Danny and Rocco. Lulu pursues a lead.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
Carly supports Sonny. Lulu’s latest article makes waves. Ava pitches a new target to Drew. Curtis gets a shock. Chase throws down the gauntlet.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Britt offers a lifeline. Anna offers her expertise. Sonny reassures Gio. Portia makes her loyalties clear. Dante’s investigation hits a roadblock.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo for the action this week entitled, “The World Knows” below.

Now weigh-in: With everyone disbelieving Sonny, what will be his next move? Will he hit rock bottom, or rise up and fight back and prove his innocence? Will Sonny enlist Jason to get to the bottom of this, even though Jason is out of Sonny’s business? Meanwhile, can this truly be the week that Willow is exposed for her multitude of crimes … or is this all a red herring? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.