News
Nicolas Coster is Remembered by His ‘Santa Barbara’ Co-Stars from A Martinez to Nancy Lee Grahn and More
Since the news on Monday night, that longtime soap opera, TV and film star, Nicolas Coster passed away at 89, several of his co-stars have taken to social media to mourn their former colleague and friend.
Coster is best-known of his portrayal of Lionel Lockridge on NBC’s former daytime drama, Santa Barbara. He played the role from 1984-1993. Most, recently, Nicolas had appeared on the streaming series, The Bay as Major Jack Madison, a role in which he won a Daytime Emmy back in 2017.
Over the last 48 hours, remembrances have poured in from many of his former Santa Barbara co-stars, plus others within the entertainment industry that the great actor shared time with. Here are just a few of the tributes below:
Nancy Lee Grahn (ex- Julia, SB, now Alexis, GH) shared: “So many laughs with this smashing fella. RIP Nicky”

Photo: AP
A Martinez (ex-Cruz, SB) expressed: “The great Nicolas Coster walked on this week, and may the wind be warm at his back. He was a consummate actor, every bit as skilled onstage as he was before a camera. (Here with Mr. Redford, Nicolas inhabits ‘Markham’ in ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN.) The man carried an appetite for service and a gentleman’s manners through the whole of his life –– a life that he himself recounted beautifully in his memoir: Another Whole Afternoon. (It’s a wonderful, revelatory read.) Nico also loved the grape and lived with a deep commitment to having a good time. His graciousness toward his friends endured to the last of his days, even as his energy waned. It was an honor to work in a company with him, and I’ll always hold his friendship and his sterling strengths as a professional close to heart. Unsolicited one day, he gave me this profoundly useful advice: “What you choose to do with a scene doesn’t have to be the probable thing. You can choose any course imaginable –– no matter how unlikely –– as long as it’s possible.” Nico leaves his wife Elena Coster and his daughters Candace and Dinneen. His son Ian crossed over in 2016. For 70 years, Mr. Coster practiced the art of acting with great vigor and distinction. There aren’t many people in the history of the world who can match him in that regard.”
Mary Beth Evans (Kayla, DAYS): “Rest in peace, sweet Nicholas. What a joy it was to work with you. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be your daughter for the past decade. I will always remember your smile, your love of the work, and most importantly, your love of life! You were a one of a kind, sweet man. 💔”
Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian, OLTL et al): “A WONDERFUL MAN I’m grateful to have known his kindness & professionalism-RIP Nick”
Gregori Martin (EP and creator of The Bay): “The world lost another icon today. RIP Mr. @NicolasCoster You will be terribly missed.”

Photo: VIrizzaryIG
Vincent Irizzary (ex-Scott, SB) “I’m so saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, this dear, dynamic man, Nicolas Coster. He was one who was so full of life, so sweet and gracious, and such a wonderful talent as an actor. We worked together in the late ‘80s on SANTA BARBARA and stayed in touch from time to time throughout the many subsequent years. I reached out to him several months ago to check in, hoping to get together, but he was leaving the next day on a trip somewhere. I regret that we didn’t reconnect sometime after. Just goes to show that we allow ourselves to be deceived by time in believing that opportunities to reconnect will always be available with those dear to us. Sadly, it’s a lesson I’m too often having to be reminded of: There are no guarantees in this life. Goodbye, my friend. I will always remember your kind, welcoming smile and your heartfelt laugh. It was truly a blessing knowing you, for which I will always be grateful.”
Jon Lindstrom (ex-Mark, SB, now Kevin, GH) shared: “Nicolas Coster has left us. One of my favorite people I’ve had the honor and pleasure to work, and become friends, with in this showbiz journey. He taught many of us youngsters how to scuba dive and I think of Nick every time I put on a tank. Got to be with him there the night he finally won his Emmy, which made him very proud. R.I.P.”
Share your remembrances of the great Nicolas Coster, and let us know what you thoughts of several of the tributes from his co-stars in the comment section below.
I’m a huge Dallas fan and he played 2 different guest roles in the second and third seasons. He was one of those versatile actors you saw all over tv. RIP!
He was on so many soaps I remember him saying how on Another World Bev McKinsey (Iris) would know her scripts with a photographic memory and could get bitchy with other actors if they didn’t do the same lol! I bet he had a million juicy tidbits to tell. I always remembered him as Tatum O’Neals dad in “Little Darlings”.RIP Mr Coster.
I loved him as Lionel Lockridge on Santa Barbara, my first soap. Such a talent. RIP
He will be fondly remembered as character Robert Delaney from Another World. He had a calming familiarity on every role he pursued. Rest In Peace.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
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