General Hospital
Robin Riker Joins The Cast Of GH As Rebecca Budig's On-Screen Mom!
Photo: RobinRiker.com
Robin Riker, who played Beth Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful, will be returning to the world of daytime drama in her new role on ABC’s General Hospital!
According to Soap Opera Digest, Riker has been hired to play the on-screen mother of Rebecca Budig’s Hayden AKA Rachel.
In her new role as the talked about Naomi Dreyfus, look for the disgraced mom to cause trouble for Budig’s on-screen alter ego and more.
Riker has appeared in numerous films, and primetime series as well as the stage. Look for her first appearance on GH come June 3rd.
What do you think about the casting of Riker as Budig’s on-screen mom? How will Naomi figure into the storyline equation? Share your thoughts below!
Not excited about any more new characters being brought to the canvas. I would like to see GH write more stories and provide more airtime for the cast they already have.
I echo your sentiments, Marie.
i’m disgusted with this cat and mouse game… the blame game… the blackmail… the lust isn’t even interesting any more…
I mean really.. what’s the point… now that Nicholas doesn’t really have a story outside of this love hate relationship… since ELQ is not his to fight for.
I do wonder… about those diamonds… is Rebecca really hiding… all the moneys her family “stole” and Nicholas gets in deeper …. this isn’t right
Nicholas stole the show last year… these writers have totally lost his character.
unless Rebecca does have … sigh… MORE secrets and till GH gives Laura STORY with power
argh! how frustrating
it’s all about the Sonny and Carly and Jason and Sam show… how uneventful
I miss all the other characters
I forgot… Nicholas may have planted those diamonds so he can have equal footing on the blackmail
still dull
Rachel … who is a character without “connection” till now… was so close to making it on her own… because… like Liz and Jake… showed lots of promise… and love and romance was in the air
now it stinks
I agree with all of you. This issilly
And someone PLEASE tell me what was that get-up Nickolas was dressed in today (Fri.)? Egads!
I totally agree! The cast is so bloated that you can barely follow s/l as it is.
Me too!
Agree! It’s like they are stuck in the same story lines so they add more characters.
With all due respect, Hayden is not so new anymore and if you want to tell her story, its essential to cast her family. Whether you like Hayden or not she is signed and fully committed so you might as well write her and make he more than ONE dimensional.
Exactly–looks like GH going the route of the newly-cancelled Nashville–a sprawling list of characters that no one care anything about. 🙁
Donald Trump…will you please build a wall around PC-too many newbies getting in!!!
Lol and of all the actresses those two hacks could write for why her…
have to gavel @Harry
you are a welcomed clever post… humor is so needed
I just can’t imagine that the behind the scenes production… have to know… right… that fan outcry do not want… GH to be the
Sonny and Carly w/ Jason and Sam show
who’s gonna pay for it? lol
The Quartimaines, Corinthos and Jeromes…most of the people in PC…they all seem to be doing well!!!-lol
TPTB have lost their collective minds. GH’s cast is already bloated with storylines coming & going and characters missing for days & weeks.
We don’t need anymore cast and we certainly don’t need family brought in for a failed newbie character like Hayden.
Hayden’s on her third backstory & we still don’t care.GH needs to cut so many newbie characters & concentrate on characters we know, love and are invested in.
Lucas & Brad are getting married & their entire relationship has happened off camera. How do they expect us to invest when TPTB don’t invest themselves?
Why hire Nurse Amy when viewers would rather see nurses we’re already invested in? Give Elizabeth, Epiphany,Felix the airtime not newbie Amy.
Laura’s promised story is always backburnered. Genie Friggin’ Francis! Instead Hayden gets a family, another backstory and airtime.
TPTB are trying to drive viewers away.
Amen to no new nurses!! Ephiphany and Felix YAY!
Epiphany was so funny during Sonny rehab
get this… I actually liked Sonny…. “he can” show human emotion… not that he was full of words… but it lent Maurice Benard , himself… a chance to act
this end all or be all… for his kids… is tiresome… plus the cutesy cutesy way … Carly and Sonny are threshholding themselves… drinking champagne and heralding themselves king and queen of port Charles
I think not
I have to agree. Soaps want more viewers yet it is difficult to invest with so many characters and stop-start storylines. I like following closely, seeing favorites day to day, not here and there.
These two Actors Tyler and Rebecca deserve better writing then this.I agree for the most half.
You said it! And well!
She’ll be a good addition to the cast. My reservation is that they are expanding the family of a poorly written and ill-defined character, Rachel / Hayden / whoever / whatever. Maybe this will ground the character and not just muddy the already murky waters.
I totally agree with all the above posters. There is not enough depth to the current s/l’s and way too many in the current cast. The revolving door approach is definitely not working for me — what a disappointment to see yet another newbie.
Totally agree….cast WAY TOO LARGE! Characters disappear for too long, stories, lag, or occur off screen or are dropped all together. TPTB seem to have favorites and could care less about fans. Current characters & couples who are proven popular are cast aside, or decimated in order to prop the favorites. History and story lines being rewritten to fit someone’s selfish agenda. Bye GH, I’m out!
Unless her mother has some secret past with someone already on canvas whose character is deeply connected to the history of the show, why bother. Creating characters just to create story line instead of creating story lines for character already there has always been problematic for any soap. Viewers aren’t interested in new characters unless they are anchored to main characters– If JK Rowling created new main characters for every Harry Potter book no one would have read the series, they kept reading the books because there were following a certain set of characters. Sure new characters might have been introduced in each new book, but the books were never about the new characters. Soap writers need to heed that lesson. If you can’t figure out stories for characters you got, maybe you need to find yourself a new career other than soap writer.
Mary SF…Good points!
Mary, love the Harry Potter comparison!
I agree with everyone. I’m sure she’s a nice lady but GH doesn’t need any more new people. It’s already ridiculous. I could care less about Hayden so I sure don’t care about her parents.
Or Ponzi schemes.
This Nancy agrees. I could care less about Hayden or Rachel or whoever–her character started out one way (pretending to be Jason’s husband) then, when they signed her for a 2 or 3 or 4 (!) year contract, they changed the story; now they’ve changed it again. Don’t care! And the idea that she and Nikolas are going to make each other’s life “hell,” to use Nikolas’s words–who wants to see THAT? What a dismal concept–and how can that be entertaining in any way?
These are the same writers who gave AMC’s Greenlee an entire family while making the stories on AMC orbit around her sun. While Rebecca Budig is a perfectly decent actress, I have never understood the fascination with her. She’s just okay and borderline boring.
It’s hard to get excited about an entire family moving into Port Charles when characters we really care about are largely ignored. Two weeks ago we got to see Laura have lunch with Kevin and she has not been seen since.
The cast is over saturated as it is. Moreover, from reading the story summary above, it looks like Hayden’s family dynamics will replicate Greenlee’s family dynamics. I am sure Hayden’s Bernie Maddoff-like father will be trotting in soon and probably a brother or sister or two.
Slow down with the rapid introduction of new characters, GH.
Rebecca Buddig’s Greenlee never worked for me as a heroine. The only time I enjoyed the character was when she tormented Bianca after she saw her at The Blue Note and threatened to expose her as a lesbian.
Ron Carlivati’s vision for Hayden as the fun bad girl has been undone by Jean and Shelly’s desire to make the character a sympathetic victim. Big mistake. GH — like every other soap these days — is hellbent on declawing their strong female characters and making them dreary milquetoasts who are defined by their men.
Alan…it’s also hard in real life to find strong females that someone isn’t trying to “declaw.”
Alan, good point, why would two female writers remove Hayden’s claws?
BUT you may get less Sonny!
Yes, Harry!
And, like you, I wonder where is Laura’s story? Poor Genie! She can act circles around all of the new-cast members.
It’s surprising to me when I read the comments that are on here before mine and I agree with 99, if not 100% of them. So what’s left to say, but DITTO.
Most likely she Sonny’s sister;Hayden/Rachel’s uncle….WHO CARES….
Welcome! Looking forward to the story unfold
And yet…and yet…After almost twenty years on canvas, we STILL do not even know the name of Liz’s mother. If ever a character needed family, it is Elizabeth Webber, not this dud Rachel whatever.
But nothing is more important than building up a pet character who, to date, is a major fail!
a 4 year contract…. WOW
Frank Valentini… is far more caustic than Ron Carlivati
that’s becoming so obvious now… the behind the scenes drama that rallied with Valentini and dissed RC
Here, here, Tristan! The Hardy/Webber family has been underrepresented for so long now, it’s not even laughable anymore. Instead, we just see more and more epic fail characters and their families invading Port Charles. Get a clue, GH people…we don’t want Nina, Hayden, Sabs, nor most of their recent fellow newbies who cannot hold a candle to the seasoned vets of Port Charles. Only when there is a truly compelling reason to introduce a character to the canvas should it happen….case in point: Griffin Munro. He has a perfectly logical rhyme and reason for being there, and perhaps the same shall be said for Finn in the near future…..I certainly hope so. But beyond these two fine actors, I cannot see the rationale for any of the others who have been added to the already enormous cast.
Tristan, I actually like Hayden BUT you make a great point, why doesnt any of Liz’s family resurface? We actually know these people and care about them.
So Elizabeth Has been on the show how many years? We know nothing about her Mom. I could give a flying you know what about the character of Hayden! Just keep digging your grave!
Thanks heavens!
If there’s one thing this show was missing it was the heavily anticipated character of Naomi Dreyfuss, mother of Rachel Berlin and wife of Raymond Berlin, master of the off-camera Ponzi scheme. The only way this could get any better is if Naomi is French-Canadian and has a niece named Claudette with a hankerin’ for a green card.
*sigh*
At least no one here is being stupid and getting angry at the actress…just the charater she will play…
As much as I dislike “GH” right now, I do like this news. Hayden is one of the few rays of light on the show, so having her mom around will mean more airtime. I’m cool with that.
I am VERY happy. I love it when networks hire ex-soap stars. She looks like Hayden and can act. This is great. I wanted Hayden’s family to come on board! Next up, Don Johnson as Raymond Berlin!
If they do cast her father, i would like it to be David Selby!!!
Sad to say, I’ve never really bought into the character. I guess I still see her are Greenlee from AMC. If her Mother is there to escort her off the show..then maybe that’s a good thing.
I’m still waiting for ABC to win the Prospect Park battle and get the characters from OLTL and AMC back. I think once that happens…ABC daytime viewers will be in for something special. Here’s to my dreaming. lol. Thanks for the opportunity to post… btw, Rebecca Budding is great…just not as this character.
RB was hired just like any other actress on GH and she does what any actress of her caliber does she takes the material she’s given and brings a character to life. She doesn’t complain or question why the writers do what they do she just does her job and her part as a member of an acting ensemble…..GH should NOT and CANNOT be all about just a few characters and if it were all of them would burn out FROM EXHAUSTION!! Soo, For Gosh Sakes people stop whining about Hayden or any other characters and enjoy watching GH or we might not have it on our screens much longer……I enjoy the balance of seeing most of he cast regularly but unfortunately the last two to three weeks have been GH’s version of The Godfather and all things Mob. I’ve been seeing the rumor mill suggesting Liz and Hayden might be siblings……Hmmmm, the actress who is to play Hayden’s Mom favors both Hayden and Liz so maybe the rumor is true and we’ll get some kind of story to explain the sister-thing…..I actually like the idea and would love to see more of Hayden and Curtis!!!
You MUST be kidding! As Harry says above, these are the same writers who wrote for her on AMC–and, when they came to GH, they gave her the contract–plus the sun and the moon!–WE DON’T CARE. “Takes the material she’s given and brings a character to life.” Question: Just how many “characters” can she be? I DON”T CARE.
Liz’s parents are Doctors without Borders. Not investment Fraud’s without lawyers.
I love everything GH is doing lately. I like the story between Hayden and Nick. It reminds me of the “Taming of the Shrew” play with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. I like the variety of stories on and do not need them to give vets anymore time than newcomers. I have been watching since April1, 1963. My memory and attention span are better than the newer viewers who whine if a story is not shown for a week. I will not tell you my age but if I was watching in 1963, I am not 20something.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, new and old motivations come into play with dangerous consequences. According to the just released GH video spoilers video for the week of August 3-7, a bailiff calls out, “All rise!”
Now it’s Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) vs. Curtis (Donnell Turner), as the surgeon is suing the owner of the Savoy for assault that ruined is ability to operate. At the end of the day, which of these men has enough evidence against the other? Portia (Brook Kerr) is by Isaiah’s side, while Jordan (Tanisha Harper) is with Curtis.
Next, Lucy (Lynn Herring) has a plan to get the controlling shares of Deception away from Michael (Rory Gibson). She wants her daughter, Serena (Kelly Kruger) to seduce Michael. She tells her, “Pick out your most seductive suit.” Soon, we see Serena in her bathing suit at the Metro Court face to face with Michael.
Later, there is a small baggie containing three blue pills. Nina (Cynthia Watros) ask Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), “What did you do?” We also see Michael asking the same thing of Jacinda (Paige Herschell). Leading into this week, viewers know that Willow doesn’t want the former escort anywhere near her children, Amelia and Wiley. Is this how she stops her, or is Jacinda up to old tricks and wants to frame Willow? Remember when Jacindsa drugged Drew (Cameron Mathison)? Stay tuned.
Finally, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, an emotional Jason (Steve Burton) continues to tell Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he cannot work for him anymore. Sonny ask, “So that’s it? You’re Out?” We fade to black.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Jason makes a sacrifice for Danny. Elizabeth becomes privy to a secret. Carly is touched. Valentin has a warning for Nina. Josslyn cautions Brennan.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Brook Lynn and Chase celebrate a milestone. Trina gets an earful. Carly’s plan backfires. Curtis is skeptical. Michael is anxious about his family’s’ future.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Sonny wants answers. Ava is struck with inspiration. Curtis’ trial begins. Brook Lynn wrestles with a big decision. Lucy and Serena scheme.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Sonny makes a stunning announcement. Serena makes her move. Willow faces a new threat. Isaiah takes the stand. Lucy questions Laura.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Josslyn is taken aback. Ava courts a new ally. Jordan and Anna catch up. Isaiah vents to Lucas and Elizabeth. Michael questions Jacinda.
Check out the latest ABC promo for General Hospital entitled, “What Did You Do?” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think GH is about to pair Serena with Michael? Is it curtains for Jacinda? Can anyone stop Willow once and for all, or make her pay for her crimes? What will Jason do without Sonny and the mob? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.
PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
-
General Hospital5 days agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
-
General Hospital3 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
-
News5 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
-
News6 days agoY&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!
-
News5 days agoErika Slezak to Celebrate 80th Birthday; How Fans Can Share a Special Memory and Message to the Soap Opera Icon
