The on-screen father/son combo of General Hospital’s Dante and Rocco Falconeri as portrayed by Dominic Zamprogna and Finn Carr were part of high emotional stakes scenes on episodes airing May 11-15.

First, Finn Carr’s Rocco is so guilt-ridden and burdened with the secret that he shot WSB director, Ross Cullum that it’s eating him alive. So much so, that he gets into a heated argument with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) and Danny (Asher Antonyzyn). Rocco feels so badly that Danny’s father was taken from him for parts unknown by the WSB, all because Jason refused to implicate Rocco as the shooter.

In a heartbreaking scene, Rocco shows up at Britt’s door and lets her know he can’t take it anymore and that the secret he is keeping is tearing him apart. The fear is palpable in Rocco’s eyes. Britt calls Rocco a hero for saving her life and Jason’s and he has to remember that. Britt hugs him and promises that he can come talk to her anytime. In that moment, Rocco felt seen and felt safe.

Courtesy/ABC

ROCCO ON THE EDGE

All of the beats mentioned above were played with depth and acting maturity by Finn Carr; that it is so very clear why the writers and the producers are so comfortable giving him the ball in this umbrella story. He steps up to the plate every time and hits it out of the park.

Rocco also overheard his parents fighting over him after Dante figured out that Rocco was responsible for the shooting, and confronted Lulu (Alexa Havins) for withholding the truth from him. As their argument escalated and their relationship was further threatened by the lies, Rocco listened to the whole thing from the outside porch. 

Eventually Dante, who had learned the truth by having Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) help him piece together what happened the night Cullum was shot, has a heart to heart with his son. He asks Rocco to tell him in his own words the events that transpired, and promises Rocco, that even though he is the police commissioner, he is going to help him. Rocco goes step by step over how Cullum was about to strike Jason with a weighted-baton and how the gun was loose on the ground and he shot him. Dante says his actions saved Jason and Britt’s life, and that he is going to help his son from here on out. He just wished everyone had come to him sooner, because as the father it’s his job to protect his son, not the other way around.

DANTE COMES TO TERMS

Still later in the week, Dante is visited by Elizabeth, and they discuss how they are going to cover-up any evidence that Rocco was at the hospital the night of the shooting with a hand injury, and that Dante is going to make sure the evidence against Rocco disappears. Something that is a huge disconnect for anyone that knows what a fine and upstanding cop Dante has been through the years, but he is determined to help his son stay safe and to keep him close.

However, Cullum is on the hunt for said evidence, and thinks Danny may have shot him in the back (or does he … and he knows Rocco shot him?). He visits Dante’s office and wants the evidence in the shooting. Meanwhile, bets are we are a few story beats away from Danny learning Rocco shot Cullum.

Throughout all the material given to Finn Carr and Dominic Zamprogna they rose to the occasion. Finn, getting the opportunity to play the often uptight Rocco on the edge, and Dominic, showing us how he can make us feel what Dante is feeling just by watching the emotion and hurt in his eyes. Therefore, Michael Fairman TV names Finn Carr and Dominic Zamprogna our picks for the Power Performances of the Week.

Now below, let us know if you agree with our picks of Finn and Dominic as the standout performances of the week, and if so, what moment really tugged on your heartstrings featuring Rocco and/or Dante via the comment section.

Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) took some moments to share stories and remembrances of two of the all-time greats of General Hospital, who also happen to have played his television parents, the late Stuart Damon (ex-Alan Quartermaine) and Leslie Charleson (ex-Monica Quartermaine).

The moment came during the release of Sunday’s all-new episode of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve and Bradford Anderson. The episode featured questions from fans of the actors; one of which was for Steve that asked, “What it was like working with Stuart and Leslie as your parents?”

The two-time Daytime Emmy winner, who is currently in the last part of his extended hiatus from the ABC soap, always talks fondly of Stuart and Leslie and often gets choked up doing so. Stuart Damon passed away back in June of 2021, while Leslie Charleson passed away more recently in January of 2025. Burton debut as a young teenaged Jason Quartermaine back in 1991, and as he tells it, without the influence and help of Stuart Damon, his GH career may not be where it is today.

Photo: JPI

STUART DAMON’S WORK ETHIC

“Stuart was super consistent in how he worked. Super structured. I learned a lot from Stuart about his work ethic, his discipline, showing up, treating people kindly, being grateful,” recalled Burton. “If that’s what you can learn from somebody … that’s amazing. It was just something special about being in the Quartermaines. We had something. It was a special family put together.”

As viewers know, just by watching the death of Monica Quartermaine episodes earlier this year, just how close in real-life Steve was to the late Leslie Charleson. “Leslie was a firecracker. You didn’t know what was going to happen or when it was going to happen,” shared Burton. “I always tell the story about how I would come in chewing gum. I was this little cocky teenager and she’d be like, ‘spit it out now!’  Leslie was such a nurturing person. She loved to help, and had amazing sense of humor. I couldn’t have had two better onscreen parents ever.”

GH did a complete about face with the character of Jason Quartermaine after his motorcycle crash on New Year’s Eve in 1995, and he became Jason Morgan, who is now one of the all-time most beloved characters in the history of the show. But as Burton explains it, it may not have happened if it wasn’t for Stuart Damon.

YOU GOT TO GIVE THIS KID A SHOT

“Stuart was the biggest cheerleader of mine. Not often does this happen where somebody would go up to the fifth floor to whoever’s the executive producer and he says, ‘You gotta give this kid a shot. Give him more, see what he can do.’ That was really nice of him,” acknowledged Steve. “So, if it wasn’t for Stewart … I always speak very highly of him because he was amazing, In real-life, Stuart was just a beautiful soul would give anything to anybody. I always give him credit and Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), because without the two of them there, I wouldn’t be where I am for sure.”

You can check out the entire episode of the latest edition of Steve and Bradford’s podcast below.

Now, let us know, do you think that Stuart Damon and Leslie Charleson as Alan and Monica were two of the greatest TV parents in the history of soap operas? What did you think of Steve’s remembrances? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.

Trish Mann-Grant has wowed audiences with her portrayal of Leslie Thomas since hitting our screens last year on Beyond the Gates. The talented actress has made everyone in the soap opera genre take notice of her performances as Leslie is a true instigator who carries secrets and will ruffle the feathers of most anyone in and around Fairmont Crest, if given half the chance.

In real-life, Trisha has publicly spoken about the time period of her life when she found herself homeless. In fact, during a livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel along with her on-screen daughter, Ambyr Michelle (Eva), she shared some of what she endured.

Now in a recently aired scene on the CBS soap opera, Leslie, throws some shade June’s (Jasmine Burke) way about her living under the bridge, when June is trying to get her life back on track. For Trisha, as she details in a very personal message on Instagram along with said scene, it resonated so profoundly. First, because of her own experience, but also because Trisha shared that her son is still homeless.

Photo: CBS

HITTING CLOSE TO HOME

Here’s what Trisha expressed, “During this scene with Ambyr Michelle and Jasmine Burke, my homeless son, Daniel, crossed my mind. I also remembered the time when he was 5 and I was pregnant with his sister and was myself homeless for a period. My character, ‘Leslie’, throws a dig at Jasmine’s character ‘June’, referring to her still living under the bridge. That was a difficult line to utter.”

She continued, “As actor’s, we have to sometimes detach what we’ve experienced to get through dialogue or use what we’ve experienced. In this scene, I had to detach from the almost 12 years of having a child who chooses to live a homeless lifestyle. (Yes, molestation, addiction and depression are all a part of that choice). Before any of these experiences, I have always had empathy for the homeless but as a mother of one, now more than ever. I have done all I can to get Danny off the streets but know this; I have not lost hope.”

OUT FROM UNDER THE BRIDGE

Next, Trisha shared her hope and belief for her son, Daniel and not listening to the voices of people like her soap opera alter-ego. “The beauty of this scene is that “June” may not yet be BEYOND THE GATES with the rest of the characters but she certainly let “Leslie” know she is NO LONGER UNDER that bridge,” stated Mann-Grant. “I am believing in real time, stepping out on faith that my son will overcome his present situation and walk fully into his God-Given Purpose. Just like some of us, that bridge represents our past and even though our present may not be all that we want it to be, it definitely isn’t what it used to be. We have to focus on the elevation and ignore the ‘Leslie’s’ of the world.”

In closing, Mann-Grant gave some major inspiration for anyone that is currently in a situation as she has been, expressing, “To all the Mommy’s out there, like me, don’t give up. Keep praying, keep believing that this too shall pass. There are help groups out there for parents of homeless children too. Stay strong and look at the message of this scene. ‘June’ is on the rise and so are we all!”

You can watch the scene Trisha references below.

Now let us know, what did you think of Trisha’s message to all the moms out there, children who are on the streets and the plight of the homeless? Are you glad that Beyond the Gates is tackling the subject with the character of June who is doing what she can to improve her life? Come Emmy time, is Trisha on your wish list of nominees? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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