Current GH Cast Changes and News

Last Updated: April 20, 2009:

Some of the following news stories are from soapcentral.com

Next to be spending less time on GH

Rumors of mass firings at General Hospital are turning out to be the worst kind of rumors -- they're true. Emmy winner Rick Hearst and relative newcomer, Megan Ward, have both been taken off contract with the ABC soap. Both performers have agreed to stick around on a recurring basis, but it's unclear for how long. Meanwhile, whispers that more cuts are coming are getting louder.
Rumors of Rick Hearst leaving GH started in August 2008. About a month later, Heart re-signed with the show for an unspecified period of time. Now just four months into his contract, Hearst has been demoted. Hearst has been with GH since November 2002. He was previously on Guiding Light.
Megan Ward joined the cast in May 2007. The was her first soap opera gig, but Ward had previously guest-starred in numerous primetime shows.
GH seems to be following other soaps with their character cuts. In addition to Hearst and Ward, it has been thought that Leslie Charleson (Monica Quartermaine) will soon be exiting GH. Though no one will comment on the record, Charleson's contract is believed to run through the end of July.

RETURNING

Emma Samms is back!

Just in time for May Sweeps, Emma Samms reprises her popular role, Holly Sutton, that she made famous in the 1980s. This marks the actress' second return engagement in three years, after having been away from the ABC soap for more than 20 years.
Holly's return may finally help to answer questions fans have about Ethan Lovett. Is Ethan related to someone in Port Charles? Port Charles newcomer, Ethan, revealed that he was essentially parentless after his parents dumped him. Viewers may have also noticed chemistry between actor Nathan Parsons (Ethan) and Anthony Geary (Luke), which has prompted some to wonder if their characters will share some sort of connection.
Her return will only be short-term.

COMINGS

Billy Dee Williams joins GH cast

Billy Dee Williams will join General Hospital later this spring in the role he created on the show's primetime spinoff, Night Shift: Toussaint DuBois. This will mark the third time that Williams has appeared on a daytime drama series. He's made previous appearances on Another World and Guiding Light, both of which came before he became a major star.
When last spotted on Night Shift, Toussaint was preparing to give up his regular gig as a janitor at the hospital in order to go on tour with his singing group, the Saints. According to ABC, as a result of the sour economy, "the tour went bust and now Toussaint is back at GH working as a janitor."
It is believed that Williams will interact with Sonya Eddy's Epiphany Johnson, with whom he had a flirtatious relationship on Night Shift.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congrats to Actor Greg Vaughan, 33, (Lucky) and his wife, Dutch model and actress Touriya Haoud, 29. They welcomed their son, Jathan James, into the world this past Friday, May 4th at 4:17 pm. The baby boy weighed in at 8 pounds and measured 20 1/2 inches. Greg has portrayed Lucky Spencer since early 2003, but he has been seen previously on shows such as "Charmed (WB, season #2,) "The Young and the Restless (CBS, 2002-03,) and he was on a recurring role on "Beverly Hills 90210" (FOX 1996-97). Greg's wife, Touriya Haoud, has appeared on the cover of such magazines as "Veronica" (Nov. 2002, Jan. and Sept. 2004,) and graced the inside of the Oct. 2005 issue of "Maxim."

Put on Recurring Status

Wally Kurth as Ned Ashton: ABC has confirmed that Kurth has been placed on recurring status. A GH spokesperson says, "As storyline dictates, he will be very much a part of the canvas."

PAST NEWS

-Sarah Brown (ex-Carly; now Claudia) was in a film directed by Kim McCullough (ex-Robin) called "Little Star". It is a short film that Kimberly wrote and produced. This film will most likely be entered into some film festivals. Kimberly's first short ("Heaven") was just practice to gain a little experience. "Robin" bossing "Carly" around...I'd pay to see that. LOL. Nice of Sarah to do it!

WEDDING AND BABY NEWS

-Congratulations to Steve Burton and his wife Sheree who had a baby boy on March 26, 2006. The baby's name is Jack Marshall and he weighed in at 8 lbs, 1 oz. The couple also have a two and a half year old daughter named Makena Grace.
-Congratulations to Kari Wuhrer (ex-Reese) and her husband James on the birth of their baby daughter who weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces. No name has been announced yet.
-Congratulations to Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber) and husband Michael Saucedo (ex-Juan Santiago) welcomed their second child on April 12th. The baby, daughter Ella Bailey, weighed in at 7 lbs, 15 oz. She joins big brother Ethan, who is 2.
-Congratulations to Vanessa Marcil and Brian Austin Green. Vanessa gave birth to a baby boy at the end of March 2002. The baby's name is Kassius.

-Congratulations to Real (Taggert) and Michelle Andrews on there nuptials November 4, 2000.
-Vanita Harbour (Dara Jensen) and husband Allan Dean Moore welcomed a boy, Ezra Brenden Moore, born on May 20,1999, weighing 7 lbs, 1 oz.
-Congratulations Maurice and Paula Benard! Paula gave birth to their second child, a girl on April 18, 1999. Cassidy Rose Benard, weighed in at 7 lbs. 1 oz. Cassidy is the baby sister of Cailey.
-Steve Burton got married to Sheree Gustin on January 16, 1999.
-Sarah Brown had a baby girl on July 16, 1998. She named her Jordan.

Other News

-Walt Disney Records and ABC Daytime have released a new CD titled, The Music of General Hospital. It's packaged under Lois and Brenda's fictitious record label, L&B Records.
-GH was honored with the Red Cross Spirit Award for its educational and compassionate storylines regarding health care issues, particularly HIV and AIDS.
-Wendy Riche may create a Nurse's Ball tape. Proceeds would go to an AIDS-related charity.

Song

Brad Maule wrote a song for GH's prime-time special. Here are the lyrics:
Thirty-five years ago, when I was just a lad,
I wanted to be a doctor ... so bad.
My father said, "Work hard, son,"
My mother said, "Have faith."
Little did they know ... I meant on GH.
I want to be good like Steve and Audrey,
I want to be bad like the Cassadines,
I want to be hot like Luke and Laura,
And freeze Port Charles just a couple more times.
I want to be honest, kind and caring.
Cold and ruthless and insane,
With multiple personalities,
I want to be a Quartermaine!

Links to other sites on the Web

Soaptown USA
General Hospital Happenings Two
GH Daytime
Robin's Daily Dose
Soap Central