Deadline reported that actor Jonathan Bennett (Submerged, The Haunting of Sharon Tate) will be joining the cast of General Hospital and will debut starting in May. Bennett will play the role of Joe Fitzpatrick, entering what is known as the longest-running American soap opera still in production. It is the second longest soap opera in American history after Guiding Light.
mxdwn reported previously on the passing of series icon Anthony Geary (Disorderlies, Fish Tank), who played fan-favorite character Luke Spencer from 1978 to 2015.
American daytime television soap opera General Hospital focuses on the hospital staff and affluent residents of the fictional upstate city of Port Charles, New York, mixing the medical drama of the profession with romance, high-stakes mob storylines, and scandals. This role marks Bennett’s return to daytime, says Deadline, from his portrayal of JR Chandler on All My Children between 2001 and 2002 – following Jesse McCartney (Tinker Bell, Young Justice) as the character aged rapidly.
“We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast,” said General Hospital Executive Producer Frank Valentini (One Life to Live), in a statement from Deadline, “He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to GH [shortened name for General Hospital].”
Listed by Deadline, Bennett’s main credit is his role as the 2004 Mean Girls heartthrob Aaron Samuels, but he gained particular notoriety for his work on Hallmark; Nicknamed “The Gay King of Christmas,” he executive-produced and starred in The Holiday Sitter (the network’s first gay-led romantic comedy), along with parts in several hit holiday movies, including Cherry Lane and The Christmas House franchises. Other fan-favorite roles of his include Steve Martin’s (Only Murders in the Building, Parenthood) antagonistic son-in-law in Cheaper By the Dozen 2 and Van Wilder in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: Freshman Year, as well as Fantasy Island, Station 19, Law & Order: SVU, Dr. Odyssey, and others. Most recently, Bennett made his Broadway debut in Monty Python’s acclaimed musical comedy Spamalot.
He is also known for hosting Food Network’s Halloween Wars and Cake Wars, and New Year’s Eve coverage in Times Square since 2019.
As stated prior, Bennett will debut as Joe Fitzpatrick on ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital starting in May.