Goodbye, Lucky Spencer! Jonathan Jackson Is Leaving ‘General Hospital’
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Jonathan Jackson is leaving General Hospital next week, nine months after he returned to the role of Lucky Spencer.
Jackson, who made his debut in 1993 as the son of soaps’ most famous duo, Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) and Laura Collins (Genie Francis), returned in August 2024 for what he told TV Insider would be a longer visit than the others he’d made since first leaving the soap in 1999. “When I came back in 2015, that was just for a few episodes for Tony [Geary’s] exit and this is not that,” he noted. “This is back in a substantial, real way, which I’m excited about.”
Reuniting with his TV family was at the top of Jackson’s wish list when he returned to the soap. “Working with Genie [Francis] was a big personal incentive to come back, because when I was there in 2010, 2011, Genie wasn’t on the show and I always kind of felt like I missed out on working with her as an adult, so I’m very excited about that, obviously,” he explained.
In addition to working alongside Francis, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), Colin Cassidy (Aiden Spencer), Jeff Kober, (Cyrus Renault) and Kate Mansi (Kristina Corinthos), to name a few, Jackson’s Lucky also rekindled things with ex-wife Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst), a story fans had been waiting to see for years.
On the June 4 episode, Lucky surprised Liz with a romantic picnic in the park and a marriage proposal. She turned him down gently, explaining that her life was in Port Charles, while he seemed happier traveling the globe. Acknowledging that Port Charles was “not his home anymore,” Lucky then announced that he would be leaving town. “I know it’s sudden,” he explained. “But being here, knowing that we can’t be together, it just hurts too much.”
Look for Lucky to make his rounds saying goodbye and then take off once again. However, that doesn’t mean this is the end of the road for the five-time Daytime Emmy winner.
“We were so glad Jonathan was able to reprise the role of Lucky, even if it was for a limited time,” says the show’s executive producer Frank Valentini. “We wish him nothing but the best, and the door is always open for Jonathan to return.”
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So disappointed that gh brought lucky back to to watch him leave less than a year later I am so mad that gh made a big deal out of bringing him back only to let him go what a waste of money and to thank they let Kelly Monaco go for what ?? Really disappointed in this soap
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maybe he would have stayed longer if they'd given him anything to do
62 1
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This was shocking & very upsetting as a fan of Lucky. I'm so sad to see him go.
53 2
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O
It’s a real disappointment that Johnathan is once again leaving the show. What a waste of good talent by letting him go GH!
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What was the point? They could have given him a decent plot from the start. Just for introducing a new doctor and bringing Holly back to throw her into a Sasha plot! I kept waiting for something dynamic to happen! Did he even perform at the Nurses’ Ball? Sad!
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That sucks! Just because Liz turned his proposal down he’s going to leave? How dumb is that? They didn’t really give much of a part which is very wrong! Should have let him grow up given him a chance at a real career maybe then he and Elizabeth would have made a go of it. They certainly love each other that’s obvious so don’t understand her turning him down!
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She explained her reasons to him
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G
It seemed like they wasted his return. Having him cover for Kristina had to be the dumbest plot line. That scene of him explaining his reasonings to Elizabeth was ridiculous. And her just going along with it was even dumber.
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Sorry but that was a waste of time.
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C
No this was the only reason started watching the show again! Was hoping for Lucky/Liz Wedding like the Luke/Laura Wedding!
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His return was so great, but they didn't build a good story for him.
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Boo
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I blame the writers& producers. They are so bad. How do they have jobs. Too bad JJ is a good actor
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I'm very disappointed in this. I fear that the PTB will put Liz back with that vile Ric. JJ wasn't utilized like he should have been and that's a bummer. I hope he comes back before too long
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Really
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I was hoping the writers would get them back together with a good storyline. The writers are hurting the show in many ways
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C
What little time Jonathan spent on GH, he should have gotten a much better story line. Started out good. Like why didn't he perform at the nurse's ball? Very talented musician. I would watch him on Nashville. Do better by him on his next short visit Frank Valentini!! I'm sure he has other projects going on. Why else wouldn't he have been under contract?
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Prob has an exclusive contract with his musical group not to preform outside the group
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Lucky is a good character and I wish they would cast someone that would stay instead of having these short runs
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Was supportive of Lucky's return but surprised at his appearance. Is he really OK? His skin seemed sallow, his hair greasy, his eyes hollow. Sorry he's leaving. Is his health prehaps an issue?
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G
Well add me to the list of disappointments, starting with Sam , and now Lucky . They have more important roles than Felicia , but here we are. It’s going to be a sad day when Lucky leaves , again… I’ll have my tissue box !!
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😭 I don't want Lucky to go
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This show doesn't believe in love anymore.
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True to the character of Lucky! I loved every second of it!
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It's stupid makes him look like a dead beat. Him with his dirty long hair and his worn out cloths
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I think the excuse they should give for his departure is that he's going off to look for a bottle of industrial strength shampoo to combat the greasiest hair on daytime, and to search for a way to grow in the rest of his scraggly "beard" like a real boy.
I wasn't thrilled by his return, and I'm utterly indifferent to the news of his departure. But I agree that the show did totally squander a legacy character.
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Very angry. What was the point of this return. He needs to stay away now. These drop in visits are pointless. Once again he abandons Liz, his Mom and his son
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It sucks that he’s leaving again but can you blame him. The writing sucks. He hasn’t really had any good storylines. They brought a fantastic actor back and gave him nothing.
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O
They gave him nothing! He is so good as a musician why didn’t they pair him with Chase/Brook Lynn to do what he loves and is so good at? Who writes these stories? Maybe go back and learn the background characters and maybe someday it will make sense, as it is today, not worth watching and I have been watching since day one! Way back in 1963!
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No!! I so needed to see Liz n Lucky get back together. He can always take off for adventures, alone or w Liz. Waahhhh!
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No story line! GH blew it!
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I'm very sad to see him leave ,I was so excited & waited so long for his return. What a huge disappointment !!!
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TPTB were really determined to ruin this Legacy character, and now they have! Sure.... let's bring in JJ, bring him home, let him make amends with his estranged kid and (and even less thought about family), make in roads with love of his life..... and now lets make him...COMPLETELY IRREDEEMABLY! Yeah that sounds good.
AND watch... LUCKY will leave for the dumbest reason possible! Hope he takes Kristina with him! Maybe he'll get Kristina pregnant. That makes as much since as whats already been filmed! Shoot it! 🤦🏿♂️😞🤦🏿♂️😞🤦🏿♂️😫
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NOOOOOOOOOO! JONATHAN JACKSON PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T GO! YOU WERE THE REASON I STARTED WATCHING GH AGAIN! I'M DEVASTATED! I THOUGHT YOU WERE STAYING ON GH! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING AGAIN! THIS MUST BE A NIGHTMARE! SOMEONE WAKE ME UP. I'M COMPLETELY CRUSHED!
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
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Why are you yelling? Turn off your caps key.
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R
Disappointed. But he really didn't have a storyline and the connection between the two simply were not there anymore .
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I agree with the connection not being there, as characters they have love for each but no longer in love. I prefer her with Ric if he could clean up his act a bit. They have more chemistry. JJ's return was boring to more from the start...he seemed to phone it in.
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P
This return was a major disappointment. I expected more from the writers for JJ's return. I loved how they started reuniting Liz and Lucky, then suddenly nothing. What was the point of his return? Was his decision to leave sudden? Was he not happy? I'll admit the start of his return was lackluster, but things started to improve then suddenly it seemed like JJ was sidelined. Looking back, if seemed like he wasn't present in some of his scenes.
I wish him luck, but I'm sad he's leaving.
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I agree 100percent with you. Very disappointing
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I agree. Seems the only SL Lucky had was to pander to Kristina and her craziness. What a waste of a fantastic talent that is JJ. I am heartbroken.
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Like I didn't know this would happen??
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I love Jonathan Jackson as Lucky Spencer. But I feel the GH writers totally wasted his acting talant.
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So sad to Jonathan Jackson leaving GH. You are the main reason I watch GH. You will be missed.
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So disappointing. Lucky wasn’t given more to do
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P
I am sorry to see him go. I really like him on the show. He adds some fun. It is definitely disappointing that he is leaving again.Not sure why he is, but I wish him good luck in his next adventure. Take care and Best Wishes to you.
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V
Wish they would just recast Lucky at this point. He might not have cemestry but at least he’d be on the show
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Just dumb.. a love like that you don't run from
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C
Just recast the role like they have done for many others.
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How many daytime actors have won 5 Emmys and are still working in daytime?
The fact that GH messed up Lucky’s return so badly shows how bad the writers are. GH couldn’t accommodate Jonathan Jackson going on tour for a month? Frank Valentini needs to go. He has destroyed General Hospital. I’m done watching.
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Just kill Lucky off. This yoyo of him coming and going is heart breaking. Put Elizabeth with Jason. Sasha and Michael are perfect.
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All the favorites keep leaving Frisco, Lucky, Jack's, Robin, Patrick, Brenda and even Faison and Helena, but yea they rushed the Kristina Ava Brakes story cause Lucky actor wants to leave for better postures, like Nashville
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I think he needs to stay out in Port Charles. Liz may change her mind about marrying him if he stays around a while.
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Let him go he doesn't match up to the old lucky he don't play a big part on the show
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Maybe he would've been kept longer if he washed his hair, cut it, and looked like someone Elizabeth would have been interested in.
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BRING BACK GREG VAUGHAN AS LUCKY!!!!
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