‘General Hospital’s Donnell Turner on Fulfilling His Dream of Being the ‘Black Luke Spencer’
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What To Know
- Donnell Turner celebrates 10 years as Curtis Ashford on General Hospital on November 30.
- Turner speaks with TV Insider about his journey from GH fan to cast member and the surreal experience of working with icons like Anthony Geary, Genie Francis, and Tristan Rogers.
- Turner expresses deep gratitude for his role, especially as part of General Hospital‘s first Black American legacy family, and embraces the ongoing representation.
Donnell Turner is marking a major milestone on November 30: 10 years as General Hospital‘s as Curtis Ashford. For someone who grew up a fan of the show, the anniversary feels both surreal and deeply personal.
His journey began with a memorable audition, one that paired him with a beloved actress. “They usually bring a veteran in to rehearse with you, so knock on my door, in comes Finola Hughes [Anna Devane],” he recalls. “I almost melted. I remember when she started on GH. I loved watching her. I loved listening to her talk, and I just could not believe she was standing before me. So, I went out like a groupie. I said, ‘Oh, my goodness, Finola, I’m a huge fan. I’m watching you since I’m 10 years old. It’s a pleasure meeting you.’ And I guess that wasn’t the compliment that I thought it was coming from a man with gray hair on his face. [Laughs] I realized, ‘Oh, man, maybe I should have said less.’”
Jill Johnson/jpistudios.com
Despite his nerves, the audition clearly struck the right chord. Turner secured the role, and the magnitude of it hit him almost immediately. “I was astounded,” he says. “I remember leaving the lot on my second day, and I had to pull over and gather myself because I thought about what this means: My life is changing. I was overwhelmed because it was the only soap opera that I watched. So, for me, it was like rooting for the Dodgers and then one day getting a phone call from the Dodgers saying, ‘We want you.’”
But even with the excitement of joining GH, adjusting to life in Port Charles wasn’t instant. “The first year or two is a whirlwind,” he reflects. “For Curtis, there was no plan, there was no design. I auditioned for another part, they created Curtis, and we just kind of were going with it the first year. When I first started, this character had a cigar for some reason in every scene, and I said, ‘You know, it’s been something in my family, and I don’t want to promote that if it’s needless. If there’s something behind it with depth, for a greater good, then perhaps, but if not, can we find something else?’ So, we refined Curtis along the way, in the beginning.”
But from those early conversations, Turner sensed the show was invested. “There were a few suggestions early on that were completely heard and understood, and I knew then, ‘OK, they’re not just checking a box. They’re interested,’” he relays. “I love the leadership of Frank Valentini [executive producer] and our writers along the way. I knew then that this could be something that could have some depth to it, and I was pleased to spearhead that objective.”
As Turner’s comfort on set grew, so did his interactions with some of the show’s icons. “I met Tristan Rogers for the first time and couldn’t believe I saw Robert Scorpio walking toward me in the hallway,” he recalls. “I loved him to pieces. We grew to be great friends. His passing is a great loss. We traveled a lot together. I heard a lot of his wonderful stories, and I was all ears. I loved it.”
In time, Turner was sharing scenes with other legends. “There are several pinch-me moments, working with various actors, some more in particular like Genie Francis [Laura Collins],” he notes. “I watched the show, and now I’m doing scenes with her where we’re tied to a chair in a cabin that’s about to explode. I wanted to be the Black Luke Spencer back in 1982, so these are all full-circle moments.”
Disney/Bahareh Ritter
That circle widened further when he finally met Luke’s portrayer, Anthony Geary. “It was the first time I talked to a human being and my eyes watered,” Turner reveals. “I mean, I’m sitting there talking to him, and I’m noticing my eyes are watering and I’m telling myself, ‘Stop that.’ He’s talking to me, he knows who I am already, and tells me he loves what I’m doing and how we’re similar characters. I couldn’t believe the time and attention he gave me, and that was one of the best moments for me because he’s one of the reasons I am an actor today.”
As Curtis’ presence solidified, GH gave Curtis a love life and began building an on-screen family around him, a sure sign of staying power. “When that word got out on the set, a longtime camera operator and dear friend said to me, ‘Hey, a place of residence and extended family is a sign of longevity and soaps,’” Turner shares. “And I just remember being so astounded and overwhelmed. They allowed me to be a part of the audition and chemistry reads, for my aunt Stella [Henry, Vernee Watson] and for Marshall [Ashford, Robert Gossett] and my daughter, Trina [Robinson, Tabyana Ali], so it felt good. We have some really, really good talent.”
ABC/Craig Sjodin
Over the years, Curtis has seen his fair share of soapy drama. He’s been shot, paralyzed, discovered he had a secret daughter, and is currently embroiled in a Who’s the Daddy story, tales he embraces wholeheartedly. “I love it,” Turner chuckles. “Nice and soapy. Bring it. Rule number one: know your genre, and I’m here for it. All we need is a twin, or maybe Curtis dies and comes back, but other than that, all the boxes are checked.”
Still, it’s his current story that excites him most. “Sometimes you’re the hammer, sometimes you’re the nail, but in this storyline right now, I like what they’re doing,” he smiles. “I like where it’s going, I like what it means, and I like the representation. There’s just so much to like about it right now for me.”
Looking back on the past 10 years, Turner is reflective and appreciative. “Gratitude is the attitude,” he concludes. “I’m grateful for stability, longevity, and being respected and heard. I just love what they’re doing on General Hospital, and to be the first Black American legacy family on the show is just a huge privilege. I’m grateful beyond words.”
General Hospital, Weekdays, ABC
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G
Donnell, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but the Ashford family isn’t the first black legacy family on General Hospital. Although the current writing regime doesn’t acknowledge it, the honor belongs to the Ward family, which is connected to Edward Quartermine and the Quartermine family.
The comparison to Luke is laughable. Did anyone from General Hospital’s PR team read this article before it was published? If not, they should have. It makes the actor and show look bad.
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X
I think he said he wanted to be, or felt like. "I wanted to be the Black Luke Spencer back in 1982" comparison? I'm sure he was a kid in '82.
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S
GH had its first black family The wards who related to Edward Was
No one can take Luke Spencer place on GH .Donnell
need to establish his own path as Curtis is doing at the moment keep up your good work '
And what a silly joke putting MAURICE /SONNY AND Genie /Laura' to be a couple no way they have a great relationship for more than 30 yrs keep it that way.
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G
He never said he wanted to take Luke Spencer's place, but his goal is to be like one of his favorite characters on his favorite show as a kid. Having a goal like that is what makes actors great.
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D
If they gave him story line like Luke had I would love it! Love him he's great
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F
You are one of my favorite characters & after reading your article, I respect you more. Blessings!
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M
Donnel and family have been a great addition to GH! Hope they build a legacy.
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S
There was a black family some years ago. I can't remember their name, but I think it was the result of an affair that Edward Quartermain had with a black woman. There was a black lawyer character who was Edward's grandson, I think. Anyway, he had a whole family around him, if I remember correctly. Was this before Donnell's time? How could he forget them?
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G
He didn't. He said one if the first. And he said legacy. The others are no longer part of the show like the other legacy white families. As a fan only for the past 10 years, I know who look is due to references but have never heard of the Wade family, not a single comment about them. So not a legacy family.
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W
LMFAO you only been watching for 10 years clearly you know nothing about the show . Ward family not WadeLois has mentioned Mary Mae Ward in the last year Saying because you haven't seen Legacy characters in the only 10 years you been watching is weird So I guess Luke ,Robin , Edward , Lila, Emily, AJ , Justin, Mary Mae , and whole lot of other's were never Legacy characters since you haven't seen them in the only 10 years you been watching
LMFAO
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S
I don't dislike the character of Curtis but GH took Taggerts family, who was on the show longer, and practically gave it to him. Taggert had a sister on the show Gia and a mother that was on for a short period of time around early 2000s. Why didn't GH build another family for Curtis, it would not have been too much to have two Black families on the show, that is what you call representation. With that being said, I'm glad he is enjoying his role on the show, and happy 10 year anniversay to him,
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S
I have read some of the comments about Donnell being the black Luke. When Donnell first came on GH, the first thing I thought was he could be the closet thing to Luke Spencer that we have seen in awhile. I could see him running a place likes Luke's Place. The music and the backroom gambling. His dad running the place, like Mike did. I could see him stepping in and being adventurous. Now he is like every other rich character and has become a cliche character, dull and boring.
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M
Drew Cain cheating affairs affiliated exploitation inappropriate behavior regarding the other one that I have Confirmed conquest throughout nonexistent exposure except though splendid Way exhausting thing hope comment even better Promised relaxing and the other one that came him accuser and then search by both national officials Judgmental or risk lying hypothetically and it wasn't even more complicated to make sure profitable enough for you wasn't even more attention quickly to the most effective reaction reminder coverage seems like I will need it for my thinking rethinking manifestation undefiled have Confirmed it 😉
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M
What are you trying to get across?
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B
Curtis is a favorite of mine because he’s such a good authentic person. Sometimes too hard with his truths but overall I like his character! He’s a true friend to those who deserve it. Honest to a fault. As for you other commenters stop nit picking. He was a kid when he said he Wanted to be Luke Spencer. Kids have hero’s guess that was Donnell’s. So be kind not nasty! Please GH don’t turn Curtis mean that’s my wish. Frank has habit of that. Cutis is too nice for that.
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L
I like him, but he is no Luke. Not even close.
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J
Not even close
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H
This interview shows why his character is a dud and he never has any chemistry with any of his leading ladies. It’s why his tired boring family is being shipped off. It’s why he had to beg for Trina to be his daughter just to make his character likable. He couldn’t hold a candle to the Ward family. He’s old enough to know the Wards. And he wanted to be another Luke Spencer??? Explains why Beyond the Gates beating gh in demos
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