‘General Hospital’s Most Charming Role: A Timeline of the Actors Who’ve Played Lucky Spencer
Jonathan Jackson has come home! The beloved actor has returned to General Hospital as the one and only Lucky Spencer after nearly a decade.
Jackson originated the role of Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura’s (Genie Francis) son in 1993 when he was only 11 years old. Jackson’s Lucky quickly became a fan favorite as viewers watched him grow up on the soap.
But Jackson isn’t the only actor to take on the role of Lucky. Jacob Young and Greg Vaughan have also played the character through the years. In honor of Jackson’s return to the long-running sudser, we’re looking down memory lane at Lucky Spencer through the years.
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Jonathan Jackson on General Hospital in 1995
Jackson joined GH in 1993. Just two years later, he won his first Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor at 13 years old.
Jonathan Jackson on General Hospital in 1999
Lucky became an even more integral part of GH as Jackson got older. However, Jackson left the soap in 1999 to pursue other projects, including the 2002 film Tuck Everlasting.
Jacob Young on General Hospital in 2000
After Jackson’s departure, Lucky’s role was recast. Young assumed the role in 2000. He won the Daytime Emmy for
Greg Vaughan in 2003
Vaughan took over for Young in 2003. The actor previously played Diego on The Young and the Restless and played Lucky for six years before leaving GH in 2009.
A week after his final appearance, Jackson resumed the role of Lucky.
Jonathan Jackson on General Hospital in 2010
Jackson left GH for the first time as a teenager and returned as an adult. Lucky experienced plenty of emotional turmoil, including Liz’s affair with Nikolas and his issues with drug use. The character left Port Charles in 2011.
The actor came back to the show for a handful of episodes in 2015 to be a part of Geary’s exit.
Jonathan Jackson on General Hospital in 2024
Jackson reprised the role of Lucky once again in August 2024 for a “substantial” storyline.
He spoke with TV Insider about his return to Port Charles and revealed his hope to work closely with his onscreen mom.
“I hope I get a chance to work with a lot of people that I’ve never worked with or maybe I worked with in a very small way years ago,” he said. “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.”
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G
Glad Jonathan is back. He brings the most depth to the character. Also, there are a lot of Luke nuances he portrays very well.
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B
Johnathan IS Lucky Spencer! Everyone else was a poor stand in
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B
I love and adore Johnathan, I have seen his movie plus Unsung Hero, loved,Nashville, have a CD of ENation, couldn't of made a better choice to bring him back.
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G
What an absolutely abhorrent thing to say.
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G
He was great in Nashville. Better production.
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G
Although Young & Vaughan were ok, Jackson by far is the best. He does look like his youthful self, but that’s only b/c we’ve seen him grow up on the show (just like Robin).
Jackson definitely emulates Luke - between his gambling, euphemisms, and a few little -often humorous- things he does, he really captures both Luke & Laura.
I really am glad they’re bringing a lot of the older characters back - but I hope that doesn’t mean the soap is starting the downward spiral of ending. I’m happy we have a few soaps left, but I feel like the next generations don’t “get” them.
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O
I'd like them to bring back Jacob or Greg to keep Lucky around. I doubt Johnathan Jackson is sticking around for long. I miss the legacy characters.
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O
They must hate the first guy.
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G
Jonathan was okay as a child, but now he's unbelievable as an adult Lucky. Sorry. He's not a good actor.
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C
I would prefer Greg Vaughn .... he was the best
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B
Jacob or Greg were great as Lucky. This Johnathan guy is so ugly
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O
Jonathan is an extremely good looking man!
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