Frank Valentini, executive producer of GENERAL HOSPITAL, announced today that Emmy Award-nominated Kassie DePaiva and Emmy winner Roger Howarth, along with fan favorites Michael Easton and Kristen Alderson, will reprise their ONE LIFE TO LIVE characters and head to GENERAL HOSPITAL as part of a new storyline for the multi-Emmy Award-winning daytime drama. Production begins late January 2012 in Los Angeles."We have a very exciting story planned for the citizens of Port Charles, with Sonny Corinthos at the center of it! I am confident viewers and fans alike will be excited for the arrival of John (Easton), Starr (Alderson), Blair (DePaiva) and Todd (Howarth)," said Valentini. "Incorporating characters from ONE LIFE TO LIVE continue the legacy of the show as we weave them into GENERAL HOSPITAL."
With many television, film and stage credits to her name, DePaiva played the role of beautiful Blair Cramer on ONE LIFE TO LIVE since December 1993. In addition, she played good-girl Chelsea Reardon on the daytime drama GUIDING LIGHT. Horwath returned to portray Todd Manning on ONE LIFE TO LIVE in 2011, a role he originated from a day-player to a compelling long-term character. Performing at many prestigious regional theater centers, he has many theater credits to his name, and in addition appeared in the television series PREY and in the primetime teen drama DAWSON'S CREEK, as well as the daytime drama AS THE WORLD TURNS.
Easton joined the cast of ABC's long-running ONE LIFE TO LIVE in 2003 as John McBain. A published poet, he also played vampire Caleb Morley on the ABC daytime drama PORT CHARLES, among many other television and film credits. As for Alderson, she continuously played the role of Starr Manning on multi award-winning ONE LIFE TO LIVE since March 1998, the precocious young daughter of Blair Cramer and Todd Manning.
Kassie DePaiva explained further on her official website: "I must say that ads and press release by ABC is a little misleading and I feel I need to clarify to all my friends, family, and fans that are emailing and calling wondering when I’m moving to Los Angeles. Frank Valentini, GH’s EP, asked me to come out for a couple of shows in February and I’m thrilled. Now only will I get to work with a fantastic cast.... but a little piece of OLTL will live on. That makes me very happy. And who knows where it will lead. Once the Mannings come to town anything is possible. I wish everyone at GH the best. No one loves daytime more than Frank Valentini and [Head Writer] Ron Carlivati and no one works harder than those two men. GH is in good hand and hopefully ABC will let GH live on!!!!!!! See ya’ll soon in Port Charles!!!!!!!!!"
Garnering eight Daytime Emmys in 2011, GENERAL HOSPITAL airs at 3:00 p.m., ET, 2:00 p.m., PT on the ABC Television Network, and on SOAPnet at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Winner of a record-setting 10 Emmys for Outstanding Daytime Drama, the program celebrates 49 years of broadcasting on April 1, 2012, and is the longest-running dramatic serial on ABC, having aired close to 12,500 episodes. The show is produced by Time Square Studios for ABC Daytime.
GENERAL HOSPITAL was created by Frank and Doris Hursley. Frank Valentini is the executive producer. Mary O'Leary, Mercer Barrows and Michelle Henry are producers. Ron Carlivati is the head writer. Full episodes of GENERAL HOSPITAL are available on ABC.com immediately following its air on the network for users to watch online.
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