Who is John on General Hospital? Who Plays John on General Hospital?

General Hospital

General Hospital (often abbreviated as GH) is a long-running American daytime television soap opera with a long history. It occupies an important position in television history and is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera.

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The show is second only to Guiding Light in American history and the third longest-running scripted series still in production in the world, behind British series Shooter and Coronation Street. General Hospital debuted on the ABC television network on April 1, 1963, becoming the longest-running Hollywood series and the longest-running entertainment program in ABC television history. The show has won the most Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, with 14 awards.

Created by husband-and-wife soap writers Frank and Doris Hursley, General Hospital was originally set in a fictional hospital city. However, in the 1970s, the city was officially named Port Charles, New York.

The original cast of the series included John Beradino and Emily McLaughlin, who continued to star in the series until their deaths in 1996 and 1991, respectively. Notably, Rachel Ames joined the cast in 1964 and holds the record for the longest-serving actress on the ABC soap, having starred from 1964 to 2007.

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On September 17, 2010, General Hospital became the oldest American soap opera after the end of CBS’s As the World Turns. It went through network changes, with ABC canceling All My Children and One Life to Live, ultimately making General Hospital the last soap opera on the network after January 13, 2012.

The show celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 1, 2013, and aired its 15,000th episode on June 22, 2022, reaching glorious milestones and cementing its place in the realm of daytime television.

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Who is John from General Hospital?

In February 2024, General Hospital character John “Jagger” Cates returns to Port Charles with a new look, played by actor Adam Harrington. Jagger was originally played by Antonio Sabato II from 1992 to 1995, and was reunited in 2008 on the General Hospital spinoff The Night Shift. Jagger’s past includes a turbulent journey, from his involvement in a robbery to his relationship with Karen Wexler, which eventually led to their marriage and leaving Port Charles to start a new life in San Francisco.

In the early storylines, Jagger faces many challenges, such as encounters with Karen and Jason Quartermaine on the island, which eventually lead to a traumatic incident involving Carl Atkins. Jagger’s relationships with Karen and Brenda Barrett bring more drama to his life. Over the years, he shows character growth as he goes from a former thug to a police officer.

In 2024, Jagger’s return showed he had become a father, supporting his son Stone, who has autism, and reconnecting with familiar faces in Port Charles, including Anna Devane.

In 2024, Jagger’s presence in Port Charles brings new developments, including interactions with Carly Spencer and insights into the needs of his son, Leo. Jagger’s history of overcoming challenges and evolving characters continues to captivate General Hospital viewers, providing a rich and complex narrative for fans of the long-running soap opera.

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Who plays John on General Hospital?

Adam J. Harrington replaces former Calvin Klein model Antonio Sabato Jr., reprising his role as John on General Hospital. Harrington (born November 26, 1972) is a Canadian-American actor and producer known for his various roles in television, film, and video games. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Harrington grew up in the nearby towns of Dundas and Burlington, attending Burlington Central High School. Despite earning a master’s degree in marine biology, he pursued an acting career and currently resides in Los Angeles.

Harington has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry with roles spanning a wide range of genres. Notably, he played Roy Earle in the 2011 video game L.A. Noire and Sindri in the 2018 video game God of War, for which he received a BAFTA Game Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His film debut was in Sacred, and he has also appeared in TV series such as Supernatural, The Order, Queer as Folk, Dexter, and Bosch.

To avoid confusion with another actor of the same name, Harington uses his middle initial while working, thus being credited as “Adam J. Harington”. In February 2024, he joined the cast of General Hospital as John “Jagger” Cates, a role originally played by Antonio Sabato II. This new role on the long-running soap opera marked a new chapter in Harington’s career, showcasing his versatility as an actor across a variety of mediums.

General Hospital Land

General Hospital’s storyline unfolds in the fictional town of Port Charles, New York, a setting that has been the show’s central backdrop since the series began in 1963. Port Charles exists in the same fictional world as other soap opera settings such as Llanview (One Life to Live), Pine Valley (All My Children), New York City (Ryan’s Hope), and Corinth (Loving), creating a rich and interconnected story.

At the heart of Port Charles is the General Hospital, a large medical institution founded by the respected Dr. Steve Hardy. It is one of the city’s largest employers and a major player in the medical field on the East Coast.

Over the years, the hospital has played a key role in the lives of the show’s characters, serving as the backdrop for numerous medical dramas, love stories and conflicts. Notable contributions include a ward dedicated to AIDS research, a pediatric center and a fire-ravaged building that was rebuilt with funds from the Quartermaine family.

The Metropolitan Court Hotel is a famous hotel in Port Charles and another important location in the series. The hotel was originally built by Jasper Jacks on the site of the former Port Charles Hotel, which was destroyed in a fire in 2004. Carly Corinthos became a business partner with Jacks and later with Kate Howard, which led to the hotel’s expansion and its importance in the city’s social scene.

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Kelly’s Diner, founded by Joe “Paddy” Kelly, is a retro diner in the heart of Port Charles. This well-respected restaurant is known for its nostalgic charm and upstairs boarding rooms, which have hosted various residents and guests over the years. The restaurant changed hands several times before finally being taken over by Bobbie and Luke Spencer.

The Haunted Star is a yacht that was converted from a casino and nightclub and has been owned by several characters, including Luke Spencer and his daughter, Lulu Spencer. The ship has undergone various transformations throughout the series, reflecting the ever-changing nature of Port Charles.

Located near the General Hospital, the Floating Rib Bar was a popular nightlife spot for Port Charles residents. It changed hands several times over the years, with Coleman Ratcliffe and Mac Scorpio taking over the business. A tragic event in 2020 resulted in a bomb destroying the fine-dining restaurant of the same name.

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General Hospital uses these iconic locations in Port Charles as the backdrop to tell the stories of the lives, relationships and dramas of the show’s diverse characters. The show’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to combine medical, romantic and interpersonal storylines to create a compelling narrative that has captivated audiences for decades.

General Hospital Cast

Throw

Features

Tabiyana Ali

Trina Robinson

Taj Bellow

TJ Ashford

Maurice Bernard

Sonny Corinthos

Nicolas Chavez

Spencer Cassadine

Chad Doerr

Michael Corinthos

Michael Easton

John McBain

Stephen Clay

Silas Clay

Hamilton Finn

Jane Elliott

Tracy Quartermaine

Genie Francis

Laura Collins

Robert Gossett

Marshall Ashford

Nancy Lee Grahn

Alexis Davis

Lexi

Tanisha Harper

Jordan Ashford

Gregory Harrison

Gregory Chase

Rebecca Herbst

Elizabeth Webber Baldwin

Jesse Brewer

Irving Hoffer

Dex Heller

Roger Howarth

Todd Manning

Franco Baldwin

Drew Cain

Austin Gatlin Holt

Finola Hughes

Anna Devane

Lisa Obrecht

Alex Malik

Alice

Holly Sutton

Felicia Scorpio

Josh Kelly

Cody Bell

Brooke Kerr

Portia Robinson

Priscilla Johnson

Caitlin McMullen

Willow Tate

Kate Mansi

Christina Davis

Cameron Mathison

Drew Cain

Sofia Mattson

Sasha Gilmore

Eden McCoy

Jocelyn Jacks

Carly Corinthos

Kelly Monaco

Sam McCall

Alicia Montenegro

Avery Kristen Pohl

Esme Prince

Amanda Seton

Brooke Lynn Quartermaine

Kirsten Storms

Maxie Jones

B.J. Jones

Josh Swickard

Harrison Chase

Donal Turner

Curtis Ashford

Christina Wagner

Phylicia Jones

Cynthia Watros

Nina Reeves

Virginia Benson

Maura West

Ava Jerome

Ida Hooker

Laura Wright

Carly Spencer

Lena Spencer

Beatrice Eckert

Dominic Zamprogna

Dante Falconeri

General Hospital Overview

Specification

detail

title

General Hospital

type

Soap Opera

Creator

Frank and Doris Hursley

author

Dan O’Connor, Chris Van Etten

directed by

Larry Carpenter, Tina Keller, William Ruddell, Gary Tomlin,

Frank Valentini, Denise Van Cleef, Fredox Xavier

Theme song composer

Jack Urban, Paul Glass, Steve Hopkins

country of origin

USA

Original language

English

Episodes

15,000

Executive Producer

Frank Valentini (2012-present) et al.

Production Base

Prospect Studios in Los Angeles, California

Camera Settings

Multiple cameras

Run time

30 minutes (1963-1976), 45 minutes (1976-1978), 60 minutes (1978-present)

Production Company

Selmur Productions (1963–1968), ABC Signature (1985–present)

network

ABC

release

April 1, 1963 – present

Where can I watch General Hospital?

If you’re eager to finish watching General Hospital or don’t want to miss any new episodes, there are a few convenient options: ABC offers a free live spotlight service that lets you watch General Hospital anytime on its official website, abc.com. New episodes of the soap opera are usually available on Hulu after they air. This is a great option if you missed an episode during its run.

You can find the entire series of General Hospital on Amazon Prime Video, so you can watch past episodes back-to-back at any time. General Hospital may also be available on other streaming platforms, so it’s worth checking your preferred streaming service to see if it offers it.

For die-hard fans looking for a more traditional viewing experience, you may want to consider purchasing General Hospital’s standard boxed DVDs, which offer physical episodes for you to enjoy. With these options, you can easily follow the drama and intrigue of Port Charles and enjoy General Hospital based on your schedule and preferences.

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