Jonathan Jackson Returns as Lucky
The original Lucky, Jonathan Jackson, returns to General Hospital this week - as Lucky again, with Greg Vaughan out of the picture. It appears that Vaughan, as rumors from the last three months support, was let go, though ABC is claiming that this was his decision.
Emmy-winner Jackson originated Lucky in 1993 and has been gone since 1999. There was a rumor several months ago that ABC had approached him about returning. It's known that Vaughan has been out auditioning, and that his situation with GH was precarious.
Jackson, now 27 and the father of two with Lisa Vultaggio (ex-Hannah Scott) begins taping October 1.
After seven years in the character, Greg Vaughan twitters:
"As of today, with sad regrets, I will no longer be a part of what has been a big part of me and my family's life...GH ....[has] chosen...a new direction. I THANK ALL of YOU, for the many memories we've shared and new ones to come!"
Vaughan's colleagues are twittering about actor's dismissal from the show.
From Tyler Christopher: "Everyone give him your blessings, please. He gave Lucky justice while he was there."
Photo: Frederick M. Brown Getty Images Entertainment
Comments
I am so thrilled that Jonathan Jackson is coming back. This news is amazing! I am sad for Greg Vaughan but I’m confident he will continue working, I remember when he was on 90210 (the original) and that was YEARS ago!!
I have never been excited to see Liz and Lucky as a couple since the departure of Jonathan Jackson. Upon his return I would love to see them together again. He and Rebecca Herbst had great chemistry and when I remember how Lucky saved Liz after she was raped and how they fell in love I think of Jonathan Jackson. He’s the only Lucky I can stand Liz to be with.
I hope the writers provide great material for Jonathan as Lucky and not let us down the way they did with Claudia for Sarah Brown.
This sucks! Jonathan Jackson is a washed up actor with nowhere else to go!
This sucks!
OMG!! I can’t believe I totally agree with Ron on something!! lol
We are totally in agreement on this one Deb!
I am soooo excited to see Jonathan Jackson return. He is the best Lucky by far. He is not a washed up actor. If you remember he won two Emmies while on General Hospital. He is awesome and he will kick butt at being Lucky again. I can’t wait.
It would have been nice if he came back as Lucky, before you made the mistake of letting Elizabeth sleep with Nic. But then again the writers are doing all kinds of werid things to salavage the show that should be renamed the SONNY Show
I am very excited to see Jonathan Jackson back as Lucky. I think Greg Vaghan did an awesome job for the past number of years but JJ was by far the best Lucky. He had amazing chemistry with Luke and Elizabeth. Can’t wait to watch!!!
Not sure what to think about this….. but I am over Lucky an Elizbeth…. we have been down this road too many times. Greg Vaughn did an amazing job making the role of Lucky his own. I hope he move on to bigger and better things.
I am excited that Jonathan Jackson is coming back as Lucky. I think that Greg is an amazing actor but the character of Lucky has been pretty boring lately. Hopefully with Jonathan back in the role, there will be some new kick to the character!
How can anyone callJonathon Jackson the name calling stated above. he was fantasic in Tuck Everlasting. As for when he was on GH, his acting was very authentic.
I would also like to mention to those who seem to have forgotten, that Jonathan originated this role. He is a great actor, a wonderful singer and has a beautiful smile. Yes, Greg did a wonderful job when he replaced him and made the character his own, but I never believed it. Jonathan and Rebecca have chemistry. Name calling is not productive. Just let the performances speak for themselves.
Casting Director
I have always thought Jonathan Jackson was the best Lucky. I watched him from day 1 many years ago. Can’t wait to see him play this role as an adult.
Jonathan Jackson looks like a little boy compared to handsome, mature Greg. I loved JJ and Liz as kids but don’t know if I will be able to adapt to him in the adult role- we’ll see. Best luck Greg- you had big shoes to fill after JJ and JY as Lucky- you did great!
Greg Vaughn did a great job as Lucky, but I never felt the connection with him and Luke. Part of it was story line dictated, but I think chemistry plays into it, as well.
I’m not sure how such a still young looking Jonathan Jacks is going to do being a cop and a father of two, but I can’t wait for the ‘old’ Lucky and Luke to get together!!
Good luck to Greg, we’ll miss you!
I don’t like the idea of Elizabeth going back to Lucky. It didn’t work in the past and it won’t work now. Lucky isn’t the father of either of the boys. One was from a rape and the other is Jasons. I would like to see her with Nicholis.Love this show. Need more excitement. I don’t like the Luke storyline. He should stay gone in my opinion.
This really sucks! Jonathan was okay in his day but Greg added a more maturity to Lucky and I hate to see him go. Good lucky, Greg, and the best to you, your family and your career. I am waiting to see you in your next project. I have been your fan since Charmed and will remain so in whatever you do.
Greg has made this role his own. Jonathan played a young Lucky…too much time has passed..the role belongs to Greg
I am shocked at the change. But since I don’t know the why’s and where fores I will just have to wait and see like everyone else. Jonathen Jackson was and probably always will be thee Lucky because he was the first. I’m happy to see him back. But sad to see Greg go also. GH has wasted him so much it was maddening. So good luck to you and to Jonathan.
Sorry to see him go, have met him in person, he is an awesome person, and brought so much more then Jackson did, Jackson was good when young, but has done nothing since.
I am so glad that Jonathon Jackson is coming back as “Lucky”. He was my favorite “Lucky”. While GV did a good job, I just couldn’t get behind him. I enjoyed JJ as Lucky much better. I wish GV luck.
Jonathan Jackson is a much better actor than GV can ever wish to be. GH finally made a good move.
this sucks, sorry but this Lucky is not gonna cut it in my book, he is too young and not LUCKY to me, i liked the 2nd (can’t remember his name ) and Greg is good but Jason , sorry i wil not be happy to see him , he has no chemisty, I have been happy with all the Carly’s and even the new Michael, but the old Lucky has to GO,
Im not sure how to respond to this, Jonathan Jackson was such a little boy with he was Lucky Spencer, it was great when he was a kid, Lucky is an adult, hopefully Jonathan has grown into a man and can handle the adult role of Lucky Spencer!!! Best wishes to Jonathan as Lucky and Greg V’s future endeavors
cameron is zanders son not from a rape… jj is the one & only lucky while i like gv he was never lucky for me…the writers turned lucky into such a looser with gv which did no justice to the character… jj is the perfect guy to be the son of luke & laura… only liked liz with jj’s lucky & i know when i see him on my screen for the first time first i am gonna scream then cry i have missed him as lucky.. & i think he won 3 ems as lucky… fantastic actor he can handle mature lucky
YAAAYYY!!! I think this is the greatest thing that GH could have possibly done, bringing JJ back!!! I have never, never, NEVER felt that Greg Vaughn was Lucky all these years; he played the role like Lucky was bitter, stuck up… and unlike the other Spencers, he would never break the rules. JJ played the role as Luke and Laura’s true son should be, with the droll banter, the sly wit, and true passion for everything he put his mind to, whether legal or not. And the chemistry between him and Rebecca Herbst..! Come on, people, they were one of the greatest supercouples of all time on GH, ’nuff said. I know some will feel bad that Greg is leaving, but he’ll do fine somewhere else, he always seems to land on his feet. Give JJ the room to remind you all why we all ran home from school 10 years ago to watch GH..! Wait and see.
GREAT POST POST KAREEM I WAS NINE YEARS OLD WHEN THEY WERE FIST TOGETHER SO I DIDNT SEE IT BUT WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS ABOUT IT I HAD TO CHECK IT OUT BECAUSE I ONLY SAW GREG LUCKY AND DIDNT REALLY SEE THE CHEMISTRY WITH BECKY ,SAW YOUTUBE SCENES AND I HAVE TO SAY IM PRETTY DAMN EXCITED THEY WERE DARN CUTE WOW ,I KNOW THEIR OLDER NOW AND IT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT BUT IM INTERESTED TO SEE THEM DO SCENES TOGETHER ,I AM STILL CATCHING UP ON JJ AND BECKY FROM BACK IN THE DAY ON YOUTUBE THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL IM ADDICTED ,IM JUST WORRIED THEY AFTER THEY DID ALL THAT TO GREG LUCKY AND MESSING UP THEIR HISTORY HOW CAN THEY SALVAGE THAT COUPLE THEY WERE BEFORE I DONT THINK THEY SHOULD OF RECAST LUCKY AT ALL AND LET HIM STAYED SUPPOSELY DEAD AND HAVE HIM COME BACK ALL THESE YEARS THAT WOULD OF MADE FOR SOME GREAT SCENES FOR JJ AND BECKY NOW SO I GUESS I’LL WAIT AND SEE
Iam so so happy JJ is back that role always belonged to him Greg never replaced JJ he just didnt make a good Lucky
I am overjoyed that Jonathan Jackson is back to reprise the role he, not only originated, but made iconic. I’ve waited for this moment for a decade now and I honestly thought it would never come. I can’t be anything but happy. Greg Vaughan, while a decent actor, was never and will never be Lucky Spencer. That distinction will always belong to Jonathan Jackson. He IS Lucky Spencer.
Welcome home, Cowboy. I missed you.
GH has been so frustrating for the last decade. I loved Elizabeth and Lucky when they were teenagers. I balled my eyes out along with Elizabeth when Lucky “died”. Elizabeth and Lucky’s characters changed when Jonathan left the role. They were the sweetest characters and now they’re both bitter and have become just like every other soap opera couple.
Greg did an amazing job with the storylines he was given, but GH didn’t do Greg or Lucky any justice. I think the last 10 years would have played out better if Greg was given a new role and the role of Lucky just stayed “dead” until Jonathan returned…this way Greg could still have a role on the show, because losing Greg really is a great loss to GH.
As a fan of the teenagers, I felt robbed when Elizabeth and Lucky married. Rebecca and Jonathan had unbelievable chemistry, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it on any of the soaps in the last 10 years. I hope GH does it right this time and gives us a wedding to remember.
I am also extremely disappointed in the decisions GH has made for Elizabeth. She and Lucky haven’t had any chemistry since Jonathan and the only other person she’s had it with since is Jason. BUT GH has made sure that her relationship with Jason was pretty much pointless. I started to get behind her and Nikolas, but now that Jonathan is returning, it’s just going to screw with her relationship with Lucky.
What I’d like to see happen is for the two of them to get back some or all of what they used to be. Lucky was there for her after she was raped. It was devastating for both of them. Something equally devastating needs to happen for them to reconnect. Like if something were to happen to Cameron (let’s face it, he hasn’t really been a part of the show since he was born), Lucky could help Elizabeth pick up the pieces again. Plus Luke can be there for Lucky, since he knows what it’s like to lose a son…he grieved for Lucky and also had to be strong for Laura when Lucky “died”. And then Elizabeth and Lucky could finally get married as the Elizabeth and Lucky they were meant to be. I’d like to see them have a baby girl together and for them to be the super couple they should be.
I’m just SO SO SO glad to have Jonathan back as Lucky. Sure he’s younger and smaller than Greg, but that’s who Lucky was. Lucky was also never fit to be a cop, so I kind of hope they come up with a new profession for him. I’d like to see Lucky and Nikolas go into buisness together once the dust settles between them. I’d also like to see Elizabeth painting more and Lucky playing guitar and singing to her like he used to. It’s time to get back to the basics.
Greg will be missed as an actor (just not as “Lucky”) and I hope that ABC will find room for him as a lead character in one of their soaps. GH is a fan of bringing back actors as new characters (Sarah Brown as Claudia instead of Carly, Natalia Livingstone as Rebecca instead of Emily), so maybe they can create a new character for Greg to play…not a secret twin of Lucky’s though.
anyway, I’m happy to say WELCOME BACK COWBOY!!
AS A LONG TIME VIEWER OF G.H. i HAVE SEEN MANY ACTORS COME AND GO, SOME GOOD, SOME BAD BUT THEY ALL GAVE IT THE BEST THEY HAD. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND HAVE BEEN WATCHING G.H. SINCE IT DEBUTED ON TV AND PRETTY MUCH LIKED ALL THE MAIN CHARACTERS, BUT I ESPECIALLY LIKED GREG VAUGHN AS LUCKY, HE BRINGS A CERTAIN CHARM AND CHARISMA TO THE STORY AND WE COULD ALL RELATE TO HIS PERSONAL PROBLEMS.
JONATHAN JACKSON WAS GOOD AS LITTLE LUCKY BUT I CANNOT SEE HIM WORKING WITH SUCH SEASONED VETERANS AS TYLER, REBECCA, TONY, AND ALL THE OTHERS THAT HAVE MADE G.H. AS WONDERFUL AS IT IS. i PRAY THAT THEY MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IN RELEASING GREG.
I am elated that Jonathan is returning. I had no idea GV had even been on 10yrs. I never got into him and usually when his scenes came on I fast forwarded. I have watched GH since I was little, I’ve grown up with Luke& Laura and the “real” Lucky. I can’t wait!!!
Judy:
Zander is Cameron’s father.
does this mean liz can finally stop pining and ruining other people’s lives (i.e. Jason and Sam’s) ?!?!?!
I am actually glad that JJ is back
hopefully liz and lucky stay together
I think this sucks. Greg is Lucky NOW. I agree with some of the people above – Jonathan was lucky a long long time ago, when Lucky was a little boy. Jackson still has that boyish quality, and I see Lucky more as a man, like Greg. DON’T LIKE THIS ONE BIT.