Some emails have been received on this site complaining that Scott Reeves is too old to play Dr. Steven Lars Webber. Reeves is 43. His predecessor, Shaun Benson, who played the role in 2004, was 28 when he joined the cast of General Hospital.
The characters of Heather Grant and Jeff Webber, played by Georgiane LaPierre (Cher's sister) and Richard Dean Anderson (MacGyver), respectively, were introduced in 1976. Steven Lars was born around 1977, making him 32 today.
So Reeves has ten years on Steven Lars, but since when has General Hospital taken that into consideration when casting?
A few cases where age hasn't been a factor:
- Lisa Locicero (Olivia Falconeri is nine years older than TV son Dominic Zamprogna (Dante);
- Stuart Damon (Alan Quartermaine) is one month older than Jed Allan, who played his father Edward briefly.
- John Ingle (Edward Quartermaine) is nine years older than his son Alan.
- Jane Elliot (Tracy Quartermaine) is 11 years older than Wally Kurth, who played her son, Ned Ashton.
- Greg Vaughan (Lucky) is 11 years older than Jonathan Jackson, the original Lucky.
I could go on, but this is a common situation. My favorite is the character of Frank Smith. Originally played by George Gaynes (Punky Brewster), Smith was 63; when he left prison in 1993, some 13 years later, he was being played by Mitchell Ryan and was therefore 11 years younger.
With that kind of math, you'd think people would be happier going up the river.
Comments
Well, on the subject of casting, I just saw the original Lucky today for the first time. I’m hoping to hear from those of you who remember this guy as Lucky about how great he was in the role today, because for me, it was not an improvement. I did get the feeling the writers like this guy better, but not that he can act any better than Greg V. They would never have given Greg the solo time on screen talking to Lara on the phone. In fact, OK, this guy got on my nerves. He does look a lot more like the two actors who are supposed to be his ‘parents’, though. I missed Greg today.
Well, I’d give Jonathan a chance to find the character’s rhythm. He actually is a very good actor and was a very effective Lucky. He has to make the character his own again, which will also mean the writers will start picking up on his Lucky character traits and write for that character. That’s what I think happened with Laura Wright when she stepped in as Carly, and with Kirsten when she became Maxie.
It could also be he’s no longer a good match in the role. But that discovery will take time.
I am very happy to see Jonathan back as Lucky. For the ones who don’t know him as Lucky please give him a chance. Did you see how Liz face light up when Lucky came in. The writer knee to show some old film of Lucky and Liz. I did like Greg and I will miss him.
I did not like the new Lucky at all I watched him in the past and he was awesome back then….but does anyone agree with me that he looks way to young compared to Elizabeth and it just doesn’t seem real. I know he is new back to the show but I just don’t like him at all as Lucky I wish they would have kept GV he was HOT and definitely fit the role better then JJ.
Yeah this guy is way too old to be liz’s brother and isn’t liz suppose to be older than him? About jj ok he looks too young and nothing has changed the writing is still the same all that has changed is lucky’s face. why do people think it will change just cause it is jj. i am not trying to be mean but jj sounds like a kid a girl one for that. oh well i heard GV will be doing primetime on cw see he is already better off without gh
If you are a fan of soaps you have to go with the flow when it comes to the aging process. Whether it’s GH or any soap, again characters forward and backwards is common practice nowadays and if we all get too hung up on it we won’t be able to enjoy our favorite shows. If you look at a lot of the soap casts today most of these characters would probably only be pre teens or young adults if they were aged properly.
Greg Vaughn and Vanessa Marcil were two of the hottest looking stars on General Hospital! Greg should never have been fired and they can not replace Vanessa with anyone else (ie Sam). I don’t think Jonathan will last long, but it will be too late to get Greg back, because someone with intelligence will hire him! As far as the aging thing goes, lets just pretend that the actors are young especially if we like them! Case in point, Dante is very likable.
Well, I don’t agree about the writing – the writers are obviously writing specifically for Jonathan Jackson. They would never have given Greg the two big monologues that Jonathan has had so far.
I have no idea if having him in the role will work this time around or not, but I think it’s too early to tell.
You are correct, however – if the producers ever want to get Greg back, it’s going to be too late. I doubt he would agree anyway.
Scott Reeves might be 43, but I don’t think he looks it. He’s always posting pics on Twitter and he still looks young.
I really liked Greg Vaughn, but they never wrote well for him. I watched Jonathan Jackson grow up on GH and to me, he is Lucky. He’s had terrific success since he left. He is really a good actor and had such charisma with Luke. Let’s give him a chance. After all the role was his to begin with and Greg is off to bigger and better things already.
Oh and on the subject of Scott Reeves…he looks young enough to play the part. Another great actor.
JJ looks too young now to be playing opposite Liz. It’s obvious she has matured especially after giving birth twice. Greg was the only actor in that roll that matched her maturity. The guy that plays JR on AMC didn’t fit at all. When JJ left he just missed out. Greg, I hear, is going to 90210. I like him but I don’t like that show so I will miss seeing him on it. GH, you messed up good this time.
I agree with Annie, in that I remember when JJ played Lucky as a kid and teenager and he and Luke definitely had a connection between them. I never saw that with GV. Plus, of course JJ looks young…because he IS compared to GV. I think that everyone will get used to the old/new Lucky. He definitely has a much softer tone and more easy going personality than what we are used to with GV. I think it will be great to have him back, despite all the differences. I liked GV but I think for this role I will like JJ more! Good luck to Greg…he will thrive wherever he goes!