View Full Version : Michael Learned joins General Hospital


catlover79
02-26-2010, 03:19 PM
http://soapoperadigest.com/news/breaking/

Michael Learned is joining the cast of GH for a short-term story arc. The four-time Emmy winner begins taping in mid-March and will appear onscreen in early April. Learned will play Shirley Smith, a cancer patient, who will be involved with Robin (Kimberly McCullough), Patrick (Jason Thompson), Lisa (Brianna Brown) and the rest of the hospital staff. Learned, best known for her role of Olivia Walton, mother to THE WALTONS clan on the 1972-79 CBS family drama, appeared on ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE in 2005. In the 3/2/10 issue, Digest reported that GH was on the hunt for a "name" actress to play a cancer patient with "great will, vitality and spirit."

In a fun twist, her WALTONS on-screen hubby, Ralph Waite, is currently portraying Father Matt on DAYS.

catlover79
02-26-2010, 03:22 PM
By the way, *I* know that The Waltons lasted through 1981, not 1979. That was a goof on SOD's part. Only Miss Learned's tenure lasted from 1972-79.

Torgo
02-26-2010, 03:49 PM
I'm not a soap fan, but it's good to see these guys keeping busy.

Randolph Mantooth is another one keeping busy on soaps.