Interview with Walt Willey

TV Interview!

 

Walt Willey plays Jackson Montgomery once again on "General Hospital" on ABC

Interview with Walt Willey of “General Hospital” on ABC by Suzanne 6/15/23

It was a pleasure to speak with Walt! He’s a funny guy, and clearly, he is enjoying being back in the TV spotlight.  Since I watched “All My Children” from 1985 until it finished, and I’ve watched “General Hospital” since 1985, it’s a special thrill, as a fan of both shows, to have had a chance to ask him questions about both shows.  I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did!

 

MORE INFO:

Walt Willey plays Jackson Montgomery once again on "General Hospital" on ABCWalt Willey’s Bio:

Born in Ottawa, Illinois, Walt Willey attended Southern Illinois University, where he majored in Fine Arts. It was during his time at college that he became involved in acting, performing major roles in several productions. In 1981, Walt left Illinois for New York to break into acting professionally.

After numerous Off-Broadway productions, including Dust Off with Dan Lauria, and stints on NBC’s Another World as “James La Russo”, and “Joe Novak” on ABC’s Ryan’s Hope,

Walt joined the cast of ABC’s All My Children in 1987 – playing the role of lawyer Jackson Montgomery. MORE

UPDATE: ‘General Hospital’ Celebrates Historic 60th "General Hospital" airs weekdays on ABCAnniversary on April 1, 2023

Special Episode Honoring the Late Sonya Eddy To Air in March

 The Return of the ‘GH’ Nurses Ball Will Kick Off the Week of April 3

 Jane Elliot Reprises Role as the Iconic Tracy Quartermaine

 ABC To Dedicate Stage at Prospect Studios to ‘GH’ in Honor of Milestone

ABC’s Emmy¼ Award-winning daytime drama “General Hospital” will celebrate its 60th anniversary on April 1, 2023. To honor the milestone, the network is set to present the cast and crew with a stage dedication on the Prospect Studios lot, permanently commemorating the show’s legacy and serving as a reminder of the history that has been made in that very spot.

The show will kick off its anniversary programming at the end of March with a special episode honoring the late Sonya Eddy, who played “GH” head nurse Epiphany Johnson on the series since 2006. Then, the beloved Nurses Ball returns starting the week of April 3, a fictional glamorous charity event complete with red-carpet fashion and musical performances from the illustrious citizens of Port Charles dedicated to HIV/AIDS awareness. This marks the first time the Nurses Ball has aired since 2020. The festivities will then continue as icons of Port Charles unite to stop a legendary threat from the past. Jane Elliot is set to reprise her role as the legendary Tracy Quartermaine in April.

The ABC daytime soap opera has depicted the ongoing lives of the diverse and evolving citizens of Port Charles, New York. While delivering romance and the high-flying adventure for which soaps are often known, “GH” has regularly capitalized on its setting to present stories that speak to and enrich viewers’ lived experiences around the country.

In 2022, “General Hospital” won five Daytime Emmy Awards including the marquee Outstanding Drama Series, marking the show’s 15th win for this honor as well as the record for most wins in the category, a truly incredible fete and testament to the impact and resonance that the series has had with viewers to this day.

“General Hospital” stars Genie Francis, Maurice Benard, Finola Hughes, Kristina Wagner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Rebecca Herbst, Kelly Monaco, Laura Wright, Kirsten Storms, Dominic Zamprogna, Maura West, Chad Duell, Roger Howarth, Donnell Turner, Michael Easton, Eden McCoy, Cynthia Watros, Josh Swickard, Katelyn MacMullen, Sofia Mattsson, Amanda Setton, Brook Kerr, Nicholas Chavez, Avery Kristen Pohl, Cameron Mathison, Charles Shaughnessy, Tajh Bellow, Tanisha Harper, Tabyana Ali, Robert Gossett, Josh Kelly, Gregory Harrison and Evan Hofer.

“General Hospital” was created by husband-and-wife soap writers, Frank and Doris Hursley. Frank Valentini is the executive producer and showrunner. Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor are co-head writers. The series is produced by ABC.

About General Hospital
ABC’s Emmy¼ Award-winning daytime drama, “General Hospital,” is both the longest-running scripted drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production. One of four remaining daytime dramas, “General Hospital” holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Emmy Award a record 15 times. Filmed in Hollywood, California, the show aired its 15,000th episode on June 22, 2022.

“GH” continues its tradition of passion, intrigue and adventure that has depicted the ongoing lives of the diverse and evolving citizens of the fictional town of Port Charles set in upstate New York. The glamour and excitement of those who have come to find their destinies in this familiar seaport town intertwine with the lives, loves and fortunes of beloved, well-known faces. As always, love, danger and mind-blowing plot twists abound on “GH” with contemporary storylines and unforgettable characters.

“General Hospital” is known for elevating awareness for numerous health and social issues, often ahead of its time, in conjunction with storylines including HIV/AIDS; tolerance and understanding for the gay, lesbian and transgender community; bipolar disorder, spousal abuse, sexual assault, workplace sexual harassment in the #MeToo era, gentrification, war refugees, voting rights and voter suppression, the fight for civil rights and against environmental racism, drug and alcohol addiction; breast cancer awareness; surrogacy and adoption; organ donations, autism and Alzheimer’s-related stories are all topics “GH” has trailblazed.

Many actors got their start on “General Hospital” including Demi Moore, John Stamos, Jack Wagner, Mark Hamill, Rick Springfield, Ricky Martin, Amber Tamblin, Emma Samms, Kimberly McCullough, Jonathan Jackson and Richard Dean Anderson.

“General Hospital” was created by husband-and-wife soap writers, Frank and Doris Hursley, and premiered on April 1, 1963. In 1978, Gloria Monty was brought in as executive producer and is credited with the creation of the first super-couple, Luke and Laura Spencer. Their 1981 wedding brought in 30 million viewers and remains the highest-rated hour in American soap opera history. Frank Valentini serves as “GH”’s current executive producer. Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor are the show’s co-head writers.

“General Hospital” airs weekdays on ABC (check local listings).

Follow “General Hospital” (#GeneralHospital #GH60) on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

Our Other General Hospital Interviews

Back to the Primetime Articles and Interviews Page

Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) and Jackson Montgomery (Walt Willey) on "All My Children"

 

Y&R Character Description – Jack Abbott

Jack Abbott

Jack

John Abbott Jr, AKA – Jack is a former playboy who slept with many of the models from Jabot, and after sleeping with him, the women would ask him to make them the lead model. Diane Jenkins tried this but ended up falling head over heels for him. However, Jack decided to marry Patti Williams (Paul’s sister) to show his father that he had grown up. He still saw Diane and even slept with her on the day of his wedding to Patti; Jill set it up so that a pregnant Patti would find Jack and Diane together. This caused her to miscarry. After making plans to move out of the house and have another baby, Patti overheard Jack making plans to have a vasectomy.  Patti was so enraged she shot Jack three times, causing him to become paralyzed. He eventually recovered.

Jack and Victor Newman are long time bitter rivals. Jack married Nikki, Victor’s ex and true love. They had a son together, but he was born prematurely and died.

Jack found out that a woman he had loved while he was serving in Vietnam had had his child, whom she named Keemo. Luan and Jack were married, but she died from a terminal illness.

Diane returned to town and she and Jack were engaged, but Victor stole her away and they were married. In order to keep Victor, Diane stole sperm she thought was Victor’s to enable her to have a child. However, it turned out to be Jack’s sperm so they now have a child, Kyle.

Jack began courting Phyllis Summers to spy on Newman, but he fell in love with her and they were married. He stood by her when she went to trial for arson and trying to kill Diane. She was acquitted after evidence was found that Diane had set the fire to frame Phyllis. Jack and Phyllis used this to gain custody of his son, Kyle.

Family — Mother: Dina Abbott Mergeron, father: John Abbott, Children: Keemo Abbott, Kyle Abbott, Paternal half brother: Billy Abbott, Maternal half sister: Ashley Abbott, Maternal half brother: Eric Vanderway, Sister: Traci Abbott Carlton Connelly, nieces: Abby Newman, Colleen Carlton, Cordelia and Katie Abbott, Nephews: Theo Vanderway, Johnny Abbott

Back to the Y&R Character Description Page 

Back to the Main Y&R Page

Jack and Nikki