When the cast of “General Hospital” gets back to work on Monday, August 4, after being given the entire month of July off as part of the show’s summer hiatus, actor Chris L. McKenna will return to the Prospect Studios in Hollywood as a contract cast member, six months after making his debut in Port Charles in the recurring role of Jack Brennan on the ABC drama series.
Following the exit of Charles Mesure, who originated the role, several soap veterans reportedly auditioned for the role of Brennan, Director of World Security Bureau (WSB), who heads up operations in Port Charles, but it was McKenna who ultimately swayed producers with his charming portrayal of the station chief. As a result, and with the way things are going in story, it only makes sense for the show to lock in the venerable actor.
“The overwhelming support from you beautiful people helped make it happen,” said McKenna in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Appreciate you all so much. I’d love to give a big old (CLASSIFIED) kiss to each one of you!
“@ChrisLMcKenna is not only a phenomenal actor but he is also the nicest & funniest human being ever. And he knows how to land a fun pose. Such a pleasure to meet him,” said “General Hospital” fan @EmilinaB in a post on X that included a posed photo with the actor following the kick-off of the annual General Hospital Fan Club Weekend event that took place this weekend at the Embassy Suites in Glendale, CA. In response to the photo, McKenna joked, “Poster for NCIS: Glendale.”
“It was a pleasure meeting @ChrisLMcKenna last night and Chris, based on this picture alone, I am sure most people would get the question wrong as to which one of us was a “singing dancing wood nymph,” commented Michael Cipes (@PopCultureBlitz) in another post shared on X.
The news of McKenna’s status change was first announced at the top of his event with co-star Bradford Anderson (Damian Spinelli) on Friday, August 1, Soap Central reported.
During the event, the pair performed a duet of the song “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” by The Righteous Brothers, and written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
Coming up, look for McKenna to reunite with his former “One Life to Live” TV mom Erika Slezak (ex-Victoria Lord Buchanan) when she joins the cast of “General Hospital” as a new character.
In an interview with Michael Fairman TV, conducted before Slezak’s casting at “General Hospital,” McKenna said, “Erika Slezak means so much to me. She still calls me her son, but says, ‘You’re not my son anymore. You’re so grown up.’ I said, ‘Not true. It’ll never be true. I’m always your son.’ What I wouldn’t do to work with her for one day again.”
McKenna portrayed Joey Buchanan on “One Life to Live,” the youngest son of Slezak’s character, from 1990-1993. His other credits include the role of Detective Mark Harding on “The Young and the Restless” and Dr. Hayden on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” as well as guest appearances on several primetime shows, including “90210,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” “Criminal Minds,” “State of Affairs,” “Chicago Fire,” “S.W.A.T.” and “Good Trouble” among others.
