While fans were shocked to see the fate of Marco Rios on “General Hospital” after the character succumbed to his wounds in the Wednesday, March 25 episode of the daytime drama series, portrayer Adrian Anchondo had felt, since at least August of last year, that the show might be writing his character out. He formally got notice in January, after the show returned from its holiday break.
“I found out when we came back from the end-of-year break,” said Anchondo in a recent interview with Michael Fairman TV. “It was something that I kind of felt was going to happen. It was heading that direction.”
“I was feeling that since August of last year. It was more a question of when it would happen and how, than if. Of course, I would’ve loved to be on this show for many, many years,” continued Anchondo. “I’ve been keeping this secret for a long time, so it’s such a relief to finally let it go. We filmed this all on January 30th, because that was the end of my contract before if it were to be renewed. So, there were a lot of things that had to be squeezed in the last week. They actually gave me a four-week warning [that it was coming], which was great.”
With his character lying on a gurney as Marco’s family and loved ones mourned his passing, Anchondo notes he was emotional taping the scenes, saying, “I had tears running down my eyes. They had to cover me up because there was this finality to it all.” He adds, “I was saying goodbye, but in this most beautiful, sad way. I felt like once I’m done with this, I’m never going to see them again. But that’s not true. I’m going to continue my relationship with everyone at the show. So, I was feeling so many mixed things. I was just so grateful [for the experience].”
“My heart’s beating for Van to make sure that he’s doing his best, and that he’s getting to do his best work,” said Anchondo of co-star Van Hansis, who plays Marco’s on-screen interest, Lucas Jones, while he himself is playing dead in the scene. “He killed that monologue. And you can’t tell, but I am bawling my eyes.”
As for Carlo Rota, who plays Marco’s on-screen father, Jenz Sidwell, Anchondo shared, “The taping was different than the way he performed it in the rehearsal. It was very sad in the performance during the rehearsal. Something clicked in him where he is just a brilliant actor, where he has to instill fear in the audience. His job is to tell a story beyond what’s happening right there and set up for what is about to happen. He was just great. Carlo did a great job. He scared me.”
“Nancy [Lee Grahn] was really emotional,” commented the actor on the actress who plays Alexis Davis, Marco’s boss. “We had grown to have a good relationship on the set.”
Christine Bartolucci/Disney
While this is the end of his run on “General Hospital,” Anchondo is grateful for the time he got to spend in Port Charles, noting, “The amount of love that I have received from this ending has been insane. I think it’s because a lot of people were just starting to like Marco, even though I knew his heart; he was doing questionable things. So now, I’m seeing all the love that I wish I had maybe seen earlier for the character.” Meanwhile, from a story perspective, Anchondo would like to see Lucas move on and find happiness in the end. “Just because our relationship ends, doesn’t mean that he won’t find love again,” he says, in character. “I could be a stepping stone for Lucas’ true love in the future.”
Anchondo shared a special message for Hansis in an Instagram story published shortly after his final episode aired, saying, “To my incredible scene partner and friend, thank you for making it so easy to fall in love with you. We really came full circle after 20 years! As much as I bawled my eyes out during your amazing performance on my last day, I’m so happy to know that our friendship will live on. Long live Lucas and Marco.”
To read more about what Anchondo had to say about his other colleagues, including Kelly Tibaud (Dr. Britt Westbourne), and the advice he received from Grahn and Cynthia Watros (Nina Reeves), check out his full Michael Fairman TV interview.
