Daytime Emmy winner Jonathan Jackson says the reason he's returning to the role of Lucky Spencer on "General Hospital" after a 10-year absence is quite simple.
Someone asked.
"It was extremely out of the blue for me," the 27-year-old actor said. "I was just contacted by ABC, through my agents and stuff, and (they said) the role of Lucky was opening up again, and they were interested to see if I was willing to come back."
Greg Vaughn, who had the role for six years, left "GH" a few weeks ago. Whether he quit or was fired is still up for speculation. Jackson returns to the role at 3 p.m. today on WATE, Channel 6.
Whatever the reason for it opening up again, ABC wanted Jackson back in the role, which he originated at the age of 11. "I took a few days to think about it and consider if this is something we should even more toward again," Jackson said.
Though reports indicate Jackson will do the role only for six months, he declined to talk about the specifics of the agreement with ABC.
He did say he would love to work with his on-screen mother, Genie Francis, again. Lucky is the son of Luke and Laura Spencer, perhaps daytime TV's best-known characters.
Since leaving the soap, Jackson has had a stint in movies, starring in 2002's "Tuck Everlasting" and 2004's "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights," a prequel to the film starring Patrick Swayze.
Jackson also married former "General Hospital" actress Lisa Vultaggio in 2002. They have a son and a daughter.
He has not watched "General Hospital" since he left. "In retrospect, that's a good thing," he said. "I won't go back into the role with a lot swirling around in my head from different (interpretations of the role).
"It seems like a pretty seamless transition."
And to have a little fun with the recasting and Jackson's return, Lucky pops up in a scene and deadpans the line, "remember me?"
Jackson is not sure how Lucky has changed now that he's an adult and Jackson played the role as a teenager. "I don't want to dwell on what has changed with the character," he said.
"I want to focus on what's the same (since I last played him)."
Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxville.com or 865-342-6445. His blog can be found at http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/. He contributes to "Live At Five At Four" on WBIR, Channel 10, and "The Marc & Kim & Frank Show" on WWST-FM, 102.1.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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