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Checking Back in to ‘General Hospital’ Jonathan Jackson to reprise role as Lucky

The Columbian
Published: October 27, 2009, 12:00am
2 Photos
Files/The Columbian
Actor Jonathan Jackson, who's also lead singer with the band Enation, performs at the grand opening of Galeotti's Restaurant in downtown Battle Ground this summer. Jackson is reprising his award-winning role as Lucky on ABC's &quot;General Hospital.&quot;
Files/The Columbian Actor Jonathan Jackson, who's also lead singer with the band Enation, performs at the grand opening of Galeotti's Restaurant in downtown Battle Ground this summer. Jackson is reprising his award-winning role as Lucky on ABC's "General Hospital." Photo Gallery

Jonathan Jackson, the Battle Ground-based actor who originally played Luke and Laura Spencer’s son Lucky on ABC’s “General Hospital,” returns to the show today.

Jackson, 27, began playing Lucky Spencer at 11 years old with an intensity that earned him three daytime Emmy awards in six years.

When he left the show in May 1999, actors Jacob Young and then Greg Vaughan assumed the role. Jackson went on to other acting gigs, formed the band Enation and married a fellow “GH” alum, Lisa Vultaggio, who played Hannah Scott. The couple have two children, Caleb and Adora.

They’re part of a close-knit group of celebrities — including “One Tree Hill” actress Bethany Joy Galeotti and Jonathan Jackson’s brother and Enation band mate, actor Richard Lee Jackson — who choose to make Battle Ground home, though work often takes them to Los Angeles and the East Coast.

“It feels like a familiar, brand-new experience,” Jackson said of stepping back into the role of Lucky.

His return is a big deal for many “General Hospital” fans. Message boards and Web sites devoted to the show have viewers curious to see what will happen next. Some fans said it will prompt them to tune in again.

“I can’t believe the real Lucky is coming back,” said Kathryn Quinn of Lansing, Mich.

“It’s always an adjustment when they replace a character with a different actor, but I think it will be kind of cool to have the original one back,” said Liz Gurgel of Canton, Mich.

Jackson’s portrayal of Lucky Spencer was popular with viewers, especially because of a relationship with Elizabeth Webber, played by Rebecca Herbst, which developed after her character was raped.

“The story line between Lucky and Elizabeth to me was more deep and intense than the average teenage story line,” Jackson said.

Things haven’t been easy for the grown-up Lucky Spencer. He has battled prescription drug use, and Lucky and Elizabeth have been on-and-off over the years. They’re currently engaged to remarry, but Elizabeth is harboring secret feelings for her brother-in-law, Nikolas.

Jackson said he thinks the chemistry he shares with Herbst will help the story, even if Lucky and Elizabeth are on the outs.

He said he felt the timing was right when ABC contacted him recently to retake the role.

“I thought about it and felt like it would be a sort of fun adventure to go back and just see what things are like,” Jackson said, acknowledging he hasn’t really kept up with the show.

Jackson credits Anthony Geary, who plays Luke, and Genie Francis, who played Laura, with helping him to develop his acting skills.

“They were both so open, kind and respectful and didn’t really treat me like a kid. They treated me like an actor who was willing to grow. I am hugely indebted to both of them for a lot of what I’ve learned,” he said.

Columbian staff writer Mary Ann Albright contributed to this story.

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