Kimberly McCullough and Jason Thompson
Jason Thompson was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series five (!) times before finally winning the award on his sixth nod. While he took home the gold for playing Billy on The Young and the Restless, he scored each of those previous nominations for his 2005-2016 run as Dr. Patrick Drake on General Hospital.
The actor was asked in an interview if he felt that the honor was not only because of his work as Billy over the last year but was additionally a tribute to his entire daytime acting career. “I can’t see how it’s not,” Thompson shared with TV Insider. “I really can’t. It’s all helped me get to [this] place where I try and pay tribute to the work.
“Nothing is owed to you,” the actor continues. “You have to earn the trust of the writers, producers, directors, network, your co-stars…you have to earn the time it takes to learn the craft. If you think you’re ever done learning, you’re missing the point. I’m always trying to do the work justice, making sure I earn my place. I’m honored to be on the same team as so many of my colleagues.”
“Omg! Yay! Love you Jason!!!!!” tweeted out Thompson’s former GH leading lady, Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin). Thompson, in turn, wants to thank McCullough for his being honored. “I’m blessed with a crew of people who love and support me,” Thompson said. “The list is long. Also, the fans who have been so supportive of me. I’m lucky to be a part of two shows that will go down in history. Lucky me.”
As daytime fans know, Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie, The Bold and the Beautiful) began a tradition years ago in which all the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nominees would gather for a lunch or brunch to celebrate their nominations. Traditionally, the previous year’s winner would pick up the tab.
Thompson says he may start such a tradition for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series nominees, but one potential host and ex-colleague — Steve Burton (Jason) — won’t ever have to pay. “[Steve] was one of those guys who never let me pay for a thing when I first started at GH and he’d take me out to lunch,” Thompson recalls.
Soap Hub congratulates Thompson on his overdue Emmy win! General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. Check local listings for air times.
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