General Hospital Star Mark Lawson’s Incredible Tribute Late Acting Coach Stan Kirsch

Stan Kirsch, who starred on the series 1990s series Highlander, and spent the last years of his life as an acting coach, passed away on Saturday… but not before touching the lives of many a performer in Hollywood, including General Hospital star Mark Lawson (Dustin).

Mark Lawson Feels A Harsh Loss

Lawson is devastated by the actor’s passing (reportedly by suicide) and paid tribute to his mentor in the most incredible way on a moving Instagram post.

“Stan. I’m reeling…all the way back to my first year in Los Angeles. Had a roommate I didn’t like. Was terrified to make a left on red. I needed the big break NOW so I could leave this terrifying town and go home and somehow work the Hollywood machine from there,” Lawson wrote on Instagram, next to a photo of Stan Kirsch.

“I was in a Lesly Kahn Bootcamp class with another teacher and heard your voice coming into the Studios on Cole (that’s how far back we go). I was star-struck. I was the biggest goddamn nerd for Highlander. I couldn’t even talk to you the first time I was introduced to you. And somehow I ended up in your Ongoing class.

Lawson went on to talk about how Kirsch prepared him for his first audition he knows so well, and then discussed how his coach would always be there for him even after he found work in New York (on One Life to Live).

“You would coach me for nothing. You even let me be your trainer for a minute. You were my first big brother here. I’ll never forget that. And that’s how you’ll stay.
But then what happened? Not a goddamn thing.

“I didn’t work for four years. I was in class with you and so many of the people I shamefully have lost touch with when I announced ‘I’m done, guys. I’m quitting.’ And I did. But somehow I stayed. Somehow I always had a toe in. And a few years went by before I booked the greatest job I’ve had to date. Four years on a soap.

“I visited you every now and then when I was back in LA (the soap shot in New York).
I was already that kid who would drop in on his teachers. His mentors. His heroes.
When I returned for good, I got to see you in YOUR studio. Doing things YOUR way. I got to be your student again. You were brilliant. I miss you.”

Today we can see Mark Lawson as a teacher himself, as well as Lulu’s (Emme Rylan) love interest, Dustin on GH. And it looks like he’s even about to enter a love triangle with Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton). General Hospital (GH) airs weekdays on ABC. Check your local listings for airtimes.