Josh Swickard Welcomes TV Dad Gregory Harrison to General Hospital

On the heels of getting a TV mom in the form of Kim Delaney (Jackie), Josh Swickard’s Chase is now getting a ‘new’ TV dad. Actor Gregory Harrison is taking over the role of Gregory Chase on General Hospital.

Josh Swickard Welcomes Gregory Harrison

As viewers recall, Gregory had a falling out with his son, Finn (Michael Easton), who disapproved of his father marrying another woman (Jackie) so soon after his mother’s passing.

Previously, James Read played the part of Finn and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) father. No word on why there’s a new Gregory. (Perhaps a scheduling conflict with Read’s other daytime role — Clyde on Days of our Lives — prompted the change?)

In any event, Harrison is taping at the GH studios now and he took a moment to pose for a photo with his new co-star and TV son, Swickard. “Honored to be working with Gregory Harrison on @generalhospitalabc – excited for you all to see his work,” Swickard posted. “#generalhospital #behindthescenes.”

Fan response to Harrison, a TV veteran of such series as Trapper John, M.D. (on which he played ‘Gonzo’ Gates), The Family Man, Fresno, Ringer, and, most recently, Chesapeake Shores, already has been overwhelmingly, but not surprisingly, positive.

“Great to see him as your dad!” posted @mgrille. “PC has a new family. About time! Welcome to the GH family.” Added @m_usko15: “He’s been making my heart race since I was a little girl in the ’80s!”

“I’m so looking forward to this storyline!!!!” wrote @judylipovic. Enthused @kdkj1997: “HOLD THE PHONE!!!! GONZO is your Dad???? I had the WICKEDEST CRUSH on Gregory Harrison when he was on Trapper John!! Did he bring the RV??? 😉”

Harrison doesn’t appear to have any other daytime soaps on his resume. However, one of his first credits was a role in Trilogy of Terror in 1975, which was directed by Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows). He also had a turn on a nighttime soap, Falcon Crest, as villainous Michael Sharpe. The actor was brought on to help fill the storyline void left by Jane Wyman, who played lead character Angela Channing and had switched to a reduced workload in the final year of the primetime serial.

Taking on the role of Gregory isn’t Harrison’s only credit this year. He has a part in the upcoming Peter Facinelli-directed film The Vanished. It tells the story of a couple played by Anne Heche (ex-Marley/ex-Vicky, Another World) and Thomas Jane (Hung) who will stop at nothing to locate their daughter after she goes missing while on a family camping trip. Harrison plays the role of Dr. Bradley.

How will Gregory’s sons (and his wife!) react to his reappearance in Port Charles? Stay tuned to find out. General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. Check local listings for air times.