Former General Hospital co-stars Maurice Benard and Gregory Zarian came together on Benard’s State of Mind podcast for a candid conversation. The pair talked about a variety of topics, with Zarian really opening up about painful things he has experienced in his life, including his addictions, near-death experiences, mental health, being relegated to “oh you’re the other one” when people would mistake him for his brother Lawrence, and a host of other topics. Zarian also recounts working on Days of Our Lives and GH.
Addiction & Mental Health
Zarian spoke very openly about getting into a very serious car accident while he was drunk and pleading with God to take him. He said he died in the ICU and saw heaven. His uncle was carrying a body bag, and Gregory asked, “Who is that?” His uncle responded, “It’s you, but He isn’t ready for you yet. “
Benard was very candid, as he always is, about his struggle with mental health. Here is a transcript of some of the dialogue about mental health.
Benard: When I have another manic episode or anxiety, I say, “God, haven’t I suffered enough?” So I worked out a way in my mind to say I believe God wants me to suffer or wanted me to suffer to prevent other people from suffering. That is why I’ve been doing this and talking about mental health for over 30 years.
Zarian: What is the most important thing for someone that is struggling with mental illness? What is your invitation for them?”
Benard: Well, you know, if you’re in first, second gear – meditation, working out, eating (well), breathing. But when you hit the fifth and sixth gear, which I have been too many times, you have to go get professional help. They’ll maybe offer you medication because you can’t rein that in once it’s that far gone. That’s the problem.
Zarian: What do you do when you have someone who has an issue with saying, “Hey I have bipolar.” I have some friends that are recently diagnosed and they are so afraid for that.
Benard: You better stay on your medication. I’ve had three nervous breakdowns and have been in a mental institution. All three nervous breakdowns have come because I didn’t take my medication…Lithium. Big Pharma doesn’t like Lithium because it is cheap and it works. I have been on Lithium for 32 years.
Zarian: Don’t be afraid of the label; find a solution. And it doesn’t matter what people think.
Soapy Debut
Gregory recounted his days on DOOL, stating, “Thom Racina, Shelly Curtis, and Sherry Anderson were writing for me on Days of Our Lives, and I had never acted my way out of a paper bag. I met Thom when I was working at a department store. I was put on Days of Our Lives and had no idea what I was doing. I like the whole acting thing. I am going to become an actor. Thom Racina said, ‘Wow, you are really good looking. You should be on a soap opera.’ And I went, ‘OK, let’s do it.’ (I) didn’t audition….(just) got the part. I played Brent Anderson for a nice chunk of time.”
Zarian made sure to let Benard know how much it meant to him that he welcomed him to GH.
Zarian: I want to fan out with you really quick because this is important for me. When people ask me, “Gregory, who is one of the most generous actors you have worked with?” because you know we have the good, the bad, and the careless that we’re here. It is you. You know, I knew Megan Ward [Kate]. We were in acting class together. I didn’t know she was on the show and playing Kate. It was a straight-to-offer job, so once again, I am so grateful. When I get there, and you and I had met, but I remember there was a moment where someone said to me, ‘A man doesn’t touch Sonny.’ I played Kate’s flamboyant friend, and you looked at me and you said, “Do whatever you want me to do. Just go for it.” It was so great because I was coming into your world. It was so generous of you because to come into a show that is such a fine oiled machine and have the star of the show give me permission. but also say, ‘I’m going to step aside and let you play.’
Benard: But I only do that, I have got to be honest with you. I mean, I’m still nice to other people, but I only do that if I think you are good and the acting is good.”
Zarian: I ended up doing that monologue in one take. You just let me play. There are a lot of people that aren’t as free with that and I am forever grateful for that, because you just shared with me what a great actor does for his casemate.
Zarian also starred on Venice the Series as Detective Nick Pfander.
The full episode is below.
