Wings Hauser was a hugely prolific character actor who also segued into writing and directing. A staple of the 1980s and 1990s low-budget film scene, Hauser appeared in several cult classic films including 1984’s Mutant, and Nightmare at Noon (1988), among other movies and TV shows in a career encompassing almost 120 projects. He also became a soap star appearing on The Young and the Restless, and was beloved by everyone in the industry. Former General Hospital star Michael Easton took some time to pay tribute to the late Hauser whose legacy continues to live on.
He Had No Idea What He Was Doing
Hauser had a profound effect on Easton’s life, as the GH alum wrote on Instagram, “Feeling a weight in my heart with the passing of Wings Hauser. In 1989, Wings gave me my first break as an actor, casting me in a low-budget feature that he directed and starred in called Cold Fire (If any of you have seen my work in this movie. I am very sorry). Until then all I had done was theater in New York and it was my first time working in front of a camera. I had no idea what I was doing.”
Easton continued recalling when he auditioned for the film, and in the casting office he bumped into Hauser for the first time who asked him, “Can you act, kid?” Easton said he could although he felt he really couldn’t at the time. He added in another major connection, continuing, “Wings also cast Kamar de los Reyes to play my half-brother in the movie and this is how we met and became lifelong friends.”
READ THIS: Get a look at what’s ahead on GH.
He Was a True Original
Easton’s tale explained how he and de los Reyes would scrounge up some pennies to buy beer and Pop Tarts to get through each day, and further praised Hauser: “It’s a time in my life I’ll always remember and Wings is someone I will never forget. He was a true original.” He was also grateful to the popular character actor for being like a mentor to him, remarking, “Wings was always kind to me and I learned a great deal about acting and more importantly, about life from him. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and all his fans. Rest in power, brother. #wingshauser.”
READ THIS: Bone up on all the GH characters Easton has played.
Fellow soap star and former GH castmate Rebecca Budig (then GH’s Hayden, now Taylor on The Bold and the Beautiful) lovingly responded, “I remember these stories. I’m so sorry, Michael.” And another former GH actor, Mark Lawson (Dustin), chimed in with, “Damn. Another legend. Holding you in my heart, buddy,” to which Easton simply replied, “Thank you Mark🙏.”
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