Josh Kelly has played soldiers, action heroes, and even shirtless heartthrobs, but nothing has brought him quite as much joy as stepping into Port Charles. Since arriving in 2022, General Hospital’s Cody Bell has become a character filled with equal parts charm, chaos, and unexpected heart — and Kelly admits it’s been one of the most rewarding roles of his career.
From Fan to Family
Speaking with Woman’s World, Kelly revealed that playing Cody has been especially meaningful because of his ties to one of the soap’s most beloved clans. As a teenager, he watched GH with his sister and admired John J. York’s Mac, even hoping one day to look like him. Years later, he found himself on set, knees shaking, as he filmed scenes opposite York and Kristina Wagner (Felicia). That nervous energy quickly gave way to gratitude, as Kelly was embraced by both veterans and the Scorpio family storyline.
Cody’s arc has mirrored that sense of belonging, shifting from an outsider with a questionable agenda to someone who’s finally putting down roots in Port Charles. Kelly lights up when talking about how much he’s enjoyed watching the character prove himself and forge bonds — and said the chance to become part of a legacy family is nothing short of a dream come true.
General Hospital spoilers for September 24 tease The Quartermaines continuing to mourn their late matriarch, another legacy family that Kelly’s character has been welcomed into.
A Role That Does It All
What excites Kelly most is the range the role allows. Cody can wrangle kids and animals in one scene, spar with Jane Elliot’s fiery Tracy in another, and then turn around and play rom-com beats opposite Kristen Vaganos’ Molly. He explained that the reason he gets along with his co-stars is “because I’m just a big kid, right?” He then noted, “I’ve always gotten along with animals, so it’s fun. And as far as the kids go, I still have that joy of acting.” The kids look to him to figure out when to be serious and when to have fun.
After having previously gushed over his new four-legged scene partner Bailey, who plays the lovable pooch Outback, it’s clear that he gets along with everyone. Also, his time in the army showed him that storytelling can be a good escape, especially when things get tough. That perspective fuels his work on daytime — and his upcoming action film, The Workout.
But while he enjoys balancing other projects, it’s clear GH holds a special place for him. Cody, he says, has given him the rare chance to combine humor, heart, and heroics all in one role — and that’s why this part feels like a dream realized.
