Soap Hub Wellness Wednesday: Soap Vet Ian Buchanan Keeps It Simple

Ian Buchanan became an instant daytime favorite when he joined the cast of General Hospital as Duke Lavery. He was so beloved that an absence of many years didn’t matter to GH viewers — they welcomed Duke back into their lives. The Bold and the Beautiful fans also welcomed him as James Warwick, where he won a Daytime Emmy. Now, Buchanan is offering up some tips for Soap Hub’s Wellness Wednesday.

Ian Buchanan – Talks Wellness Wednesday

Buchanan is a man known for having played roles on many different soaps, which will be reviewed in this article, but he’s also a man of few words. On the topic of wellness, he believes in keeping it simple. “Lots of water, lots of walking and lots of sleep!” the actor tells Soap Hub.

The actor has spent most of his soap opera career in Los Angeles, a city not known for walking! However, the actor believes that putting one foot in front of the other is a simple and effective way of getting exercise. “Wellness keeps me sharp and fit and better placed to love life,” Buchanan says. “I try to avoid stress and negativity and when possible, only do what I really enjoy.”

His Varied Soap Opera Career

After leaving GH, Ian Buchanan popped up next on The Bold and the Beautiful as Taylor’s psychiatrist mentor, Dr. James Warwick. He remained on the show for several years. James and Taylor made love at the Forresters’ cabin in Big Bear following an earthquake that neither expected to survive. The tryst remained secret for years, but ultimately caused a rift in Ridge and Taylor’s marriage.

Buchanan nabbed the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1997 for his role as James. Next, he joined the cast of Port Charles, the GH spinoff, as Joshua Temple in a gothic/supernatural storyline.

ABC wasn’t finished with Ian Buchanan after that gig came to an end. He was invited to take on the role of Dr. Greg Madden on All My Children. New York City, where AMC was taped, is a city much more conducive to walking, one of Ian Buchanan’s favorite activities.

Ian Buchanan: Sometimes Gone, Never Forgotten

The biggest twist in the actor’s soap life was when he returned alive and well on GH in 2012. First, Ian Buchanan’s “Duke” was actually Cesar Faison (Anders Hove), the man who was obsessed with Anna Devane (Finola Hughes), Buchanan’s co-star and longtime pal.

Duke and Anna revisited their relationship and tangoed at a Nurses Ball, much to the delight of their fans. Alas, Duke was killed off again, seemingly, this time for real in 2015. Since then, the actor has reprised his role as B&B’s James in 2017.

He recently lent his voice talent to a documentary film on actor Jonathan Frid AKA vampire Barnabas Collins from Dark Shadows. Duke has also appeared briefly again on GH in 2016 and 2020. Might Duke (Ian Buchanan) come to life a third time? Anything’s possible in the soap opera world!