Port Charles has bid farewell to a beloved character as Gregory Harrison concluded his run on General Hospital. Fans were saddened to see Gregory Chase depart the long-running soap opera, with his final episode airing on May 21st. Harrison, a familiar face to many thanks to his iconic role on Trapper John, M.D., portrayed Gregory Chase, the father of Dr. Hamilton Finn (Michael Easton) and Detective Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard), since joining the show in 2020. His character’s storyline reached a poignant conclusion as Gregory passed away in his sleep after bravely battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Gregory’s recent storyline saw him celebrate joyous occasions, most notably officiating the wedding of his son Chase to Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton). This heartwarming event made his subsequent departure even more impactful for viewers.
The exit of Gregory Harrison has resonated deeply with his General Hospital colleagues. Michael Easton, who played his son Finn, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, expressing his admiration for Harrison. Easton lauded him as “one of the finest actors” he has ever collaborated with and an “even better human being.” He further acknowledged the valuable lessons learned from Harrison and conveyed that his “talent, grace and powerful presence” would be profoundly missed on set.
Nancy Lee Grahn, known for her role as Alexis Davis on General Hospital, also took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her sentiments about Harrison’s departure. She conveyed the difficulty of saying goodbye to her friend and co-worker, Gregory Harrison. Grahn cherished the opportunity to share the stage with him and emphasized that getting to know him was a “gift.” She openly expressed her love and respect for him, acknowledging his character both on and off-screen.
Interestingly, in a 2023 interview with Soap Opera Digest, Gregory Harrison revealed that he had been presented with numerous opportunities to join daytime dramas throughout his career, particularly All My Children. However, he admitted that the prospect initially “scared me so bad.”
It was after the pandemic that the offer to join General Hospital came about, and this time, Harrison’s response was an immediate yes. He described it as an almost “out-of-body experience,” driven by a strong desire to return to acting. Reflecting on his decision, Harrison humorously recounted the initial apprehension that followed his acceptance of the role. He questioned his sanity in taking on the challenge of memorizing substantial dialogue at this stage in his career. Despite the initial “terror,” Harrison found his stride within a few weeks of starting on General Hospital, ultimately enjoying his time on the show.
Gregory Harrison’s extensive acting career includes notable roles in One Tree Hill, CSI: NY, Ringer, and Joey, showcasing his versatility and enduring presence in television. His departure marks the end of a chapter for General Hospital and its viewers, who will undoubtedly remember Gregory Chase and Gregory Harrison’s portrayal fondly.
