Former General Hospital star Jonathan Jackson, who, on October 17, 2025, won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Lucky Spencer, can finally fix an annoying problem with the show. Jackson returned to General Hospital as Lucky in August 2024 after a nine-year absence.
During his most recent General Hospital stint, Jackson’s fans felt that his return was a missed opportunity, as he was stuck in bizarre storylines that wasted the character. Lucky was needed in Port Charles to be a liver donor for his sister, Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins). However, he was being held prisoner in Africa by Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). Upon his return, although he was a match for Lulu, he was unable to donate part of his liver because it was compromised.
Lucky later almost died when Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober) injected him with digitalis when Lucky was investigating him for murder with Elizabeth Baldwin (Rebecca Herbst). He also covered up the fact that Kristina Corinthos (Kate Mansi) had cut the brakes in Ric Lansing’s (Rick Hearst) car, thinking that it was Ava Jerome’s (Maura West), and caused an accident that severely injured both Ric and Elizabeth. However, Elizabeth didn’t press charges against Kristina because she knew that Lucky would get in trouble too.
Lucky and Elizabeth had begun to rekindle their romance, but when he finally proposed, she turned him down, stating that they wanted different things in life. Lucky then left town for a trip around the world with his and Elizabeth’s son, Aiden (Colin Cassidy).
Jackson’s return was much-anticipated, but it was a frustrating comeback, filled with mostly failed storylines that ultimately served no real purpose. Although Lucky bonded with his mother, Laura Collins (Genie Francis) and Lulu, who’d finally come out of her coma after four years, he didn’t really have the chance to fully integrate back into the Spencer clan.
In addition, Lucky and Elizabeth’s breakup was especially devastating, considering that their romance, which began when they were teenagers in 1998, is one of General Hospital’s greatest of all-time. They’ve been married twice, and they always seem to find their way back to each other, but this last storyline ruined that. However, Jackson is willing to bring back Lucky for a storyline that could make up for the disaster that was his last comeback.
Jonathan Is Open To Returning To General Hospital
There’s One Storyline He Wouldn’t Refuse
Although Lucky is currently off the General Hospital canvas because Jackson wanted to spend more time with his family in Tennessee, he’s open to returning to the show for one storyline in particular. In an interview with TV Insider, he revealed that he’d come back to the soap short-term for a memorial for Dr. Lesley Webber, his TV grandmother, played by the late Denise Alexander.
Alexander passed away at the age of 85 on March 5, 2025, but the show has yet to address her character’s fate. Alexander played Lesley from 1973-84, then returned from 1996-2009. She then made appearances in 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2021. When asked if he’d bring Lucky back to honor his grandmother, Jackson replied, “Oh, yeah. I’d be honored.”
If Lucky returned for a storyline about Lesley’s passing, General Hospital could solve its nagging problem of Lucky’s continued absence. His latest exit seemed so abrupt, but another visit to Port Charles for such a somber reason could highlight his family connections with Laura and Lulu, and maybe even bring him closer to Elizabeth again.
The storyline could also help to show how he’s bonded with his son, Aiden, especially because it always seemed out-of-character that Lucky wouldn’t be involved in his child’s life. It would be a beautiful way to integrate Lucky back into his family.
Jonathan Jackson Is General Hospital Royalty
The Multi-Emmy Winner Is A Legend
Jackson is one of the most beloved and legendary General Hospital actors. He originated the role of Lucky on October 19, 1993, when he was 11 years old, portraying the son of the iconic Anthony Geary as Luke Spencer and the incomparable Genie Francis as Laura Spencer. Jackson played Lucky from 1993-99, 2009-11, in 2015, and during his most recent stint. Two other actors, Jacob Young and Greg Vaughan, have also played Lucky, but many fans consider Jackson to be the definitive actor in the role.
Jonathan has won six Daytime Emmys for portraying Lucky, including three for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series (1995, 1998, and 1999), and three for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (2011, 2012, and 2025). While recasting the role is always an option, and it’s happened twice before, Jackson should always be General Hospital’s first choice to play Lucky because he originated the role and made it what it is today.
The fact that Jackson won an Emmy for his latest stint as Lucky, even though his storylines were so lacking, is a testament to what an extraordinary actor he really is. He always makes the most of his scenes, and he’s an essential part of General Hospital.
General Hospital has an annoying problem because it failed Lucky in his latest return, and his storyline feels unfinished. A satisfying way to bring the character back would be to have him return for Lesley’s memorial. Jackson is open to the idea, and General Hospital could finally give Lucky the storyline he deserves with his family. General Hospital would feel more complete if it brought Jackson and Lucky home.
Source: TV Insider
- Release Date
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April 1, 1963
- Directors
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Larry Carpenter, Phideaux Xavier, Tina Keller, Gary Tomlin, William Ludel
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Tyler Christopher
Nikolas Cassadine
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Maurice Benard
Sonny Corinthos
