On ‘GH’ these days, there’s an old doctor in the house
A familiar face is roaming the halls of ABC’s daytime soap “General Hospital”: Rick Springfield.
The 56-year-old actor-singer is reprising his role as Dr. Noah Drake on the long-running drama.
The Australian-born Springfield starred on the series from 1981 to 1983. During that time, he also became a Grammy Award-winning pop star with his best-selling album “Working Class Dog” and its No. 1 hit, “Jessie’s Girl.”
Since leaving “General Hospital,” Springfield has appeared on such series as “The Human Target” and “High Tide” while releasing albums and touring.
His “GH” engagement is scheduled to last through this week, but word has it he may return for more episodes.
Q: Has “General Hospital” asked you to come back before?
A: No, not at all. … (The band) Simply Red had a record out and appeared as Simply Red on a soap, in a club playing a song, and it really sparked record sales. We contacted a couple of soaps to see if there was anything like that.
We heard back from “Days of Our Lives,” and I went to meet with them, actually, and they wanted to bring me on as a character. … But it wouldn’t work out because of my schedule. …
We had approached “General Hospital” about it, and they said they write so far ahead they didn’t have anything that could be in a club. They called back in mid-October and said, “Would Rick be interested in recurring his role for a couple of episodes?” I thought about it, and it seemed like it was too good an opportunity to miss. I don’t know if there has ever been a character that reoccurred after 23 years.
Q: Was it weird to return?
A: The weirdest thing was seeing the clothes hung up in the dressing room with a tag saying “Noah Drake” on them. … It is at a different studio, and only about eight or nine people who are there I remember from before. …
His (Drake’s) life has gone to hell. … They gave me some back story, and I don’t know how long I’ll be on it to bring it out, but it’s interesting stuff. It is all stuff I can relate to, having lived another 23 years. …
He has a son whom he doesn’t have a very good relationship with. He’s divorced, and something bad happened to the family.
Q: Are you going to sing on the show?
A: We talked about that originally when I first was on it. I was hired as an actor, and then they found out I was a singer and then the record hit. But it didn’t fit with the character.
Q: Do you enjoy playing your old songs in concert?
A: I love playing the old stuff. I love the attention they get. They are like favorite children, especially since I wrote them – I have a deeper connection to them. …
I am very humbled by my fans. I used to take them so much for granted. Probably the biggest thing that has changed about me since the early days is my attitude toward the people who like my music or are interested in me as an artist.
The birthday bunch
Actor Dabney Coleman is 74. Singer Stephen Stills is 61. Actress Victoria Principal is 56. Actor Mel Gibson is 50. Actor Jason Marsden (“Ally McBeal”) is 31. Actress Danica McKellar (“The Wonder Years”) is 31. Actor Nicholas Gonzalez (“The O.C.”) is 30. Singer Kimberley Locke is 28.