R.I.P. George Gaynes

February 17, 20169 yr

Member

I tried to post this before but an error came up. The original Frank Smith on General Hospital, George Gaynes, has died at age 98. He also co-starred in many films, and was Punky Brewster's "foster dad."

There's also a video up on youtube from his 95th birthday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el3Tnf-w2Cg

The first episode of GH I ever saw was the non-wedding of Luke & Jennifer Smith on Frank's yacht and Scotty punching Luke overboard.

Edited February 17, 20169 yr by applcin

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February 17, 20169 yr

Member

I thought he'd already passed away.

Sad news.

I remember him best from Punky Brewster, and Police Academy, but the bits I've seen of his GH work show that he was also more than capable of understated menace and dramatic work. A lost art for GH mobsters.

February 17, 20169 yr

Member

I knew he was still alive and I REALLY was hoping he would make it to 100. I was 4 in 1993 when the old Family Channel (later ABC Family) began showing Punky Brewster, so I became a fan then, and got the DVDs later on. He's also one of the best parts of the movie Tootsie. RIP.

February 17, 20169 yr

Member

He also appeared on Search for Tommorow for a short stint as Sam Reynolds in 71.It was possibly a temp replacement situation.

Edited February 17, 20169 yr by Paul Raven

February 17, 20169 yr

Author
Member

I remember him best from Punky Brewster, and Police Academy, but the bits I've seen of his GH work show that he was also more than capable of understated menace and dramatic work. A lost art for GH mobsters.

It was the opposite for me. Having seen him first as the menacing Frank Smith who sent hit men after L & L, it was a bit strange at first to see him be comedic in Punky Brewster. I never saw the Police Academy films but I did see Tootsie back in the day.

Yes, Frank Smith was the sophisticated mob boss who sent the goons out. He wasn't a goon himself.

February 17, 20169 yr

Member

February 17, 20169 yr

Member

Aww...that's sweet.

February 17, 20169 yr

Member

I thought he'd already passed away.

I remember him best from Punky Brewster,

Same…

February 18, 20169 yr

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Member

Some classic Frank Smith, starting around 5:05.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7WKzGwYb3U&list=PLsP9EUMF4fw8fWlKzoMy3116GRP7-pks_&index=153

Edited February 18, 20169 yr by applcin

February 18, 20169 yr

Member

Was Frank Smith the first mob character on the show?

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DAYS: December 2025 Discussion Thread

Well, the day I think we've all been looking forward to is finally here: welcome back Peter Blake!
I admit, I have a few reservations though. I wish that they had been able to get Jason Brooks back for this but for obvious reasons, that can't happen lol and I was also a little cautious when I read that interview where Dan Gauthier admitted that he hadn't done any research about the character. But I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. There's still a lot that can be done with Peter. And hopefully, he gets to have scenes with Jack and Jennifer at some point, not only just to have that closure, but also because they're involved in this storyline too because of Chad. But I did enjoy his reunion with Kristen, and that he got to meet Chad and Theo for the first time. But yeah, it really is time for them to get out the damn crypt lol. I enjoyed a lot of scenes in there, but at the same time, I wasn't a big fan of the storyline, in general.
I thought that Roman and Kate were used effectively today. But again, with that Brady Pub music. I never knew that you could square dance to 'Jingle Bells' 😂😂😂
I like that Johnny had Roman and Kate to talk to about him temporarily stepping in to run Dimera, and that they each provided him with a different perspective on whether or not to take the job. And I hope he does take it, mostly because of the potential conflict that can be drawn from that. Johnny stepping in could lead to a lot of good storylines for everyone around him, especially Chanel, their relationship and also because we now know that Kate had an ulterior motive in talking to him. I actually didn't see that one coming and I hope Days really runs with it. This could go in so many different directions and Kate's part in it adds another dynamic that could be really good as well. If Days hadn't rushed through Johnny's anger about Sami's rape and that toxic Dimera legacy, this would have been the perfect opportunity for him to try to sabotage and bankrupt the company, as a way of finally ending that toxic legacy, which would have been great family drama. I wouldn't mind him still trying to do that either lol and Johnny looked good today too. His shirt is something that I would wear.
And I'm really enjoying Kate and Ari's scenes. They work well together and I like that we get to see their relationship onscreen. Kate being the one to basically give Ari the courage to tell Gabi that she was taking the internship at Dimera, and not a job at GabiChic was a good idea.
Speaking of Gabi, she has a new office set... and if it means that they're finally phasing out that ugly Salem Inn room, I'm all for it. I did have mixed feelings about Philip's declaration to Gabi though. I like the idea of it, but I also feel like they rushed it a little. Philip almost sounded like he was madly in love today and I didn't even realize that he and Gabi were that serious yet lol maybe we should have seen their relationship grow and play out more onscreen. Unless Philip is playing her for some reason, or secretly already knows about her having teamed up with Tony.
Yep.
She's hanging in there, still releasing the opinion column every Friday.

By AbcNbc247 · 20 minutes ago20 min
Soap Hoppers: The Soap Actors And Roles Thread

Thank you so much @slick jones . I can't imagine all the time and effort this takes so whatever time away you need I know we will all understand.

By DRW50 · 1 hour ago1 hr
One Life to Live Tribute Thread

Great observations @DRW50. I've noticed that Clint Ritchie doesn't seem completely engaged with the material in these last five episodes or so. The Cord scenes, in particular, came across as really stiff and lacking emotion. It almost felt like he was annoyed by the silly things he has to say or hear. Maybe it's just in my head, but I've seen him perform so well many times before, so this definitely felt off.
These scenes where characters come back from the dead can be pretty cringe to watch or even act in. I've noticed similar moments in other soap operas too, where you can even glimpse actors trying to suppress a smile or a laugh because of how ridiculous the situation is that they're portraying.
Honestly, this is their second similar storyline (or third if you include Mortimer) in just a year and a half. I really hope this trend doesn't continue. The last thing I expected was for Malone to be the writer who keeps churning out these return-from-the-dead plots all year long.
I really think they made a mistake by killing off so many characters in the first year, and now they're struggling to fix that. This show seems overproduced at times and now I get some of the criticism I've read about it before.

By Maxim · 1 hour ago1 hr
R.I.P.: Anthony Geary has passed away

In Memory of Anthony Geary AM Chicago 1983 returns to Tony's hometown

By DRW50 · 2 hours ago2 hr
GH: December 2025 Discussion Thread

Britt and Spencer did not have that deep a relationship. And Claudette sucked.

By Vee · 3 hours ago3 hr
BTG: December 2025 Discussion Thread

The Michael /Lauren shout out from Bill and Dani was very clever!

By YRfan23 · 3 hours ago3 hr
GH: December 2025 Discussion Thread

I wish the show would reference that Charlotte once thought Nathan was her father. It didn't last long. They quickly changed it to Griffin, and then to Valentine, at which point we were told that somehow, she had always known he was her father. Still, Charlotte did call Nathan daddy, and she was even a little scared and clinging to him when she was first introduced to Nathan as her real father.
With Nathan and Charlotte sharing scenes, and him even being the guy who picks her up from school, it would be interesting to hear them talking about that chapter in their lives, and how much Charlotte remembers about it. I would especially like to hear him talk about Claudette with her, and how often Charlotte thinks back on her. If they are going to tell us that she has always had a bond with Valentine that surpassed the one she has with Lulu, they should remember that the limits on her connection to Lulu stemmed from the fact that she had originally had a different mom who she was bonded with.
I guess the show has decided to ignore all that, like the way they are ignoring Britt's history with Spencer. That one is even more aggravating to me.

By StevieM · 4 hours ago4 hr
ALL: Soap Stars - Where are they now?

One of the scenes even has an SNL cast member (Rob Riggle).
They are trying to cash in on Sound of Freedom, but that had a system of ticket-buying which was for that film only (they bought tickets in bulk even though many never went to see the movie).
I see that Jen Lilley (ex-GH/DAYS) and Jemma Donovan (Neighbours/Hollyoaks) are also in it.

By DRW50 · 4 hours ago4 hr
One Life to Live Tribute Thread

Thanks @Maxim
I do remember Cord's return being somewhat of a shrug. I am sometimes surprised they even took John Loprieno back as they clearly had more interest in Tina/Cain (what interest in Tina Malone ever even had). The edginess he returns with does have potential, and is at times explored, but could have had more, especially with Clint's increasing volatility.
Your despair over the state of Luna is more interesting than the material itself, good as Susan Batten was in the role.
I had to shake my head at Viki's attempt to shift blame on her clumsy lie about dinner with Sloan. Another sign of how much she has changed.
Those Sloan/Viki/Clint scenes are a tale of two halves. The confrontation needed to happen, but there's a mix of drive and cheese. I don't think Clint Ritchie is at his best here, and Viki commenting on not wanting to be the woman fought over doesn't hide the degradation of her just trying to stop them as Clint starts in. The scene where Clint nearly hits Viki should have had more of a punch (no pun intended) than it did.
The music in that scene veers between very effective and rushed student film.
Sloan takes a beating well for someone with a heavily weakened immune system.

By DRW50 · 5 hours ago5 hr
All My Children Tribute Thread

I don't think Jean LeClerc's ever done Locher Room.

By DRW50 · 5 hours ago5 hr

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R.I.P. George Gaynes

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