GH’s Chad Brannon (ex-Zander) makes a brief return to the show on Dec. 22. Read on as he reminisces about Zander’s time in Port Charles and find out what he’s been up to since he left the soap in 2004.
Soap Opera Digest: How was your trip back to Port Charles?
Chad Brannon: It was really fun to be back on. I had to speak with somebody to find out what was actually happening [laughs]. It’s a fun scenario and it was exciting to get to come back for the fans.
Digest: What did you think of James Franco joining the cast?
Brannon: When I heard that, I thought this would be an interesting time to come back, even if it is for 25 seconds or whatever it is that I will actually be on screen. I don’t remember how I found out that Franco was going to be on the show, but it brought to my mind, “That’s really intriguing,” and then it was within a week I got the call [to return]. It seems like they’re doing something to shake things up and what a fun and exciting time to be a part of any of that.
Digest: What were your favorite GH memories?
Brannon: That’s a great question. That first big day with Amber [Tamblyn, ex-Emily] where Zander kidnapped her and took off with her. Amber’s last day was a really sweet time, a really poignant time for us as actors and friends. And [when I left], the closing of a great chapter in my career. Oh, and that was a really fun scene that Tyler [Christopher, Nikolas] and I did when our characters were both drunk. That was a ton of fun. We had such a silly, goofy time, and it was a real change of pace to do something without all the heavy drama going on.
Digest: Have you run into Amber since she left GH?
Brannon: It’s funny. I’ve bumped into a ton of people and I’ve never bumped into Amber, and I’d love to.
Digest: Who have you seen?
Brannon: Well, I got to do Hamlet for Lane Davies [ex-Cameron; ex-Mason, SB] a while back. That was really a great process. He and I catch up every once in a while. He actually asked me to come and be in Romeo and Juliet for him in Tennessee, but I just couldn’t make the trip with the fam. I ran into Derk [Cheetwood, Max] the other day and I run into Greg Vaughan [ex-Lucky; ex-Diego, Y&R] periodically because he lives nearby.
Digest: Tell us about all the voiceover work you’re doing now.
Brannon: In 2006 I started doing voiceovers and within the first week, I booked three major jobs and all those are actually still running. Last year, in September of 2008, I became the voice of Fox comedy, which is huge. It’s a blessing and the sweetest thing is, I get to be at home with my family. I have a home studio that I work in. They’d rather me do my work from home, which is amazing. There have been a bunch of other shows I’ve gotten to narrate, so it’s a sweet gig.
Digest: Can fans follow your work on the Internet?
Brannon: As a matter of fact, I’m revamping all of my demos and relaunching a new Web site, which should coincide with the day that [my GH return] airs [December 22]. My new Web site at chadbrannon.com will have my demos, videos, how to contact me. I’m also going to create a new blog that I’m really excited about. It’s going to be focused on creativity and productivity. Since leaving GH, I went back and finished my degree in Organizational Management at The Master’s College in Santa Clarita [CA] and have started to focus toward the business side of the industry. I hope will lead to producing some things, so my blog will entail a lot of that stuff.
Digest: What about Twitter?
Brannon: I’m already on Twitter at twitter.com/chadbrannon, so you can check me out there and I’ll keep everybody updated. I’ll be launching a Facebook site to go along with this as well, and all that will be connected through the site. I think it’s so sweet that people continue to care.
Digest: Any closing words for the fans?
Brannon: Love you guys, and I appreciate all you’ve been in the past and, hopefully, will be in the future.
