Bringing some more sex appeal to the Port Charles police force, GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Michael McLafferty (Brian) is one new face who has arrested viewers — and threatens to tear apart Jason and Courtney.Soap Opera Weekly: Where did you grow up?
Michael McLafferty: Ewa Beach, Hawaii. I am part Hawaiian. My grandparents met there during World War II. I probably have about 100 blood relatives there. My uncle teaches at UH (University of Hawaii), so I like going around town with him because it is like going around with the mayor. Everyone knows him.Weekly: Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?
McLafferty: The thought was always there, but the reality of acting was not a possibility coming from a small high school in Maine, which is where I graduated from. I pursued mechanical engineering. I went to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point (N.Y.) for a year and a half until I dropped out.Weekly: What was your big break?
McLafferty: I was on a train with eight or nine of my buddies. We were all in our service blues on the LIRR (Long Island Railroad). These three girls come in saying I look like Tom Cruise or Rob Lowe. The guy sitting next to us says, “You know, you’re a pretty attractive man.” He asked me if I ever thought about modeling before. He gave me a card with the name and number of a person I should call, so I called up quick and they took some Polaroids. They sent my pictures to (renowned photographer) Bruce Weber. At the end of my freshman year, we did a photo shoot out at his place. Eight months later it was the end of the Gulf War and Ralph Lauren had an idea about doing a shoot with a military theme. Bruce showed him my picture and they put me on option and I got the job.Weekly: How did you segue into acting?
McLafferty: I ended up going down to South Beach for the shoot. I’m talking to Bruce and he said, “If you want to change your life this could be the time.” It had already been in my thought process. I asked for six months off (from the academy) and they said no. I proceeded to call everyone in my family, asking them what to do. Pretty much everyone said, “Go back to school and get your education.” I called my grandfather and he said, “If you’re going to make this decision then you are the one who’s going to have to live with it.” So I resigned and I went out that night to this bar, and who is outside checking IDs? Mickey Rourke. He is like, “What do you want? What’s your story?” I told him I just changed my life and that acting has been a thought and what’s his advice? He goes, “Here is the name and number of my coach in New York (at the Lee Strasberg Institute) and my advice to you is to study and never stop.” So I went and started studying and I never stopped.Weekly: Is there someone special in your life?
McLafferty: I’m not married, but I am very serious with my girlfriend, Patty O’Donnell. She has theater training, so she has an understanding of what I do and what it takes and she supports me. She inspires me.Weekly: Are you staying on GH for the long haul?
McLafferty: I am recurring right now, so I am going from week to week. If the opportunity was given to me then yes I would. If not, then it was a great experience and thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.
