General Hospital’s Van Hansis Reflects on Two ‘Life Changing’ Years as Lucas
Van Hansis is celebrating two years as General Hospital’s Lucas Jones, a milestone he never expected to reach when he joined the soap on October 4, 2024.
“When I took the role, I was told it would be a heavy recurring for a few months and then we’d see where it goes,” Hansis recalled in an Instagram post marking the anniversary. “Being based in NYC at the time, I thought it would be a fun little gig that would bring me back to my old stomping grounds of daytime for a bit.”
Van Hansis Calls His Time on GH ‘Life Changing’
But General Hospital kept writing more for Lucas, and Hansis — who made his television debut as Luke Snyder on As the World Turns from 2005 through 2010 — found himself forging a deep connection to both the character and the show. “I fell in love with Lucas and everyone around him (in front of and behind the camera),” he shared. “I wanted to stay a while and am so grateful I have.”
The GH role has also had a major impact on Hansis’s life off-screen. “Being a part of GH these last two years has been life changing,” said the actor, who is married to Broadway dancer Tyler Hanes. “Literally. My family and I are [Los Angeles residents] now, I’ve made incredible new friendships and have been able to revisit old ones.”
Hansis began his post by writing, ‘Two years ago yesterday, Lucas Jones came home to Port Charles looking a little different. Looking exactly like me.”
The actor went on to thank GH Executive Producer Frank Valentini and Casting Director Mark Teschner for bringing him to the show. “Thank you Frank, thank you Mark, for inviting me to the party,” he wrote. “You throw a great one.”
His castmates joined in the celebration in the comments. Laura Wright (Carly), who plays Lucas’s sister, wrote, “Ohhhh lucky US!!!!❤️❤️” Adrian Anchondo, who played Lucas’s doomed boyfriend, Marco, added, “Happy Vanniversary! ❤️❤️❤️ love you friend.” Kelly Thiebaud, whose Britt has forged an unlikely friendship with Lucas, declared, “The show wouldn’t be the same without you! Love you.”
Lucas, the biological son of Cheryl Stansbury (Jennifer Anglin) and Julian Jerome (William deVry), was born on GH in 1989. He was adopted by Bobbie Spencer (Jacklyn Zeman) and Tony Jones (Brad Maule) in 1993, and 13 different actors played him over the course of his Port Charles lifespan before Hansis assumed the role.
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