When Gregory Harrison joined General Hospital in 2020 on a recurring basis, he never thought he'd play Gregory Chase for the next four years. In 2023, fans learned that Gregory Chase had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease as it is more commonly known.
GH viewers watched Gregory struggle with the unknown and his failing health before the character quietly died in his sleep after officiating at his son's wedding. During his time in Port Charles, Gregory Chase re-established a relationship with his son Hamilton Finn and spent time with his son Harrison Chase, while getting to know his granddaughter, Violet, and forging friendships with Tracy Quartermaine and Alexis Davis.
Gregory Harrison, who had perhaps been best known for a role on Trapper John, M.D., endeared himself to his General Hospital castmates on- and off-screen, with some taking to social media to pay tribute to the departing actor whose time as their co-star has come to an end.
Michael Easton, whose performance when Finn found his father's body in the morning brought tears to our eyes, was "honored" to have worked with Harrison.
"Gregory Harrison. One of the finest actors I've ever had the privilege of working with and an even better human being," Easton wrote on Instagram. "I learned so much from you, my friend, and it was an absolute honor to get to share a stage with you these past three years. Your talent, grace and powerful presence will be greatly missed around the studio."
Nancy Lee Grahn's Alexis wasn't there for Gregory during his final hours, but she remembered his words as she prepared for her law license hearing. Grahn tweeted her own goodbye to Harrison, knowing he would read what she wrote.
"Was hard to say goodbye to working with my friend, Gregory Harrison," Grahn said. "What a treat to share the stage with this guy, and getting to know him was a gift. I truly love & respect everything about him. And I know he's seeing this. He doesn't post but likes to read mine."
Was hard to say good bye to working with my friend, Gregory Harrison. What a treat to share the stage with this guy, and getting to know him was a gift. I truly love & respect everything about him. And I know he's seeing this. He doesn't post, but likes to read mine.😏 https://t.co/L9BwPEjT90
ó Nancy Lee Grahn (@NancyLeeGrahn) May 21, 2024
Young Jophielle Love's affection for Harrison came through in every scene that Gregory shared with Violet, and her sadness upon learning that Grandpa died pulled at our heartstrings. In an Instagram post, ten-year-old Love expressed her real-life sadness over losing Harrison as a co-star.
"Oh, Grand'Pa Gregory! I will miss you so very much on GH," she wrote alongside a series of pictures of herself and Harrison behind the scenes. "And I know Michael will too! @generalhospitalabc...I wish you didn't die. You were the best TV Grand Pa! Violet loved you so so much and she is so sad. But as Jophielle, I just have one more Grand'Pa in my life now... Love you so much!"
Did GH handle Gregory's death well? Are you sad that Gregory Harrison will no longer be a part of GH? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
