GH alumni Anthony Geary gave his heartfelt thoughts on the passing of his former co-star and friend Jackie Zeman.
Bobbie Spencer’s plan to use her brother Luke to bring down Laura Webber on General Hospital didn’t exactly work out the way she planned. But a lifelong friendship between Bobbie’s portrayer, Jackie Zeman and Anthony Geary emerged after he was cast on the show. Now, Geary is paying tribute to Zeman, who passed away earlier this week.
Anthony Geary Remembers Jackie Zeman
“For 40 years, I was fortunate enough to play Jackie Zeman’s big brother on General Hospital,” Geary shared with TVline in an exclusive statement. “In all those years, I never heard her utter one disparaging word about any actor, crew member, or co-worker. In fact, I never heard Jackie express an unkind word about anyone, ever. In a highly competitive profession where ego, feelings, and emotions are bread and butter, I’ve found this quality to be extremely rare. I expect it will be even more rare now that dear Jackie is gone.
“She was quite simply one of the kindest, sweetest people I have ever known,” Geary continued. “I will miss her laugh, and the deep, soulful look in her eyes whenever she expressed the love and pride she had in her two lovely daughters. Tonight, l already miss her, and feel a powerful ache where Jackie’s smile used to be.”
General Hospital Partners in Crime
Bobbie reached out to Luke in late 1978 when she wanted to up her plan to trick Laura into breaking her curfew, which had been imposed upon her by the courts after her role in David Hamilton’s (Jerry Ayres) death came to light. Luke reworked the wiring in Scotty’s (Kin Shriner) car to make sure he and Laura couldn’t make it home in time after they went out to dinner.
Understandably, Bobbie grew frustrated when Luke began to feel sympathy for Laura. This wasn’t going to get her sent off to reform school like Bobbie wanted! Zeman and Geary quickly developed a sibling rapport that played beautifully and convincingly on camera. Bobbie and Luke had each other’s backs as they each searched for love and fulfillment in Port Charles.
Anthony Geary and Jackie Zeman: Last Dance
The actors performed together in character in 1997 at the Nurses Ball, dancing to the Donna Summer hit song “Last Dance.” The performance was a throwback to the era of GH when Luke ran the Campus Disco. About a decade ago, Bobbie once again called Port Charles her home after spending time in Seattle, where she worked at that city’s hospital.
There’s no word yet on how and/or when GH will write Zeman’s passing into the show. Luke has been presumed dead in the storyline since early 2022. If GH intends to reveal that Luke is alive, we can imagine Geary would very much want to partake in an on-air tribute to Zeman.