The week of December 8th introduced many changes to the cast of GENERAL HOSPITAL (many of which are detailed in the next ABC issue of Soaps In Depth, hitting newsstands soon). Among the announcements: John Ingle, who has portrayed Quartermaine patriarch Edward since 1993, was notified that his run soon will come to an end. Here, in his first in-depth interview since getting the news, the veteran actor discusses his reaction.
Soaps In Depth: Where do we begin?
John Ingle: I've made jokes about the fact that for 10 years I thought I was Edward Quartermaine; then suddenly I was jolted awake and was told I wasn't going to be anymore. Obviously, it was a surprise. But it's probably a healthy dose of reality that any actor must be prepared to accept. It's been a long run — 10 years. Kin Shriner [who it also has been announced will be vacating the role of Scott] was 27 years. He had a much longer run. And, of course, he'll be leaving, along with a couple of other guys. But we do get accustomed and spoiled with all of the niceties that most actors in our profession don’t have.
Soaps In Depth: What was the initial reaction when you got the news?
Ingle: When I was told, my initial reaction was, "Why?" because the writers have always seemed to write Edward as a kind of aggressive lead in the scene to whom everybody reacts, mostly negatively. But they do react to his driving force. The writers seemed to have established that as their style in scenes with the Quartermaines. It's been that way for some time now.
Soaps In Depth: What did they tell you? Did they say they were going to write Edward off the canvas? Or that they were killing him?
Ingle: They said that scripts are being written and that I would be leaving the show. I said it would be nice if it were a Bobby Ewing kind of exit, that in a year I could step out of the shower, a year older and very waterlogged. (He laughs.) But, I don't think that’s going to happen.
Soaps In Depth: It must have come as a shock.
Ingle: It's a shock to me, of course. But also to [my castmates who play] the Quartermaines and my friends there. They are my extended family — everyone on the crew, on the staff. I make very strong work-ethic commitments with people, so for me to leave that will be very difficult.
Soaps In Depth: How much longer will you be around?
Ingle: Certainly not more than a month and a half, probably. I think Edward will leave the canvas during [February] sweeps.
Soaps In Depth: Would you do a contract role on daytime again?
Ingle: Oh sure. I wouldn't do day-player roles; I've been there, done that. But, yes, all I'm doing is leaving GH. I'm certainly not leaving acting. I'm just changing jobs.
Soaps In Depth: Are you excited about roles down the line that will differ from Edward Quartermaine?
Ingle: My theatrical agents are delighted that I am now going to be available to be considered for other major things. That's not just propaganda — I have been approached for different roles, but haven't been able to do them because of my commitment to GH. Now I don't have that. I have a shoot coming up in February on a Bruce Willis film called Hostage. That will be a fun gig.
Soaps In Depth: What would you like to say to your many fans?
Ingle: Without the fans, of course, we have no show. If the fans do not watch us, they will switch channels. This is why I have tried very hard on and off camera to maintain a strong relationship with them. Ten years ago, after a few months of being negatively compared to David Lewis, my predecessor, they finally accepted the fact that I wasn't going to go away — at least not for 10 years. (He laughs.) They thought, "We might as well give this new guy a chance."
Soaps In Depth: How are you adapting to the notion of not going into work at GH after 10 years?
Ingle: It would be much more of a blow to me if they said, "We're replacing you with James Brolin." (He laughs.) That would be a blow!
John Ingle
