General Hospital : Top Male Characters in the History of the Show

The recent return of one of General Hospital's most famous male characters, Robert Scorpio, got me thinking about how many men have come and gone on that show. The "it" male of General Hospital's Port Charles one year may be a total guy of the past the next (anyone remember Jagger or Colton much?). Some male General Hospital characters do seem to stand the test of time because of their memorable roles and, in some cases, their refusal to leave. Here's a list of some of the top Male Characters in General Hospital history. (I've also noted some connected male characters who don't quite make the list).

Steve Hardy (John Beradino): The O.G, original General Hospital guy. The late Dr. Hardy started with the show and did the patriarch thing all the way until actor Beradino passed away in 1996. Connected lesser male characters: Tom (son),

Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary): The classic anti-hero, Luke Spencer's escapades range from saving the world from ice-ification to recently marrying Tracy Quartermaine (!) to get some bucks. He will remain of course most noted for his 1980s wedding to Laura Webber. Luke & Laura rank as one of the top couples. His recent transfer the last few years back to Port Charles has kept him busy with all types of schemes and scams, plus occasionally dealing with his kids. Connected lesser characters: son Lucky, stepson Nikolas, nephew Lucas; the Cassidines

Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers): The guy in the white hat to Luke's gray-hatted cowboy, Scorpio was the spy and the police commissioner and the do-gooder. He romanced Holly Scorpio and then went back to Anna Devane in two storied GH romances. Then he fell off the face of the earth. His reappearance has turned the good guy into the ambiguous guy who left his kid for fifteen years without so much as a note. What was up with his hair in the late 80s? Connected lesser male characters: Mac Scorpio, Sean Donely

The Quartermaine Men: Alan, Jason, Dillon, Justus, A.J., Ned, and of course, Edward. These guys have fueled stories for decades with weddings, births, murder raps, drug addictions, and bad singing. They remain GH's most dysfunctional family. Other lesser peripheral Quartermaines? And what the heck was his name who had the son with Tracy, the younger guy? And remember Herbert Quartermaine. And Quinten? Ah, good times. Remember Ned's dad, Lord Ashton and his disgruntled half-brother Charlie Prince? (And that woman Arielle (ick!)…) and Dillon's dad, what the heck was his name...Paul Hornsby.

Scott Baldwin (Kin Shriner): You gotta admit this guy was a funny SOB (son of a Baldwin) such. Whether you recall his salad days when he pursued Laura and Bobbie or his scamming days when he was partnered up with Lucy Coe Jones, Baldwin was always into something and never quite got it right. What was up with that romance he had with that woman who died and had a kid with him through Lucy? Dominque? That was some weak storyline. Connected lesser male characters: Lee Baldwin (father), Kevin Collins (rival for Lucy).

The Webbers: Rick and Jeff were quite the brothers back in the late 70s, early 80s. There was all kinds of drama going on with Monica and Lesley and remember Heather and Anne. MacGyver got around!

Duke Lavery (Ian Buchanan): Speaking of Scottish guys…this was the suave bad boy Anna Devane just couldn't say no to. If Sonny Corinthos is the unapologetic criminal, Duke was the guy trying to get out. Mysteries involving Scottish ancestors, a nun (remember Sister Camillia, who was in fact Duke's sister…), and a NYC mob family (Olivia Jerome, ick!) powered this man's story. It was all fun and games and kilts until he got "killt" off (get it…) and came back another actor. Not the most graceful exit. Wasn't Duke's club so much more happening than The Outback? Connected male characters: Julian Jerome, Angel Moran

Frisco Jones (Jack Wagner) Back in the mid-80s, Frisco was the man. His rocker image and his relationship with Felicia morphed into his career as a spy (there're a lot of spies on this show) and two kids (who he managed to create on short returns to the show). One of the big hearthrobs in the tradition of Blackie and Noah Drake. Connected male characters: Tony Jones (brother), Lucas Jones (adopted nephew).

Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Bernard): In the last few years, when it comes to male leads on GH, Sonny, along with Jax (see below) has sort of been the only game in town, outside of some of the younger guys. Love or hate the mobster-dad, he's a mainstay in Port Charles and usually has a stake in whatever's currently going on. Connected male characters: Morgan, Michael, Jason Quartermaine, Rick, Mike

Jasper Jax (Ingo Rademacher): The biggest Aussie to hit Port Charles since Robert Scorpio (no offense, Mac), this guy has put the moves on everyone from Tracey to Skye to Courtney to Brenda. Not totally a bad guy, but no saint either (who's baby is that again, Jax?), he spends a lot of time trying to make money and mess with the Quartermaines.