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Amid a Proud-Dad Moment, General Hospital’s Maurice Benard Reveals His Surprising Reaction to His Son’s Dream Career
Thursday, November 4th, 2021
Watching our children grow is the greatest gift of all.
Like any father, General Hospital’s Maurice Benard (Sonny) has always wanted the best for his son. So, when Joshua came to him at the age of 13 and said, “Dad, I want to be an actor,” the ABC soap vet simply replied, “No, you don’t.”
And like any child, Joshua argued the point and adamantly stated, “Dad, yes I do.” Having been in the business for many years, and probably realizing that sometimes it’s best to challenge our children, Benard finally told his son, “Prove to me that you’ll work hard.”
As readers can see in the video that the soap star shared on his Instagram, Joshua did just that and Benard admitted, “I’ve been his teacher for four years.” That may be the case when it comes to tips on acting, but he made it very clear that “as far as piano, guitar and singing” goes Joshua is “what you call self-taught.” After watching his performance, we can see why his father is so proud of his talented boy!
Joshua’s dreams of becoming an actor became true when he landed his first role in his father’s 2017 film The Ghost and the Whale and he even appeared as a young Sonny on General Hospital the following year. Plus, just this October, he tuned up as a teenager in the ABC hit series Station 19.
More: Maurice Bernard shares heartbreaking news
All we can say is… with a teacher like Benard, a Daytime Emmy Award-winning actor, there will likely be more roles in Joshua’s future.
Speaking of his proud papa’s Port Charles character, Sonny will be faced with numerous challenges in the coming weeks, as will those around him, including his son Dante. Get a glimpse of what’s ahead in our November Sweeps previews and predictions gallery below.
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Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
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2/20
<p><strong>Preview: </strong>Steffy has made it very clear to her husband exactly where she stands on the issue of his mother, Sheila. But if there’s one thing we know about husbands it’s that they sometimes think they know better. Will Finn wind up following in dad Jack’s footsteps by keeping secrets? Bell warns that there’s “real conflict” ahead for these two. </p>
Image: ABC screenshot
3/20
<p><strong>Preview: </strong>There are many reasons to keep a guy loike Jason around, including the fact that when a damsel is distressed, his tendency is to ride to her rescue. As headwriters Dan O’Connor and Chris Van Etten told <em>Digest, </em>“Britt needs help, and Jason means to provide it… but at what cost?” And, not to be shallow or anything, but will this mission require shirtlessness? #AskingForAFriend </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
4/20
<p><strong>Preview: </strong>While it’s still a bit unclear why Noah is back in Genoa City, the timing couldn’t be better where former girlfriend Tessa is concerned. Says the show’s headwriter/co-executive producer, “Noah leans on Mariah and Tessa as he adjusts” to being home and “under the watchful eye of Sharon and the Newman family.” </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
5/20
<p><strong>Preview:</strong> Chloe keeps giving Philip one chance after another despite the fact that his behavior has been… let’s be generous and say “a tad childish.” But when his jealousy over Brady spirals out of control, will the beauty finally come to the conclusion that it’s time to move on? And if so, how might Philip react? </p>
Image: © Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
6/20
<p><strong>Preview:</strong> You’d think that when Jack heard about all the things Sheila has done in the past, he’d have realized it was unwise to let her hold his future in his hands. Yet he’s kept wife Li in the dark about the fact that he’ both Finn’s adoptive and biological father. Executive producer/headwriter Bradley Bell tells <a href="https://www.soapoperadigest.com/" target="_blank">Soap Opera Digest </a>“that secret may very well be revealed in November.” </p>
Image: ABC screenshot
7/20
<p><strong>Prediction: </strong>We get why Peter looks skeptical above, and you’re probably giving us the exact same look. After all, this isn’t the first time we’ve dug a grave for Peter only to find out that yet again, he’s managed to avoid the Grim Reaper. But seriously, this time it’s <em>got </em>to happen… right? If the show doesn’t give us a November Sweeps murder mystery, we’re going to fly to Port Charles and do the deed ourselves. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
8/20
<p>Prediction: After Victoria and her dad make a friendly wager which sees them competing to take over an international firm, respective spouses Ashland and Nikki wind up spending a great deal more time together. And the next thing you know, they wind up doing what soap opera characters do when they’re left at loose ends! </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
9/20
<p><strong>Preview:</strong> It ain’t easy being Nicole. After sleeping with handsome Rafe, the guilt-ridden beauty decides to ease her conscience by pursuing a romance with handsome (and rich!) EJ. Too bad both of her potential beaus have other women in their lives, even if EJ currently wants nothing to do with an out-of-the-picture Sami. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
10/20
<p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Usually, couples on this soap go from engaged to married to hitting the skids in record time. But the adorable Pam and Charlie have been dating one another for years! They almost tied the knot a few years back, but that went south with an assist from Quinn. We think it might finally be time for these two to have their big day. Could a Christmas wedding be in the works? </p>
Image: ABC screenshot
11/20
<p><strong>Preview: </strong>Spencer’s gal pal isn’t particulary interested in making friends, which is probably a good thing given how awful she’s proven to be at it. The show’s writers indicate that she and Josslyn are heading for a showdown. “Josslyn freely vents her suspicions about Esme, thus incurring [her] wrath!” We’re not sure what form that wrath will take, but we’re betting it won’t be a cute bunny or a sweater she can exchange for store credit. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
12/20
<p><strong>Wishful Thinking: </strong>We can’t call this a preview or prediction, because we don’t honestly think it’ll happen. But it is something we — and a whole lot of fans — would love to see If the story happened to involve Christine, Lauren and Michael, all of whom have been wildly underused in recent years, so much the better. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
13/20
<p><strong>Preview:</strong> For weeks, MarDevil has been keeping Doug away from those he loves. Why? Well, because he knows the truth about what’s going on and the devil isn’t ready for that to become public knowledge. But MarDevil may have met her match in Julie, who is fed up with the situation and ready to take matters into her own hands!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
14/20
<p><strong>Prediction: </strong>You don’t need a fortune teller’s ball to see where things are going between Thomas, Zende and Paris. Somewhere, Liam is breathing a sigh of relief that Thomas has moved on. Zende, on the other hand, will soon come to realize that his clan believes that when it comes to love, it’s best to keep it in the family. </p>
Image: ABC screenshot
15/20
<p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Sam and Dante have gotten closer over the past few months, but it seems inevitable that he’s eventually going to get hurt. After all, she’s got one ex she’s not actually over and another who’s returning from the dead. Actually, that’s not terribly helpful given that both Jason and Drew have done the resurrection dance. No matter how you slice it, Dante seems destined to be the odd man out. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
16/20
<p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Gloria pens a tell-all about the first families of Genoa City which sets off a bidding war. Of course, half of the town is hoping to prevent their secrets from coming to light. Realizing just how much damage the tome could do to the Abbott name, Jack lands the publishing rights… by agreeing to marry his dad’s widow! </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI (2); NBC
17/20
<p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Tripp’s a heck of a great guy, but does Allie really share the same spark with him as she does gal pal Chanel? We suspect things are going to get extremely messy when the young women mix business and pleasure despite their feelings for Tripp and Johnny. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
18/20
<p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Brooke’s decision to try and accept Deacon’s role in Hope’s life causes big friction in her marriage. Quicker than you can say “get me another blonde, stat!” he’s spending time again with Shauna. This time, there are no manipulations by Quinn or anyone else, it’s just good old animal attraction… which is a whole lot harder to fight! </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
19/20
<p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Although we’re being led to believe that Elizabeth’s father will soon arrive in Port Charles, we’re betting it’s really half sister Hayden who’ll show up on her doorstep. Frankly, we really <em>hope </em>Hayden’s about to pop up, ’cause otherwise we’re going to be annoyed at how much time has been spent trying to figure out who was behind her shooting! </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
20/20
