Stephen A. Smith is known for his controversial takes on basketball, some on and off turbulence with LeBron James, and if you didn't know this before, his recurring role in
General Hospital. He made his debut in one of the longest running soap operas back in 2007. But since 2016, he has become a recurring cast member of the ABC show. But how did he come to be a part of it? Let's find out.
Stephen A. Smith's sisters made him watch General Hospital since he was little
Since 2016, when
Stephen A. Smith became a more regular part of
General Hospital, he has made over 40 appearances in the show. But it all started back when he was a kid, and
General Hospital was all his sisters would watch growing up. Talking to
ESPN Front Row back in 2016, Smith revealed:
“I have four older sisters and when we came home from school, all the TVs in the house were on ‘General Hospital,’ Since I wasn’t allowed outside until I finished my homework, I watched the soap every day.”And watching the show for so many years made him a fan of it, which in turn made him want to work in it. And when the opportunity presented itself back in 2007, there was no way Smith was going to say No.
Maurice Benard made the way for Stephen A. Smith to join General Hospital
Having premiered back in 1963,
General Hospital has screened 62 seasons so far. And it is one of the current lead stars of the show, Maurice Benard, who made way for
Stephen A. Smith to become a cast member of
General Hospital. After his debut back in 2007, Smith took on a more prominent role in the show, and makes appearances in it pretty regularly since 2016.
He revealed that it was Benard who, after making an appearance on
First Take back in 2014, found out how big of a fan Smith was of
General Hospital. And just like that, Smith had a part in his favorite show.
“Maurice recognized that I was a huge fan and said he’d have to get me on the show. I received a call a few months later to play “Brick,” a surveillance expert for Sonny and the Mob.”Being a fan of it, he knew a lot about the show, which made it easy for him to get into his part. But that did not mean he wasn't nervous.
“I’m never nervous on First Take. It’s my and Skip’s domain. I’m extremely confident on ESPN. I felt like a fish out of water on the ‘GH’ set. I don’t get nervous too often, but I was incredibly nervous. Maurice made it easy for me, coaching me the entire day. He made me so comfortable that at one point I almost forgot I was on the set. And we shot the scene in two takes!”Once again, it was
GH lead star Maurice Benard, who made sure that Smith felt at home at the shoot, just like when he is debating during
First Take. And of course, it has all paid off.
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