Emmy Winner Michael Learned Joins 'GH'

Michael Learned joins the cast of “GH” for a short term stint.

General Hospital has cast four time Emmy winner Michael Learned in a short term role as a cancer patient who will interact with some of the staff at the hospital. According to the report from Soap Opera Digest, Learned will share scenes with Robin (Kimberly McCullough), Patrick (Jason Thompson) and Lisa (Brianna Brown), in addition to some of the other hospital staff.

Probably best known for her role on The Waltons as Mrs. Olivia Walton from 1972-79, she also appeared on ABC’s All My Children and One Life to Live in 2005 as the Honorable Judge Turner. Some of her other television credits include, St. Elsewhere (1984), Hothouse (1988), Murder, She Wrote (1989), Who’s The Boss (1989), Profiler (1998), and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2003). More recently she appeared on the hit NBC series, Scrubs (2006-09) as Ms. Wilk.

Learned has also been nominated for four Golden Globes (Best TV Actress – Drama in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976) for her portrayal of Mrs. Olivia Walton. In addition, she also garnered multiple Emmy nominations (1973-78; 1981-1982), winning in 1973 for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama Series – Continuing) for her role on The Waltons. In 1974 and 1976 she received wins for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, also for The Waltons series. In 1982, she received an Emmy win (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series) for her portrayal on the television series, Nurse.

Learned’s stay at GH will be short term and she will begin taping in mid-March and air in early April.

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