Fans of über talented daytime star Roger Howarth were gut-wrenched during the Tuesday, March 9, episode of General Hospital, when his character, Franco, was unexpectedly shot and killed. Howarth has become a GH staple over the years -- first playing his former One Life to Live alter ego, Todd Manning, on the ABC drama, and then taking over the role of Franco from Hollywood actor James Franco -- so would the powers that be at GH really kill him off? Fortunately, the answer is no.
Despite Franco's tragic death in a struggle with Peter (Wes Ramsey) this week, Howarth shares that he is NOT done at General Hospital. He is just taking a short break.
"I'm really excited. I have great faith in the people who think of these things," the Emmy-winning actor shared with Soap Opera Digest. "I've been in good hands so far."
GH isn't saying anything about the show's future plans for Howarth. The actor, however, knows exactly how he'll be spending his time away from the ABC soap opera: fundraising for Feeding America. He has joined Cameo, a service that allows fans to purchase personalized messages from celebrities, and has pledged to donate 100 percent of his profits to the organization that combats hunger.
"I just wanted to help out," he shares. "You can go to www.feedingamerica.org and donate directly if you'd like, but if you'd like something in return as an incentive, I will say happy birthday or give motivational shout-outs or do inspirational jigs or whatever anybody is asking me to do... The only rule is that I won't denigrate or disrespect myself or anybody else!"
To request a personalized video from Howarth, check out his Cameo page here.
Roger Howarth got his start on soap operas playing the role of Kent Winslow on Loving in 1992. He also played the role of Guiding Light's Jory that same year. He took on the controversial character of Todd Manning on One Life to Live in 1993 and brought the character to GH following OLTL's cancellation in 2012. He began playing the role of GH's Franco in 2013, after ABC and Prospect Park entered into a lawsuit over OLTL characters. Some of Howarth's other credits include playing Paul Ryan on As the World Turns, Professor Greg Hetson on Dawson's Creek, and Mason Bridge on The Flash.
How do you feel about GH killing Franco but not letting Roger Howarth go? Do you think Franco is really alive, or do you think the writers have something else in mind for Howarth's future in Port Charles? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
