Rick Springfield on General Hospital

About Rick Springfield on General Hospital

Even though Springfield's character initially left the show after just a few years, he returned more than 25 years later, still as handsome as ever. Even before Dr. Noah Drake's character returned to the program in 2006, his presence was still felt and discussed regularly on the show, particularly after Dr. Patrick Drake, his son, joined the cast of the show as a talented brain surgeon in 2005.

Springfield on GH in the 1980s

During Springfield's first stint on General Hospital, his character was quite the ladies' man. During his tenure on the show, his primary love interest was the vivacious and attractive nurse Bobbie Spencer, played by actress Jackie Zeman. Springfield's character was very popular with GH fans, so when the actor departed the show to focus on his music career, the story line left the door open for him to return. Dr. Noah Drake departed to go to work at another hospital in a different city, making it easy for the show's writers and producers to bring the character back to the General Hospital cast at any time.

Springfield on GH in the 1980s

Quite a bit of time lapsed before Springfield rejoined the show's cast. When Dr. Noah Drake returned to the show in 2006, he was met head on by many faces from his past. Viewers were quickly brought up to date with the goings on in the doctor's life after he left the show, with information provided by both Dr. Drake and his son, Dr. Patrick Drake, played by actor Jason Thompson.

Dr. Noah Drake's return to General Hospital was introduced as a result of a chance meeting between Springfield's character and another General Hospital physician in a Manhattan Bar. Springfield's character agreed to return to the show after being persuaded to do so by Dr, Robin Scorpio, played by actress Kimberly Anne McCullough, who requested his assistance with a difficult case.

Viewers quickly learn that life wasn't easy for Dr. Drake during the decades he was away from General Hospital. During the years between Springfield's initial stint on the show, the character got married and had a child, yet focused on his career to the exclusion of his family. When Dr. Drake returned to GH in 2006, his character was a struggling alcoholic whose son, also on staff at the hospital, felt a combination of ambivalence and dislike for his father.

During Springfield's stint on the program during 2006 and 2007, his character managed to quit drinking and started healing his relationship with Patrick Drake, his son. In soap opera like fashion, Patrick and Robin begin dating, and Springfield's character gets involved with Robin's mother, the beautiful Anna Devane (played by Finola Hughes).

Springfield even ended up using his musical talents on the show. While working at GH, rock star musician Eli Love (also played by Springfield) checked into the hospital with a serious illness. Too sick to perform in a concert scheduled to benefit the hospital, Love refuses treatment until Dr. Drake agreed to pretend to be him and perform in the concert. You can see footage of this performance on SoapOperaDigest.com.

Video Clips of Rick Springfield on General Hospital

You can view clips from Springfield's 1980s performances on General Hospital on RickSpringfieldFans.com. The many program highlights include:

• Dr. Noah Drake's first day at General Hospital.
• Many interactions between the hot doctor and nurse Bobbie Spencer.
• Footage from the program where Springfield's character was injured by a bomb.
• Scenes from Luke and Laura's welcome home party.
• Many other priceless images from Springfield's time on GH during the 80s.

You can view highlights of Springfield's 2006-2007 stint on the program on SoapsOnABC.com. You can also find video clips from the show on You Tube, along with a vareity of videos featuring other aspects of Springfield's career, including musical performances, concert clips, and appearances at the Daytime Emmys and other awards programs..