Jasper Jacks
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Jasper Jacks | |||||||||||||||
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General Hospital character | |||||||||||||||
![]() Ingo Rademacher as Jasper Jacks | |||||||||||||||
Portrayed by |
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Duration |
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First appearance | January 31, 1996 | ||||||||||||||
Last appearance | November 22, 2021 | ||||||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||
Created by | Claire Labine and Matthew Labine[1] | ||||||||||||||
Introduced by |
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Book appearances | The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli | ||||||||||||||
Spin-off appearances | General Hospital: Twist of Fate (1996) | ||||||||||||||
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Jasper "Jax" Jacks is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network. He has been portrayed mainly by actor Ingo Rademacher since 1996. The role was temporarily played by Gideon Emery during Rademacher's absence from the show in January 2008. The character gained popularity due to a love triangle storyline involving him and supercouple Sonny Corinthos and Brenda Barrett. When Brenda left the show, the love triangle was continued with Sonny and Carly Benson.
Casting and production
The role was debuted by German-born Australian actor Ingo Rademacher on January 31, 1996.[2][3] In April 2000, Rademacher announced his decision to not sign a new contract with the series and not return to the role.[4] On his departure, Rademacher said in a statement, "I haven't really built up my resumé. I think [daytime] was a good move. And especially being on General Hospital, the best daytime show, I think. But there are other things I'd like to do." Following his departure, the actor signed onto the NBC prime time series Titans.[5] In April 2001, it was rumored that Rademacher would be coming back to General Hospital, despite being interested in the role of "Colin" on the NBC Daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, a potential love interest of the character Jennifer Horton (Melissa Reeves).[6] That month, there was further speculation that Rademacher would return to the show following the cancellation of Titans and his rumored contract with Days of our Lives falling through.[7] It was confirmed that Rademacher was to return to the series in June 2001.[8] His first reappearance on-screen was on July 30, 2001.[9]
In September 2004, after being quoted saying he was "burned out", Rademacher was rumored to be making an exit from General Hospital once again,[10] but the rumors turned out to be false. In May 2011, following a noticeable decline in Jasper's screentime in the series, it was announced that Rademacher had been fired from the series.[11][12] Rademacher's last episode as a regular aired in July 2011, before his return in August in the first of many guest appearances on the series.[13]
In November 2011, it was announced by ABC that Rademacher would make another scheduled guest appearance on the series, this time lasting three weeks.[14][15] He returned on December 30, 2011, and left the series once again on January 23, 2012.
In August 2012, following the return of Jerry Jacks (Sebastian Roché) on the show, it was announced that Rademacher would once again return to the series as Jasper Jacks.[16][17][18][19] Rademacher made his on-screen return on August 23, 2012, and made his final appearance on September 26, 2012.[20]
An official announcement was made on March 5, 2013 that Rademacher, as well as co-star Vanessa Marcil, would come back for the show's 50th anniversary. He appeared back on-screen on April 1, 2013. On June 2, 2016, it was announced that Rademacher would return in a recurring role; he was expected to first appear on July 29, but instead returned on August 1 and departed on August 16.[21][22][23] Rademacher returned yet again from November 10 to 28, 2016.[24] In March 2017, Frank Valentini confirmed that Rademacher would again reprise his portrayal of Jasper Jacks.[25] He returned from April 3–24, 2017.
On February 14, 2019, Rademacher announced in a video shared on social media that he would return as Jax;[26] he made his re-appearance on May 7, 2019. On November 8, 2021, following speculation, it was announced Rademacher was let go from the soap;[27] his last air-date was November 22, 2021.
Storylines
1990s
Jasper "Jax" Jacks arrives in
2000s
Jax learns that his father and his brother
While searching for Brenda, Jax meets
The night of his wedding to Skye, Jax is shocked to see Brenda, alive, in his cottage. Brenda explains that she faked her death, fearing that she suffered from the same mental illness as her mother, and that she had been taken in by arms dealer
In 2003, Jax returns to town in pursuit of a set of five cards called the Dead Man's Hand, allegedly held by Wild Bill Hickok on the night he was killed. Jax's father had them for most of his life, and believed them to be responsible for his success, losing the will to live when he lost them. Jax meets a grifter named Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco) who is also searching for the cards. The two become attracted to each other while simultaneously sabotaging each other. After they become lovers, Sam steals the cards from Jax. He is unable to return them to his father in time to prevent his death, and blames Sam. They break up and Sam becomes involved with Sonny. Jax reconnects with Sam when he briefly suspects he is the father of her unborn child, but then learns that Sonny is actually the father.
Jax begins to flirt with Sonny's sister Courtney, and the two make a ten million dollar bet that she won't be able to resist his sexual advances. Courtney wins the bet, but the two fall in love. Courtney and Jax marry, but learn that Courtney cannot conceive a child. They decide to use
Jax and Carly become engaged. Their wedding is delayed several times, and Jax is forced to leave town to help his brother Jerry. When Sonny shoots mobster Lorenzo Alcazar (Ted King), Carly, who witnessed the act, marries him to avoid testifying against him. After she and Sonny are held hostage at the Metro Court Hotel by the mysterious Mr. Craig, they sleep together and Jax finds out. Jax resolves to fight for Carly, and she chooses a life with him. Carly and Sonny divorce, and Jax and Carly marry. When they return from their honeymoon, Jax learns that Mr. Craig is actually his brother Jerry (Sebastian Roché) who has had plastic surgery. Jerry tricks Jax into getting out of town, but his plan backfires when Jax is kidnapped by Jerry's former lover Irina. She rapes Jax twice, but he is able to escape and return to his life with Carly.
Jax begins a new business venture with fashion editor
Claudia, teaming up with Jerry, orders Ian Devlin to kill Sonny, but the bullet accidentally hits Michael, leaving him in a permanent coma. On the way to bring Michael to a long-term care facility, Carly and Sonny sleep together, the same night that Kate and Jax share a kiss during a business trip. The Jax and Carly split when Jax learns that Carly slept with Sonny, and they begin divorce proceedings, but then reconcile yet again.
Jax returns from a business meeting to discover Carly and the others have been quarantined due to a toxin that has been released in the hospital. When a fire engulfs the hospital, Jax makes several rescue flights. Carly escapes via a stairwell, and the two reunite and renew their wedding vows.
Carly discovers that she is pregnant, and that the pregnancy is extremely high risk. Jax learns the truth about Claudia's misdeeds, and is stunned when Jerry is revealed to be alive.
Claudia reveals that Jax knew that she planned the shooting it and kept it secret from both Carly and Sonny. Claudia kidnaps Carly, who goes into labor and gives birth to a daughter,
2010s
Sonny is put on trial for Claudia's murder, and Jax helps the police build their case by hiring a ruthless prosecutor and ensuring the police have enough evidence for trial. However, Michael's guilt is eventually revealed, and, disgusted by the cover-up, the judge sentences Michael to five years in prison. Jax feels guilty for this, and though Michael is eventually released conditionally, the events take its toll on Carly and Jax's marriage. When Brenda returns to town, Jax confides in her that he is worried that Sonny will hurt Josslyn or Morgan one day. Jerry returns to town on a mission to kidnap Brenda on behalf of a criminal called The Balkan. Though Jax tries to stop him, Brenda is kidnapped and poisoned by the Balkan after marrying Sonny. She is eventually rescued and Jerry is presumed dead after being shot by the Balkan.
Jax is worried about Josslyn and brings her to the hospital, where he and Carly find out Josslyn has kidney cancer. While Jax tries to find alternative methods other than chemotherapy, Carly finds out that Elizabeth's son,
Jax is seen around sporadically by Michael and Carly, and then shows up in Port Charles when Carly contacts him after Josslyn is hospitalized with a strange illness. Jax comes back in time to see Josslyn recover and find out Jerry has poisoned the water supply for ransom. Jerry inoculates Josslyn against the poison and tries to keep Jax away by having him detained at the airport. Jax still finds his way to Port Charles and helps pay the ransom Jerry demands in order to get the cure. Jax tries to detain Jerry, but is presumed dead in an explosion. Jax is cured, and leaves town. He comes back for the Nurses' Ball being held in honor of Robin, and tells Carly their divorce was never finalized. He reveals he's now engaged to Brenda, but Carly believes Brenda is still attached to Sonny. Carly serves Jax their divorce papers and tells him Brenda went to see Sonny, though Brenda claims she didn't. Brenda later admits to Jax that she was wondering if she still had a chance with Sonny, and Jax breaks off their engagement and leaves town.
Jax returns in late 2016 for Morgan's funeral and again in early 2017 to tell Josslyn that his mother died.
References
- ^ Jacobs, Damon L. (November 6, 2009). "Soap's Hope: The Claire Labine Interview, Part Four". We Love Soaps. welovesoaps.com. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
- ^ "GH Calendar Highlights Non-Scorpio Related Dates 1981-2003". TVMegasite.net. March 29, 2005. Retrieved September 5, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "General Hospital Television show". Yahoo!. Retrieved September 5, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2000-03-27). "Rademacher will not re-sign". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2000-07-07). "Ingo the Titan". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2001-03-29). "A Jax of all trades". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2001-04-20). "Rademacher said to be returning to GH". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2001-04-28). "Rademacher will bring Jax back". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2001-04-20). "Rademacher back at GH -- no matter what ABC says". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2004-09-30). "Rademacher says he's "burned out"". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Simms, Richard M. (2011-05-20). "Ingo Fired From GH!". ABC Soaps In Depth. Archived from the original on 2012-09-02. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2001-05-20). "Ingo Rademacher fired from General Hospital". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ "Exclusive: Rademacher Talks GH Return". ABC Soaps In Depth. November 16, 2011. Archived from the original on December 19, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
- ^ "Ingo Back To GH!". Soap Opera Digest. Soapoperadigest.com. 2011-11-15. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2011-11-16). "Ingo Rademacher to make short-term GH return". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ "More GH Returns (SPOILER ALERT)". Soap Opera Digest. 2012-08-03. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Newcomb, Roger (2012-08-03). "GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sebastian Roché Is Back, Ingo Rademacher Too!". We Love Soaps. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (2012-08-10). "Ingo Rademacher headed back to GH". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Lewis, Errol (2012-08-06). "Jerry Jacks is Back! Plus Ingo Rademacher Returns to 'General Hospital'". Soap Opera Network. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Fairman, Michael (2012-09-20). "GH's Ingo Rademacher Clarifies Controversial Tweet: 'One Hospital To Kill'!". Michael Fairman Soaps. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- ^ Mason, Charlie (June 2, 2016). "General Hospital: Ingo Rademacher Is Bringing Jax Back This Summer". TVLine. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- American Media Inc.Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- American Media, Inc.: 10–11. August 29, 2016.
- SheKnows Media. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
- SheKnows Media. Archivedfrom the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
- American Media, Inc.Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
- ^ Evans, Greg (November 8, 2021). "Ingo Rademacher Out On ABC's General Hospital, Last Airdate Set". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved November 9, 2021.