After more than a decade as one of General Hospital’s most compelling leading men, Donnell Turner is finally taking a moment to look back—

and the journey, he admits, still feels surreal. What began as a childhood dream sparked by afternoon television has evolved into a career-defining chapter

that not only transformed his professional life, but reshaped his sense of purpose, identity, and perseverance.

In a recent, deeply personal conversation with ABC 11 anchor Dearon Smith, Turner opened up about the winding road that led him to Port Charles. From his early ambitions in sports to the leap of faith that carried him into acting, Turner spoke candidly about the determination it took to land a role on the iconic ABC soap—and why General Hospital was always the ultimate goal.

“For me, General Hospital was the show,” Turner shared. “I always knew that I wanted to do it.” That certainty, he explained, dates back to when he was just 10 years old, watching the series long before he ever imagined himself on its storied set. While many actors discover soaps later in their careers, Turner’s connection to General Hospital was deeply rooted in childhood inspiration.

Central to that inspiration was the legendary Luke Spencer, portrayed by the late, Daytime Emmy–winning Anthony Geary. Turner described watching Geary’s performances as a formative experience—one that planted the first seeds of an acting dream. “That was the impetus,” Turner said. “Watching the late great Tony Geary play Luke. That started it all for me.” Luke’s complexity, charm, and emotional range revealed to Turner the power of storytelling—and the kind of impact a single character could have on viewers.

But Geary wasn’t the only performer who lit that spark. Turner credits a surprising second influence that balanced daytime drama with nighttime comedy. “By day it was Luke Spencer,” he said, “and at night it was John Ritter on Three’s Company.” The contrast between Geary’s dramatic intensity and Ritter’s effortless humor helped Turner understand the versatility of acting. “I just thought they were fantastic,” he recalled. “They were really doing something they love, and that did something for me.”

At the time, however, acting wasn’t an obvious career path. Turner initially pursued sports, believing athletics might be his ticket forward. Yet the pull of performance never faded. Eventually, he made the bold decision to pivot—committing himself to acting classes, small modeling jobs, and any opportunity that allowed him to learn the craft.

What truly sets Turner’s story apart is the sheer persistence he demonstrated long before fame arrived. In an era before social media submissions and online casting portals, Turner took matters into his own hands—literally. He began writing handwritten letters to General Hospital casting director Mark Teschner, month after month, fueled by little more than belief.

“Back in the snail mail days, I would write handwritten letters,” Turner said with a laugh. At the time, his résumé was modest. “I had done small modeling things, taken acting classes. I had two music videos under my belt,” he explained. “I thought I was ready for the big time.”

What he lacked in credits, he made up for in conviction. Friends and acquaintances often told him he looked like someone who belonged on a soap opera—a comment Turner decided to take seriously. “People would say, ‘You look like you should be on a soap opera,’” he recalled. “So I thought, ‘Alright, let me just appeal to the only soap opera I ever watched.’”

For a full year, Turner wrote to Teschner once a month, each letter a quiet act of faith. “I had nothing to offer except people saying I looked like I should be in soaps,” he admitted. Still, he kept writing—never knowing if the letters were read, let alone remembered.

Years later, when Turner finally booked a role on General Hospital, the full-circle moment hit him with unexpected force. Seeing Mark Teschner’s name still attached to the show left him stunned. “I was shocked that he was still there,” Turner said. “That was the name I used to write back in the 90s.” The realization that the very person he had once written to in hope was now welcoming him into the General Hospital family felt almost unreal.

Since joining the series, Turner has become a cornerstone of the show’s modern era. His portrayal of Curtis Ashford brought strength, vulnerability, and moral complexity to Port Charles, resonating deeply with viewers. Through Curtis, Turner explored themes of identity, loyalty, love, and redemption—storylines that often mirrored his own journey of perseverance and growth.

Beyond the screen, General Hospital changed Turner’s life in profound ways. The stability of daytime television gave him the opportunity to grow as an actor, build lasting relationships, and find his voice within the industry. He has spoken often about the sense of family on set, crediting his castmates and crew for creating an environment that nurtures both creativity and resilience.

Turner’s story also serves as a powerful reminder of patience in an industry known for rejection. His path was not overnight success, but a slow burn fueled by discipline and belief. In reflecting on his journey, Turner emphasized that dreams don’t expire—and sometimes, the longest routes lead to the most meaningful destinations. More than ten years in, Turner remains grateful, grounded, and deeply aware of how rare such longevity can be in television. What began as a childhood dream inspired by Luke Spencer and John Ritter has become a legacy in its own right—one handwritten letter at a time.

As General Hospital continues to evolve, Donnell Turner’s presence stands as a testament to persistence, passion, and the power of believing in a dream long before anyone else does. For fans, his story adds another layer of meaning to every scene he plays—proof that sometimes, the most compelling drama happens long before the cameras ever roll.