General Hospital star James Patrick Stuart shares a memorable moment with the late Catherine O'Hara

General Hospital actor James Patrick Stuart has been a powerful presence in Port Charles for the last decade as Valentin Cassadine. Before he joined the ABC soap opera, he shot a pilot that brought him into the orbit of the late great Catherine O'Hara. Now, Stuart is sharing a kindness that O'Hara gave him during their brief time together.

General Hospital, a birthday gift

"Years ago, I was working on a pilot," Stuart began a post on X, formerly Twitter. "It was my 40th birthday, and I had a couple of scenes with Catherine O’Hara. We had never met, but she learned it was my birthday, and it sparked her trademark misty-eyed grin. She immediately wanted to know my story. [In] between takes, I confessed my fears about turning 40 in Hollywood, an industry obsessed with youth.

"She sighed and shared her own fears of being obsolete and aging out..." Stuart continues. "Of course, she never did. Her best days were still ahead of her, and much of mine have been too. Fear can feel so real in the moment, but, with time, can prove completely unfounded. That day I was fearful… In a way only another actor could understand.

"Catherine was kind enough to listen and offer comfort," Stuart shares. "I will keep that moment in my heart - under 'Pure Grace.'"

General Hospital, Good Behavior

Titanic's Billy Zane, The Young and the Restless's Ray Wise, and General Hospital star Patrick Stuart hung out at a Y&R event | Image: JPI

Stuart didn't mention what the pilot was, but an IMDB search indicates that it could have been the TV movie, Good Behavior. The film's plot tells the story of a crime lord matriarch who has decided that it's time for her family to start living within the law.

The movie starred the late Treat Williams (Everwood), Gary Cole (NCIS: Los Angeles), and Meghan Markle (Suits). Stuart wasn't the only GH star in the film. Vernee Watson (Aunt Stella) and Jeffrey Vincent Parise (ex-Carlos/ex-Joe) also had roles in the production. Stuart played Principal Peters, and O'Hara played Jackie West.

Stuart comes and goes from the daytime genre, dating back to his first soap opera role as Will Courtlandt on All My Children. He's been on GH as Valentin since 2016. The talented actor's other acting credits include Frasier, The Villains of Valley View, The Penguins of Madagascar, How to Get Away With Murder, Castle, Hot in Cleveland, 90210, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place.