Today’s Morning Man: Gregory Harrison!

He was reminded of how beloved he is by and outpouring of affection from fans on social media and writes: “I’m absolutely gobsmacked by the love and attention I received here on my birthday. Thank you one and all! I try to live my life in gratitude, and days like yesterday sustain me through any and all challenges. I swear, I’m the luckiest man on the planet. Sending out a cyber bear-hug to every single one of you.” 

I fell in love with him as Gonzo Gates on Trapper John MD, the young and hunky doc who lived in a mobile home parked on hospital grounds. That role and the sexy stripper part in 1981′s For Ladies Only made him a favorite with women and gay men in the 1980s. He spoofed that role in the 1986 miniseries Fresno where his character appeared shirtless at every opportunity. Gregory is also best known for the cult fave film North Shore which was released in 1987.

He was a regular in the final season Falcon Crest and in 1996, he starred opposite Eric Roberts in It’s My Party, a film based on the true events of a man diagnosed with AIDS who planned a two-day party to say goodbye to his friends and family and then took his own life with pills.

Gregory had a few short-lived post-Trapper series – Family Man, New York News and Safe Harbor – but had his greatest success on the Broadway stage in revivals of Follies and Chicago and starred in the original Tony nominated musical Steel Pier.

Until recently, he portrayed Professor Gregory Chase 0n the ABC daytime soap General Hospital and recurred for five years on Chesapeake Shores. He also played Joe O’Toole in the Hallmark Channel series of Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told films – six in all so far.

In recent years he has recurred on Rizzoli & Isles, Reckless, 9-1-1, and Ringer. He also had a recurring role on the CW’s One Tree Hill and guest appearances on Touched by an Angel, Judging Amy, Reunion, The Middle, Castle, NCIS, American Housewife, Body of Proof, Psych, Joey, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Drop Dead Diva and Hot In Cleveland.