Daniel Goddard Returns to Daytime TV as General Hospital’s New Villain

LOS ANGELES, CA — Actor Daniel Goddard, known for his role as Cane Ashby on The Young and the Restless, has returned to daytime television as Professor Henry Dalton on General Hospital. Goddard stepped into the role during the summer, as the Metro Court Pool has opened for the season.

While Goddard was initially hesitant about returning to acting, telling himself he had taken a substantial break to focus on business ventures, he felt a spark of excitement. “I had a lot of hesitation because I had a lot of fear,” he admitted about the auditioning process. However, he noted that this fear helped empower him to deliver his best performance.

Goddard’s fear stemmed from years of experience in daytime television, where he once had audiences campaign for his character’s return by hiring a plane to fly a banner over the studio. His previous role ended in 2011, but he was eventually invited back to audition for a different character. “I couldn’t believe it. I’ve never got an offer for anything!” he exclaimed.

Having spent twelve years on The Young and the Restless, Goddard describes his transition to General Hospital as somewhat liberating. Unlike Y&R, where he received full scripts, Goddard now only gets the pages that pertain to his scenes. This has prompted him to embrace uncertainty, trusting the writing process of General Hospital.

As for his character, Professor Dalton, there are hints of villainy that intrigue Goddard. He is excited about the potential layers to his character, saying, “Having a character that can be villainous is great… as long as he’s not evil.” He draws comparisons to iconic soap characters who embrace family values despite their dark sides.

Reflecting on his journey, Goddard emphasizes gratitude over ambition, stating, “If you’re not grateful for something, you’ll lose it.” He believes that his past experiences have shaped who he is today, both personally and professionally.

With his new role on General Hospital and a renewed perspective on life, Goddard expresses contentment. “I think I’ve played every soap opera trope there is, at this point, so I’m just enjoying the ride and being at General Hospital,” he concluded.