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"GH'S LUCKY SURVIVES REAL-LIFE FRIGHT FLIGHT" from the August 18, 1998 issue of Soap Opera Digest
On July 23, Jonathan Jackson (Lucky, GENERAL HOSPITAL) and his mom, Jeanine, were on a commercial flight from Burbank Airport to their home in Washington State, when tragedy almost struck.
"We were taking off, and right before we got in the air, we heard these loud, banging noises," reports the relieved Jackson. "It sounded like the engine was trying to work, but couldn't. We knew something was wrong because it kept doing that when we got into the air. Then we started to smell smoke, which was pretty scary. The panicked flight attendant yelled over the intercom, 'Put your heads down and grab your ankles!' I just stuck my head down and prayed my butt off, conjuring up every prayer I could think of." Despite the fire shooting out of the engine, the plane landed safely and the Jacksons were rerouted onto another aircraft. Jackson later learned that a bird had become lodged in the engine.
As previously reported Jackson's future with GH has also been precariously up in the air recently. He admits it would be difficult to leave his GH family. "I'm having a great time working with Becky [Herbst, Elizabeth]," he says. "I've had the most fun this past year that I've had ever. Not being involved in the [Spencer] family as much has given me a chance to carry more of a storyline." Fortunately, the well-grounded Jackson is alive and well, to make whatever decision he ultimately chooses. Whew!
-Arthur L. Cohen
"Political Animal" from the September 22nd issue of Soaps In Depth
You may have heard that in his spare time, Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) performs in a band called Scarlet Road. But if you are hoping that he'll do a concert in your hometown, don't hold your breath. The group won't be touring anytime soom because the drummer - Jackson's father, Rick Jackson - is running for Congress. The young actor has been traveling from his job in Los Angeles to his family's home state of Washington every weekend "to do campaigning for my dad and hand out stickers and flyers at hometown parades," he says. "It's a very grassroots effort right now." Not that Jackson minds the extra work. Actually, he enjoys it a lot. "I'm really interested in poitics - in fact, my whole family is - so I like that aspect of it," he confides. Plus, of course, he thinks his fater would do a good job. So, what happens to Scarlet Road if Dad wins the election? That's what we're wondering," admits Jackson.
"Jackson Out" from the December 15, 1998 issue of All ABC Soaps in Depth
Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) reports that he still is in negotiation with GH to juggle both the soap and college come January. "I love GH; I want to stay there, but there are also priorities that have to be dealt with, "Jackson tells Soaps In Depth. "We're just trying to hammer out some kind of solution."
What's the hold up? "It's just not a quick, easy answer," Jackson says. "It's not a real black and white thing - there are a lot of gray areas in there."
While that situation resolves itself, the actor anxiously is awaiting the release of his first feature, The Deep End or the Ocean, opening Friday, February 26. In the film, he plays Michelle Pfeiffer's son.
"About Face" from the December 15, 1998 issue of ALL ABC SOAPS IN DEPTH
Fans of daytime's hottest young heartthrob - GENERAL HOSPITAL's two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Jonathan Jackson (Lucky)- now have the opportunity to stare into his dreamy eyes over and over again! The actor has teamed up with photographer Jim warren to produce a collection of his best shots.
"It's a composite of some of my favorite pictures from three or four photo shoots that (Warren and I did, to give the fans a different look that just the generic ones that are out there," says Jackson. "IT was really cool to do because we got to go outside to some different places that looked good for the camera."
But for Jackson, who admits to being something of a shutter-bug himself, it was the book's look that he found most appealing. "For me, it was more of an artistic thing, which was kind of fun," he offers. "I thought the black-and-white look has a really cinematic intriguing feel to it."
Jackson also shares the spotlight in some of the pictures with two of his closest companion: his brother, Richard Lee Jackson _who caused a commotion as the young suitor of ALLY MCBEAL earlier this season), and his cat, Studmuffin. "My brother's a big part of my life, so we thought it would be a cool thing to get a picture of use together in there," Jackson explains. "And my kitty did a very good job posing. He only threw a tantrum once, and he asked for more money, but we negotiated!"
And while Jackson would like nothing more that to be compared to his self-proclaimed idol, James Dean, he hasn't let his fame swell his head. "The attention I get is nice, but I try not to focus on it," he says. "There have been a lot of them (teem heartthrobs) through the years that have just kind of come and gone, so I I just try to focus on my work and the day-to day stuff to try to build a long term career."
Looks like Jackson's go his nose to the grindstone - er, in the book!
