General Hospital star remembers when Hulk Hogan sent him flying 

Michael Gregory, who originated the role of Dr. Rick Webber on General Hospital, checked out of the ABC soap opera in 1979 smack in the middle of the David Hamilton drama. He went on to appear regularly in films and prime time TV. Often cast as the handsome but dangerous heavy, Gregory is remembering when he played a bad guy who ran afoul of guest star Hulk Hogan on The A-Team.

General Hospital to The A-Team

"Saddened to hear about the passing of Hulk Hogan," Gregory wrote on Facebook, referring to the larger-than-life wrestler-turned-actor. Hogan passed away on July 24 after suffering a cardiac attack. "I got to work with him on The A-Team back in 1985 in the 'Body Slam' episode.

"Despite his professional tough guy image, Hulk was a soft-spoken, nice, and caring man." The script called for Hogan to throw Gregory's character, Sonny Carter, and his henchmen, including "the wonderful actor, Sam Melville (R.I.P.)."

Inevitably, the bad guys got their comeuppance. The A-Team was big on stunts, so it's not surprising that Hogan asked his co-star if he could get physical with him. Gregory recalls Hogan kindly asking him if he was okay with getting picked up and thrown into the popcorn machines as the script called for Hulk and The A-Team regulars to take down the bad guys. "My reaction -- just be kind, Hulkster," Gregory responded. "Rest in Peace, Hulkster, Rest In Peace."

The Incredible Hulk Hogan

Hogan appeared on Search for Tomorrow in 1985 as himself. The entertainer's other credits include The Love Boat, Goldie and the Bears, The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Voyagers!, Thunder in Paradise, Baywatch, Spy Hard, Muppets from Space, and numerous wrestling programs.

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Gregory isn't the only connection between GH and The A-Team. Actress Tia Carrere was set to join the show as a series regular in Season 5. Alas, the actress was still under contract at GH, the show on which she played the part of Jade. As a result, her character was dropped from the show.

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