Culture June 29, 2026

John Oliver to guest star on 'General Hospital' in 'juicy' role: See photo

WATCH: 'General Hospital' wins big at Daytime Emmys

John Oliver is checking into "General Hospital." 

The Emmy Award-winning host and executive producer of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" will star on the daytime soap opera in a "significant guest role," which has been described as "juicy," according to an ABC press release. 

Details about Oliver's character are being kept under wraps, but ABC shared an image of him from the episode, in which he is seen wearing a suit and tie, as men in dark tactical gear appear behind him. 

ABC said Oliver will "appear across a three-episode arc airing on July 2, 3 and 6." 

In a statement shared by ABC in its press release, Oliver said, "General Hospital was everything I hoped it would be. It's a true honor to be a small stain on the history of this illustrious show."

Oliver broke the news of his "General Hospital" casting on the June 28 episode of "Last Week Tonight."

The announcement came after he said in a March 8 episode of his weekly news satire series that he has a "genuine love for soaps."

Oliver, who at the time was speaking about Stephen A. Smith's role on the soap opera, added, "I want to be part of that world." 

"To all the soap operas out there, let me say this: I am officially offering myself to you," he said then. "Write me a role, and I will be on your set so fast, it'll make your head spin."

He added that his only conditions were that he didn't want to play himself, he wanted his character's name to be "ridiculous," and he wanted to do "something juicy, like murder, or slapping, or being slapped, or being someone's long-lost something."

"Ideally, I'd like a dramatic close-up of my face," he added at the time. "But in return, trust me, I will give my all to this performance." 

"General Hospital" executive producer Frank Valentini said in a statement in this week's press release, "When John Oliver publicly threw down the gauntlet and said he wanted to appear on a soap, we didn't hesitate for a second. He was everything you'd hope he'd be: prepared, professional, funny and genuinely kind to everyone on set."

He added, "He plays an integral character in the story, and I can't wait for fans to see who he crosses paths with in Port Charles."

"General Hospital" is in its 64th year and is the longest-running scripted American drama and longest-running American soap opera. 

The show airs weekdays on ABC and is available to stream on Hulu. 

Disney is the parent company of ABC.