Ben Hogestyn

Infobox Actor

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name = Ben Hogestyn
imagesize =
caption =
birthdate = birth date and age|1981|11|6
location = flagicon|USA Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
deathdate =
birthname = Ben Schieferstein
othername =
notable role = Lucas Jones in "General Hospital"

Ben Hogestyn (born Ben Schieferstein on November 6, 1981) is an American soap opera actor and stepson of longtime "Days of our Lives" star Drake Hogestyn.

He began his career under his birth name, but later began using his stepfather's name of Hogestyn professionally.

Hogestyn played the role of "Lucas Jones" on "General Hospital" from September 2005 to June 2006, assuming the role from Ryan Carnes of "Desperate Housewives" at a pivotal point in the character's storyline: on Hogestyn's third day of taping, the character of Lucas came out as gay, becoming the first gay male character from a "core" family in soap opera history (the character of Lucas is the son of the show's 70's era schemer "Nurse Bobbie" Spencer, and nephew to soap legends "Luke and Laura" Spencer.)

Hogestyn's tenure on the show coincided with the character's violent gay bashing, eventual coming-out to his friends and family, and the emotional loss of his adoptive father in a pandemic outbreak. In 2005, Hogestyn and co-star Lindze Letherman appeared in a Public Service Announcement for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (or GLAAD).

In 2006, Hogestyn left his non-contract role on "General Hospital" to begin appearing on "The Bold and the Beautiful" in the contract role of "Harry Jackson," a new character tied to fellow former "General Hospital" star Jack Wagner's "Nick Marone." (The character of Lucas on "General Hospital" was written out without an explanation following Hogestyn's departure.) In early November 2006, however, as Harry's screentime diminished, Hogestyn was shifted to recurring status, and the character of Harry has not been seen on-screen in 2007.

In early 2007, "General Hospital" head writer Robert Guza, Jr. began hinting at a return for Lucas Jones in the soap press, leading to unconfirmed speculation that Hogestyn will return to "General Hospital" before the year is out.

Personal life

Previously dated his former General Hospital co-star Kirsten Storm.

Television Filmography

*"The Bold and the Beautiful" as Harry Jackson (2006)
*"General Hospital" as Lucas Jones (2005-2006)
*"Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" as Jock Goldman (2005-2006)
*"Just for Kicks" as Cole (2005)
*"American Dreams" as Ethan (2004)
*"The Division" as Eli (2004)
*"Showbiz Tonight" as Himself (2006)
*"SoapTalk" as Himself (2005)

External links

* [http://www.soapcentral.com/bb/theactors/hogestyn_ben.php Ben Hogestyn profile]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1654903/ Ben Hogestyn] at the Internet Movie Database