Hallmark fans got a special treat during the opening night of ‘Hallmark Stars Live’ as Jonathan Bennett shared a few exciting updates about his newest acting role. The first stop of the brand-new live fan tour took place on July 22, 2026, at the Carteret Performing Arts Center in Carteret, New Jersey, featuring Bennett and some of his fellow Hallmark stars.
While chatting during the event panel, Bennett opened up about joining the cast of soap opera, “General Hospital,” as Detective Joe Fitzpatrick back in May 2026. And it sounds like viewers have plenty to look forward to. Honestly, it seems like he’s having a great time with the new opportunity. And his enthusiasm definitely came across during the conversation.
Jonathan Bennett Shares Exciting Update on His ‘General Hospital’ Storylines
ABCWhen the discussion turned to his role on ABC’s long-running daytime drama, Bennett couldn’t hide his enthusiasm, gushing, “I’m so excited!”
While he continues to be a beloved part of the Hallmark family, he’s also carved out time to return to daytime TV; he got his start on “All My Children” in 2001 and 2002.
Bennett pointed out that “General Hospital” recently celebrated its 16,000th episode, highlighting just how legendary the series has become. Bennett admitted that playing a police officer wasn’t something he ever expected to do.
Fortunately for fans, he teased that there is a lot more ahead for his character. According to Bennett, there are some really fun storylines coming up. And he even predicted that romance will be part of the journey. While he didn’t reveal any specific plot details, the hint alone was enough to get fans excited about what’s next.
Then the conversation took a humorous turn when Bennett talked about filming upcoming scenes. He shared that he has “a shirtless scene coming up” before quickly realizing that he actually has a bunch of shirtless scenes coming up. He also mentioned that staying fit for those scenes is the hardest part, though it’s clear from his husband Jaymes Vaughan’s recent Instagram post that he’s perfectly happy with the additional workouts Bennett’s had to take on!
Let’s be real, Bennett has always had a great sense of humor. And moments like this are a big reason Hallmark fans enjoy seeing him at live events. Between the behind-the-scenes stories and playful personality, it’s easy to see why audiences continue to support everything he does.
‘Hallmark Stars Live’ Continues Its First-Ever Fan Tour
Wednesday night’s event also marked the official launch of Hallmark Media’s first-ever ‘Hallmark Stars Live’ tour. And it’s giving fans across several states the opportunity to see their favorite stars in person.
Week one is hosted by Nikki DeLoach and features Jonathan Bennett, Andrew Walker, Ashley Williams, and Tamera Mowry-Housley. The remaining stops on the first leg of the tour include:
- Thursday, July 23: Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, Rhode Island
- Friday, July 24: College Street Music Hall in New Haven, Connecticut
- Saturday, July 25: Palace Theatre in Albany, New York
- Sunday, July 26: Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey
After that, the tour continues with a second group of Hallmark favorites. Nikki DeLoach returns as host alongside Andrew Walker, Ashley Williams, Kimberley Sustad, and Paul Campbell. Week two includes stops in:
- July 29: Santander Performing Arts Center in Reading, PA
- July 30: Northfield Park RACINO in Northfield, OH
- July 31: Fisher Theatre in Detroit, MI
- August 1: Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, IL
- August 2: Orpheum Theater in Omaha, NE
Yep, it seems like Hallmark is giving fans plenty of chances to experience the event if they weren’t able to attend opening night. Along with cast conversations, behind-the-scenes stories, and audience interaction, the tour is shaping up to be a memorable experience for longtime viewers.
Fans interested in attending one of the remaining shows can find ticket information through the official Hallmark Stars Live website.
