The former Army Ranger-turned-soap star shares his experiences on General Hospital.
With Erika Slezak’s mysterious new character making her debut on General Hospital, Josh Kelly sat down with Woman’s World to talk about filming his first Port Charles scene alongside his former One Life to Live costar.
He also opened up about stepping into Cody Bell’s shoes, what it means to now be part of the Scorpio family, and the rom-com spark he shares on-screen with Kristen Vaganos’ Molly.
The soap star, who previously appeared on Unreal and most recently on NCIS: Origins, reflected on how his time serving in the U.S.
Army continues to influence his life and work today. He also teased his upcoming movie, The Workout, which is set to premiere next month.
Kelly also addresses the rumors linking him to General Hospital alum Chloe Lanier—and shares why fans are eager to see her character, Nelle, brought back from the dead.
Josh Kelly on ‘GH’ newcomer Erika Slezak–’She’s such a force of nature’
With fans eager to find out who Erika Slezak will be playing on General Hospital, Josh Kelly admits it’s been a great time to step into the role of good guy Cody Bell.
“I just got to work with an old friend from my One Life to Live days,” he shared enthusiastically. “Erika Slezak is such a force of nature.
There’s such gravity when she speaks, and it’s fun to be around that. I only had one scene with her back on One Life, so this is really exciting.”
As for details about Slezak’s new character, Kelly remains tight-lipped. “Well…” he teased, “she likes cowboys!”
Josh Kelly on joining the Scorpio family
At this point, it’s hard not to like Cody Bell, the Quartermaines’ trusted stable hand.
“In the beginning, he didn’t come across as good-natured as he really is,” Josh Kelly explained. “It was a new town, and not everyone treated him kindly. But over time, he’s proven himself, made real friends, and for the first time, he’s starting to put down roots.”
Through his work with the Quartermaines, Cody has not only earned a place in their circle but also found himself embraced by one of Port Charles’ most iconic families. For Kelly, joining the Scorpio clan is something he finds both exciting and fun.
Josh Kelly admits his connection to General Hospital goes back to his teenage years. “When I was in high school, my sister got into the show and I started watching it,” he recalled.
“I thought Mac Scorpio had the coolest name and John York was one of the coolest-looking guys I’d ever seen. I remember thinking, ‘When I grow up, I hope I look like that guy.’ Now, I get to play his son!”
Kelly also opened up about what it was like stepping into scenes with John York and Kristina Wagner. “My first scene with them, my knees were shaking,” he confessed. “But now, it’s amazing. I love working with them they’re both such genuinely kind people.”
Working with kids, animals and Jane Elliot
One way Cody’s won over locals had been his knack for wrangling kids like his nephew James, animals like the Q horses and that adorable dog who plays Outback and yes, Jane Elliot’s ever prickly and fabulous Tracy! Thankfully, Kelly feels right at home with all of his scenemates.
“Because I’m just a big kid, right?” he cracks. “I’ve always gotten along with animals, so it’s fun. And as far as the kids go, I still have that joy of acting. I love the whole make believe and fun part, but I can also be serious, so I’m a good cue for them. They know that it’s fun, but also sometimes, we have to be serious.”
Josh Kelly also shared his admiration for working alongside Jane Elliot. “I’ve loved working with Jane,” he said warmly. “It’s been such a collaborative experience.
She still cares so much about the work and brings such a fun energy. I adore her and Cody definitely has some very strong feelings for Tracy Quartermaine!”
From army ranger to soap star: Josh Kelly’s journey
Josh Kelly’s journey from soldier to soap star is nothing short of remarkable. Long before he was charming audiences on General Hospital, Kelly served in the U.S. Army, a path he chose in part because of his love for action and acting.
After completing four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he not only proved his resilience but also returned with an even stronger determination to pursue Hollywood.
“In the army, I really learned the value of entertainment,” he explained. “We were the first unit sent over after 9/11 just a month later, in a ranger battalion with special operations. I saw firsthand how much escape and release entertainment can give to people doing very, very difficult jobs.”
That perspective fueled his acting career, landing him roles in two Transformers films and a variety of primetime action projects. Now, Kelly has a new action movie on the horizon: The Workout, debuting on Blu-ray and video on demand October 28.
“It’s about two former Army Rangers on a revenge spree,” he teased. “It’s definitely action-heavy, so maybe not for everyone in the soap world… but I also don’t want to undersell it. It’s a really fun movie.”
Josh Kelly reflects on his army days–’I was the funny fat guy in the platoon’
While he’s always wanted to play the hero, Kelly never could have imagined he’d end up a shirtless daytime hunk.
“I was the funny fat guy in the platoon and the class clown, so that guy would be surprised that I am on a soap,” he admits. “I thought I’d be doing sitcoms, but when I moved to L.A., I got told by casting directors that because my face is symmetrical, I should lose weight. So I started eating less than I want to and working out more than I want to…”
“All in all, I’m happy that I did that,” continues the 43-year-old. “It can be a much healthier way, and it promotes understanding about health. As you get older, even just five years past your teens, you start to understand the value of preventative medicine and maintaining your health.”
Cody and Molly’s rom-com chemistry with Kristen Vaganos
Josh Kelly’s good looks and strong screen presence have made him a natural fit for soaps, and on General Hospital, he’s enjoying the best of both worlds. As Cody, he gets his share of action-packed hero moments, while his romance with Molly allows him and costar Kristen Vaganos to lean into their comedic timing.
“The way they’ve built this relationship feels more like a rom-com,” Kelly explained. “We’ve had our meet-cutes, and the story is grounded more in humor rather than intense passion or heavy drama. That lighter, comedic energy has been really fun and I think it gives the show a refreshing reprieve.”
What to expect at the ‘General Hospital’ fan event at Graceland
Josh Kelly, who spent five years filming three seasons of Unreal, has found a lasting home on General Hospital since joining in June 2022 both on-screen and off.
“This is the longest I’ve ever been on a show. I’ve done guest spots in Los Angeles, but never a lead role, so this has been a really cool experience,” he shared.
Off-camera, Kelly enjoys connecting with fans at events like the 6th Annual Fan Celebration at Graceland, taking place over Halloween weekend. The celebration features meet-and-greets, panels with Kelly and co-stars Laura Wright, Donnell Turner, Tanisha Harper, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Braedyn Bruner, Van Hansis, Kelly Thiebaud, Giovanni Mazza, Rory Gibson, and Katelyn MacMullen, plus a costume party and a Nurses Ball casting call.
“Graceland is special because it’s so fan-focused,” Kelly said. “We’re all there together, and it’s not as rushed as other events. I hear the most amazing stories. The show has been around for 62 years, and some fans remember watching the very first episode. It’s an honor to be part of something that has touched so many people for so long.”
Josh Kelly and Chloe Lanier dream of seeing ‘Nelle Bell’ on ‘GH’
Josh Kelly is feeling content with life these days—but he’s eager to clear up rumors about him and General Hospital alum Chloe Lanier.
“We are not married,” Kelly told Woman’s World. “There are several articles claiming we are, and my aunts were furious they weren’t invited to the wedding! I had to assure them, ‘Nope, you’re invited if and when it happens.’”
On-screen, though, Kelly teases a different kind of marital possibility. “Nelle was a great swimmer, so in theory, she could still be alive… and if Nelle and Cody got married, she’d be Nelle Bell!” he said, laughing. “We would love that. I can also tell you right now, Nelle would not like Molly—and she definitely wouldn’t approve of Molly going after Cody!”
For now, Kelly is fully enjoying Cody’s rom-com storyline with Molly and supporting Lanier’s latest top-secret project. “I’m really excited because she left Wednesday to shoot a movie in Canada,” he shared. “She’s the lead, it’s an intense role, and it’s going to be fantastic!”