Wally Kurth: A fan favorite who does double duty on two soaps

Wally Kurth: Beloved on two soaps

Wally Kurth is an enigma as a veteran of daytime drama. In an industry where characters are axed and or recast Kurth has been doing double duty on two of the four remaining soaps. He began his career in 1987 when he was cast in the role of Justin Kiriakis the nephew of Victor Kiriakis (John Anniston) on Days of Our Lives.

Kurth left that role in 1991 and immediately was hired on General Hospital as Ned Ashton (now Quartermaine ) the grandson of Edward Quartermaine (John Ingle). The actor exited General Hospital in 2007 and returned to Days of Our Lives in 2009. He went back to GH in 2012 and worked on both soaps until 2014 when he departed from DOOL but returned in 2015. In March of 2016 Days put Kurth on recurring status and he has been recurring on both daytime dramas ever since.

It is amazing that the actor has been able to pull this off but fans who watch both soaps are delighted to see so much of Kurth. Both Justin and Ned are connected to powerful families and each of them exhibits a bit of ruthlessness. There is just enough kindness and love for family to keep the audience invested in both characters.

Days of Our Lives: Justin Kiriakis

Prior to obtaining the role of Justin the actor studied music theater at Loretto Heights College in Denver and theater arts at UCLA. He also spent a number of years working as a telemarketer, horse ranger, and meatpacker. He also appeared in several theater productions. Days of Our Lives fans enjoyed Justin being paired with Judy Evans as Adrianne Johnson Kiriakis although the duo did not quite obtain the same super couple status as several other couples on the NBC soap. In 2020 Kurth's portrayal of Justin earned him a nomination for a Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Actor for his role.

General Hospital: Ned Ashton Quartermaine

In 2017, General Hospital had Ned legally changed his last name to Quartermaine which makes him officially Edward Quartermaine like his grandfather who the family business ELQ was named for. Ned changed his name n order to disassociate himself from his scheming father Larry Ashton and also to carry on the Quartermaine legacy. His daughter Brook Lynn Quartermaine AKA BLQ did the same.

In real-time Kurth was married briefly to Rena Sofer who was his on-screen wife Lois Sorillo and BLQ's mother. On-screen Ned is currently married to Olivia Falconeri Quartermaine (Lisa LoCicero) and in the processing of adopting her son Leo Falconeri (Easton Rocket Sweda) and officially making him a Quartermaine heir.

Kurth is a talented singer and Ned once had the stage name of Eddy Mane who was the lead singer of a band. Kurth won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song for his song "Barefoot Ballet" which was sung on GH in 2002. The honors were shared with bandmate Christian Taylor and lyricist Debi Cochran.

Wally Kurth: Additional roles and personal life

Kurth has 3 movie roles under his belt which are: Devon in Final Embrace in 1992, David Barclay in I Love You Don't Touch Me, an uncredited role in the television movie The Stepsister both in 1997, and Beautiful Guy in Amy's Orgasm in 2001. His television credits include: As the World Turns, Hot in Cleveland, Highwaytown Heroes, and Generation Rex.

The actor was born on July 31 1958 in Billings Montana and has been married three times. Debra Yuhasz (M. 2003), Cynthia Ettinger (M. 1990–1993), and Rena Sofer (M. 1995–1997) He has three children: Brogan George Kurth, Meghann Kurth, and Rosabel Rosalind Kurth. Wally's other honors include being selected as ‘The Most Valuable Player on General Hospital' by the readers of the Soap Opera Update magazine, and he was nominated by Soap Opera Digest magazine as Hottest Male Star.