Though the role of his cherished baby girl was last played by Haley Pullos, Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing, General Hospital) had an immediate connection with new hire Kristen Vaganos (Molly Lansing Davis) — so much so that you wouldn’t know the two have been playing father and daughter for only a few weeks now.

Rick Hearst And Kristen Vaganos On Their Relationship

Though Hearst grants to Soap Opera Digest that “I love my Haley,” he also concedes that he and Vaganos, “just connected instantly. I know what it’s like to take over a role. I know what it’s like to take over a character who was beloved, an actor who was beloved in a role, and have to take it wherever I was going to take it and have my stamp [on it]. And when I look at Kristen, she is all of that [and] more.

“She is such an incredibly dedicated and diligent and intelligent and soulful poised-for-her-years actress. The fact that she shows up every day, ready to go, guns blazing, all-in, ‘Let’s make this the best we can make it,’ is the kind of stuff that reinvigorates the cast around her — both her and how she interacts and is connected to Kate [Mansi, Kristina Corinthos-Davis]. They have this unique fire between the two of them, and I walked into that when I met Kristen. I knew it was going to jive.”

And the feeling is mutual. Vaganos told the outlet: “Working with Rick is amazing. He’s the best! He is such a kind, sweet, and smart guy, and he’s also a really committed, engaged actor. Honestly, I’ve been lucky with my entire family on this show, but he was no exception. We met and immediately we were just able to form a connection and a bond and slip right into something that felt like it could be a true father/daughter relationship. It happened so seamlessly and so quickly. and I think only a real, open, honest actor allows that to happen.”

What have you made of Rick Hearst and Kristen Vaganos’ onscreen bond? Let us know in the comments section below.

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