On October 23, 2017, Soap Opera Digest broke the news that Christopher Van Etten, a real-life wounded Marine (double leg amputee),[7] motivational speaker and model who shares a name with the show's co-head writer, had been cast as nosy nurse Amy Driscoll's injured vet brother.[8]
"This has been an awesome opportunity for me," Van Etten enthuses. "I feel really lucky to be a part of the show."
He debuted on November 8, 2017[9] and made occasional appearances until October 3, 2019.
In the latest issue of "Soap Opera Digest" it was revealed by a setside source that Van Etten is leaving GH as his family is moving from California to Illinois.[13] Chet left Port Charles on May 31, 2022 and it was revealed the role will not be recast.[14]
Background[]
Chet went to Port Charles High School and according to Maxie he was "the man" in high school. He went to ROTC but was injured while playing college football and couldn't play anymore. He joined the army and lost both legs in the war in Afghanistan. After returning home, he had been living in a group home because of PTSD. He struggled financially after his mom died and his dad had been out of the picture. Chet's younger sister Amy started an advice column called "Ask Man Landers" to help pay Chet's medical bills.
Storylines[]
Chet and his sister, Amy
Chet showed up in Port Charles and ends up at General Hospital after an overdose of painkillers. He didn't want to see Amy as he was in constant pain and he also didn't want to be a burden to her. Eventually Chet showed his legs and gave a speech to "Ask Man Landers" fans to explain how Amy started the whole column to help him out with medical expenses. As a result, the book became a huge hit.
On May 4, 2018, Maxie visited Nathan's grave and was surprised to see Chet. He was sorry to hear about Nathan and was coming to leave his N.A. six-month chip for sobriety at the grave as he felt Nathan had helped him with it. Maxie told Chet that Nathan would be proud of him.
Chet gave Maxie congratulations on her baby and she thanked him for the trust fund that he and his sister Amy had set up for Maxie's baby. It was a kind gift unlike the LEAF fund that Peter left in Nathan's name. Chet suggested that Peter might not be like his father Faison and warned Maxie that holding onto her anger was poison.
Chet and Maxie wondered how they had ended up in their current situations but they agreed that they wouldn't change a thing in their past. Maxie realized she should forget where Peter's money was from and focus on where it was going. Nathan loved helping people and she wanted to do the same.
On December 21, Maxie was happy to see uniformed Chet working at the Toys for Tots collection as she dropped off some toys. They talked for a bit and Maxie found out Amy had to work so she invited Chet to accompany her to her Christmas Eve party.
On January 3, 2019, Chet is back in town and is offered a job as the manager at Volonino's Gym from Sonny. He also accepts a job from Mac to tend bar at The Floating Rib.
On April 5, 2019, Chet asks out Maxie after Peter August tells him he should go for it. She turns him down because she has feelings for Peter.
On November 20, 2020, Chet lost his job as bartender at The Floating Rib when it was blown up by Julian Jerome.
On February 11, 2022, Chet and Amy come to the hospital to collect the donations for the charity that he was working with. Later Chet sits next to Terry Randolph at Charlie's Pub. Terry had arranged to meet her dating app match at Charlieโs on Valentineโs Day. He will be wearing a teal colored shirt so Terry knows who he is. Chet is revealed to be wearing a teal colored shirt. Terry says it is nice to meet him. She worried he wasnโt going to show and he thinks she is trying pickup lines on him.
Terry explains that she saw Chetโs teal shirt and Chet tries to explain that he isnโt the person she is waiting for. She says she wasnโt sure about not sending each other photos and calls Chet "Tanner". Chet apologizes and says he isnโt Tanner. A man comes over and tells Terry that he is Tanner and their table is ready. Chet eavesdrops on Terry and Tanner's date and stops it when he canโt stand to listen anymore. Chet claims that Terry is his girlfriend and says he canโt share her anymore. Tanner leaves and Chet sits in his spot. They complain about being single and Chet says that Terry is beautiful.
On April 4, Terry gets a text from Chet that he is overseas for another month but he hopes to see her when he gets back. Terry replies that she wants to see Chet too and asks him to text with dates when he has them.
On May 9, Chet and Terry meet at the Metro Court Gardens for their first official date. Chet reveals that Terry found out about his prosthetic legs through text. Terry mentions that she was terrified to tell Chet she is a trans woman. Terry talks about someone she is having trouble with at the hospital. Chet and her exchange last names and Terry realizes the troublemaker, Amy, is Chet's sister.
At the end of the month, Amy applied Chet for a VA job in Chicago and Chet gets it. He didnโt apply for it and after eavesdropping on him and Terry, Amy feels guilty and confesses to them that she applied for him. He wants to stay in town but Terry convinces him to go as this is a dream job for him. He says if she doesnโt have a date next Valentineโs Day, she responds that he will be her first call.
On August 25, Liz asks Terry about Chet and she says she just heard from him that morning. He is doing well and happy with his new job.
Health and Vitals[]
Career-ending shoulder and knee (ACL) injuries while playing college football [revealed on Jun 15, 2017; more details revealed on Aug 30, 2017]
Double-leg amputee due to injury from combat in Afghanistan [revealed on Aug 30, 2017]
Painkiller overdose; revived with naloxone; hospitalized [revealed on Nov 7, 2017]
Underlying and possibly fatal infection discovered and resolved [revealed on Nov 7, 2017]
