Marshall Thomas Ashford is a fictional character in the ABC daytime drama General Hospital.
He has been portrayed on recurring by actor Robert Gossett[1] since the character's introduction on October 18, 2021. He was revealed to be Curtis Ashford's father on November 15, 2021.
Damien Leake temporarily filled in for Gossett for one episode on January 28, 2022.[2]
On January 31, 2022, Gossett returned as Marshall.
On April 1, 2022, Gossett was listed with the contract actors in the end credits.[3] He remained on contract through March 8, 2024, and was on recurring status thereafter.[4]
Gossett dropped off canvas and hasn't been onscreen since April 11, 2024.[5] He returned on August 21, 2024 and exited again on October 3, 2024 for an undetermined period of time.[6]
Before Marshall first appeared onscreen, he was referred to as "Thomas" and was thought to be dead by Curtis.
Storylines[]
On October 18, 2021 at The Savoy, Curtis Ashford tells Portia Robinson about his father dying of a heart attack when he was away. Meanwhile a mysterious man watches them across the room.
Bartender N'neka talks to the man who asks her about live music and the acts who are booked at the club. N'neka says the owner books the acts and points Curtis out to the man. She says it is an eclectic group who come from as far away as London. The man thinks the owner knows what he is doing.
N'neka tells Curtis there is a customer he should meet who was asking about live music. She looks over where the man was sitting and he is gone. Curtis tells N'neka to let him know if the man returns.
The man goes into GH and tells T.J. Ashford he was heading to a volunteer meeting in the hospital. He needs to see someone for a pain in his side and says TJ can call him Marshall. He remarks how he hates hospitals as TJ checks Marshallโs blood pressure and says it is fine. Marshall asks about TJโs life and seems especially interested in TJโs uncle. He says TJ is lucky to have such a tight-knit family. TJ says he needs to get a second physician to check on Marshall who is gone when TJ gets back to the room.
On October 27, Marshall runs into Portia and asks her about The Savoy and Curtis.
Portia tells Curtis about her meeting with the man and Curtis wonders if Marshall is working for Cyrus.
On November 3, Portia asks Liz to draw a sketch of Marshall. Curtis doesnโt recognize the sketch when Portia shows him but he says it looks familiar.
At Kellyโs, Marshall sees a newspaper ad for live music at The Savoy tomorrow. Later he walks in on Joey Novak at Pier 54. It is implied Marshall beats up Joey.
On November 10, it is revealed Marshall is working with Linc to sabotage bands that Curtis has booked at The Savoy. Marshall arranges for one of Linc's bands to perform at The Savoy.
On November 15, after Marshall showed up at The Savoy and ordered Linc out, Curtis finally came face to face with the man who was asking questions about him. Marshall revealed to Curtis that he's his father and later that he stayed to keep his family safe. Curtis assumes Marshall was in witness protection.
On December 28, Marshall is seen at his room at the Harbor View Inn practicing his clarinet. He used to have a clarinet he called "Henrietta". Marshall talks to someone (presumably a doctor) on the phone about the protocol before Curtis knocks at the door. He explains that Stella told him where Marshall was staying. Marshall says it isnโt fancy but will do until he can find a place of his own. Curtis is surprised to hear Marshall is staying in town. He asks where Marshall has been all these years. Marshall is vague and says he never stayed in one place too long but if it was up to him he wouldnโt have left home. He remembers Curtis and Tommy as children. Curtis says he is grown now and angrily leaves after telling Marshall not to stick around town if he wonโt give clear answers about where he has been.
It is later revealed that Stella knew Marshall was faking his death and she thought she would never see him again. She wants Curtis to drop the investigation into Marshall's past and Curtis agrees. Drew plans to hire Marshall and use his background check to find out more about Marshall.
On January 18, 2022, Marshall collapses while on a date with Epiphany Johnson at the PC Grill. He is taken to GH where Hamilton Finn had called ahead for a cardiac care team.
When he arrives, Portia Robinson introduces Dr. Rose to Curtis. Rose says that Marshall's blood pressure was elevated. His medication was switched to one that will hopefully take care of his cardiac issues. Marshall can be discharged as soon as he gets his new prescription.
On March 22, Marshall and Epiphany go out again and run into Curtis and Portia. Marshall admits to Curtis that he is nervous about dating Epiphany and they bond over Marshall talking about his first date with his wife Irene Ashford.
On March 23, Marshall tells Deanna at GH that he is having issues with his medication and needs to get the dosage right. Deanna checks and discovers that Dr. Rose isnโt in right now. Sonny talks with T.J. as Ava has brought in Avery who sprained her wrist. Marshall warns Sonny to stay away from T.J. Later Avery runs into Marshall and he drops his medication. Sonny looks at it and hands it back to Marshall. It is Risperidone, an antipsychotic that can treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability caused by autism.
Drew has found inconsistencies in Marshall's past and contacts Curtis. In 1986 Marshall Ashford had a one bedroom in Buenos Aires. Curtis wonders why Marshall would use his own name if he was in witness protection.
Curtis asks Jordan to show him Marshall's arrest record and after she and Sonny refuse, Curtis turns to Selina Wu. He agrees for her to have poker games in the backroom of the Savoy if she gives him Marshall's record. She finally does and Curtis finds out Marshall was arrested in the 80s during a protest and sent to a mental facility. He confronts his father who is trying to leave town. Marshall is angry that Curtis looked into his past and he does leave town.
T.J. is upset that Marshall suddenly left when they were just getting to know each other. Marshall left T.J. his clarinet and later Jordan tells T.J. to look in the case for clues. T.J. finds a receipt for a music shop in Brooklyn and plans to head there with Molly before Marshall orders another clarinet.
On May 18, T.J. and Molly meet the shop owner Mr. Purdee at the Brooklyn Union Pub. He recognizes the clarinet and eventually confesses he knows Marshall who goes by Marshall Parker in Brooklyn. After he leaves, Marshall comes to the door. He agrees to go to a jazz club with T.J. and Molly.
On May 20, 2022, T.J., Molly, and Curtis take Marshall to New York Methodist Hospital after Marshall is cut on the arm during a mugging while with T.J. on the way to the club.
On June 6, Marshall revealed to Curtis that he is schizophrenic and is taking medication and they start to grow closer.
In February 2023, Marshall plays a clarinet solo during Curtis and Portia's wedding reception. Although initially nervous that being in a crowd will cause his schizophrenia to return, he compromises by having a band back him up so he isn't on stage alone.
In March, Marshall found out he was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia 40 years ago. He was hesitant at first about taking the test as it would mean he wasted his life. Marshall later talks with Portia and gets the idea to call Stella and ask if she still has all of Irene's papers. Since she does, he asks if his medical records are among them as he wants to find the names of the original medical team who may have falsely diagnosed him with schizophrenia.
On September 30, 2024, a promoter invites him to tour with famous trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
Crimes Committed[]
Was in a protest; arrested and institutionalized [1985; revealed on Mar 2, 2022; details and institutionalization revealed on Apr 25, 2022]
Faked his death [1985-2021; revealed on Nov 15, 2021]
Stalked his own son, Curtis Ashford [revealed Oct 18-Nov 15, 2021]
Beat up Joey Novak and left him hospitalized [Nov 3, 2021; revealed Nov 4, 2021]
Worked with Linc Brown to sabotage bands at The Savoy [revealed on Nov 10, 2021]
Fought one of the muggers (in self-defense) [May 20, 2022]
Health and Vitals[]
Vietnam veteran [pre-1985; revealed on Jun 6, 2022]
Became paranoid and had trouble sleeping [pre-1985; revealed on Jun 6, 2022]
Institutionalized [1985; revealed on Apr 25, 2022]
Forced to leave his family for their protection [1985; revealed on Dec 14, 2021]
Claimed to have a pain in his side [Oct 20, 2021; revealed he was faking on Nov 24, 2021]
Claimed to injure his wrist; revealed to be lying [Jan 17, 2022]
Collapsed due to elevated blood pressure; hospitalized [Jan 18, 2022]
Taking an antipsychotic for schizophrenia [revealed Mar 23, 2022; diagnosis revealed on Jun 6, 2022; revealed he was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia on Mar 8, 2023]
Had a panic attack in the past [revealed on Apr 8, 2022]
Mugged by two men (with T.J.) [May 19-20, 2022]
Hospitalized after a mugger cut his arm with a switchblade [May 20, 2022]
