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Spencer Cassadine is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. The role was played by a series a child actors since the character's birth on February 20, 2006. Most notably, Nicolas Bechtel played the role from May 16, 2013 to January 20, 2020. Nicholas Chavez joined the cast as Spencer on July 1, 2021 becoming the first actor to portray the role as a series regular.

Introduced by executive producer Jill Farren Phelps, Spencer was created by co-head writers Robert Guza Jr. and Charles Pratt Jr. as the son of Nikolas Cassadine (Tyler Christopher) and Courtney Matthews (Alicia Leigh Willis). At the time, Courtney's ex-husband Jasper Jacks (Ingo Rademacher) claims the boy as his own. His paternity is revealed months later and he is renamed in honor of his uncle and aunt, Lucky (Greg Vaughan) and Lulu Spencer (Julie Marie Berman). He is raised by Nikolas, and his godmother Emily Quartermaine (Natalia Livingston) until her murder in 2007. As a child, Spencer forges a close bond with his father's new girlfriend Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) and he struggles to cope when the engagement falls apart. Spencer is also featured heavily in an adolescent romantic quadrangle where his Cassadine antics are put on full display. In 2015, Spencer's attempts to impress his crush goes awry and he is burned in a fire. In 2016, Spencer is orphaned when Nikolas is "killed" by Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart). He resents Ava Jerome (Maura West) after reneges on her promise to help him avenge his father. In 2020, Spencer is written after he disowns Nikolas (Marcus Coloma) for marrying Ava. Spencer (Chavez) returns in 2021 determined to break Nikolas and Ava up for good. While hiding his identity, Spencer bonds with Ava's protégé Trina Robinson (Sydney Mikayla). However, Spencer's scheming girlfriend Esme Prince (Avery Kristen Pohl) arrives and upends the budding romance. Though they are working together to break up Nikolas and Ava, Spencer is upset when Esme takes matters into her own hands. In addition, Spencer is caught in the middle when Esme frames Trina (Tabyana Ali) for leaking a sex-tape of Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) and Cameron Webber (William Lipton).

Bechtel's portrayal of Spencer was a hit with fans and critics alike and he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2016 for Outstanding Young Actor. Chavez was an immediate hit with viewers and critics. He won the Emmy for Outstanding Younger Performer. In addition, Spencer's budding romance with Trina also reached supercouple status.

2006–2010
In February 2006, Courtney, having escaped Helena Cassadine's (Constance Towers) clutches, is rushed to the hospital where doctors reveal she contracted the Encephalitis virus while hiding out with her father Mike Corbin (Ron Hale). Doctors tell Courtney and Jax that the baby's only chance to survive is a C-section which could prove fatal for Courtney due to her fever. But Courtney's temperature drops enough for doctors to rush her into surgery. Courtney and Jax witness their son's birth and after he is admitted to the NICU, she names him John Michael, after their fathers. Jax suddenly reveals that he altered the second DNA test and that her fiancé Nikolas is her son's biological father. However, Courtney dies before she can tell Nikolas the truth. Jax bonds with Courtney's best friend, Carly Corinthos (Laura Wright) over baby John and they soon start dating which upsets Nikolas. Meanwhile, Jax enlist Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) to appoint Carly as the child's legal guardian should anything happen to him. As the lab technician that Jax bribed tries to extort $2 million from him over the original test results, Carly discovers that Nikolas is John's father. However, she agrees to keep quiet because she has fallen for Jax. Just before John's christening, Nikolas orders another paternity test but Carly interferes this time. However, Nikolas's friend, Doctor Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough) realizes Carly changed the test and tells Nikolas. He confronts Jax and Carly at the christening and Jax reluctantly admits that Nikolas is John's father. Nikolas takes custody of John and hires Colleen McHenry (Amanda Tepe) as a nanny to help him who, unbeknownst to him, is a plant by Helena. Meanwhile, Nikolas renames his son Spencer in honor of his brother and sister, Lucky (Greg Vaughan) and Lulu Spencer (Julie Marie Berman). Colleen makes it clear she doesn't approve of Nikolas and Emily's renewed friendship, especially when he appoints Emily as Spencer's godmother. Colleen sets out to impress Nikolas when she "protects" Spencer from Helena. In December 2006, Nikolas fires Colleen upon discovering that Colleen's previous employers all died under mysterious circumstances. Colleen returns and kidnaps Spencer from the manger as he is set to play Jesus in a nativity play.

By the time Nikolas and Emily find Colleen in January 2007, Helena has already taken Spencer for herself. Nikolas and Emily rush to Saint Petersburg, Russia where they interrupt Helena's attempt to baptize Spencer under a different name. After Helena escapes, Nikolas and Emily christen Spencer at the cathedral in Russia. Nikolas is so distraught by Emily's murder in late 2007 that he begins to neglect Spencer. Nikolas then learns he is suffering from a brain tumor that allows him to see Emily, but also causes his violent outbursts. In 2008, Nikolas begins dating Nurse Nadine Crowell (Claire Coffee) and she convinces him to get the surgery, for Spencer's (Lance Doven, Rami Yousef) sake. In 2009, Nikolas introduces Spencer (Davin Ransom) to Emily's twin sister Rebecca Shaw (Livingston) and Nikolas admits he was hesitant to introduce Spencer to Rebecca fearing she'd eventually disappear from his life. Lucky (Jonathan Jackson) later warns Nikolas against neglecting Spencer in favor of his romance with Rebecca and Nikolas breaks up with her having fallen for Emily's best friend and Lucky's fiancée Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst).

After their affair is exposed in 2010, Nikolas wants to build a family with the pregnant Elizabeth. However, Elizabeth rejects the idea as she doesn't think Nikolas has been the best father to Spencer. Meanwhile, Spencer serves as a comfort to for his grieving cousin Kristina Davis (Lexi Ainsworth). After Elizabeth gives birth to her son Aiden in July 2010 and they move in with Nikolas and Spencer at Wyndemere. In the summer of 2011, it is revealed that Lucky is Aiden's biological father and Nikolas leaves town with Spencer.

2013–2020
Spencer (Bechtel) returns to Port Charles alongside his great-grandmother Lesley Webber (Denise Alexander) in May 2013 to attend his grandmother Laura Spencer's (Genie Francis) wedding to Scott Baldwin (Kin Shriner). Spencer grows to like Britt and ask Nikolas to marry her in December 2013. Meanwhile, he bonds with his uncle Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) during a boxing lesson. Spencer clashes with his cousin Cameron over Emma.

2021–present
In 2021, Spencer (Chavez) breaks into Ava's art gallery wearing a ski mask and runs into Trina instead. Spencer escapes as Trina triggers the trap he set for Ava. Posing as a waiter, he sneaks into Trina's graduation party and introduces himself as Victor. Spencer runs into Trina again on Independence Day and they plan to watch the fireworks together until he realizes she is meeting up with Cameron & Josslyn.

Casting
The role was originated by twins Caden and Nicholas Laughlin in 2006. Siblings Nathan and Spencer Casamassima took over the role in October 2006. Child actor Lance Doven appeared as Spencer for seven episodes, beginning on March 11, 2008. Rami Yousef appeared as Spencer for one episode on May 16, 2008.

In a 2009 interview with Soap Opera Network, when questioned about the character's onscreen absence, Christopher said "We had difficulty casting Spencer, so I believe that’s why you haven’t seen him as of late." However, Davin Ransom was soon cast in the role and made his first appearance on August 13, 2009. Ransom last appeared on November 12, 2010.

Bechtel made his debut on May 16, 2013. Head writer Ron Carlivati admitted that Bechtel made an indelible impression on the producers upon his debut. In 2017, casting director Mark Teschner said of Bechtel's casting "I’ve never met a kid like him. He is charisma personified, and he is so appealing and he’s so good that how could you not expand that role and give him story? As the casting director, you’re like, 'Thank God that kid walked in'."

Chavez made his debut on July 1, 2021. Soap Opera Digest officially confirmed the casting news on July 6, 2021 via a statement from Coloma. The role was the first time Chavez had auditioned for a soap opera but "I was completely and totally ecstatic." In April 2021, Chavez submitted a self-tape and was quickly invited to screen-test in Los Angeles which the actor described as "kind of unusual in the industry… as it all happened within the span of a week." Chavez competed against at least 15 other actors. While he felt good about his screen-test opposite Maura West, Chavez was nervous to return home to Florida as the roundtrip flight was scheduled to depart the next day. Fortunately, the decision was made within the next 24 hours. Chavez described the news as "completely surreal" and "one of the happiest moments of my entire life." Chavez signed a three year contract.

Personality
In 2014, Soaps In Depth said Spencer "commands every scene." The magazine further described the character as "domineering and demanding." He "believes the world is his oyster and those around him should be shucking it for him. [Spencer] has a better command of the English language than many adults and often seems confounded as to why they do not respect his authority." When Bechtel returned in 2018, Soap Opera Digest described Spencer as "Laura's precocious grandson." Bechtel relished in playing the character because he was so different from Spencer. "He's a wild man" Bechtel stated. But this time "He's older and wiser. He's trying to be a better listener. He's trying to be respectful of his grandma — and he has a better wardrobe!" In 2020, Mike Jubinville of Daytime Confidential categorized Spencer as "street smart." Kambra Clifford called Spencer "sassy."

In 2022, Stephanie Wagner of People described Spencer as a "spoiled rich kid."

Introduction and lineage
In a 2009 interview, Christopher explained that Spencer's introduction was the writers' attempt to "add a little color into Nikolas."

Presumed death (2024)
On June 30, 2023, TVLine reported that Chavez would take a temporary leave of absence from the role to film the second season of the Netflix true crime anthology series Monsters produced by Ryan Murphy.

Reception
2014 Gold Star: "Bechtel infused Spencer with emotions adult thespians would have a difficult time capturing."