Stephen A. Smith’s Action-Packed Return as Brick
The latest episode of General Hospital gave fans a heart-pounding moment as Stephen A. Smith stepped back into the role of Brick. On April 28, 2025, the daytime drama cranked up the suspense when Brick foiled a cold-blooded attempt on mob boss Sonny Corinthos’ life. The twist? The killer was disguised as a nurse, hoping to end Sonny’s reign behind hospital doors. But Brick acted fast, taking down the assassin in a moment that felt more like an action flick than your typical soap.
Smith isn’t new to Port Charles. He first walked onto the General Hospital set as Brick—a cool-headed surveillance whiz with deep ties to the Corinthos crime family—back in 2016. Fans remember his early appearances as brief, but over the years, especially since 2020, Brick has become a familiar face to regular viewers. Each return has added new layers to his identity as the loyal problem-solver Sonny’s crew relies on whenever technology or brute force are needed.
Daytime Drama Meets Primetime Personality
Why does Smith’s turn as Brick get people talking? Maybe it’s because most folks know him from sports, not soap operas. Smith keeps busy as a top commentator on ESPN’s First Take, where his fiery opinions and loud debates with co-hosts are appointment viewing for sports fans. But moonlighting as an actor? That’s something else entirely. Each time Smith hits the General Hospital screen, reactions explode on social media. First Take co-host Michael Irvin recently couldn’t resist ribbing Smith on-air, poking at both his "acting chops" and those wild internet rumors about Smith trading in his analyst seat for a run in politics. It’s all in good fun, of course, because Smith appears to relish every second he spends juggling his unusual mix of jobs.
Soap insiders have noted that Smith brings more than just celebrity guest power to Brick. He’s carved out a real role for himself—until recently, most celebrities might appear in a throwaway cameo. Brick, on the other hand, is woven into Port Charles’ neverending underworld drama. Whenever Sonny is in trouble, Brick’s the fixer sidestepping danger with his signature calm.
- First played Brick in 2016
- Appeared more frequently since 2020
- April 2025 episode saw Brick save Sonny from a disguised assassin
- Smith enjoys friendly teasing from colleagues about his soap stardom and rumored political future
This latest twist in Port Charles proves there’s still plenty of life in Brick’s story. No one is quite sure what Smith will do next—return to the soap, break another sports story, or take his many talents into a surprising new direction. But General Hospital fans loved seeing him bring the action, even if his day job is arguing about basketball scores, not fighting off contract killers in hospital hallways.