Winston Rudge

David S. Lee as Winston Rudge

**Winston Rudge** is a fictional character on the ABC Soap opera *General Hospital*.

He was portrayed by actor David S. Lee from December 14, 2016 to September 18, 2020.

## Casting

Actor David S. Lee first joined *GH* in the role of Winston Rudge on December 14, 2016. His first scenes were with Billy Miller (Jason Morgan) and Donnell Turner (Curtis Ashford). The actor recurred until he made his final appearance on March 15, 2017 when his character was taken to jail after confessing everything he knew.

He made a short return on August 23, 2017 when Rudge took the stand and testified against Julian Jerome.

Lee made another short return as Rudge from September 15 to September 18, 2020.

## Storylines

On December 14, 2016, Winston Rudge first appeared when "Jason Morgan" and Curtis Ashford paid him a visit at his Pawn Shop. Jason and Curtis showed Rudge photos of Julian Jerome, Pete Inglis, and then a photo of a figure in the shadows. They asked if Rudge knew anyone in the photos. Rudge claimed that he didn't know any of them but he did recognize a Chinese restaurant bag that they had. Rudge claimed that he is into recycling and that they were free.

Curtis wondered if the tools used by a homeless man came from the shop and were put into one of the chinese bags and Rudge said that it's possible but he gives them out all the time. Rudge also suggested that the man in the photo he showed him could have scrounged up the bag from anywhere. Jason found a tool set that was missing a tool and knew it was strange that a homeless man had a takeout sack from a restaurant no longer in business with a pair of wire cutters that fit right into the tool set.

Jason and Curtis caught onto the fact that Rudge was lying and Jason threatened to link Rudge to a very serious crime unless he told them what they wanted to know. They wanted to know if Rudge knew that the tool set that came in was missing a tool and Rudge claimed that since it was used he assumed that the tool set arrived with the wire cutters missing. Curtis asked about the records and Rudge said that the pawn shop was a cash business and that he doesn't keep thorough records. Jason left him his number and his name before they left.

Rudge later went into a secret room where a mysterious person was watching the interaction over the monitor and Rudge told the mystery person that two gentlemen were inquiring about the pair of wire cutters used in a crime, meaning that he is partially responsible for the bomb that killed Sonny Corinthos' son Morgan. He left the mystery person Jason's contact information and said he/she would recognize him from the monitor.

On January 9, 2017, Rudge gave the mystery person an update and revealed that he wasn't able to locate the homeless man who planted the bomb in Julian's car. He also revealed that Julian texted him and said that Jason and his wife Sam Morgan have become suspicious and guessed that someone was watching the house and saw him pay a visit to Julian. The mystery person poured hot water on his hands but Rudge regained his composure and promised he would take care of Jason Morgan and anyone else working with him.

On January 17, it was revealed that Rudge was working for Olivia Jerome, Julian's not-so-dead sister.

On February 24, Rudge spiked Laura Spencer's coffee and kidnapped her under Olivia Jerome's orders.

On March 8, Rudge tried to kill Julian by smothering him with a pillow under Olivia Jerome's orders but failed to do so.

On March 14, Olivia Jerome told Rudge that her work in Port Charles is done and they can finally leave and relocate to Canada. Rudge went down to the pier and waited for the boat and he thought Olivia arrived but Sonny got there instead. Sonny confronted Rudge about his part in Morgan's death and threatened to kill him unless he told him where Olivia Jerome was.

Rudge swore he didn't know but he did tell Sonny that Olivia said she had to right a wrong and correct her past before she would meet him down there. Rudge also confessed to Sonny that he didn't know that Olivia was really crazy. After Rudge answered Sonny's questions, Sonny later took off to find Olivia. Rudge was later arrested by Dante Falconeri and taken into custody alongside Olivia, who was later sent to an asylum. On August 23, Rudge was later called to the stand at Julian's trial and when he was up there, Rudge lied and claimed that Julian was willingly complicit in Olivia's crimes. Julian got enraged and stood up, but was restrained as Rudge left. On August 25, Julian was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison for all of the crimes he committed that had to do with Olivia, but was eventually released.

On September 15, 2020, Robert Scorpio and Olivia Quartermaine went to Monte Carlo on a mission and they entered a casino. While Robert worked the room for information, Olivia went to get drinks and ran into one of the owners. He introduced himself as Winston Rudge and he noticed a wedding ring on Olivia's finger and that she had an American accent.

Robert recognized him and told Olivia that the roulette table awaits. Rudge thought Robert looked familiar and asked if he's been in the casino before. Olivia lay the accent on thick and told him they had never been to Monte Carlo, and that they could either get a new car or go on a trip for their honeymoon. Rudge apologized before he left. Robert revealed to Olivia that while he may be part owner, he is also a mercenary and he testified against Julian and Olivia Jerome as Olivia's former henchman. Robert is worried that it wouldn't take Rudge long for him to remember who he is and figure out why he was there.

Rudge later watched Robert and Olivia as they put on another act to make it look like they were still on their honeymoon. He later saw Ethan Lovett punch Robert and rail at him for leaving his mother and blame him for her death. Rudge came up and claimed they were disturbing the guests before having Ethan and Robert escorted to the back room by his men.

Olivia talked to Rudge again who claimed to hope that the outburst didn't spoil her evening. When he noted that she had success at the blackjack table, she said she did and that she hoped to play a few more rounds as soon as her "husband" and his friend get back. Rudge said that they didn't look to friendly to him, and Olivia claimed that it was a macho chest pumping thing boys do before promising their good behavior from here on out. Rudge said that he is sure that "Liam" won't be too much longer.

Rudge and his men came into the back room with guns just as Robert and Ethan broke free from their handcuffs and chairs. Rudge pulled out his gun and pointed it at both Robert and Ethan, while now knowing who he is. Rudge also recognized Ethan and revealed that he was afraid the calvary would come riding to the rescue the moment Holly Sutton placed that call to Robert, who realized he was right and asked if Holly was alive.

Rudge realized that Robert had a personal interest in her, while Robert got angry and demanded to know where she was or else he would rip Rudge's throat out. Rudge dismissed his threat by saying he brought bare hands to a gunfight before ordering his men to restrain them without shooting if possible. Rudge revealed that Holly was investigating his less than reputable business in the casino and when he learned of her interest, he arranged for her ship to sink, literally. However, since he claimed it would have been awful for her to drown, he brought her to the casino instead.

Rudge claimed that they needed to know how much the WSB had on them. Ethan demanded that Rudge should take them to her right now, but Rudge went on and said she managed to distract her guard and appropriate his phone, and by the time they realized what was happening, it was too late. Robert knew it was Holly's voice he heard and wanted to know where she was. Rudge said that while Holly was engaging company, she had to be dealt with. Ethan asked what that meant, and Rudge was going to demonstrate by shooting him but was knocked down by Olivia.

Robert and Ethan beat up Rudge's men while Olivia had a gun in her hand. Ethan placed Rudge and his men under citizen's arrest while Robert called the WSB. Eventually, WSB Agent Bryan Wagner showed up and revealed that all their illegal activities carried out in Le Lucien should be enough to Rudge and his associates in Steinmauer until they're old and gray.

Ethan asked about his mother, and Wagner said that there's no sign of her being in the casino if she was even there. Robert grabbed Rudge, pinned him against the wall, and demanded to know where Holly was. Rudge claimed that she was gone, and Robert was coming close to attacking him but Wagner pulled him away and said it was out of his hands now before revealing the WSB was taking over.

Ethan kicked Rudge and demanded to know where she was before Rudge told him she was gone in a few different languages. Ethan went to attack him but Wagner stopped him before telling Ethan not to make him arrest him. Wagner told Ethan that he was grateful for his help which is why he avoided pulling up a list of outstanding warrants and that he wanted Ethan to walk out a free man.

Wagner ordered another WSB Agent to help him load Rudge for transport. Eventually, after Rudge was taken to Steinmauer, Wagner told Robert, Ethan, and Olivia that they found a woman's body burned beyond recognition. Ethan said it could have been anyone, but Wagner said they will do an autopsy but the woman matched Holly's height and description, plus they found her wedding ring.

Disappointed and saddened, Robert, Ethan, and Olivia went to leave on a plane provided by the WSB. However, an associate of Rudge called a mysterious man and confirmed that Rudge provided Ethan and Robert with "proof" of Holly's "death" before Rudge was taken to Steinmauer. It was revealed that Holly is indeed alive and being held hostage by a man working with Rudge, later shown to be Victor Cassadine.

On October 20, 2022, Willow finds Holly in the Quartermaine Boathouse and at the PCPD, Victor laughs that Anna and Robert will be busy with his "distraction". On November 3, Victor tells Holly that he paid off Rudge to get her as his prisoner.

## Crimes Committed

* Partially responsible for the death of Morgan Corinthos; lied to Buzz by claiming that the bomb, which he paid off Buzz to plant under Julian Jerome's car, was just a tracking device [Oct 7-10, 2016; revealed Dec 15, 2016; revealed to be working with Olivia Jerome (who is actually responsible) on Jan 17, 2017; arrested on Mar 15, 2017]
* Set his Pawn Shop on fire with "Jason Morgan" and Curtis Ashford inside [Jan 9-10, 2017; they made it out alive]
* Poisoned and kidnapped Laura Spencer under Olivia's orders [Feb 24, 2017]
* Tried to smother Julian with a pillow under Olivia's orders [Mar 8, 2017]
* Perjury; lied on the stand about Julian being a willing associate in Olivia's plans when Julian was actually blackmailed [Aug 23, 2017]
* Used the Le Lucien Casino as a front for many illegal activities [2017-2020; revealed on Sep 18, 2020; arrested]
* Faked Holly Sutton's death by arranging for her ship to drown before holding her hostage at the Le Lucien [Apr 20-Sep 18, 2020; revealed on Sep 18, 2020; arrested]
* Had Robert Scorpio and Ethan Lovett tied up and held them hostage at gunpoint [Sep 17-18, 2020; arrested]
* Paid off by Victor Cassadine to give Holly to Victor [revealed Sep 18, 2020; Victor's involvement revealed Oct 20, 2022; pay off revealed Nov 2, 2022]

## Health and Vitals

* Threatened by Curtis Ashford [Dec 14-15, 2016]
* Blackmailed by "Jason Morgan" into telling him what he needed to know about a very serious crime or else he would be linked to said crime [Dec 14-15, 2016]
* Had hot water spilled on him by Olivia Jerome [Jan 9, 2017; revealed Jan 17, 2017]
* Held at gunpoint and threatened by Sonny Corinthos [Mar 14-15, 2017]
* Knocked out by Olivia Quartermaine in defense of Ethan Lovett and Robert Scorpio [Sep 18, 2020]
* Assaulted numerous times by Robert and Ethan over Holly Sutton's disappearance [Sep 18, 2020; Robert even threatened to rip his throat out earlier]