Dante Falconeri is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network, played by Dominic Zamprogna. Zamprogna made his debut on June 22, 2009. In 2018, Zamprogna announced his decision to leave the role, and departed on June 28, 2018; he later returned for a one-off episode on November 12, 2018. In 2019, he again reprised the role from March 15 to March 29. The following year, he returned in a full-time capacity.
Under executive producer Jill Farren Phelps and head writer, Robert Guza, Dante is introduced to the series as an undercover cop investigating mob boss, Sonny Corinthos, who happens to be his father. In addition to his initial investigation of Sonny, Dante's most significant stories include his romance with Lulu Spencer, his unintentionally landing his brother Michael in prison, his past relationships with Brook Lynn Ashton and Brenda Barrett, and his friendship with Ronnie Dimestico.
In 2011, Dante and Lulu are married and under executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati, the couple embarks on a journey to have a child. However, they are forced to utilize Maxie Jones as a surrogate which ends in them losing custody of another child which proves to be Maxie's own. It is then revealed that Dante and Lulu's embryo was stolen and birthed by Dr. Britt Westbourne. The couple is eventually reunited with their son whom they name Rocco. In 2013, in honor of General Hospital's 50th anniversary celebration, Dante and Lulu are featured in a revisit of the iconic 1980s storyline, known as the Ice Princess, the original of which featured Lulu's legendary supercouple parents, Luke and Laura.
Zamprogna's performance has been met with critical acclaim, having garnered him Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2014, 2016 and 2019. He ascended and earned a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2021.
Character creation Background In September 2008, the series introduced Lisa LoCicero as Olivia Falconeri, the streetwise cousin of Kate Howard (aka Connie Falconeri), played by Megan Ward. Kate is the fiancée of Maurice Benard's Sonny Corinthos. Rumors began to circulate that the character of Olivia and Sonny would share a past. LoCicero confirmed that the rumors were true and it was revealed that Olivia and Sonny dated briefly before he dated Connie. LoCicero said that when Sonny invites Olivia to his and Kate's impending nuptials, "[Sonny] doesn't know there was quite a rivalry between the two women or that Olivia has something under her belt that’s going to create big excitement-and a lot of friction." In mid September, spoilers hinted that Olivia had a major secret that was set to be revealed very soon. On October 3, 2008, viewers learn of Olivia's son, Dante Angelo Falconeri during a phone conversation. At the end of the episode, a delirious Kate admits to Dr. Patrick Drake (Jason Thompson) that Dante is actually Sonny's son. Olivia gives birth to Dante in 1984 and swears Connie to secrecy while leading the entire neighborhood to believe that she is very promiscuous and has no idea who the child's father is.
Casting The series put out a casting call for the character and newcomer Nathan Parsons auditioned for the role. However, Parsons was cast in the role of Ethan Lovett instead. In September 2008, Soap Opera Weekly reported that the role could go to former Guiding Light star, Tom Pelphrey. It was speculated that ABC's offer to an actor of Pelphrey's caliber for the role of Dante was allegedly in response to possible departure of longtime leading man, Steve Burton who portrayed Jason Morgan. TV Guide alleged that the rumor was planted by the network to scare Burton into resigning with the series. By October 2008, Soap Opera Weekly reported that another Emmy winner, David Lago, known for his role as Raul Guittierez on The Young and the Restless had been cast in the role. Lago's first airdate was tentatively set for late November. Upon the announcement, it was reported the Pelphrey had turned down the role. However, by December ABC still had not confirmed Lago's casting and it was believed that actors were still auditioning for the role. In January 2009, Soap Central reported that ABC was prepared to make a decision between Lago and Pelphrey for the role. Meanwhile, Pelphrey relocated to California which fueled speculation that he had been cast in the role. However, Pelphrey then issued a statement admitting that he was looking for work outside of daytime making Lago the lead candidate for the role of Dante. A member of the casting department also revealed that the casting could be held off. In May 2009 it was announced that Pelphrey would return to Guiding Light to help usher it off the air and it was rumored that the role was being held for him, despite conflicting reports that the once suspended casting call had been reactivated. According to Soap Central, ABC was unable to cast the actor they initially wanted in the role, but the network refused to comment on their initial idea for casting. The delayed casting led to reintroduction of Sonny's other son, Michael. Lago later revealed that he was never contacted by the series, but he was definitely open to it. Pelphrey revealed in an interview that he had been contacted by ABC, but he turned down the role.
In late May 2009, Soapnet reported that Dominic Zamprogna was set to join the cast of the soap in the mysterious role of Dominic. Soap Opera Digest confirmed the news and confirmed that the Canadian actor's first air date was June 22, 2009. Zamprogna revealed in an interview that his manager told him about the role; he filmed the audition and sent to the casting director, Mark Teschner. Teschner loved the tape and sent it to the producers. A week later, the producers had Zamprogna fly to Los Angeles to read with Maurice Benard, and they immediately offered him a contract. Teschner remembered Zamprogna from when he auditioned for role of Juan Santiago about 10 years earlier, a role that went to Michael Saucedo.
Departure and guest returns (2018–2019) In June 2018, Zamprogna announced his decision to depart the role of Dante. In a statement, he said: "I feel I owe it to you awesome fans to tell you that I've taped my final scenes.". Zamprogna last appeared on June 28, 2018. Zamprogna returned in a guest capacity for a special one-off episode, centered around a "What If?" scenario concerning Benard's Sonny; the episode aired on November 12, 2018. In February 2019, it was announced that Zamprogna would once again return to the soap for a short-term period of time. He returned on March 15, 2019. He left again on March 29, 2019.
Return (2020) In May 2020, Zamprogna disclosed to Soaps In Depth that he was "ready to come home," and had opened discussion to return to the role with executive producer Frank Valentini. In July of the same year, it was announced that Zamprogna would return to the role; returning during the August 3, 2020 episode.
Characterization According to the initial casting call, the character of Dante is "charming and flirtatious" with and abundantly arrogant, much like his father. Zamprogna initially described the character as a "smart, intelligent, loving kind of thug." The character is also written as very "witty," and "funny." He is almost fearless. "He's putting himself in front of people that could pull out a gun and shoot him right there." However, the character's fearless attitude is what makes the other character's respect him. Zamprogna continued, "[Dante]'s gutsy" but not the typical "tough guy." The character is also very loyal to his family, and he is always "quick on his feet" said Zamprogna. Dante has a strong stance on morality that is very "black and white." For him, there are no "grey areas." Of his character, Zamprogna said that even when Dante is working undercover, "He's real. No BS."
Development The character's onscreen introduction was very ambiguous due to the fact that he is introduced as Dominic, hired by Claudia Zacchara (Sarah Brown) to carry one of her ill-conceived schemes. It was also spoiled ahead of time that Zamprogna's character would share scenes opposite Sonny's daughter, Kristina Davis (Lexi Ainsworth) which leads to speculation that he could be a potential love interest. Dan J. Kroll spoiled that Zamprogna's Dominic was actually Dante ahead of the on-air reveal on July 8, 2009. Zamprogna said he made a conscious effort to make sure that there wasn't a huge difference between Dante and his undercover persona, Dominic, besides the names. When it comes time to arrest Sonny, Dante feels conflicted and though he has grown to like Sonny, he knows his actions are going to destroy many lives. Dante doesn't want to like Sonny because he does not want to be compared to him, however "Dante kind of sees himself as the same type of guy," Zamprogna said in an interview with On-Air On-Soaps. The only real difference between Sonny and Dante is that they are on opposite sides of the law. According to Zamprogna, Dante understands he has a job to do but he wants to hold off the arrest to give Sonny and family time to share one more happy moment. Despite the fact that he knows Sonny will kill him when he goes to arrest him, Dante still struggles with what he has to do. According to an interview Zamprogna did with ABC.com, Dante is completely torn after the shooting when he realizes that not only has he found his father, but that his father is the man he hates. It's a "double-edged sword" Zamprogna stated; Dante is "mortified" to learn of their biological connection. The revelation changes the "pace" of the storyline and also changes the "mentality in the character." The reveal also sets the stage for a potential rivalry between Dante and Michael. While Michael finds ways to screw up his life, Dante as Dominic has gotten into Sonny's inner circle, where Michael so desperately wants to be. On top of that, Dante takes Michael's place as Sonny's oldest child. It is his experience in Port Charles that helps Dante to understand that things are not always as they seem. Though Dante's stance on morality does not change, Zamprogna wanted to develop Dante enough to have him look past his hatred for Sonny. For example, when Sonny is arrested for shooting Johnny Zacchara (Brandon Barash), Dante actually believes Sonny when he claims self-defense.
Storylines Dominic Pirelli arrives in town and immediately ingratiates himself to mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) when he saves his life during an ambush and rescues his son Morgan (Aaron Refvem). He also becomes smitten with Lulu Spencer (then Julie Marie Berman) much to the dismay of her brothers Lucky (Greg Vaughan) and Ethan (Nathan Parsons). Meanwhile, it is revealed that Dominic is actually Dante, an undercover cop. On Sonny's orders, Dante teams up with his mother's boyfriend, Johnny Zacchara (Brandon Barash) to destroy a drug shipment and ends up getting arrested. Dante gets himself released after he clues the PCPD in on his investigation of Sonny. Jasper Jacks (Ingo Rademacher) discovers Dante's identity and urges him to arrest Sonny sooner. Dante confesses his identity to Lulu when she gets trapped in the freezing water beneath the Zacchara mansion in an attempt to keep her alive. Meanwhile, Dante is furious with his childhood mentor, Ronnie Dimestico when he learns that Ronnie aided the release of the crazed serial killer/artist Franco (James Franco) when Dante arrested him; Franco later kidnaps Lulu forcing Dante to rescue her.