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Peter August (Wes Ramsey) is currently one of the most notorious villains on General Hospital. He has committed almost every crime in the book, including kidnapping, blackmail, and murder. 

However, in real life, Ramsey is not like this character. As such, some parts of his role as Peter can be tough to deal with. According to Ramsey, his partner, Carly Corinthos actor Laura Wright, helps with get through the difficult days.

Wes Ramsey and Laura Wright poses together in front of dark background
Wes Ramsey and Laura Wright | David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Wes Ramsey is different from Peter August

Ramsey is an actor who studied drama at the renowned Juilliard School. As such, his skills come out when playing Peter, which leads some fans to believe he could be just as villainous as his character.

Ramsey told Soap Opera Digest that viewers have been surprised at how different he actually is from Peter. He explained, “They’ve been so used to something so specific associated with, say, my eyes or my smile and are quite shocked at how I really am when they meet me.”

According to Ramsey, in order to play Peter well, he tries to “humanize” his character and tap into what makes Peter tick.

“I try not to get weighted down by all the drama. It can be like quicksand at times, hard to maneuver in, so I look for ways to humanize and justify the behavior from a place that’s grounded and rational, whenever possible,” Ramsey said.

He also shared a metaphor: “If you dig deep enough, you can always discover that small spark you need for yourself. And with one small spark, you can burn a whole forest down.”

Wes Ramsey reveals ‘compassionate’ Laura Wright helps him deal with playing a TV villain

Of course, some villainous scenes can be tough on Ramsey. Soap Opera Digest asked the actor if it is “mentally taxing to take yourself to the dark place required to play Peter.”

Ramsey responded, “It can be. It is a gift and a privilege though to be able to do what we do. I get to go home to a beautiful and compassionate partner [Laura Wright, Carly] who understands what it takes. Our puppy Kimba really helps, too.”

Ramsey and Wright have been dating since 2017.

Laura Wright also once commented on a similar situation

Back in May 2018, Ramsey and Wright did an interview with Michael Fairman TV, where they discussed the emotional toll being a daytime actor can take on a relationship.

“I think I can see it being more difficult for daytime actors, because the work we do is so intense,” Wright said. “I know the weeks he’s getting ready to go into, and I’m getting ready to go into. Where we go emotionally and psychologically to tell these stories, on the level that we tell them, as quick as we tell them, you kind of have to become really in a headspace.”

Wright explained that, as a fellow General Hospital actor, she can understand Ramsey’s difficulties.

She added, “You really have to go, ‘Wow! It’s not about me right now. It’s about us individually as actors.’ Thank God, we know the workload. I know what he’s getting ready to go through.”

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