10-YEAR-OLD HAS HIS ACT TOGETHER

Child actors come and go quickly on daytime soap operas. But if talent has anything to do with tenure, and it should, the latest youthful acting addition on “Search for Tomorrow,” Josh Blake (who plays Craig Walton) should be around for quite a while.

Abandoned by his parents who went off on a business trip, Craig was dumped in the lap of his aunt, Sunny Adamson (played by Marcia McCabe). No one seems to be aware that Craig doesn’t have his act as together as he pretends. The child is badly in need of love and approval.

In real life, 10-year-old Josh does have his act together, and his family is behind his successful career 100%.

Craig has already received rave reviews for his performance in the New York Shakespeare Festival’s production of “The Human Comedy,” and he won a Goldie Award (given out by the Congress of Jewish Culture) for his performance in the off-Broadway play “Today I Am a Fountain Pen.”

He’s made a TV pilot and appears in “Kid Stuff,” a rock video for the younger set. He had a featured role in the movie “Hey Pete” and briefly appeared in the feature film “Broadway Danny Rose.”

How is it that Josh is already on his way to being a star? Recounting his entry into show business, the young actor says, “I used to stare into the TV and sing. When I was 6, I told my mother that I wanted to be on TV and that I wanted to become famous.”

Josh’s mother did look up the telephone number of a theatrical manager, but then 6-year-old Josh made the call himself.

“‘The Human Comedy’ was my first big show,” remembers Josh. “Being in it was one of the best times of my life. I’ll never get over the first time I performed in front of a live theater audience. That was the best feeling in the world.”

IN THE CASTING DEPARTMENT, “General Hospital” has added Ian Buchanan to the cast in the role of nightclub owner Duke Lavery, who has an avid interest in Anna Devane (Finola Hughes). Also new is Yvette Nipar, who portrays Buzz Stryker’s long-lost daughter, Sandy. Lynn Herring (she’s the real-life wife of Wayne Northrup, who played Roman Brady on “Days of Our Lives”), who portrays Lucy Coe, has received so much positive audience that she’s been signed to a contract.

ON “LOVING,” O’Hara Parker has been cast to take over the role of Lorna Forbes from Susan Walters, who opted not to renew her contract with the show.

Also on “Loving,” Colleen Dion (she portrayed Evie on “Search for Tomorrow”) replaces Alice Haining in the role of Cecilia Thompson.