Local real-estate star and actor Todd Talbot has been filling in for Bob Frazer in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life.

Talbot was called in by director Dean Paul Gibson after he learned that Frazer had been admitted to hospital for an emergency appendectomy on Tuesday afternoon.

The former theatre kid played George Bailey in the Arts Club Theatre’s adaptation of Frank Capras's classic film during its first and second years of production.

He has stepped in to play Frazer’s George Bailey for three shows thus far and is expected to continue the role for at least two more nights.

The Arts Club Theatre tells the Straight that Frazer is in great spirits and is expected to return to his role as early as this weekend.

It’s a Wonderful Life runs at the Granville Island Stage until December 26.