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The Incomparable Nancy Lee Grahn Celebrates 20th Anniversary Milestone On General Hospital!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Alexis Davis in the house!  Two-time Daytime Emmy winner Nancy Lee Grahn is celebrating this Wednesday her 20th anniversary as part of the canvas and cast of ABC’s General Hospital!

Grahn who also appeared on One Life to Live and Santa Barbara has made Port Charles her home for two decades, and as viewers know is in the middle of front burner storyline right now.

Last week, Nancy chatted with On-Air On-Soaps about the latest plight of Alexis Davis, where her life is spiraling downward following her husband Julian Jerome (William deVry) being found, “not guilty” of all murder or attempted murder charges.

Nancy tweeted on her big day today: “20 yrs today on my beloved General Hospital & I still love my job. Imagine that? I’m one lucky Diva. ” 

And later Nancy posted a love letter to GH via her facebook that said: “Dear General Hospital,  It was 20 years ago today that we fell in love. Our relationship has been nothing short of miraculous. To have found each other was hard enough, to have stayed together for 20 years in Hollywood is a rarity, but to still love each other after all this time, especially after I opened a Twitter account, is just beyond imagination. I am one lucky Diva.  A happy home is a must to hold a relationship together. We’ve been so fortunate to rent our home at ABC (They’ve always been my favorite letters). Thank God we have a long lease because our child Kate has 4 more years at a very expensive college. Our home is in such a magical neighborhood, too. Who doesn’t want live in a Disney zip code? It’s always bustling with characters…and birds that dress me every morning. We are so blessed to reside in the happiest place on earth.However, like any marriage, it’s not always perfect. We’ve had our share of tough times. Sometimes I just didn’t have the words to express myself, but through it all, I never stopped loving you.  I believe we’ve gotten through most things over the test of time by keeping it light. Really light. Like giant key-light light with pink tones that follow me wherever I go to keep things ‘fresh.’ May you always continue to light up my life….and my face.

All in all, we really are good together. So many wonderful things have come about because we found each other, and saw the value in each other. I’m so excited about this anniversary…and about my presents. I can’t wait to see the 40 X 80 photo of me hanging in the hallway outside of Frank’s office that you are giving me for an anniversary present, along with the life-size image of me that you had mosaic-ed into the brick underneath the General Hospital sign as you enter the studio. And thanks in advance for Maurice’s parking space. It won’t kill him to walk an extra 68 feet.

You know, I truly think our marriage has lasted this long because of all the wonderful people in our lives that have been there for us, and will never give up on us. In order to sustain a relationship like ours, it takes a village…or an ‘army’. I have so much appreciation for all of them. I hope they know how much.  My beloved General Hospital, I couldn’t be more grateful for all that you’ve been to me and will continue to be. Did I mention that Kate has 4 more years at a very expensive college? I have loved every moment of our life together thus far.   Here’s to us. Here’s to our family. Here’s to 20 years…….and 20 more.”

GH executive produer, Frank Valentini also shared the news of Nancy’s anniversary in Port Charles, tweeting: “Congratulations to Nancy Lee Grahn on her 20th General Hospital anniversary! It’s an honor to work with you!

So share your congrats to Nancy for a job well-done for 20 years of drama on GH! And then let us know what has been your favorite Alexis Davis moment through the years in the comment section below!

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I didn’t think she’d last on GH.

Loved her as Julia on SB.

Thats a soap i really miss…loved Julia and Mason(Lane Davies)

Yes.

I know she has played Alexis for 20 years but she’ll always be Julia to me. And I loved Julia + Mason also.

Thats great! She seems happy. Now lets get her help and find her a new love interest. AND, speaking of twenty years, that was also Tyler’s length on GH. If he is forever gone, bring in Michael Muhney as Nickolas. He will be awesome and will cut through all the BS and give GH some credibility again!

I loved her in the years before she was turned into a brain dead mob moll. So…1996-2002 I guess. Nancy’s talent and ability to play subtext has been the ONLY thing that has saved this character. Loved her with Ned, loved her with Jax. Then the downward trend started.

CoNANCYulations!!!!

My favorite moment…when Julian was about to kill her with the cursed dagger…it is cursed-she lived!!!!-lol

I love Nancy Lee Grahn. Her honesty and talent permeate all formats of media. Congrats Nancy on 20 years with GH……you’ve rocked each and every one. Cheers to 20 more.

So well said. I echo your sentiments.

Congrats ! A solid part of the show since day 1. She was no doubt GH attempt to copy OLTL Nora>. They got a master actress to do it! Here’s to 20 more. The only thing that holds her great character back is her ties to Sonny.

She should be the centerpiece of the show with her daughters.

I never really thought of her as a Nora. I just saw her as basically continuing the character of Julia from Santa Barbara. If it was stereotyping, whatever…it worked. I honestly cant imagine Nancy playing anything but a strong lawyer. Sometimes when you are best identified with something…best to stay the course. Although I have despised the writing of her character for about 15 of those 20 years…I have always been amazed by and sometimes inawe of her work.

Great post Dylan- you are correct about Julis from Santa Barbara – good call.

Miss SB too. It never got the respect it deserved from the network. Never promoted the stars no Commercials for the show. Now the dying art for, our beloved soaps.

I’m not crazy about Alexis’ current storyline (I prefer her when she’s at 100% or at least 50% lol) but I’ve enjoyed the character from the get go. Congrats to Nancy and thanks too for all her years on GH.

Wow! “Incomparable” and “one lucky DIVA.” 🙂

Indeed. Twenty years? It feels just like yesterday. Oh the swift trespass of time.
However, time’s hand has not shown itself on Nancy’s face.
Now, as an anniversary present give Alexis a decent man. How about a crusty attorney with whom she can go toe to toe with ala Spencer Tracy vs Katherine Hepburn?

Now, THAT I like , Harry! Tracy and Hepburn–incomparable screen team.

Crusty would’ve been Dr. Maze. Alexis doesn’t need crusty….unless it’s French bread. She needs dashing, handsome, witty, clever…Ned! Or someone Ned-esque.

When I say crusty, Bec, I do not mean old. I mean somewhat cantankerous and standoffish but also an intellectual. Think of a modern day Mark Darcy. I could see Alexis engaging in some witty repartee with her male equal. Of course, that would mean adding a new character so never mind. It’s just something I always wanted for Alexis.
That said, Ned will suffice quite nicely. Love him,
I wanted Dr Mayo to be paired up with either Tracy or Monica and he could become the new patriarch of the Q mansion and his cantankerous would be somewhat reminiscent of Edward Quartermaine. But of course, big head Paul had to go and kill Dr Mayo because he had bad handwriting or something.

Congrats Nancy! You are a force on and off the show and exude such intelligence and wit…again…on and off the show. You’re one of my favorite characters on GH. I applaud you and thank you for so many hours of entertainment!

Congrats Nancy! Knew you would be fantastic as an actress back in the NN days.

What are NN days?

Our high school

Oh of course!!! ….What?

She’s both sexy & beautiful and has sheer talent.

Congrats Nancy your one great actress. Love u on g.h.

Ive never been a great big fan of Alexis, I never thought she’d last this long. The character has been one long bore for my entire adult life (until now). Self righteous characters never thrill me. She is finally in the middle of a good story. Congrats for dragging Alexis alon longer tHan necessary.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers

Looks like Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Ava (Maura West) are back to be each other’s sworn enemy number one. By the end of the Monday, April 22nd episode of General Hospital, the women know where they stand with each other after Nina goes in on Ava accusing her of wanting Sonny (Maurice Benard) all to herself, while her marriage has been on the rocks.

In story, at Nina’s office, Ava shows up to see Nina and says she is sorry about what happened with Sonny and that he reacted the way he did, acknowledging that is was over the top, even for Sonny. Ava says she’ll smooth things over, but Nina says she now understands how manipulative and transparent Ava really is.

Given their horrible history, Nina goes in on Ava and how she should never have trusted her. Nina wants to know how long has Ava had this agenda dating all the way back to telling Nina to turn Carly (Laura Wright) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) into the SEC. Ava says she never told her do to that, but Nina wants to know how long Ava has been playing her for a fool.

Courtesy/ABC

Ava says she moved in with Sonny to keep Avery safe and she wants to be on good terms with Avery’s father, Sonny. Nina thinks she likes being in Sonny’s inner circle. Ava tells Nina if she goes to him about her advising Nina to call the SEC on Carly and Drew, it won’t work.  Sonny still considers Nina a traitor and he will think she’s lying because she’s so desperate to win him back. Ava says if Nina would stop blaming everyone else that maybe Sonny would respect her.  Nina says “like he does you?” Ava says Sonny not only respects her, but he also counts on her.

From there, Ava launches into why she and Sonny understand each other, after all, Sonny is a powerful, turbulent, and sometimes violent man. She goes so far to say if Nina wanted someone to just sit by the fire with and play with their grandchildren, she’s got the wrong guy.  Ava then talks about Mike from Nixon Falls (Sonny with amnesia) and how Sonny hid the darkest parts of himself from Nina back then, whereas with Ava they are the same similar creatures, so he doesn’t have to hide anything.

Courtesy/ABC

Nina wants to know just what Ava wants with Sonny? What is her end game? Ava responds that they understand each other, in ways she can’t with Sonny. Nina tells Ava she can go ahead and have it all and signs Sonny’s divorce papers. Ava walks out with the documents, while Nina in tears at her desk, takes off her wedding rings and has her assistant come in so she can messenger the rings back to Sonny’s address.

The episode and these scenes featured great performances by Cynthia Watros and Maura West. You can check some of the scenes below.

Now, let us know, what is Ava’s next move? Is she going to become Mrs. Sonny Corinthos? Do you like Ava and Nina as enemies? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital

If General Hospital’s Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) nuptials are on, you didn’t think Grandma Gloria Cerullo would miss out on the festivities, now did you?

Casting news from Soap Opera Digest reveals that Ellen Travolta is back taping scenes that will air the week of May 13th on the ABC daytime drama series.  When viewers learned that Carmine Cerullo, was also on his way back to Port Charles, now in the face and body of actor George Russo, it only made sense that Grandma Gloria would join Grandpa Cerullo. Look for them both mid-May.

As most people know, Ellen is the older sister to John Travolta. She first make appearances as Gloria back on GH in the mid-90s. Most recently, she returned to the Quartermaine mansion to meet up with daughter, Lois (Rena Sofer) and granddaughter Brook Lynn for Thanksgiving in Port Charles in 2023.  Michael Fairman TV interviewed Rena Sofer and Amanda Setton late last year where they shared what it had been liking working with Ellen, who remains very close to Sofer in real-life.

Photo: JPI

Amanda shared: “We fell in love immediately. What’s crazy is my maternal grandmother was Grandma Gloria. I had her till I was 30 and we were so close. She was really like a second mom to me. So, when I got this script and I’m reading “Grandma Gloria”, it was so bizarre. And then in meeting Ellen, she looks like my grandma – same haircut, same high cheekbones. It really did feel like I had a few days with my grandma. It was very, very special for me. Ellen is sweet, prepared, professional, talented and funny to boot. So, it was one of the best weeks I’ve had at work. I hope she comes back. My fingers are crossed.”

Photo: ABC

Now, we can’t imagine Brook Lynn and Chase’s wedding day to be smooth sailing, in fact, expect just the opposite, but could it be Grandma Gloria who is ultimately the hero or the calming voice of reason for any pre-wedding jitters? Stay tuned.

So, glad to know that Ellen Travolta will be back for Brook Lynn and Chase’s big day? Comment below.

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Breaking News

The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75

Meg Bennett, who had played Julia Newman and later became a writer for the top-rated daytime drama, The Young and the Restless has died at the age of 75.  The news comes from her family who shared that she lost her battle to cancer back on April 11th.

Daytime fans remember fondly, Meg’s portrayal of Victor’s (Eric Braeden)first wife. Bennett joined the show in 1980, after her first soap stint for two years in the role of Liza Walton on Search for Tomorrow.

Impressed by her story notes, the late Bill Bell, then head writer of Y&R, had Meg doing double duty acting and writing on the show from 1983-1987. When he decided to write off the character of Julia, he also wanted Meg to stick around as a writer.  Not only did this begin a whole other daytime career for Bennett, but she was not done playing Julia either. Throughout the decades, Julia would still come back to Genoa City for a visit. Most recently, Y&R fans saw Julia in 2018, and again in 2020.

Photo: JPI

Bennett also appeared on Santa Barbara and was a writer on that show as well from 1991-1993. She played the role of Megan Richardson. It was next that Meg had her longest writing stint coming to ABC’s General Hospital. Meg wrote for GH from 1993-2011.

In 1995, Bennett won her first Daytime Emmy for writing and her personal life changed after falling in love with nine-time Daytime Emmy winner, former GH head writer, Bob Guza Jr. In addition, GH also utilized Bennett for her acting skill when she was cast as the villainess Allegra Montenegro.  Meg and Bog Guza were officially married in 2004 and purchased a home once owned by Boris Karloff and Gregory Peck.

Photo: JPI

Additionally, Meg wrote for The Bold and the Beautiful 1987-1989 and later served as a executive story consultant to Brad Bell from 2002-2004.  She also wrote for Sunset Beach, Generations and GH: Night Shift throughout her writing career. She went on to win five WGA Awards for GH and Santa Barbara.

Meg is survived by her husband of 19 years, Robert Guza Jr., two stepdaughters, four grandchildren, a brother and a sister.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Meg Bennett via the comment section below.

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