General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Genie Francis Talks Bringing Real-Life Trauma Into Laura/Sonny Story and Being Shunned for a Lead Actress Emmy Nomination in Upcoming ‘State of Mind’ with Maurice Benard
In an upcoming two-part episode of Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health podcast, State of Mind, the three-time Daytime Emmy winner welcomes for the first time, General Hospital icon and long-running series star, Genie Francis (Laura Collins). The first episode drops this Sunday, November 16, with the second installment premiere the following Sunday on November 23.
Francis, who has played Laura on and off since 1977 and Benard who arrived in 1993, will talk about their current and upcoming storyline, which in a preview with the New York Post, appears to be one of Genie’s all-time favorites. “I love this story that they have given us,” shared Francis. “They asked me one day, ABC asked me what I wanted, and I said I want a story with Maurice Benard. And from that, they put together a brilliant story that I’m loving so much.”
Speaking on the on-screen relationship of Sonny and Laura, Genie added, “There are all kinds of love stories – they’re not all romantic. But you have really close relationships with people, and there’s a chemistry there with us, so I wanted them to write that.”
Photo: ABC
In a scene with Benard, Francis shared how she got to the emotional epicenter of it, which called upon her to recall a certain trauma from her past. “I realized that my way into that scene was about trauma,” she told Maurice. “I’ve had trauma in my life. I’ve relived trauma in my life, and I know what happens. I tried to tell you in that scene about my trauma, and you heard me.”
As for Benard, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 22 and started his own You Tube series back in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Maurice has remained a staunch mental health advocate by informing people on different mental illnesses, how they manifest, and how to survive through it which he has done, but been very open about his struggles in an effort to help others.
The subject of the Emmys will come up on State of Mind and according to the NY Post, Benard tells Francis, “Usually when I predict things, a lot of times they do come true. And I’d love to see you win an Emmy from what I’ve seen in two weeks.”
Photo: ABC
Having been the face of GH for a longtime, sadly, Genie has never won a Lead Actress Daytime Emmy, clarifying, “I have never been nominated for Best Actress, never once. I won once as Best Supporting Actress for a short six-week visit, but as far as Best Actress, it’s been a close-out for 49 years.”
Genie also recalled, “When I was a kid, how do you compare an 18-year-old girl to a 40-year-old woman who are in the same category?” That was a very hard thing for me when Tony (Geary) was nominated when I was a kid and I was not. I was embarrassed.”
So, are you looking forward to seeing Genie and Maurice working more together in the coming weeks on-screen? Do you agree that Genie should have, by now, at least been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series, if not have won at least once already? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, check out this teaser featuring Maurice and Genie below.
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First of all – I adore Genie and love whenever Laura is on my screen.
That she wasn’t nominated for Lead Actress the year Lucky was presumed dead in the fire is astonishing.
While she’s justified in pointing out that Geary got nominated early on, she’s wrong to imply he was a kid. His first nomination was in 1981 when he was already 34. He won the following year.
Because she is on so infrequently and is not often driving story, right now, she might best belong in the supporting category. Does she have the presence of a Lead Actress – absolutely- but the story (at least so far this year) isn’t there.
Why don’t we see the struggles of a mature woman raising her toddler grandson? Give her something to do other than being the mayor.
Something was bugging me. Genie must have a poor memory. A simple IMDb check verified she was nominated twice in the Lead category. Once in 1997 and the other in 2021 – just 4 years ago.
Yeah, it was puzzling that she would forget those nominations. The one in 2021, she was nominated for the scenes when Lulu went into the coma. GH had three Best Actress nominees that year, with Finola and Nancy joining Genie. And the one in 1997 I remember, because she was 8 or 9 months pregnant, and couldn’t travel to New York for the ceremony, so she appeared via satellite.
But overall, I think it’s fair to say that she’s been short changed when it comes to the Lead Actress category.over the years. There were a number of other years I thought she easily could have been nominated and wasn’t. But you can say the same thing for a lot of actors and actresses on every show.
There were a few years in the 90s when Genie arguably should’ve been nominated (in addition to 97).
As for the early 80s, there was powerhouse competition from well established industry vets. When Geary hit his first nomination in 1981, the five women up for best Lead Actress were:
Julia Barr, Susan Lucci, Robin Strasser, Helen Gallagher, and Judith Light.
Light, of course, won for her iconic courtroom breakdown.
Had there been a younger actress category in those years, Francis would’ve been a shoe-in.
Maybe she doesn’t give a shit.
Genie Francis is GH legacy and I would love to see her win a Lead Actress trophy. But GH needs to put her front and center and weave her into stories that may not be her primary plotline. I miss seeing favorite characters in and out of homes, hospital, and town hot spots just casually. It nuilds community and continuity. There have been lame Lead Actress winners in many years at the Daytime Emmy Awards. If this GH story is as promised, then let’s give Miss Francis the spotlight and let her talents shine and speak for themselves. She need not turn on tears or histrionics to make us engage in the stories or feel the emotions.
She is quoted in several articles online as saying she hasn’t been nominated for lead actress when she was nominated in that category in 1997 and 2021. I saw some clips of her upcoming interview on State of Mind, but I didn’t see her say the quote about not ever receiving a lead actress nomination. Maybe it was misquoted.
I”ve always been puzzled how GH has literally been shut out of the lead actress category for decades, yes their actress have been nominated and only four have won in that category Finola Hughes, Laura Wright, Maura West and now Nancy Grahn, I find it astonishing especially when you consider the other shows that have had actress win multiple times, and have left me scratching my head. We know who they are, all they do is submit scenes of themselves crying year after year. GH has been shown more respect in the supporting actress category which is just as important, Genie will hopefully be given just plain and simple a steady storyline, yes she’s the heart of GH but she’s treated like a supporting character on the show.
Watching what aired on Sunday’s Part 1…
Not sure if it was an edit or a misinterpretation, but Genie never says she wasn’t nominated in Lead, just she didn’t win in 49 years.
Also, it appears she said “Tony was nominated when I was a kid” (not when Tony was a kid).
I watched it today also and I agree with you 100%. Looking forward to part 2 next week.
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.
PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
As had been teased since Jason Morgan’s (Steve Burton) captivity by the WSB and his release on General Hospital, he is clearly having issues speaking about what happened to him, after he was dragged away from Port Charles when he took the fall for Rocco (Finn Carr) who shot WSB director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Now. as Jason tries to reacclimate to life back in Port Charles, he has already displayed that he wants to do better for his son, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and the people he loves and to show up for them.
In addition, things took a turn on the Friday, July 31 episode where after Sonny (Maurice Benard) questioned Jason if he was having an issue with Ric (Rick Hearst) working side by side with his half-brother, Jason had something to say.
Courtesy/ABC
An emotional Jason tells Sonny, “I can’t work for you anymore.” The moment left Sonny dumbfounded, and viewers won’t know the pick-up of the conversation till Monday’s August 3 episode of GH.
Could it be that this time Jason will cut ties with Sonny and the mob for good? If so, it would be the end of an era for Jason and Sonny, sort of the Batman and Robin of GH with a twist.
Previous teases from the GH co-head writing team of Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte, and Burton himself on his podcast That’s Awesome ,seem to indicate there is a change coming for Jason that sends him off in a different path in his life.
However, we should learn Jason’s reasons shortly, and if Sonny can talk him back into the mob, or can just wish Jason the best and let him go. But now the question becomes, if Jason exits life as Sonny’s right hand man and henchman, what do you see him doing with his life? We do know that Jason is aware that Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) has tied to the WSB, since he escorted him to Port Charles via Jakarta on the plane which may be a clue.
Weigh-in below: Do you want Jason to go work for the Quartermaines and truly join the family in full? Do you see him doing something to help those in need, or do you see him going undercover with the WSB to expose some of the treacherous things they perpetrated on him and others, or do you see Jason doing something completely different with his life? If so, what? Let us know your hopes and thoughts for Jason in the comment section below.
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
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Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
GENERAL HOSPITAL: If Jason Leaves the Mob, What Will He Do Next?
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night One: Top 5 Takeaways
‘Knots Landing’ Favorite Donna Mills Joins ‘OnlyFans’
Y&R Alum Brenda Dickson Breaks Silence On Her Arrest, ‘Everyone in the LAPD Knows Who Jill Abbott Is’
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