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‘General Hospital’s’ Jane Elliot Talks On Her 60-Year Career, Always “Coming Home” to Play Tracy, Monica’s Memorial and Going Toe-to-Toe with Erika Slezak (Exclusive)

By Michael Fairman

Published

11 months ago

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Photo: JPI

On General Hospital, Jane Elliot has been playing the often scheming, often lovable, Tracy Quartermaine on and off since 1978 for nearly 50 years. The character is now the longest-tenured member of the iconic Quartermaine family still around. Something that is not lost on the newest Gold Circle Inductee at last week’s 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Jane was awarded her honor for excellence and dedication to her craft in the field of daytime television; and for making an enduring contribution to the vitality of the industry, and for setting standards for all to emulate.

Michael Fairman TV spoke to Jane shortly after she took to the stage during the Emmy ceremony and was acknowledged for her Gold Circle induction on her legendary daytime career which has spanned 60 years. It has included roles such as: Carrie Marler on Guiding Light, Angelica Deveraux on Days of our Lives, and Cynthia Preston on All My Children. Soap fans first saw Jane in 1965’s, A Flame in the Wind.

Photos: ABC/CBS/NBC

Jane shared what she is most proud of in her daytime career, “The first soap opera I did was in 1965, 60 years ago and it was live television. It’s 60 years later and I have been part of nine different soap operas. The thing I think that I’m proudest of is that I keep coming home to General Hospital and they keep a place for me, and that’s cherished. It is so cherished that they let me go do other things: I’ve done Days of our Lives. I’ve done Guiding Light, I’ve done All My Children, etc. They let me go, and visit other shows and create other characters, and then I get to come home. I don’t know anybody that’s been as lucky as I am.”

Photo: ABC

THE WRITE STUFF

Over the past year, GH Emmy-winning head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten, have really given Jane some extraordinary nuanced material to play, and dare we say for the 2026 Daytime Emmys, if she were to throw her hat into the race, she would be hard to beat. Commenting on the writing, Elliot expressed, “It starts on the page. I can only do what I do, but it has to be on the page first. The material that I’ve been given to do in this past year has been exceptional.”

MONICA’S MEMORIAL EPISODES

There was not a dry eye in the house when on September 25 and 26, General Hospital aired its episodes centering around the memorial of Monica Quartermaine as the series said goodbye to the iconic character and her portrayer, the late Leslie Charleson. In real-life and on the show, it was Jane and her co-star Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) who were closest to Charleson making the story and the emotional scenes difficult to do.

“It was really hard, because Leslie died nine months ago and we did a celebration of life for her,” recalled Elliot. “I did a eulogy then for Leslie, and then I did it for Monica. To keep her (Monica) alive for nine months on camera and play like she was still here, and then to finally, after not acknowledging it, then acknowledging that she’d passed, was heartbreaking for Steve Burton and for me. I thought Steve did the best work of his life.”

Photo: JPI

In the key moment in the story for Tracy, she wheels interloper Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) out of the church (he was in a wheelchair recovering from gunshot wounds), closes the doors, and then makes her way to the pulpit to finally eulogize Monica, who has always been like a sister to her; even though they were sister-in-laws. Jane explained if she felt more pressure or weight to the moment to deliver in the scene because of her love and out of respect for Leslie Charleson and the history they shared.

“There’s always weight when you’re given good work, right? When something is well-written it’s always a pressure to come up with the goods. because you want to it justice,” expressed Elliot.

Photo: ABC

GOING TOE TO TOE WITH ERIKA SLEZAK

Since Monica’s death, General Hospital brought six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Ronnie, GH and ex-Viki, OLTL) to the series for a short-term run as Tracy’s newest rival. Jane shared her reaction to working with another icon. “I was just in awe. I’ve watched Erika for years on television. She’s watched me for years on television, and then there we are face to face, nose to nose. And it’s like, ‘Oh, my God! There you are’. And she looks at me and goes, ‘Oh, my God! There you are.’  It could not have been more delicious.”

Courtesy/ABC

THE LEGACY OF TRACY: FROM WITHHOLDING EDWARD’S HEART MEDICATION TO BEING THROWN OUT OF THE QS

In a famous 1980 General Hospital storyline, Tracy Quartermaine withheld her father Edward’s heart medication during what she believed was a real heart attack. However, Edward was actually faking the attack to test her loyalty.  It became a soap classic and won Elliot a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1981. Jane explained that although it did launch Tracy further into the soap opera stratosphere she does not reflect back on it in that way. “I don’t think about stuff like that. I just do what’s asked of me,” Elliot said. “You put it on the page, I’m going make it sing as best I possibly can. I don’t have that self-awareness of how it’s going to live in history. I just do what I do. That’s all.”

Photo: ABC

Now below, check out our conversation with Jane. Make sure to check out the Michael Fairman Channel for more interviews with the winners at the 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

So, what do you think about what Jane shared about always “coming home” to GH, Erika Slezak, working in daytime for 60 years, and Monica’s memorial? Are you glad to see Jane receiving the Gold Circle honor? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

 

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Total class act! Love Jane Elliot!

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Jane is a treasure. She looked amazing that night, amazing for a lady of her age, or any other age for that matter. And the honor was so well deserved. Probably the only way they were gonna get her on the stage at this point, to give her the flowers she so rightfully deserves.

I know it’s pretty well known in the industry that she hasn’t submitted her name for the Emmys in many years, but I really wish she would next year. She’s done such exceptional work this past year, and the year isn’t over, I have no doubt that if she submitted for Best Supporting Actress that not only would she get a nomination, she’d win.

What a great story that would make for next year’s Emmys, if Jane won in 2026, 45 years after her one and only previous win. If everyone wishes it, maybe we can will it into happening.

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I would love it if she submitted her name also. I just love her. She’s truly exceptional.

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I love Jane Elliot. She is so classy.

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I love how Jane has become the undisputed queen of daytime. It is obvious how many of her fellow actors are in awe of her. There is no doubt she would win Best Actress next year. I hope Jane and Steve submit the Monica funeral scenes. No doubt, they would win.

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The best thing about GH, Jane Elliot

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My absolute co-favorite all-time actress period (along with the incredible Beverlee McKinsey). For those who never had the chance to experience Jane as Carrie Marler on Guiding Light (1981-1982) you have no idea what you missed. THe collaboration between Jane and her buddy Doug Marland, who created the character specifically for her. She was originally approached about playing the role of Vanessa Chamberlain who was about to debut on GL but but she thought the character as described was too much like Tracy. Carrie was the complete antithesis of Tracy Quartermaine, but also with the added complexity of DID (she has that in common with erika Slezak too as far as acting experiences!).Check her very few available episodes on Guiding Light.

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How is it possible that she’d never sat across the Emmy-nominated-actress lunch table with Erika Slezak? Did she only get nominated for Supporting?

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

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2 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Jason and Britt

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.

Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.

However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Britt

Courtesy/ABC

BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON

Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.

He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.

Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”

General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”

So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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General Hospital

Kearran Giovanni Debuts on ‘General Hospital’ as Anna Devane’s New Therapist

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2 days ago

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September 10, 2026

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Kearran Giovanni

If Anna Devane’s (Finola Hughes) new therapist on General Hospital looks familiar to you, it’s because actress Kearran Giovanni, who plays Dr. Nichols, previously played a doctor on One Life to Live!.

Viewers tuning-in to the Thursday, September 10 episode of GH got their first look at Dr. Nichols who has been brought in to help Anna recover from her PTSD and trauma following the reveal that she has been suffering from a break in reality since before being put in mental health facility in France, after being gaslighted by Cullum and company earlier in the year.

One Life to Live fans will recall that Kearran Giovanni played Dr. Vivian Wright in 2009, and it was then she first worked with current General Hospital EP, Frank Valentini, who at the time was at the helm in Llanview.

Photo: JPI

WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU SEEN KEARRAN GIOVANNI?

Giovanni appeared on OLTL in the recurring role through 2012 and in the final ABC episode of the beloved series was the the ob/gyn who delivered Destiny Evans (Shenell Edmonds) and Matthew Buchanan’s (Eddie Alderson) baby into the world, whom they named Drew Buchanan II after Bo Buchanan’s (Robert S, Woods) late son. In addition, Vivian has been dating Shaun Evans (Sean Ringgold).

In addition to One Life to Love, Giovanni has very impressive credits having appeared in numerous TV series and motion pictures including starring in the TNT drama Major Crimes from 2012-18, ABC’s Designated Survivor 2017-19, the CW’s Black Lightning from 2019-20. Most recently, Giovanni appeared on the Fox series, The Resident and has a recurring role on the CW’s crime series, Walker from 202-2024.

HEALING ANNA

On today’s General Hospital, after Anna’s harrowing meltdown where she almost shot and killed Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) after seeing visions of “Peter August” (Wes Ramsey), Jason (Steve Burton) saved the day and talked Anna down from committing murder. Now, Dr. Nichols was introduced as a valuable staff member at the hospital.  Although, this marked the first time in the history of the show we have heard of her character.

So, do you remember seeing Kearran Giovanni on One Life to Live? Happy to see that Anna may have a qualified therapist in charge of her healing, unless the doctor turns out to be not on the up and up? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Anna Breaks Down in Front of Jason and Britt After Shots Are Fired

Published

3 days ago

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September 9, 2026

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Finola Hughes

The Wednesday, September 9 episode of General Hospital featured top-notch performances by Finola Hughes and Steve Burton, as Anna holds Jason and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) at gunpoint on Mount Emerson.

Anna is not in her right mind as hallucinations of Peter (Wes Ramsey) overtake her, egging her on to shoot and kill Britt. Jason begs Anna to put down the gun, but it’s clear Anna is speaking to someone who is not there, but in a direction that is just past Britt.

Suddenly, Anna screams at Britt, “You’re just like your father!” Anna also tells Britt that she knew Britt was aware that she was locked up on Spoon Island and did nothing to save her. Britt turns to Jason and tells him she had no idea Anna was on the Island, “until Cullum showed up in Port Charles.” That declaration gave Jason pause.

Courtesy/ABC

“PETER” TAKES A BULLET

Next, Anna is overcome with angst, filled with tears and screams out, “I won’t let you beat me!” She fires the gun where the imaginary Peter was standing, as Britt screams and Jason dove to cover her. Now completely shaken, Jason took the weapon from Anna and ordered Britt to leave the scene as Anna collapsed in Jason’s arms.

Jason was so concerned for Anna. She reveals she’s been seeing visions of Peter August since France. Jason shared his theory with Anna that she was manifesting her worst fears about Faison. However he knows deep down Anna would never have shot Britt. Jason promises to come back and clean up the area, but would take Anna home first.

Jason

Courtesy/ABC

ANNA ADMITS TO EMMA SHE TRIED TO KILL BRITT

At Anna’s, Jason brings her in the front door as Emma is there. Jason tells Emma (Braedyn Bruner) he would like to return and spend the night. A confused and worried Emma get the full story from her grandmother.

Anna explains she tried to kill Britt and she is not as well as she was pretending to be in France. Cut to: Jason cleaning up the site of Anna’s plot against Britt on Mount Emerson. He moves over and finds bullet casings on the ground and examines one of them.

The story climax also signaled the end of the run for Wes Ramsey, who has been showing up on episodes over the last several months as Anna’s dark side conscience. Now that Anna was able to break the psychological hold visions of “Peter” had on her, it ends this latest return of Ramsey’s.

So, what did you think about the scenes between Anna and Jason? Do you think Jason and Britt’s relationship will come to an end now that seemingly Britt revealed she knew Anna was held captive after Cullum came to town? Glad to know Anna won’t be haunted by visions of Peter August anymore? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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