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‘General Hospital’s’ Jane Elliot Looks Back at Her 60 Years on Television, Plus Career-Defining Role as Tracy Quartermaine

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

From her first soap opera and television in role in 1965 in A Flame in the Wind, to her iconic role as Tracy Quartermaine on General Hospital, Daytime Emmy-winner and Gold Circle honoree, Jane Elliot, is reflecting on her 60-year career during an interview with ABC7’s entertainment guru, George Pennacchio.

Jane’s career has included: playing a nun in the 1969 motion picture, Change of Habit starring Mary Tyler Moore and Elvis Presley, to several primetime guest appearances including on Kojak, her role as Judy Trent on Knots Landing (1980-1981), to her stunning performances on daytime.

Who can ever forget Guiding Light’s Carrie Todd Marler (1981-1982), a woman who suffered from multiple personalities and was a murderer, or All My Children’s Cynthia Preston (1984-1986), a woman who seduced, then married the much older Palmer Cortlandt (James Mitchell), to Jane’s turn as the villainess Angelica Deveraux on Days of our Lives (1987-1989)? Jane certainly has a knack for portraying delicious, complex and memorable roles.

Photo: JPI

However, it was as General Hospital’s Tracy Quartermaine, a role she has played on and off since 1978, and even played the part on The City from 1996–1997, that is most beloved by fans and by Elliot herself.

PUTTING THE SNARK IN TRACY Q.

Speaking on playing Tracy, Jane shared, “It’s the easiest kind of role to play, though. There’s no crying. There’s no heartbreak. You come in, you’re snarky and mean, you take your wardrobe off, and you go home, and you don’t take it home with you.” She added, “I prefer to do what I do because it demands the ability to be comfortable not being liked, and a lot of people are not comfortable with that. I don’t care. I don’t care what you think of me!”

FROM LOVER TO MOTHER

In addition, Jane recalled her first scenes with Wally Kurth because on General Hospital, he plays her on-screen son Ned, while decades ago on Days of our Lives, they played lovers as Angelica and Justin Kiriakis. Jane recounted, “So he comes here (to GH), and my first scenes were in a restaurant, and I find myself rolling my shoulders and batting my eyes at him, and I’m going, ‘No! No! No! I’m your mother this time! I’m your mother.”

THE LAST OG QUARTERMAINE STANDING

As 2026 begins, Tracy is the last of the core Quartermaine family still on the canvas. Over the years, the deaths of: Leslie Charleson (ex-Monica), Stuart Damon (ex-Alan), Anna Lee (ex-Lila), David Lewis and John Ingle (ex-Edwards) have brought great sadness and loss to their GH co-stars and fans everywhere.

Now, Jane realizes Tracy is the matriarch of the Q clan, something she does not take lightly.  Jane expressed, “I’m the last person standing. I represent what is left of the arch family that started. And I have to fill all those slots now.”

Share your congrats for Jane’s 60-years on TV and let us know, does Tracy remain your favorite of all Jane’s soap opera roles? Are you happy to see that Tracy is now the matriarch of the Quartermaine family? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Jane retiring from General Hospital was disappointing but also her decision. The two guest stints she did were marvelous, but having her back full-time? Now THAT is magic. It was clear her energy was missing from the canvas.

I’ve followed a lot of soap superstars through their careers, but none more than Jane. How fortunate for us that she decided to come out of retirement? How many actresses in her age range can say they COMMAND the screen the way Tracy does every time she graces us with her presence? There is something great about reaching the age you are comfortable not being liked by everyone and not caring what people think of you. I hope we continue to see Jane/Tracy front and center for many years to come. Let’s just hope that we all can celebrate her winning Best Actress at the Emmy’s next year. Monica’s death and all of scenes with Erika Slezak still have fans wanting more.

She has mentioned in the past that she doesn’t put herself up for Emmy consideration.

Jane actually played Carrie freaking Todd on GL from 1981 to 1982. I remember because I watched it then. Carrie Todd & Judy Trent on Knots Landing were probably her two best roles. No offense to Tracy Quartermaine. LOL!!!!

I can’t imagine GH without Tracy and Jane Elliott. She is the reason I pop in and out of GH. She’s a gem!

I didn’t watch her on Guiding Light but Ive heard she was wonderful. Are there any clips of her on YouTube as Carrie Todd?

I have loved Jane Elliot in so many roles over the years. I am so happy we are still able to watch her always superb performance as Tracy Quartermaine. Jane is an absolute treasure.

A true gem! I light up anytime Tracy is on the screen. She brings so much to the show and I hope she knows how much she is loved and appreciated. There’s no one quite like her and she deserves all her flowers!

I remember first seeing Jane Elliot on Electra Woman & Dyna Girl where she played Queen Cleopatra. This is where she met Deidre Hall, who played Electra Woman. They were reunited on Days of our Lives years later and continue to be best friends. She is a delight to watch!

Jane Elliot was wonderful with Mary Tyler Moore in the 1969 Elvis Presley film A Change of Habit.

Wish we had more of Jane !! So sick of the “Willow Show !” Can’t stand watching everyday anymore.

she’s a gem and the GOAT of GH, ok more like one of the GOATS of GH (GH has an embarrassment of riches) but she’s so much fun to watch, I’m always happy when she’s on.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint

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Christian Howard

That was quick! Christian Howard, who now looks to have literally stepped in for Nathan Dean to wrap up a few episodes for the character of Ethan Lovett made a quick exit on Friday’s July 31 episode of General Hospital.

GH viewers were stunned earlier this week on the Monday, July 27 episode when a voiceover announcer shared that Christian Howard was now playing Ethan Lovett. Next, Ethan hits the sheets with Ava Jerome, played by three-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Maura West. All seemed to be moving forward when suddenly at the end of the Thursday, July 30 episode, Ethan spots newcomer Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) at the Metro Court Pool, and makes a quick getaway.

Then, it’s revealed after packing his bags at Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) house, that out of nowhere, Ethan received a lead on an incredible opportunity so he has to say goodbye to Lulu and run out of town and was leaving Port Charles.

Courtesy/ABC

RUNNING OUT OF TOWN

In fact, Ethan was in such a hurry, he forgot to say goodbye to Ava who had been waiting for him at the Metro Court pool. There is clearly a connection to Hudson and baby Phoebe after Ethan spotted the guy, because Ethan also glanced over to the baby and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) at the Metro Court pool, before he ran to Lulu’s to pack his things. All of this points to Howard being an emergency recast for Dean.

It’s definitely been a week of change on-screen on the ABC soap with the news of Maxie, Spinelli, James, Georgie and Bailey all suddenly leaving Port Charles for Australia, after Spinelli got an offer he could not turn down.

That exit was written because Kirsten Storms is at this time,, and the very foreseeable future, not returning to General Hospital and is living in Tennessee. As she had documented via her Instagram stories and posts, she has been going through several personal ordeals. In addition to Storms, Ryan Paevey also exited the series earlier this month when he ended his run as Cassius Faison, while leaving the door open for his return down the line.

So, will newcomers Kelly Kruger (Serena Baldwin), Dean Geyer (Tristan Roberts) and Troy Lennon Appel fill the void of the multitude of exits? What are your theories on Christian Howard’s departure as Ethan Lovett on GH? Let us know via the comment section below.

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‘Knots Landing’ Favorite Donna Mills Joins ‘OnlyFans’

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Donna Mills, who at 85-years-old is still turning heads, booking film and TV roles and co-hosting the We’re Knot Done Yet podcast with her Knots Landing pals, Michele Lee (ex-Karen) and Joan Van Ark (ex-Valene), is now joining the world of Only Fans.

The news came Mills herself in a statement, where she shared to Variety, “I’ve always appreciated the incredible support and encouragement I’ve received from my fans over the years. Social media has been a wonderful way to stay connected, but I’m excited to join OnlyFans because it offers the opportunity for a more personal and direct connection.”

While OnlyFans is primarily known for its steamy content, Mills is taking a different approach, explaining that she will be “sharing moments from my daily life, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and engaging with fans in a more meaningful way. It’s simply another platform to spend quality time with the people who’ve supported me throughout my career while staying true to who I am.”

Photo: JPI

WHY DID DONNA MILLS JOIN OTHER CELEBRITIES ON ONLYFANS?

Andy Bachman, CEO Creators INC who presides over OnlyFans also shared in a statement, “This is not about changing who she is. It is about giving her longtime fans more access to the personality, style and behind-the-scenes moments they already love. Donna has always been fearless and ahead of her time. She told me, ‘YOLO — let’s do it,’ and that perfectly captures her attitude. She is approaching OnlyFans on her own terms and creating a space that feels authentic, personal and completely true to her.”

Mill’s move to OnlyFans comes on the heels of others in Hollywood who are pivoting to the platform not only for its revenur, but to control their own narrative of what they want put out into the world about themselves. One example is Shannon Elizabeth of American Pie and Scary Movie fame, who told Variety that since April she has earned more than $1.2 million in seven days via her OnlyFans account.

Photo: JPI

FROM THE CUL DE SAC AT SEAVIEW CIRCLE TO PORT CHARLES

While Donna Mills is best- known for her role as Abby Cunningham Ewing on Knots Landing from 1980-1989, 1993, she also won a Daytime Emmy for her role of Madeline Reeves on General Hospital. Mills played the evil mother to Nina Reeves (then Michelle Stafford) and sister to Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) from 2014-2015 and again in 2018.

The veteran actress also had a leading role in the soap opera, Love is a Many Splendored Thing, where she and GH’s late, great sister, Leslie Charleson (ex-Monica Quartermaine, GH) played sisters Laura and Iris Donnelly from 1967-1970. Mills began her soap career on The Secret Storm back in 1966.

So, what do you think of Donna Mills joining OnlyFans? Do you think the once exclusive provocative content platform, which is going more Hollywood, will ultimately be where big named celebrity post their own content? Share your thoughts via the comment section below, and in case you missed it, you can check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s most recent chat with Donna Mills from earlier this year and our livestream with Donna, Michele and Joan from 2025 below.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Troy Lennon Appel Makes His Debut as ‘Hudson’: Is He a New Love Interest for Josslyn? Baby Phoebe’s Bio-Dad?

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TROY LENNON APPEL

Towards the conclusion of the Thursday, July 30 episode of General Hospital, Troy Lennon Appel made his debut asa “mysterious and shady businessman” going by the name of “Hudson.”

The person who first saw Hudson was none other than Ethan Lovett, who is now played by another soap newcomer Christian Howard, who replaced the exited Nathan Dean in the role.

From the looks of things, Ethan was not at all happy to see Hudson at the Metro Court Pool. It looks as though Ethan doesn’t even want Hudson to know he is in the same town. So, how do these two know each other? Is Hudson the father of baby Phoebe? Is Hudson possibly a Quartermaine? Like Dillon Quartermaine … or someone else from the Q clan? Stay tuned.

Kelly Kruger, Lynn Herring

Photo: ABC

TROY LENNON APPEL JOINS KELLY KRUGER AS THE LATEST ARRIVALS ON-SCREEN TO GH

Meanwhile, for his premiere airdate, which also marked the first on-screen episode of Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin, Troy spoke to TV Insider and shared a bit about the character he’s playing and more.

Appel expressed, “Hudson is a shady businessman, and you’re not clear as to his motives, He goes one way, but then leans the other, and so he kind of keeps you on your toes. So far, what I’ve played, this guy is way cooler than I am, so it’s been so cool to play him. But he’s just been a force to be reckoned with so far, and I’m not even entirely sure as to all of his intentions in Port Charles. I’m excited to see where his journey goes, because I’m very lucky to be playing this character.”

As GH casting lore goes, Troy actually read for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett, but the producers were impressed by him that they created the role of Hudson with Appel specifically in mind. And stand by … according to Appel, he screen-tested with Daytime Emmy-winner, Eden McCoy (Josslyn).

So, is Hudson the new man for Josslyn?  All Appel would say was, “I did a chemistry read with Eden much later when I kind of cemented that I was going to be playing another character, and it all just happened and I’m insanely grateful that it did.”

With Troy Lennon Appel, Kelly Kruger, Christian Howard, and Dean Geyer (whose character of Tristan was revealed to have ties with the WSB) all appearing on the latest episode of General Hospital, was it jarring for you, or are you excited for what’s to come? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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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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