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GH’s Genie Francis ’45 Years as Laura’ On Set Celebration (PHOTOS)

Photo: ABC

Yesterday, the one and only Genie Francis (Laura Collins), marked her 45th year as the beloved Laura Collins on the ABC daytime drama series, General Hospital.

Francis debuted in the role on February 8th, 1977 as Laura Vining and when eventually paired with Anthony Geary (Luke) took daytime by storm, and the genre became must-see mainstream TV, under the purview of then EP, Gloria Monty.

Throughout her 45 years, Francis has won a Daytime Emmy for her work in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category back in 2007, but has also been twice nominated for Lead Actress; including last year in 2021, and had another previous Supporting Actress nomination.

Photo: ABC

In her recent SOD interview, Genie shared what it has been like to now be paired on-screen romantically with Jon Lindstrom (Kevin), after Laura spent years in Luke’s orbit: “You come together and it sparks into something larger. I had that with Tony Geary, and I have that with Jon Lindstrom. It’s an interesting thing that happens. I’m grateful for it because if we were not able to do that on that show, I don’t think they would have kept the character on in quite the same way.”

Check out a few photos below of GH’s on set celebration on Tuesday.

Then, share your congrats to Genie for a job well-done, and this milestone, in the comment section.

Photos: ABC

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I think she had chemistry with Kin Shriner and also Stephen Nichols . Congrats Genie

She has chemistry with everyone.

RoseKellyPC,
I was just about to say that. LOL

What can I say? Genie Francis is pure magic. Whenever she’s on, I find myself happy, nostalgic, and grateful that the viewer is in the hands of a true professional. So glad she’s FINALLY back in a meaningful story, not just as an appendage to Luke. I also hope she’s instrumental in bringing down Esme, the latest Peter-type villain: self-centered, obnoxious, and completely unlikable.

Oh, Soaphound—how I agree—your words are sacrosanct.
And, yes—Laura will be the one to bring Esme ( whose makeup is the wrong shade) down. There is something very satanic about her, isn’t there?—she’s a sycophant with an inherent need to hurt people.
I wish Esme’s actions ( drugging Trina etc.) will be exposed soon. She belongs in a sanitarium. I had wondered if Esme were related to Ryan. I still wonder—hmmm. His daughter? That would make her Kevin’s niece. Will he be in her corner and help her when the world comes crasking down on her? I think she has Alexithymia., No feelings—no emotions except the brain to use people to her advantage.
Pardon my impertinence—Esme has visited Spence—she used the adjective “conjugal”. Are they married? The word applies to married people and married people only—-writers: get your vocab right!!
Also—not relating to Esme, of course—-
Aside: some women with thick legs and thighs should not be wearing mini dresses/skirts. Pardon me and LOL.

Satanic??

**in my best Bill Clinton voice**

I did not have sexual relations with Harmony!!

– who is more than likely Esme’s biological mother

You think? So, am I to assume Shiloh to be her baby daddy?
Very possible.

Ryan is her father. I’m not sure how they’re going to explain how he and Harmony knew each other back in the day, but it’s only obvious that Ryan knows exactly who she is. The guy can only communicate with eye movements these days, but when he saw her, those eyes were freaking out.

I’m only surprised that Kevin hasn’t figured it out yet. Dude can’t recognize his own niece??

Makes sense, Satan—when we first saw Esme interact with Ryan, I noticed their looks and her subterfuge—I actually commented about it.
Moreover, as far as Ryan communicating only with his eyes? I don’t know, about that. I bet Esme and he communicate verbally. He’s faking it.
Something else gave me pause today—-Willow is not Harmony’s daughter–OK—
I have said ad nauseam that Willow and Nelle were twins—or that Willow and not Nelle was Nina’s daughter .
But, Harmony killed that notion today. Someone named Joan living within the commune gave birth to Willow? Well, there goes that.

Celia, just had a horrifying thought! What if Sonny “conjugaled” with this Joan and Willow is Sonny’s bairn? That would really throw a fly into the Metamucil. They could plan a “Chinatown” type reveal, with Michael getting slapped and confessing, “She’s my wife”. SLAP! “She’s my step-sister”. SLAP! “She’s my wife and my step-sister!” Now that’d be worth tuning in for.

Oh, “slap” me silly, Soaphound. HaHa!!
Your horrifying thought “ain’t” so far fetched.LOL–Sonny’s seed is so powerful–he’s “conjugated” and fornicated with just about everyone-everywhere-anytime—so….
Is there any woman in the PC circle Sonny has not tasted? And, now they’re all such great friends!! Let’s see: Mother and daughter; Alexis and Sam—Carly; Olivia; Ava; Nina—I don’t know the others—I heard of Brenda? Whoever she was!!
You are too much fun—I can hear the slaps, my friend. Shhhh, not so loud. It’s 2 AM.
BTW—the only other person who says “bairn” is Fiona, my grandmother—straight from Scotland and a brogue to match. Love it!!
Nite!!❤️

CELIA, YES! My mom and I can never fathom why these gals with big thighs are wearing minis and, God help us, short shorts. It just isn’t flattering and invites the question, “What was she THINKING?” Or, even worse, “Doesn’t she have a friend or relative who will tell her the truth?” Strangely, we say that a lot during the OSCARS as well. Esme is just a creep; the very idea of Spencer ‘conjugaling’ with her makes me nauseous. She’s not a “fun villain” like Nelle or sometimes Ava. And here’s an idea — since she’s homeless without Laura, maybe she could sell some of that outdated hair. I’m sure the 1960s would take it back.

HaHa—love it, Soaphound—I have three sisters and you can’t put us in a room together without blowing your mind—no subject is left untouched—sitting at my parents’ kitchen table, drinking coffee/tea, while my Mom shakes her head with a smile on her face. We affectionately call her “The Alien”–she’s nothing like us. And, she’s not her mother’s daughter either. My grandmother will joyfully sit with us and join the chatter.
None of us is perfect nor has a perfect body. But, most of us try to camouflage whatever flaw.
Now, about Esme—it strikes me as so weird for someone that young to speak of conjugal visits–D.i.s.g.u.s.t.o—she could have said “fool around”, but “conjugal’? I was waiting for her to say, “fornicating”. LOL.
I know what you mean—as much of a villainess as Nelle was, I liked her—same with Faison, Ava etc. Esme is simply not a liakable character. I want to smack her face a few times. ( kidding)–
And, yes—her hair is too out-dated and blah!! It’s not so bad when it’s loose ( not tied up). She’s a pretty girl, but there’s something about her that, as you say, gives me the creeps.

Celia, you brought back so many GREAT memories here. Growing up visiting my grandmother’s (we called her Nanny) house in New York after we’d moved to California, the best days were ones when we just stayed home around the kitchen table all day and just talked (or in my case listened). My Nan was Scottish, the other grandparents were from Italy. What tales! What recipes! What memories of going off to matinees or the local bakery or Leonard’s Pizzeria in the 60s and early 70s. And of course.. watching AS THE WORLD TURNS, ANOTHER WORLD and, later, GUIDING LIGHT. New York city isn’t the same now. How could it be?

Well, wonder of wonders—we share a Scottish grandmother, Soaphound….LOL—Nanna is actually a Scot endearment for Grandmother—
You touched my heart with your description of bygone days.
My mom grew up in the city—-Mulberry St.—those were different days—even our soaps had heart, as my grandmother keeps telling us. The kitchen table has always been the “gathering” place; the focal point of our family—-It’s a biiiig table ( metaphorically). I have five siblings —-my younger brother is twenty-six and my baby sister is in her last year of College ( we call her “oops”) —there’s more room for the family to grow.LOL.
That family “congregation’ used to exist in soaps—I was about thirteen when Another World, sadly, came to an end–but I remember Ada’s home having an inviting air about it, albeit at that age, one has a different perspective.
What do we see today? A makeshift of a tiny kitchen with a huge island, at the Corinthos’ “mansion” where Carly holds her rants….Audience, lend me your ears!! So inviting…

Soaphound
Was reading this again after Laura’s meeting today with Esme. Laura sure made her squirm, but not enough to give up her vendetta against Joss who by the way was pretty nasty herself. She really surprised and embarrassed her friend.

Congratulations to the one and only Genie Francis for 45 years as Laura. You’re the very best.

Looking at these pictures makes me smile… She is simply radiant. I have loved her all of these years. Congratulations Genie!

The one and only incomparable. No one else can play that role. She had great chemistry with Tony Geary, Kin Shriner and Super Hot chemistry with Stephen Nichols.

Ms Francis should be as dominant on GH as Miss Slezak was on OLTL. I would like to see Laura’s family restored and engaged forefront. They are core.

Only if GH is able to persuade Jonathan Jackson to come back.

Congrats. That is great

I loved Genie back in the day with Kin Shriner, never did like Luke and her falling for him after what he did to her. I do think she and Jon Lindstrom make a very believable couple as does she and her brother.

She hasn’t spent 45 consecutive years on GH, which would be more noteworthy. It’s just been 45 years since she first aired as Laura.

Congratulations.

The only one near that many consecutive years would be Leslie Charleson. Even then, towards the JFP era, we were lucky to see Monica twice a year.

Francis is the genuine “star” of GH! Her work with Geary put GH on the map, eliciting the highest TV ratings for a soap ever. Her acumen as an actress has skyrocketed. GH and its viewers are LUCKY to have her. In interviews, Francis comes across as sincere, appreciative, and humble. A true delight on and off camera. Congratulations!

What a joy to see her on GH! Congratulations to her for 45 years and marvelous acting. She is a treasure for ALL of us!

She lights up the screen and emotes more than anyone else. Every smile and every tear is truly believable and magical to watch.

I think you are a phenomenal actress and a lovely person. I have watched from the very beginning and loved every minute, except that final breakup with Luke. But nothing lasts forever and I do love Laura with Kevin. Even though I’m a hopeless romantic, I do enjoy that Laura has become independent and powerful in her own rite. You portray it all so well and light up every scene you’re in. I wish you many more happy years with GH. Congratulations!

General Hospital

THIS WEEK on GENERAL HOSPITAL: Dex and Josslyn’s Relationship at a Crossroad, Jason Contacts Diane For Help

Previews for the week of March 18-22nd on General Hospital, plus the latest promo for the daytime drama series, share that Jason’s (Steve Burton) return has already affected so many lives, especially given the fact that several key people aka Michael (Chad Duell), Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and Danny (Asher Antonyzn) know his location at this moment.

Eventually, Jason (Steve Burton) will get in touch with Diane (Carolyn Hennesy), from what one can only assume is legal help. However, John (Adam J. Harrington) seems hot on Jason’s trail, but the question remains, if Jason was working for John as seemingly revealed in a flashback to keep out of prison, are the two working together … or are they mortal enemies?

Meanwhile, it looks like its curtain for now in the relationship between Dex (Evan Hofer) and Josslyn (Eden McCoy). After Nina (Cynthia Watros) dropped a bombshell about Cyrus (Jeff Kober), Joss gets an earful of information from Dex, when he admits that he was in Cyrus’s hospital room to kill him on orders from Sonny (Maurice Benard).

Photo: ABC

According to Soap Opera Digest, Eden McCoy shared, ” I think what’s different about this situation, and what pushes her over the edge, is that it wasn’t, like, a self-defense situation. It wasn’t at a shoot-out. He wasn’t protecting Sonny. Cyrus wasn’t doing anything! And I think that really scares her, to see him in the light of voluntarily killing someone in their sleep. That is very different from, like, shooting someone that’s shooting at Sonny. She is just in shock, like she can’t actually believe it.” As told by McCoy, “At that point, Josslyn says.’I can’t do this anymore,’ and makes her exit.”

Take a look below at the rest of the official teasers for the week.

MONDAY, MARCH 18

Dex makes a confession to Josslyn. Tracy shares a moment with Sonny. Diane offers encouragement to Alexis. Kevin explains what might have led to Marshall’s misdiagnosis. Stella has an unlikely encounter. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

Josslyn opens up to Carly. Dex confides in Anna. Sonny offers Natalia some valuable insights. Jason gets a visitor. Brook Lynn lays into John.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20

Tracy sees a new side of Cody. Alexis informs Molly about her plans. Natalia has a revelation. Anna makes an admission to John over drinks.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

Drew has a proposition for Nina. A photo shoot at Deception goes wrong. Laura and Heather find some common ground. Willow is worried by her actions.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

Jason reaches out to Diane for help. Maxie calls Lucy out. Cody and Olivia comfort each other. Sasha makes a huge decision. Chase and Brook Lynn are stunned.

Now below, watch this week’s promo for the action in Port Charles.

What storyline are you looking forward to the most? The least? Let us know in the comment section.

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General Hospital

REPORT: General Hospital Alum, Robyn Bernard, Homeless & Battling Addiction, Before Her Passing at 64

Robyn Bernard passed away earlier this week on March 12th, when her body was found in an empty field, which is allegedly behind a 7/11, and some trailer homes, in San Jacinto, California. The actress and singer, and former General Hospital alum, played Terry Brock from 1984-1990 and was 64-years-old at the time of her death.

New reporting on the life that she led over the past year, and longtime mental health issues and struggles with addiction, paint a picture that may have led to her death. Although it should be noted, the toxicology report is currently not completed or released. However, the sheriff department stated that no foul play is suspected.

Now, according to the Daily Mail, friends of Bernard spoke on how she had become part of their homeless community, and that she she struggled with alcohol addiction, and had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia through the latter part of her life.

Photo: ABC

In their accounts, things went south for Robyn when in 2014 she moved to the community in San Jacinto, which is 84 miles from Los Angeles. At that time, she moved into a trailer park for senior citizens and was beloved for her singing by her neighbors.

The report also notes that in 2015, tragically, Bernard’s trailer park home was burned to the ground taking 7 of her 8 beloved cats and all of her possessions. After that, Robin stayed with many people of the community, but the previous management chased her off of the premises. She then broke up with her boyfriend and eventually stopped communicating with her parents.

Bernard’s final home was in a community called Parkview Estates, facilitated by Riverside County’s Adult Protective Services Department.  According to police records obtained by Daily Mail, through 2017-2019, Bernard faced numerous DUI drugs and alcohol arrests during that period.

Joni Woods, who lives opposite the space where Bernard’s trailer once was said: ‘I used to see her (Robyn) around town all the time pushing her shopping carts. She always had four or five of them, and I always felt so bad for her.” Robyn’s former boyfriend, Dan Berlin, expressed that the last time he had seen the GH alum was two years ago, “She was out there, talking to herself in a nonsense way. She was a schizophrenic.’

The friends of Bernard shared: “She used to say that Hollywood screwed her over,” adding, “They did her dirty and that’s why she ended up living in San Jacinto of all places.”

Share your thoughts on this tragic story of the last part of Robyn’s life, which again, stresses the importance of trying to find the appropriate help for those dealing with mental illness, being homeless, and addiction. 

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General Hospital

While ‘General Hospital’s’ Dante Lays in a Coma; Dominic Zamprogna Has Some Great New Portrait Headshots

On General Hospital, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) has thus far survived two bullets to the chest, and is laying in a coma. Sam (Kelly Monaco), his lady love, is by his side and beside herself after learning her ex Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) is alive and is of the belief that Jason have been the shooter who tried to take out Dante.

Sonny (Maurice Benard) has been wracked with guilt after he wasn’t so kind to his son, before the PCPD cop got shot. Meanwhile, Jason is hiding out at the Quartermaine boat house trying to recover from the gun shot wound he received.

While Dante’s life is still hanging in the balance, it appears that his portrayer, Dominic Zamprogna, took a diverse range of headshot and portrait photos under the eyes of talented photographer Jackson Davis. The photos were posted on Davis’ Instagram account.

Photo: ABC

A few former GH castmates commented on the photos including Marc Anthony Samuel (ex-Felix) who expressed: “Dante, Dante, Dante…,” and Mark Lawson (ex-Dustin) posted, “Dom!!!! Handle yo’ biz.”

Zamprogna joined General Hospital back in 2009 and has been nominated four times for a Daytime Emmy Award throughout his time thus far on the ABC daytime drama series.

So, what do you think will happen to Dante? Will he wake up and be just fine, or will he have another medical condition? What do you think of Dominic’s new headshots? Comment below.

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