General Hospital
GH’s Genie Francis ’45 Years as Laura’ On Set Celebration (PHOTOS)
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
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
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.
Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”
Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.
Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
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.
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.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
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