General Hospital
GH's Maurice Benard Talks Sonny's Despair, His Co-Stars & The Tragic Death of Morgan Corinthos!

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It would had been nice had they written some scenes like this for Laura grieving for Nik and Monica the same for AJ….Maurice is doing a great job as Sonny…GH has improved somewhat for the better…still room for more improvement!!!
More Genie–I agree!
EXCELLENT INTERVIEW WITH A MARVELOUS ACTOR…ENJOYING HIS PERFORMANCES EVERY DAY!!! SO MANY GREAT ACTORS and ACTRESSES ON THIS SOAP….
Great interview n its inspiring to know that Mo reached out to so many young actors n helped them to b on their way. Kudos to you. He certainly deserves an Emmy n they better air it on tv not like last year. So much talent on that show past n present
Great article. Love Maurice. Got me hooked again on GH after away over 20 years! The scenes with Morgan at Halloween are great. Very good article!
Can this guy’s ego get any bigger? Its amazing that the one character actor at the center of this show for the last 20 years and has been its biggest downfall is so full of himself. Dude there is a reason why people are sick of Sonny and him getting away with murder and being a loser mobster. Its a major reason why your show is #3 our of 4 soaps in the ratings. Enough with this character already. Who will never be on the levels of Luke, Laura, Robert and any other character from those hey days that put… Read more »
you realize this is fake.. I takes a lot of work for the actors to act this stuff out. Stop being so negative
I completely understand the ego, because some actors will only have daytime to crow about while others are able to move on to primetime, movies, and theatre work.
I think only having daytime to crow about as you put it, is SOMETHING to crow about. I have heard that daytime tv is the hardest to do and day after day, week after week, etc. these people must be worn very thin. They do a wonderful job, despite the sometimes not so wonderful writing. It is our loss when they leave us for night time, or? I love Maurice, he is amazing and also like Billy Miller, who I was so sad to see leave Y&R and now we are losing Steve Burton. Tell me, is it something we… Read more »
What interview did you read? I didn’t read an interview with a guy that is full of himself. I read an interview with a guy that is grateful and humble, and couldn’t put over the work of his co-stars enough. Even when Michael mentioned the Emmys, he shifted the conversation off of himself and back to how much he loves watching the work of others. That is the exact opposite of ego. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Maurice at fan events in the past, and he couldn’t have been any nicer, more genuine, more accommodating and appreciative of the… Read more »
I’m with you Dan! I didn’t see any ego in this interview whatsoever. Not sure what they were reading??
I do not like Sonny and what his character represents. But, I see the allure. Maurice delivers …..his performance(s) communicates what the character is about impeccably ( well, except for the occasional stuttering, LOL). I wonder if Sonny’s path will cross with Valentin’s; now that he seems to be taking up permanent residence in PC. TPTB must go there. So many developments are going on in my head right now……such as : when Nina finds out Valentin is searching for his daughter, Charlotte, those wheels in Nina’s head will come to a fruitful and compelling halt. She will marry him… Read more »
what in the world are you talking about? sounds like you are looking for a reason to bash Mo
newsflash Sonny is popular. you know why the show is #3 in ratings when you have people like Ava, Franco, Nina around in our faces. Sonny is a fan favorite. the mob was on GH before Mo was on GH.
Brooke, the mob was on before Sonny. You’re right on that point. However, the show did NOT feature the likes of Frank Smith and Joe Scully as being good and sympathetic protagonists. They were bad guys presenting conflict to the good guys. The day GH decided under head writer Bob Guza to allow Sonny to be a hero is the day they opened the door for other bad people to come in and commit murders and other heinous crimes and never suffer the consequences of their actions under the law. I do think Sonny presented a domino effect on GH… Read more »
Thank you Carlee for speaking your mind… I detest the characters of Sonny and Carly i’m just done with them… neither of them are relatable characters. neither of them are sought out for likeable… worth something… worth my time in investing in GH. it’s got to be something trying to sell hogwash, excrement, flights of fantasy I love how… all posts continually bring up the vast talent and the huge cast… GH is so much more than the Sonny and Carly show. HINT HINT HINT… Frank Valentini and jean n Shelley change and direction… is what you three are about… Read more »
Well said, I agree 100%! The ratings are down the toilet ever since he convinced tptb to focus the show on him and have everyone in PC kiss his ass. Alexis doesn’t need his kind of friendship. What kind of friend comes to your home assaults your husband and and trashes your home. He only likes Alexis when she’s on his side. That’s not friendship. Besides why would you be friends with someone who was responsible for your sisters death. Alexis true friend is Jax.
agree 100%. Alexis needs Jax now. And that is exactly why the ratings started tanking (also due to Tony G’s unbearable exit story)
Maurice does not run GH he is just an actor. If you want to thank someone for the Corinthos family being front and center look at that producer, and writers. Really how much power do you people think he really has? Your right he shouldn’t have been upset at Alexis for covering for her murdering husband who by the way tried to kill her later on. If you ask me Alexis doesn’t deserve Sonny’s loyalty. Julian is a coward who was willing to have his wife go to prison for something he did. Sonny was faced with a similar situation… Read more »
Excellent post, Carlee! I’ve been fighting this fight for 20+ years. But it’s obvious that the actors who play Sonny and Carly are favorites of Mr. Fairman, as one or both of them is featured here twice a week it seems… It’s all so tiresome.
James…of course, I agree with what you’re saying here. I mean…TIRESOME IS RIGHT!!!!! Yet…to me, ‘tiresome’ is an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!!! Y-E-P!!!!!!
Have a good one, Brother.
Wow, people have to be so critical, its a friggin soap and I happen to think the actor who plays Sonny is terrific. Don’t know why people keep watching if all they do is bitch about either the acting or the writing, its simple just change the dam channel.
Some viewers will always find something to dislike about an actor. Maurice was not full of himself at all during this interview. He praised many of his fellow GH cast. I feel bad for Maurice if he reads some of your comments, some viewers like to bash the man for no reason. The last couple of weeks he has been doing an amazing job and deserves more respect than what is given to him. Maurice is not Sonny, and the only reason Sonny gets away with so much and is still cared about by fans is because of the emotion… Read more »
His acting is so great, and this week is going to be great. Last week was great. I do think down the road that Carly and Sonny will be together again. Jason will get to the bottom of the tragedy that took Morgan’s life.
Great work by all of the cast by the way! I am loving watching every day and not getting bored.
I will describe the story—
Depression, despair, hopelessness, gloom,/glumness, sadness, unhappiness, grief, sorrow, woe, misery, melancholy and written for masochist personalities .
The acting is, as always, top-notch.
I have need to FF so not to bring the constant overkill of misery into my life.
I FF stop and listen for 5 seconds then FF until the scene changes, it is tiring FF the agony, suffering, hurt and anguish, Not to mention the guilt, shame, regret, remorse, sigh and sigh again.
((i had need to let it roll lol))
Hmmmmmm! Sort of very familiar litany of words, su. Doth thou, mayhap, mock me ? Sonny a masochist? I don’t think so. I prefer its antonym = sadist….as in, Le Marquis de Sade. Great read. I do get the FF through Sonny, though. I appreciated the first couple of scenes where he mourns his son. But, I cannot deal with the hallucinations. Terrible analogy of Dickens’ SCROOGE, as he faces his demons…..or Joyce’s MICHAEL FUREY. It is impossible for me to watch or envision a mobster be brought to his knees when there is still violence vibrating through his every… Read more »
Interesting interview. Unfortunately I can see why MB might want WDV to play only the dark side of Julian and show no emotion. That makes him the perfect villain that Sonny can be the “good” guy and vanquish. I like Julian to be as multifaceted as I’m sure MB would want Sonny to be. Have a dark side, but be sensitive as well. I guess I just don’t see him as only having the purpose on canvas of being Sonny’s enemy. Like any other character he’s got other ties. A woman he adored until he was rewritten overnight to want… Read more »
I agree. It’s all about poor Sonny. So misunderstood. I root for Julian every day because they made him bad (and unemotional) so Sonny can be the “good” mobster.
And if this is SO GOOD, why do the ratings continue to stink? GH needs to get a clue.
I think GH is fresh out of clues based on the writing over the last year…
i have been a fan of maurice since he was on all mt children – i totally agree with what he said about recasting morgan – i mean the way he & the other actors/actresses involved are really knocking this storyline out of the park and morgan came back later on it would just nullify what they have done – i love the way maurice compliments his felloe co-workers on gh………………………………..
this was such an awesome interview
What a tremendous interview. I really love and enjoy watching Maurice Benard perform. He has great talent and brings the character of Sonny Corinthos alive. He has made daytime drama well worth watching. I ageee with Maurice, a recast of Morgan would serve to negate the pain and despair we are witnessing and feeling along with each character. I am saddened by the loss of the character Morgan and wish Bryan Craig much success. For all the haters who say Sonny never pays, I hope this dramatic storyline will final put that to rest. Thank you Maurice Benard for all… Read more »
Unless Morgan stays dead, what is the point of mob death #99?
Mr. Fairman, yesterday;s episode featured Kristina solidly in Sonny’s corner, so this “Sonny is all alone” stuff simply isn’t true.
I found a few things interesting…first…I was a little taken aback when Maurice said he sometimes plays a scene for an award or some other gain. I was very surprised. That would be the last thing on my mind if I was in character and reaching into myself to feel the moment. I understand on the one hand he does/did feel that so much at other times that he couldn’t shake off the negative emotion when he was home. On the other hand he said this…contradictory. I do agree that it would be nice to see Alexis and Sonny in… Read more »
What a nicely written post. You said it all for me. Thank you.
Thank you Jill Marie.
Stop with it ok AJ was dead years ago Ron should have bpnerpver brought him back ! Dead is dead
Lordy never brought him back
K/Kay…LOL…this is going to be a tad redundant but you’ve been on this site long enough to know that we are all entitled to our opinion and to express that opinion. To say, “stop with it okay”…blah, blah, blah…doesn’t sit well with me. So…”stop” with that attitude.
Kay can be a bit cantankerous at times.
@Addison. Agree. LOL…cantankerous. Great word…I’d say that should be the new word here for disgruntled replies/posters but it was the virgin (first time) appearance of the word on this site that made it so amusing!
Your absolutely right K/Kay, bringing AJ back was a complete waste of time. Then now having Michael praise him as if he was a good guy who did no wrong is disgusting. I know Sonny has done a lot of bad, but what I can’t stand with some viewers is how are they always able to call Sonny out but then someone like AJ gets a pass. The writers should of had AJ own up to his mess just like everyone wants Sonny to. I have said several times that although I’m not always a Sonny fan, I am a… Read more »
Great interview and questions Michael!
I agree with Maurice, I prefer Sonny & Carly apart vs together. Together, they act as if their you-know-what don’t stink! Apart … The tension, love, sparks & animosity is more powerful to watch and I’m sure play!
Also, I totally agree that GH should NOT recast Morgan! Not because I don’t think anyone could play him, but because all this great acting would be for nothing. Leave this one dead, please GH!
Finally, major props to Maurice for his outstanding work! He & LW do this stuff great!!
Thanks Michael for this interview!!! Great questions n honest answers from Maurice!!! The cast is doing an amazing job w this storyline & I see many Emmy reels from it!!! I’m a CarSon fan so I have faith that things will work out as they r never over n always end up stronger together!!!
As for some of the readers leaving comments/tweets I find it funny how some only see what they want, twist what is said n read something more into his answers.
Too bad A.J and Nikolas didn’t get this much mourning when they died. I still don’t care about Sonny and Carly pain.
GH / ABC / Disney : Dahlia Salem is thee woman for Sonny neither Dahlia or Maurice have to do much acting…. the easy going natural comaradarie they share on screen… emanated relationship… that’s huge… especially for all of Sonny’ fans good god.. couldn’t we all use the quiet the mere fact that MB is okay with Carly and Sonny being apart… is HUGE and instrumental in healing the show… WE NEED THE REST… all their kids have been featured in story line(s) now… it’s as if .. Instant Nelle… is being propped as a go between… ie: the ingénue… Read more »
Still say and always will his chemistry with Tamara was off the charts never have felt that with Lw not that I don’t think she at most times is a fine actress never have seen the chemistry as for Sonny paying he is in the mob they never pay . But please let this kid be dead ok
Appreciated the interview and all MB expressed. I think this is the top story line ever. Brian Craig was so- So Good as Morgan that I can feel the family’s loss as they confront this tragedy. Just heart wrenching loss for Sonny and Carly. Sad to say BC cannot be replaced. I hope S and C can just find their way back to each other quietly and soon, without making a drawn out storyline about it. How about just forgiveness and the love they have expressed over the years kicking in. I have watched GH for most of the years… Read more »
I have been living with the same illness for years I take my meds. I love the way you p!ay Sonny thank you for going forward . It helps me get through hard days.
Can’t wait to see the scene with Genie Francis that Maurice said was “so sad.” And I like it that he said, “Genie is so great!” Don’t we know it? Wouldn’t we like to see more great scene with her–and anyone else?
Come on, writers! Maurice (and others) noice how great Genie is. Why don’t TPTB?
And another thing–Maurice knows and recognizes talent in his fellow actors (as he does with Genie) and also with Kimberly.
Nice and candid interview. I’m a CarSon fan and looking forward to the couple eventually reuniting, The Corinthos family is what most interests me on GH. I do hope down the road Morgan is recast. I will miss BC as Morgan tho.
1. the one and only time… I’ve seen Sonny unleash was his brawl with Scotty… it was spot on / in your face / rip roaring good 2. the one other time I thought Sonny had a sensitive moment… was with Alexis @ the Haunted Star. not over the top just an adult conversation… feeling the hurt. I agree with MB – DO NOT GO THEIR… alexis and Sonny are not a couple. 3. Morgan was the best part of the Corinthos’ – this is a huge gaping whole. I believe that Bryan Craig and Maurice Benard had a relationship.… Read more »
PS: I will be anticipating MB take @Morgan funeral.
MAURICE: It’s a weird situation with this whole thing. The only scene that I say I was really a little nervous about was the scene I recently shot at Morgan’s funeral, which the audience will see coming up. It was like I knew I had to do something I had maybe never done.
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