Cody on GENERAL HOSPITAL Everything You Need To Know, The Truth About Mollys Endometriosis on GENERAL HOSPITAL, GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers 4/25/23: Sonny Must Choose, Daytime Emmys 2023:Everything You Need to Know. OUT? Despite being a recast, Francis was a big hit with fans, especially when the writers began dishing out some seriously great material for the character under the direction of Gloria Monty, who came aboard the ABC soap opera as an executive producer in 1978 along with new head writer Douglas Marland. The adoration from fans was evident when Laura's General Hospital wedding on November 17, 1981, was watched by over 30 million viewers, thus making it the highest-rated TV hour in American soap opera history. We were sitting there having dinner, and the waiter came up, and said, Theres a few fans that would like to get your autograph. We thought, Oh, OK!And we look over, and theres a line of peopledown the stairs and out the door and down the block. Y&Rs Tracey E Bregman Finds Dating Interesting After 23-Year Marriage & Welcoming 2 Sons, Marlo Thomas Spouse Was a Virgin before Marriage to Mom of His 5 Kids & a Lousy Lover Afterward, Blue Bloods Amy Carlson Is a Loving Wife to Husband Syd Butler for 17 Years & Doting Mom of 2 Kids, Sissy Spacek & Jack Fisk Are Married for 48 Years Although They Never Expected a Lifelong Relationship, Lisa Whelchel Was Married for 24 Years to Pastor & 'Never Thought' Divorce Would Happen to Her, Melody Thomas Scott Was Abandoned by Mom & Raised by 'Evil' Grandma She Later Left Her Dying Granny's Home, Ron Howard Was Most Concerned about His Kids' Values Inside His Decision to Protect Them, Mariska Hargitay & Her Husband Are Happily Married for 18 Years after He Made Her Cry on Their First Date, Roseanne Barr Is a Doting Mom & Grandma to Her 5 Look-Alike Kids & 6 Grandchildren, 'General Hospital's' Tyler Christopher Divorced 2ND Spouse after Marriage to 'Terrible Wife' Eva Longoria, Inside Melissa Gilbert & Her 3rd Husband's Michigan Home with 'The Best Bed in the World', Tom Brady & Pregnant Bridget Moynahan Split - She Wed Husband at Secret Ceremony 9 Years Later, Michelle Pfeiffer Chose Really Well When She Wed Her Husband Even Though It Was Not Instant Love, 'General Hospital's' Steve Burton Left Pregnant Wife after 23 Years & 3 Kids Together Fans Are 'On His Side'. Laura might not have been enjoying herself, but Francis certainly had a great time on vacation. In 1994, when Francis became pregnant with her first child, the pregnancy was written into the show and she took six weeks off for maternity leave. As she travels back to Port Charles with Felicia, played by Kristna Wagner,she promises to make Victor pay for what he did, but Felicia is worriedthat these plans might putthem in more trouble. Benard: Theres no fanbase more loyal. Whats it like to play a character for so long? Dont miss it to see the return of Heather Webber and all the soapy drama on the ABC sudser. ALSO READ:General Hospital Spoilers: Will Carly keep Willow above her hatred for Nina? And fans arent the only ones happy to have the daytime legend back on GH. The mega-villainess is back this month on General Hospital. We were the only ones doing that! The iconic actress who is best known to daytime-soap viewers as "Laura" of "General Hospital" fame, first burst onto the acting scene as a 14-year-old, when she took up the role in 1977. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'soapcentral_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-soapcentral_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Though it's hard to imagine today, Francis was actually a recast for the role of Lesley Williams' daughter, who was originally played by actress Stacey Baldwin. Michael, played by Chad Duell, andWillow,played by Katelyn MacMullen, have been busypreparing for their wedding. The police commissioner is a woman (played by Tanisha Harper), and the chief of staff at General Hospital is also a woman (played by . Reacting to the outpouring of support by her fans on social media, after she quit the show, the talented actress told TV Insider: "I was shocked. Francis: And it used to be all about the males. Lauras got a really big heart, so Id say shes probably the best part of me. Victor Cassadines not going to take care of himself! It reminds you of old times and then theyll start talking about their families. LAST WEEK ON GH: Michael and Willow were married. General Hospital Spoilers, 24 April 2023: From Tracy's revenge on Victor to Willow-Michael's wedding preparations, here's what you can expect. The wholeIce Princess drama started last year with the death of Luke, played by Tony Geary, and Tracy, played by Jane Elliot,still has revenge plans against Victor. However, there's no need to fear that Laura will be gone forever; as longtime viewers suspected (and as Soap Opera Digest confirms in its latest issue), her exit is a brief one to accommodate a summer break for portrayer Genie Francis. See whats happening to them today.. In November 2009, Francis along with her brothers, Ivor Jr. and Kenneth released It's Christmas Time Again. Ahead of Friday's Daytime Emmy Awards (airing on CBS at 8/7c), Soaps.com's Kristyn Burtt caught up with General Hospital icon Genie Francis, who marveled that she had been playing Laura. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. Made-for-TV movie written and directed by Douglas Barr. Genie Francis arrives at the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at Warner Bros. Studios on April 26, 2015 | Photo: Getty Images. Luke was only supposed to be on the canvas for a few months before being killed off, but GH viewers went so wild for the Luke and Laura pairing, the show's writers decided to change tack. Benard: Look, these two guys who left, Steve and Ingo, theyre my friends. And so I didnt believe it. Posted Saturday, August 14, 2021 11:00:35 AM, Heartbroken Emmy nominee withdraws their nomination from contention after "huge misunderstanding". Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. 50th Annual Daytime Emmy nominations announced: Find out who was nominated this year! Francis owned a store called The Cherished Home. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'soapcentral_com-leader-2','ezslot_22',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-soapcentral_com-leader-2-0'); Francis shared on social media that "[i]t doesnt feel like forty-five years. She's "out there" somewhere, according to B&B boss Brad Bell. LAST WEEK ON Y&R: Tucker sold McCall Unlimited to Victor. GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers 4/26/23: The Race to Stop Victor! Jonathan and Genie got engaged a year later, and finally tied the knot on May 28, 1988. We solve our problems. Click. #GH Christmas preview pic.twitter.com/vUOqPt5xBp, Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. It was just me in that situation, wondering who loved me. Francis has since returned to GH for several stints over the years, one of which was a 1998 storyline that dug into Luke's past rape of Laura. Steffy squared off with Sheila at the prison. Genie Francis joined the cast . Genie Francis Is Leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL But She'll Be Back! The store sold cottage furnishings and home accessories. Benard: Yeah. She starred on Days of Our Lives as Diana Colville (a reporter who became involved with John Black, at the time believing himself to be Roman Brady) from 1987 to 1989 and on All My Children as con artist and incest victim Ceara Connor Hunter from 1990 to 1992. General Hospital, the longest running scripted show currently in production, turns 60 on April 1, and to commemorate that momentous occasion, Variety gathered five of its iconic stars together. On January 31, 2009, Francis reprised her role of Peyton MacGruder in the Hallmark Channel movie, Taking a Chance on Love. GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers 4/28/23: Brick Catches Dex! ", Genie Francis and husband actor Jonathan Frakes and actor Wil Wheaton attend the Special Screening of the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Series Finale "All Good Things" on May 19, 1994 | Photo: Getty Images, GENIE FRANCIS' JOURNEY ON "GENERAL HOSPITAL". With The Hook running around town trying to kill people, shell definitely want to bring the criminal to justice. In 2015, she came back again as part of Anthony Gearys final storyline as Luke, and signed another contract to remain on the soap. However, Heathers presence might be the start of Esmes memory returning. She is best known for playing the role of Laura Spencer on the television soap opera General Hospital from 1977 to present, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2007. Shriner: I dont think the audience has changed I think theyre just now grown up. News and More: Return to Soap Central's GH FrontPage. Ive never thought of it that way! DAYS RECAPS: What you missed the Week of April 24, 2023, THE SCOOP! I havent been here for that whole time, obviously, but a lot. GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers: Michael and Willows Wedding Explodes! Also, Ethan Lovett (James Ryan) is out and headed to Australia. Read more bio Tags : Actress General Hospital Genie Francis returned to General Hospital in 2022 to continue portraying the role of Laura Spencer. Why has it lasted 60 years? Genie Francis (L) and husband director Jonathan Frakes arrive at the premiere of "Thunderbirds" at the Universal Studios Cinemas on July 24, 2004 | Photo: Getty Images. In a 2018 interview, the actress revealed the secrets of her long-lasting marriage. Read more, By providing this information, you agree that we may process your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Statement. News and More: Return to Soap Central's GH FrontPage. By 1981, Luke and Laura were the center of several crime and adventure storylines, such as the famous Ice Princess plot. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Does Port Charles feel different when Laura isn't part of the action? Josh Swickard Teases Chase and Brook Lynns Future on GH. Genie also expressed that she was happy and grateful. Finola Hughes Teases Her Exciting New Project! Her General Hospital alter-ego, Laura Webber Collins, is getting to play out dramatic scenes with, among others, half-brother Cyrus Renault (Jeff . It took a long time for women to get stronger on the show, andhave a voice here. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. B&B COMMENTARY: You can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay, or you can call me R.J. LAST WEEK ON B&B: Liam questioned Hope's feelings for Thomas. Francis has been with "General Hospital" on-and-off over the years, winning the much-coveted Emmy award as Best Supporting Actress for her role as "Laura" in 2007. But you know, theres something to say about if you really believe in something, it takes a lot of guts to do it, whether I think its right or wrong. Her character's wedding to Luke Spencer. Her biggest role came in 1977 with Laura Spencer on General Hospital as she was a recast. GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers 4/28/23: Brick Catches Dex! Veteran soap actress Genie Francis who plays the role of Laura in the popular TV show "General Hospital," has been married to husband Jonathan Frakes for over thirty years. Kayla stuns Stephanie and Chad! by Kambra Clifford. It doesnt feel like forty-five years. Archived News: Review more past GH news headlines. And now I base it on, who canIlove? "But for now, I've decided to take the summer off. Because when I was working with Jack [Wagner], we improvised most of our scenes. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. Likely, she has also appeared on All My Children and The Young and the Restless. ALSO READ:General Hospital Spoilers: What will Victor do now that his plans are not working? Posted Friday, February 04, 2022 7:09:24 AM, Heartbroken Emmy nominee withdraws their nomination from contention after "huge misunderstanding". It makes total sense.". Soap veteran, Genie Francis is celebrating a milestone today. During ABC's Television Critics Association presentation on Wednesday, the actress who has portrayed the role of Laura Spencer since 1977 opened up about the date rape scene from 1979 that has.