Genie Francis has been on and off General Hospital for over 40 years! Fans are thrilled that she’s been front and center in Port Charles recently. And, now, it’s the actress’ turn to celebrate!
Francis was born on May 27 so on Sunday, she turned another year older and made some birthday wishes.
The Emmy-winning actress hails from Englewood, New Jersey. Her parents are the late Ivor Francis, an actor, and Rosemary Daley, a former actress and model.
She began airing on GH in 1977 when the show opted to age Laura Vining Webber a bit. Her previous credits included playing skating-boarding “mean” girl to Buddy (Kristy McNichol) on the ABC nighttime drama Family.
When then-executive producer Gloria Monty and head writer Douglas Marland thrust Francis and Kin Shriner (Scotty) and Jackie Zeman (Bobbie) into a front-burner triangle, the show’s ratings skyrocketed!
GH became even more popular once Francis was paired with Anthony Geary (Luke). The couple’s “love on the run” adventures were must-see TV. Laura and Luke’s wedding in November 1981 was daytime’s highest-rated program and had 30 million viewers tuning in to see the ceremony that was attended by none other than Elizabeth Taylor (as Helena Cassadine) herself!
Francis’ contributions to making GH the legendary show it is today cannot be underestimated! The actress left GH at the height of her popularity in early 1982, returning in late 1983 to help usher leading man Geary off the canvas.
She worked regularly in prime time in the TV movie and subsequent series Bare Essence as Patricia “Tyger” Hayes. and the mini-series North And South as Brett Main Hazard.
The actress returned to soaps, first as Days of Our Lives’ Diana Colville in 1987 and then as Ceara Connor on All My Children in 1991. In 1993, GH was lucky enough to get Francis back full time. She’s played the role on and off ever since.
During one of her absences from GH, The Young And The Restless scored a casting victory and hired Francis to play Genevieve Atkinson, mother to Cane (Daniel Goddard).
Wed to actor/director Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Francis and Frakes have two children. In 2008, Francis, who helped bring millions of viewers to GH, won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series. Today, Laura serves as mayor of Port Charles, which keeps Francis front and center — right where fans want her to be!
Soap Hub joins Francis’ family, friends, and fans in wishing the beloved star a happy birthday and many happy returns and you can too with the tweet link below.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. Check local listings for air times.
Video Credit: General Hospital
Video Credit: General Hospital
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