Having played Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital for over three decades, Maurice Benard has been through it all. From mob wars to custody battles to protecting the city of Port Charles, he’s been going non-stop, even getting amnesia at one point along the way. With all of Sonny’s exploits, Benard recently revealed the one story that really got to him on an emotional level.
It Was Difficult for Him
Benard shared an excerpt from his YouTube show State of Mind on Instagram, saying, “People always ask me what my favorite storyline is. I have truly had so many, but I would have to say the Alzheimer’s. The storyline. The writing. I don’t think the actors were acting, I think we all were just living the story. I want to thank @entinifrank3c12 it was his baby. @1steveburton for his generosity always @welcometolaurasworld her acting support never fails and everyone else at @generalhospitalabc who gets me through when I think I can’t 🎁.”
In the clip, Benard explained that the pandemic was “Probably the hardest 4 months of my life,” noting that he was in “bad shape.” Going back to work afterward, he had to jump into the story where Sonny’s father, Mike (Max Gail), got Alzheimer’s. “And then my dad dies,” he stated, correcting himself: “My character…my father on the show dies.”
READ THIS: Go behind the scenes with Mike and Sonny.
He Fought the Tears
Benard began to get teary-eyed, praising the storyline with, “It was so beautifully written,” and thanked executive producer Frank Valentini and the GH writers. As he fought the tears back, he continued, “I came in the first day, and I had these monologues with my dad dying on the bed,” adding, “And I wasn’t in great shape.”
READ THIS: Take a look at what’s coming up in Port Charles.
He talked himself through the ordeal, explaining, “I said to myself, Maurice, don’t act, just live it. So I didn’t push at all. I just said it, and through that…” The fan-favorite got choked up but pressed on, continuing, “Through that, it just flowed.” He also praised Gail for doing an incredible job, as well as Steve Burton (Jason) and Laura Wright (Carly), who supported him. “They’re all like there, and it was just so real. And we won, you know, four Emmys, I think.”
READ THIS: Find out what Emmy Gail won.
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