The actors and writers from GH knocked it out of the Daytime Emmy park this week, as we said goodbye to one of our favorite characters, Franco Baldwin. But no performers tugged on our heartstrings more than William Lipton and Rebecca Herbst, who delivered such unbelievably good performances that it’s impossible to pick just one. So, hence, we have a tie for Performer of the Week on General Hospital!
William Lipton and Rebecca Herbst — Performers of the Week For GH
The mother and son duo of Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Cam (William Lipton) have shared a tight bond through many life changes and challenges. None have been this traumatic, though, as they face life without the husband and father who brought so much love and protection to their family.
Mother Bear Through It All
Liz continually stood by Franco (Roger Howarth), through much opposition from her friends and family, over the years. She believed in him and her loyalty saw him through the mind-mapping when he became Drew and again when his tumor came back. No matter what, she never gave up on her husband, even when he urged her for her own protection.
So, when we saw Liz run into his art studio and see Franco bleeding to death on the floor, we felt her immense devastation. The beautiful couple fought against all the odds, but they could not overcome death.
Herbst once against displayed why she is one of daytime’s most talented actors when she tearfully begged Franco to hang in there, reminding him how much living they still wanted to do together. Watching her lay on his chest and cry all the tears that we shed too, will go down as one of the show’s most heartbreaking scenes.
Perhaps Rebecca Herbst’s biggest talent, though, is her relatability that she’s been delivering day in and day out as Liz for 24 years on the iconic soap. She has been nominated four times for a Daytime Emmy Award, and as her work alongside Howarth and Lipton, she’s knocking on the door for a fifth nod and suggested a first-time win.
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Best Younger Lead Actor, Hands Down
To say that Lipton deserves a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Younger Actor for his portrayal of Cam would be an understatement. He continually sets the highest of standards in his scenes, but this week he evolved into a best actor, period.
Lipton kicked things off when he left his stepdad, Franco, a touching voicemail, and he never looked back. His talent continued to shine when he brainstormed with Scotty (Kin Shriner) ways to keep Franco’s attitude positive about his tumor and his determination to get him back home where he belonged.
Franco, of course, never got Cam’s voicemail, but the GH writers created some spiritual magic when Franco appeared to Cam in a dream. The two said everything that they wanted to say to the other, and their embrace at the end was everything.
When we didn’t think our hearts and certainly not Cam’s or Liz’s could take anymore, he convinced himself that Franco wasn’t really dead. Cam conjured that he must have faked his death, much like Taggert did, to protect his family from harm. That is, until Cam snuck into the morgue at GH and saw Franco’s dead body for himself.
Watching Cam’s heart-wrenching reaction in both his face and entire body as he fell to the ground, proved William Lipton’s exceptional talent. Then when Liz came in to witness the immediate aftermath and held her son in her arms, Rebecca Herbst broke our hearts once again.
Kudos to both actors for their incredible work — and an honorary mention must go to Roger Howarth, whose consistently exceptional work as Franco inspired it all. General Hospital (GH) airs weekdays on ABC. Check your local listings for airtimes.
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