“General Hospital,” the longest-running scripted television drama and the longest-running American soap opera still in production, is celebrating its 62nd anniversary today, April 1, and no, it’s not an April Fool’s Day joke.
Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, the series depicts passion, intrigue and adventure as it follows the ongoing lives of the diverse and evolving citizens of the fictional town of Port Charles, set in upstate New York. The glamour and excitement of those who have come to find their destinies in the familiar seaport town intertwine with the lives, loves and fortunes of beloved, well-known faces.
Since its debut in 1963, the soap opera has been the recipient of a record 17 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, having won for the fourth consecutive year in 2024. The show aired its 15,000th episode on June 22, 2022.
Led by executive producer Frank Valentini since early 2012 and head writers Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten since August 2024, “General Hospital” continues the tradition of telling contemporary, issue-based storylines while returning its roots with a focus on the fictional General Hospital location, including the recent dedication of the Dr. Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Care Center, which also honors the late actress Leslie Charleson who had played the character since 1977. Charleson made her final appearance on the soap in December 2023. The beloved Charleson died in January following a long illness. She was 79 years old.
A snippet posted by the X (formerly Twitter) channel RetroNewsNow from an issue of TV Guide ahead of the show’s premiere highlighted as follows:
John Beradino stars as Dr. Steve Hardy in this half-hour weekday drama about the personal and professional lives of a doctor, his staff and his patients. K.T. Stevens plays Peggy Mercer, his fiancee. Emily McLaughlin portrays nurse Jessie Brewer, who is married to intern Philip Brewer (Roy Thinnes). Today: Steve treats Angie Costello (Jana Taylor), whose face has been disfigured.
Check out a clip from the show’s debut season below.
The contract cast for the soap includes (sorted by current contract start): Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber), Laura Wright (Carly Spencer), Maura West (Ava Jerome), Donnell Turner (Curstis Ashford), Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones), Josh Swickard (Harrison Chase), Eden McCoy (Josslyn Jacks), Genie Francis (Laura Collins), Katelyn MacMullen (Willow Corinthos), Cynthia Watros (Nina Reeves), Sofia Mattsson (Sasha Corbin), Finola Hughes (Anna Devane), Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn Quartermaine), Brook Kerr (Dr. Portia Robinson), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri), Cameron Mathison (Drew Quartermaine), Kristina Wagner (Felicia Scorpio), Tanisha Harper (Jordan Ashford), Tabyana Ali (Trina Robinson), Josh Kelly (Cody Bell), Jane Elliot (Tracy Quartermaine), Kate Mansi (Kristina Corinthos-Davis), Steve Burton (Jason Morgan), Giovanni Mazza (Giovanni Palmieri), Kristien Vaganos (Molly Lansing-Davis), Jonathan Jackson (Lucky Spencer), Sawandi Wilson (Dr. Isiah Gannon), Jens Austin Astrup (Kai Taylor), Alexa Havins Bruening (Lulu Spencer) and Braedyn Bruner (Emma Drake).
Recurring players include Bryce Durfee (Vaughn), Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), Vernee Watson (Stelle Henry), Van Hansis (Dr. Lucas Jones), Daniel Cosgrove (Ezra Boyle), Lynn Herring (Lucy Coe), Rena Sofer (Lois Cerullo), Wally Kurth (Ned Ashton) and Lisa LoCicero (Olivia Quartermaine), among many others.
“General Hospital” is recorded at the Prospect Studios in Hollywood, CA. The show is a production of American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
