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Genie Francis Opens Up About Child Stardom, Anxiety, and Her New GH Arc on State of Mind
- Damian Ali
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Daytime veteran shares honest reflections on child stardom, anxiety, and the GH storyline she asked for.
Maurice Benard, Kate Mansi, and Genie Francis in General Hospital: Courtesy of Christine Bartolucci/Disney
General Hospital star Genie Francis joined Maurice Benard on his YouTube series State of Mind for a candid conversation about her early years as a young actor, her long career in daytime television, and the lifelong impact of social anxiety. Francis, who first appeared on General Hospital at age 14 and now portrays Laura Collins, the mayor of Port Charles, spoke openly about her personal and professional journey.
Francis described starting her career in live television at an age when most teenagers were still in school. She reflected on the pressure she felt after her actor father told her she could not make a mistake. She said she internalized that expectation, memorizing not only her own lines but those of her castmates, and explained that those demanding early years still linger in her memory. In 2022, she marked the 45th anniversary of her debut on General Hospital, a milestone that highlights her enduring presence in daytime television.
During the interview, Francis spoke openly about living with social anxiety, calling the COVID-19 pandemic an unexpected moment of relief because the pressure to socialize temporarily disappeared. She said the condition runs in her family and shared that understanding her mother’s and great-grandmother’s experiences has given her more compassion for her own challenges. She recalled moments in her life that she now recognizes as trauma and said she approaches those memories with more understanding today.
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General Hospital cast members pose for a group photo in the Dr. Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Care Center set, with actors seated on a couch and standing behind them, including Genie Francis, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, and others.
The conversation also covered key moments from her career. Francis reflected on early roles in Family, North and South, and Bare Essence, as well as her work on The Young and the Restless, All My Children, and Days of Our Lives.
Her career also spans primetime and television films, including appearances on Murder She Wrote, Hotel, Roseanne, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and the Hallmark Channel. She also shared the story of meeting her husband, actor and director Jonathan Frakes, and noted that they have spent more than three decades together raising two children.
Francis honored several colleagues, including Tristan Rogers, Leslie Charleson, Jackie Zeman, and Tyler Christopher. She spoke with warmth and gratitude about the influence they had on her life and career while also acknowledging some of the personal challenges they faced.
The interview shifted to her current General Hospital storyline with Maurice Benard. Francis revealed that she personally requested the arc because she wanted to work closely with Benard.
She described a recent scene between the two as one of the most exciting moments of her career, explaining that she drew from a deep emotional place to deliver the performance. Benard praised her work and said the new storyline should earn her an Emmy.
Part Two of the interview will be released on November 23 and will feature Francis alongside her husband, Jonathan Frakes, for a follow-up conversation.
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