The cast and crew of GENERAL HOSPITAL, along with members of Maurice Benard’s (Sonny) family, gathered together on set on August 13 to celebrate the actor’s 25th anniversary on the show, and his co-stars paid tribute to his milestone on social media. Enthused Steve Burton, “Celebrating 25 awesome years with @MauriceBenard@GeneralHospital Mentor, friend, brother. Thank you for being a great example and Congrats! 25 more??” “It’s a true gift to share the stage with you,” posted Laura Wright (Carly). “You are an honest beautiful soul and I love being the Carly to your Sonny. Happy 25 Friend.” Praised Finola Hughes (Anna), “Thank you for your excellence, your inspiration, your dedication and belief in the craft. It’s an honor to get the opportunity to share screen time with you. Thank you for always being a willing listener, on and off stage! Congrats on your 25th Anniversary.” “This man is the definition of hard work, focus and generosity on set, and in life,” wrote Marc Anthony Samuel (Felix). “Grateful to share scenes with you Mo!” Drew Cheetwood (Milo) described Benard as a “selfless person, a most giving actor and a consummate professional! Pleasure to know you my friend.” “Every day @MauriceBenard brings it. Never phones it in. Congrats my friend on an amazing milestone,” wrote Wally Kurth (Ned). Former on-screen nemesis Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle) cheered, “Congratulations to my dude @MauriceBenard for 25 freaking years on @GeneralHospital ! As actors, we’re lucky to be employed for 25 days straight…25 years is remarkable. Enjoy your celebration. You deserve it!” Lilly Melger (ex-Lily) offered her congrats to “the greatest actor that has ever graced the daytime screen, the most generous actor I’ve ever worked with, my acting mentor, my friend, my supporter… an inspiration in my life from the first moment I laid eyes on you playing #DesiArnaz… Thank you for being YOU and all you’ve contributed to the genre, to everyone lucky enough to work with you and to ME.”
(From l.) Josh Swickard (Chase), Tristan Rogers (Scorpio), Benard, Donnell Turner (Curtis) and Executive Producer Frank Valentini posed for a photo on set.
Valentini snapped this pic of Benard’s father, Humberto, l., with on-screen dad Max Gail (Mike).
And check out the new issue of Soap Opera Digest for tributes to the actor from Kimberly McCullough (Robin), Roger Howarth (Franco), Michael Sutton (ex-Stone) and more!
