General Hospital Stars Then and Now

The stars of General Hospital only get better with age! For proof, look no further than this gallery of veteran Port Charles players like Maurice Benard (Sonny), Steve Burton (Jason), Jane Elliot (Tracy), Genie Francis (Laura) and Finola Hughes (Anna), featuring photos from when they first started on GH side-by-side with their current looks.

ABC Photo Archives; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Genie Francis won the role of Laura Webber in 1977 when she was only 14 years old and became one of the biggest superstars in soaps. This month, she'll be honored with the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award.

ABC Photo Archives; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Jane Elliot debuted as the feisty Tracy Quartermaine in 1978 and was honored with a Daytime Emmy Golden Circle induction in 2025 for her contributions to the genre.

ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Kristina Wagner was a junior in college when she landed the role Aztec princess Felicia Cummings back in 1984.

Erik Hein/ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Finola Hughes debuted as superspy Anna Devane back in 1985, and later played the role on All My Children in between stints on GH.

ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Lynn Herring first appeared as sexy schemer Lucy Coe in 1986, and from 1997-2003, she anchored the GH spinoff Port Charles.

Craig Sjodin/ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

John J. York joined the cast of GH in 1991 as Mac Scorpio. York has endured; the Australian accent he used to use for the part, not so much!

George Long/ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Steve Burton stepped into the shoes of Jason Quartermaine, now known as Jason Morgan, in 1991, taking home his first Daytime Emmy in 1998.

ABC; Ricky MIddlesworth/ABC

Maurice Benard was introduced mobster Sonny Corinthos in 1993 for what was supposed to be a six-month run, but he's still going strong 33 years and three Daytime Emmys later.

Craig Sjodin/ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Nancy Lee Grahn first appeared as lovably neurotic lawyer Alexis Davis in 1996, scoring two Daytime Emmy wins for her performance.

Craig Sjodin/ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Rebecca Herbst was only 20 years old when she originated the role of Elizabeth Webber in 1997.

Bob D'Amico/ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Rick Hearst debuted as Sonny's crafty brother, Ric Lansing, in 2002, and has taken home two Daytime Emmys for the role.

ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Laura Wright joined the cast of GH in 2005 as the fourth actress to play the role of Carly Spencer. The Daytime Emmy-winner is now the longest-running Carly.

Jill Johnson/jpistudios.com

Carolyn Hennesy debuted as attorney Diane Miller in 2006 — though her first appearance on GH actually dates back to the early 1980s, when she played a photographer's assistant!

Ron Tom/ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Lisa LoCicero, who was a devoted General Hospital fan growing up, debuted as Olivia Falconeri in 2008.

Ron Tom/ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Dominic Zamprogna won the role of Sonny's secret firstborn, Dante Falconeri, in 2009.

Todd Warywchuck/ABC; Laura Burke

In 2012, Kathleen Gati was introduced as diabolical doctor Liesl Obrecht, who was initially intended to be a short-term villain.

Craig Sjodin/ABC; Ricky Middlesworth/ABC

Maura West joined the cast of GH in 2013 as art dealer/mob heiress Ava Jerome, for which she won a Daytime Emmy in 2015.

Howard Wise/jpistudios.com; Christine Bartolucci/ABC

Fans have watched Daytime Emmy winner Eden McCoy, who was only 12 years old when she took over the role of Josslyn Jacks in 2015, grow up on their TV screens.

Rick Rowell/ABC; Ricky MIddlesworth/ABC

Donnell Turner — who has cited Anthony Geary (ex-Luke) as one of his early acting inspirations — has been playing suave Curtis Ashford since 2015.

General Hospital

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