Genie Francis

Genie Francis
Francis in 2013
Born (1962-05-26) May 26, 1962[1]
Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years activesince 1976
Known for
Spouse
​
(m. 1988)​
Children2
FatherIvor Francis
Websitegeniefrancis.com

Genie Francis (born May 26, 1962) is an American actress. She is best known for playing the role of Laura Spencer on the television soap opera General Hospital since 1977, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2007.

Francis also appeared in the soap operas Days of Our Lives from 1987 to 1989, All My Children from 1990 to 1992, and The Young and the Restless from 2011 to 2012.

Early life

Francis was born in Englewood, New Jersey.[2] Her father was Canadian actor Ivor Francis.[2] Her mother, Rosemary Daley, was a former actress/model.[3] Genie has an older brother, Ivor Jr., a younger brother, Kenneth, and an older half-sister, Shelley, from her father's first marriage.[4]

Career

Francis began acting on the television series Family, in the two part episode titled "Jury Duty". Her big break came in 1977 with the role of Laura Spencer on General Hospital. It would bring her instant stardom in the late 1970s. The television couple of Luke and Laura wed on November 17, 1981, with 30 million viewers tuning in to make the episode the highest-rated hour in soap opera history.[5] At the peak of her success, in 1982, Francis left the series to try her hand at prime-time television. She soon landed a starring role in her own series, Bare Essence, which was unsuccessful. She returned to General Hospital in 1983 for a limited run, to coincide with the departure of Luke when Anthony Geary decided to leave the series.

In 1984, 1986, and 1990 Francis guest starred on Murder, She Wrote as Jessica Fletcher's niece Victoria. In 1985, she starred in the miniseries North and South as Brett Main Hazard.[6] Francis would reprise this role in 1986 and 1994 in the miniseries North and South: Book II and Heaven and Hell: North and South Book III respectively.[7][8] In 1993, she starred as Kris Buckner in the television film Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss, which was based on the CBS television series of the same name.[9] In 1996, Francis provided the voice of Betty Ross on the Incredible Hulk animated series that ran on UPN.

Through the years, Francis has appeared on numerous other daytime soaps. She starred on Days of Our Lives as Diana Colville (a reporter who became involved with John Black, who at the time believed himself to be Roman Brady) from 1987 to 1989 and on All My Children as con artist and incest victim Ceara Connor Hunter from 1990 to 1992. She reprised her role as Ceara on Loving in a crossover storyline in November 1991. Ceara was "killed off" when her character prepared to move to that soap's town of Corinth (although it was an unseen extra stepping off the bus into the line of fire), and years later, Laura also appeared in Corinth on General Hospital when ex-husband Luke found her tied up in the Alden family basement. She then returned to General Hospital in 1993. In 1994, when Francis became pregnant with her first child, the pregnancy was written into the show and she took six weeks off for maternity leave. However, in early 1997, when she was pregnant again, she took a much longer absence from the show, staying away for nearly a year and a half.

In 2004, Francis appeared in Teacher's Pet[10] and Thunderbirds.[11] In June 2006, she began negotiating with the casting directors on the show to return to the role of Laura Spencer for a limited run through November. Francis returned with spectacular fanfare to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Luke and Laura's wedding. Though she reprised the role for only one month, Francis' stint garnered her a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.[12][13] Francis again returned to General Hospital as Laura in August 2008, appearing until November 12. In December 2008, she had a starring role as Peyton MacGruder in the Hallmark Channel movie, The Note, which earned her critical acclaim. Francis reprised this role on January 31, 2009 in the Hallmark Channel movie, Taking a Chance on Love and again in 2012 in the Hallmark Channel movie Notes from the Heart Healer.[14]

In March 2011, it was announced that Francis would join The Young and the Restless as Genevieve Atkinson, the long-absent birth mother of Cane Ashby. In this appearance she was reunited with former General Hospital co-star Tristan Rogers, who portrayed Colin Atkinson, Cane's estranged biological father. She received her second Daytime Emmy nomination in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Genevieve in May 2012.[15]

On September 13, 2012, it was announced that Francis had been let go from her role on The Young and the Restless due to budget cuts.[16] On January 8, 2013, executive producer Frank Valentini and Entertainment Weekly confirmed that Francis would return to General Hospital on February 11. However, she remained with the series for only five months, as Laura departed for medical treatment in France, returning on June 5, 2015 as part of a storyline to help facilitate Anthony Geary's departure from the show, and she would later sign a contract to remain with the show.[17] In January 2018, Francis was dropped to recurring status,[18] but in late July 2018 signed a contract to return to General Hospital full time.[19][20][21]

Other projects

Francis owned and operated a cottage-style home furnishings boutique called The Cherished Home in Belfast, Maine.[22] She later stepped away from retail operations to accommodate her increased filming workload for television roles like The Young and the Restless.[23]

In May 2007, Francis began appearing in magazine advertisements as a spokesperson for the Medifast Diet, claiming she lost 30 pounds using the diet as of December 2007.

In November 2009, Francis along with her brothers, Ivor Jr. and Kenneth, released the holiday album It's Christmas Time Again.[24] Francis' whole family participated: Her children Eliza and Jamo performed backup vocals and percussion, while her husband, actor/director Jonathan Frakes, played the trombone.[25] Francis decided to donate all of her proceeds from the record sales to the Sisters of Saint Francis Children's Mission in Cuernavaca, a mission founded by her cousin Sister Margaret.[25][26]

Personal life

Francis first met actor/director Jonathan Frakes in 1982 while filming the television miniseries Bare Essence. They met again during filming of the miniseries North and South. After some encouragement from Kirstie Alley, they began dating in 1985.[27] They became engaged the following year, and were married on May 28, 1988. The couple has two children, Jameson Ivor Frakes and Elizabeth Frances Frakes. After residing in Belfast, Maine, they moved to Beverly Hills, California, in 2008 and later relocated to Calabasas, California.[28]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Camp Nowhere Mrs. Speigel Uncredited
2004 Teacher's Pet Marsha/Marcia
Thunderbirds Lisa Lowe Science fiction-comedy-action-adventure film[29] based on the 1960s television series of the same name and directed by Jonathan Frakes.[11]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1976 Family Alice Dennison Episodes:
1977–84,

1993–2002, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015–

 General Hospital Laura Spencer
  • Contract role: 1977–1982, 1993–2002, 2013, 2015–
  • Recurring role: 1983, 1984, 2006, 2008
1981 Fridays Herself/Co-host
  • Episode: "Episode #3.3" (S3:E3)
  • Special guest appearance with Anthony Geary
1982 Fantasy Island Christa Ackland Episode: "Daddy's Little Girl / The Whistle" (S5:E14)
1982–83 Bare Essence Patricia 'Tyger' Hayes 1982 two-part miniseries (CBS)
1983 television series (NBC) 11 episodes
1984 Murder, She Wrote Victoria Episode: "Birds of a Feather" (S1:E4)
Hotel Jenny Bernard Episode: "Outsiders"(S2:E5)
1985 North and South Brett Main Hazard
Glitter Guest Episode: "The Matriarch" (S1:E10)
1986 North and South: Book II Brett Main Hazard
Murder, She Wrote Victoria Episode: "Corned Beef and Carnage" (S3:E5)
1987 The New Mike Hammer Susan Timmons Episode: "Body Shot" (S3:E13)
Hotel Melinda Jenkins Episode: "Barriers" (S4:E18)
1987–89 Days of Our Lives Diana Colville Contract role: April 13, 1987, to June 21, 1989
1990 Murder, She Wrote Victoria Episode: "The Fixer-Upper" (S6:E15)
1990–92 All My Children Ceara Connor Hunter Contract role: June 27, 1990, to July 16, 1992
1991 Loving Recurring role: October 31, 1991, to December 5, 1991
1993 Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss Kris Buckner
1994 Roseanne Laura Spencer Episode: "Suck Up or Shut Up" (S6:E13)
Heaven and Hell: North and South Book III Brett Main Hazard
1995 Terror in the Shadows Sarah Made-for-TV movie directed by William A. Graham.[33]
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Amber Lake Episode: "Don't Tug on Superman's Cape" (S3:E6)
Cybill Genie Francis Episode: "As the World Turns to Crap" (S1:E3) (uncredited)
1996 The Incredible Hulk Betty Ross Recurring
Sister Rose Erak Episode: "Innocent Blood" (S1:E50)
2000 3rd Rock from the Sun Gwen McMichael Episode: "Gwen, Larry, Dick & Mary" (S5:E10)
2000 Oh, Baby Rachel Episode: "Image" (S2:E21)
Roswell Mother Episode: "Destiny" (S1:E22)
2007 The Note Peyton MacGruder Made-for-TV movie directed by Douglas Barr.
2009 Taking a Chance on Love Made-for-TV movie written and directed by Douglas Barr.
2011 Bar Karma Waitress Episode: "Three Times a Lady" (S1:E9)
2011–12 Pretty the Series Dr. Kate Recurring
The Young and the Restless Genevieve Atkinson Contract role
2012 Notes from the Heart Healer[14] Peyton MacGruder Made-for-TV movie written and directed by Douglas Barr.
2020 Quarantine Norma Episode: "Day 60" (S1:E25)

Videos

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Luke and Laura, Vol. 1: Lovers on the Run[34] Host/Laura Spencer Directed by David Seeger.
1995 Luke and Laura Vol. 2: Greatest Love of All[35]

Awards and nominations

List of acting awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title Result Ref.
1979 Young Artist Award Best Juvenile Actress in a Daytime Series General Hospital Nominated [36]
1980 Soapy Awards Outstanding Actress General Hospital Nominated [37]
Young Artist Award Best Juvenile Actress in a Daytime Series General Hospital Won [38]
1981 Soapy Awards Outstanding Actress General Hospital Won [37]
1982 Young Artist Award Best Juvenile Actress in a Daytime Series General Hospital Nominated [39]
1997 Soap Opera Digest Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama General Hospital Nominated [40]
Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Nominated [41]
Online Film & Television Association Best Actress in a Daytime Serial General Hospital Nominated [37]
1999 Online Film & Television Association Best Actress in a Daytime Serial General Hospital Nominated [37]
2000 Online Film & Television Association Best Actress in a Daytime Serial General Hospital Nominated [37]
2002 Daytime Emmy Award America's Favorite Couple (shared with Anthony Geary) General Hospital Nominated [42]
2006 TV Land Award Most Wonderful Wedding (shared with Anthony Geary) General Hospital Nominated [37]
2007 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Won [12][13]
Online Film & Television Association Best Supporting Actress in a Daytime Serial General Hospital Nominated [37]
2012 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Young and the Restless Nominated [15]
Indie Series Award Best Supporting Actress (Comedy) Pretty the Horses Nominated [43]
2020 Soap Hub Award Soap Hub Editors' Choice General Hospital Won [37]
Soap Hub Award Favorite General Hospital Actress General Hospital Nominated [37]
2021 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Nominated [44]
Soap Hub Award Favorite General Hospital Actress General Hospital Nominated [37]

References

Notes

  1. ^ Originally published by Signet in 1982.[45]
  2. ^ Originally published Harcourt Brace Jovanovich in 1987 with the ISBN 978-0151310753.[46]

Citations

  1. ↑ "Famous birthdays for May 26: Bobcat Goldthwait, Lenny Kravitz - UPI.com". UPI.
  2. 1 2 Alexander, Rodi (November 28, 2007). "Genie Francis Returns To The Tube in 'The Note'". The Independent. East Hampton. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  3. ↑ Rein, Birnbaum & Lardine 1980, Vol. 14, issue 17.
  4. ↑ "Genie Francis Celebrates Her Birthday". Soap Opera News. 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  5. ↑ Lang, Derrik J. (July 11, 2008). "Laura to return to 'General Hospital'". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2008-07-16.
  6. 1 2 "North and South". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  7. 1 2 "North and South: Book II". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner. Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Heaven and Hell: North and South Book III". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner. Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner. Archived from the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Teacher's Pet". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Thunderbirds". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  12. 1 2 Bonawitz, Amy (February 11, 2009). "34th Annual Daytime Emmy Winners". CBS News. New York City: CBS. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  13. 1 2 "The 2007 Daytime Emmy Award Winners". PopSugar. San Francisco: PopSugar Entertainment. June 2, 2013. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  14. 1 2 "Notes from the Heart Healer". The Futon Critic. United States: Futon Media. February 21, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  15. 1 2 "The 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations". Daytime Emmy Award. New York City: National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 10, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  16. ↑ Lynette Rice (September 14, 2012). "Genie Francis out of 'Young and the Restless'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Genie Francis returns to 'General Hospital' -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Lynette Rice. January 8, 2013. Archived from the original on January 9, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  18. ↑ Giddens, Jamey (January 19, 2018). "Genie Francis Bumped to Recurring at General Hospital". Daytime Confidential. United States: Confidential Media, Inc. (SAY Media). Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  19. ↑ Rice, Lynette (July 31, 2018). "General Hospital brings back Genie Francis". Entertainment Weekly. United States: Time Inc. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  20. ↑ Evans, Greg (July 31, 2018). "Genie Francis Set For Return To ABC's 'General Hospital'". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  21. ↑ Maloney, Michael (July 31, 2018). "Laura Returns! Genie Francis Is Checking Back Into General Hospital". TV Insider. United States: TVGM Holdings, LLC. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  22. ↑ Shanahan, Mark (September 28, 2006). "A home-furnishings store is Maine event for Genie Francis". The Boston Globe. Boston: Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. Archived from the original on 2016-04-27. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Pining for Maine: A celebrity haven". The Portland Press Herald. 2011-11-06. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  24. ↑ Kroll, Dan J. (January 5, 2010). "GH interested in having Genie Francis return". SoapCentral. United States: Dan J Kroll. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  25. 1 2 Katz, Paul (Mar 18, 2010). "Actress Genie Francis Gives Proceeds from Holiday Album to Mexican Mission". Huffpost. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Genie Francis CD". Sisters of St. Francis. 19 November 2009. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Dropping Names with Brent and Johnny Podcast". June 17, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  28. ↑ McFly, Marty (August 15, 2013). "Celeb R.E.: Jonathan Frakes from Star Trek and Genie Francis From General Hospital Move to Woodland Hills". San Fernando Valley Blogspot. Blogger. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  29. ↑ Puig, Claudia (29 July 2004). "Fantasy propels Thunderbirds". USA Today. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  30. ↑ Jakes, John (2000). North and South. New York City: Signet. ISBN 978-0451200815.
  31. ↑ Jakes, John (1984). Love and War. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. ASIN B000CBVLXC.
  32. ↑ Jakes, John (2000). Heaven and Hell. New York City: Signet. ISBN 978-0451200839.
  33. ↑ "Terror in the Shadows". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  34. ↑ General Hospital: Luke & Laura (Lovers on the Run) Vol. 1. Burbank, California: ABC Studios. February 2, 1994. ASIN 6303007759.
  35. ↑ Luke & Laura Vol.2: The Greatest Love of All, Burbank, California: Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., 1995, ASIN 6303267769
  36. ↑ "1st Annual Youth In Film Awards". Young Artist Award. United States: Young Artist Association. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Genie Francis". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  38. ↑ "2nd Youth In Film Awards". Young Artist Award. United States: Young Artist Association. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  39. ↑ "3rd Youth In Film Awards". Young Artist Award. United States: Young Artist Association. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  40. ↑ beckytm (2012-12-10). Genie Francis - Outstanding Lead Actress - SOD Awards 1997. Retrieved 2026-05-14 – via YouTube.
  41. ↑ "1997 Emmy Winners & Nominees". Soap Opera Digest. New York City. American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on August 18, 2004. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  42. ↑ "General Hospital's Kin Shriner Reveals 'Dream' Before Anthony Geary's Death: 'Tony Was Saying Goodbye'". Yahoo Entertainment. 2025-12-16. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  43. ↑ "NOMINATIONS: 3rd Annual Indie Soap Awards". www.welovesoaps.net. Archived from the original on 2023-01-28. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  44. ↑ "2021 Daytime Emmy Awards: Talk Show Host and Lead Actress Nominees Revealed (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. CBS Interactive. May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  45. ↑ Jakes, John (1982). North and South. New York City: Signet. ASIN B00CID411Q.
  46. ↑ Jakes, John (1987). Heaven and Hell. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. ISBN 978-0151310753.

Sources

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