Genie Francis was honored to be part of the tribute to Leslie Charleson, itself a celebration of the show’s 62nd anniversary.
Monica Quartermaine had a profound effect on General Hospital over the decades. The matriarch of the Quartermaine family has had her share of drama, romance, infidelity, and a host of other things that made her a beloved fan favorite. The tragic passing of Leslie Charleson was felt throughout the soap world, and now the show is gearing up to pay tribute to the legendary icon.
A Special Dedication
TV Guide Magazine recently revealed that before Charleson’s death on January 12, the GH writers were planning to have the hospital unveil the ‘Dr. Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Wing,’ and hoped that the actress would have been able to be present for it. Sadly, she wasn’t, but longtime co-star Genie Francis (Laura) — who started in 1977 along with Charleson — was on hand to talk about the bittersweet celebration of the show’s 62nd anniversary.
Excited and honored that she was asked to have a major part in Charleson’s tribute episode, Francis noted, “It’s always nice when they acknowledge the fact that I’m sort of an antique here; I’m historical.” She further noted that she liked that the powers that be continue to appreciate her.
She Was a Pillar of the Show
Francis recalled that she was just a kid when she started, and Charleson always treated her with kindness. As many actors, Francis included, have left the show and returned over the years, “Leslie was there nonstop,” she remarked. She praised Charleson for being “A real pillar of this show and of that hospital, which is a lovely thing.” Francis was glad for the tribute to her fallen friend, stating, “I think it’s beautiful.”
Being the mayor of Port Charles, the major speeches fall on Laura’s shoulders, and Francis wouldn’t have it any other way. “I take great pride in giving the speeches because there’s a lot of truth in them, and how I feel about this place and how I feel about the people in it,” she stated. Certainly, Laura and Monica had an incredible decades-long history with many ups and downs, and it will be nice to see Laura, herself a legend, paying tribute to an equal legend.