[11][29] The new show runner's first order of business was to attract younger viewers by putting the teenage Francis' Laura front and center. Meanwhile, Francis was initially intimidated by veteran actress Denise Alexander who played her onscreen mother but the two would become close friends. A beam fell on Luke, and Laura cried as she thought that he was going to die. Lesley confirmed that the picture was of a nurse who used to work at GH. Was 1979 so long ago? The story aired from October to December 1984, Francis aired from November 9 to December 10, 1984. [45], In a 1992 interview with Soap Opera Digest, Genie Francis revealed that she initially considered leaving the role of Laura behind in 1979, as 17-year-old Francis longed for the chance finish to out her last year of high school and graduate with her friends. Luke and Laura would go back to Port Charles to check on "their" newborn grand-daughter. "I left the show in that heartbeat," Francis said. "I'm looking to satisfy my character" Francis continued. As Laura began to remember more about what happened in the garage attic, she also realized that Scotty knew what had happened but wouldn't tell her. Lulu does some investigating and proves that Scott actually killed Rick. According to Francis, "in Laura's fantasy world, she would stay married to Luke, he would accept [Nikolas]," the brothers would get along and "Stefan would drop by the house for dinner." She has been portrayed by actress Jacklyn Zeman on a contract basis from 1977 to 2007, and on a recurring . [8] Baldwin last appeared as Laura in August 1976. Laura is hesitant about marrying Scotty Baldwin, but after kissing Luke she realizes that she needs to move on. Laura accidentally causes David's death when he rejects her for Lesley. Luke, thinking they are eloping, follows where Scott and Laura end up in a car accident. Despite having the best attorney money can buy thanks to the wealthy Edward Quartermaine (John Ingle), Laura is indicted and sent to prison. Contrary to rumor, I assure you nobody got fired. Nikolas shows up and as he is about to say something about Lulu he is shot. Laura contacts Stavros's brother Stefan Cassadine (Stephen Nichols) for help. After a long hesitation, her agent pushed her to make a decision. The kidnappers send them a picture of a tied up and gagged Lucky and Ethan. Soon afterward, Scott asks Laura to marry him all over again, fearing that she will leave him for Luke. When Luke and Laura discover that Helena wants to see Luke, Luke goes alone and learns a shocking truth, that their grandson Jake (whom Luke believed he had run over in his car while drunk) is very much alive. [47] In September 1981, Francis called a press conference to officially announce her departure from the series by the end of the year. Laura was actually raped by Luke; as very few (if any) rape victims fall in love with their rapists, this relationship was actually offensive to some of the public. Helena instructs both Luke and Laura to drop their weapons, or she will kill Laura whom her guards are holding at gunpoint. Luke, Laura and Felicia Jones (Kristina Wagner) team up to find Lucky (Jacob Young) who has been brainwashed by Helena to hate his parents. [56] Francis had several motivations for returning to the series. She meets with a cryptographer, and she is surprise to learn that Kevin Collins is the cryptographer that she has been speaking with. On June 5, 2015, Laura returns by interrupting Luke and Tracy's engagement party. Francis hoped that was the case. [60], Despite her claims that she was open to a return in 1992,[46] when she was officially approached about a GH return in May 1992, Francis declined the offer. Francis said, "The first year was a tremendous learning process, but then I got hold of it and took it on my own." Francis further explained that Laura stayed even though she "felt the element of danger." The next day Ryan comes back to them so that he can get the divorce papers signed so that he can marry Ava. Sonny agrees to financially back Laura if his wife Carly Corinthos could be co-partner. When production for General Hospital started back up on July 22, 2020 after having been stopped since March 2020 due to the pandemic, Francis chose to wait until things settled down a little more in regards to the pandemic which explained why Laura was temporarily off-screen. "Laura is different and the storyline is very different" Francis explained. Laura's daughter, Lulu, also found out that her husband, Dante, had a one stand with her cousin, Valerie Spencer, on the 4th of July when they were in Canada. "[17] After her 1993 return, Francis voiced her concerns that the character had become "a little too good a little too on high moral ground" Francis explained. Obstruction of justice; knew that her son, Assaulted Valentin over the head with a crowbar [Jul 21, 2017], Faked a mental illness (as Curtis pretended to be a doctor) so she could get admitted into the, Knocked out Victor's bodyguard in defense of Valentin [Oct 31, 2022], Attempted to jump off the Cassadine boat; stopped by Stavros Cassadine [1983], Tripped and fell down basement stairs while fending off two men trying to kidnap her, sending her into labor with, Hemorrhaged after her Cesarean section to deliver, In a cave with Luke when it collapsed [Feb 25, 2002], Suffered a severe mental breakdown when she remembered killing Rick's mistress as a teenager, and was in a catatonic state for 6 years [Aug 2002-Aug 2008, briefly emerged from the catatonia in 2006; Psychomotor Disassociation, Held at gunpoint by Helena Cassadine [Apr 2013], Held at gunpoint by Helena Cassadine again, then was asked to shoot either Luke or Ethan in order to save her daughter Lulu [Apr 3, 2013], Drugged, kidnapped, and taken to Cassadine Island by Stavros Cassadine [Apr 2013], Kidnapped by Jerry Jacks, taken to a house in Corinth, Pennsylvania, tied up, and forgotten about until Luke Spencer found her [Aug 2013]. "I thought that if it doesn't matter that I live or die, then I'm gone. The show had its heyday in the 80s and 90s and I haven't seen it recently but the clips I have seen, it looks like a shell of its former self. On November 2, 2018, the head of Mary Pat Ingles is found at Lauras campaign event to become mayor. However, "Laura's world has been shattered. In 2006, a now teenage Lulu (Julie Marie Berman) visits Laura as she contemplates an abortion. Does she want Lesley Lu to remember her like this?" View Laura Henry's business profile as Associate Director, Development, Client Services at Massachusetts General Hospital. Lesley makes the devastating choice to call off the custody suit and sends Laura back to live with the Vinings. "[28], In the summer of 1977, Kin Shriner was cast in the role of Scott "Scotty" Baldwin to play opposite Francis's Laura. "Alright Doctor. [16] "She really took me under her wing and when she saw me doing something wrong, she would tell me" Francis said. [14] On June 12, 2015, Soap Opera Digest broke the news that Genie Francis will be sticking around after her now former co-star Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer) retired. [13] "There was no light at the end of the tunnel. "It's hard to shut her off" Francis said of the character in 1979. However, her agent convinced her to stick around and finally make some money off of playing such a popular character because she did not make much from her first contract. But to everyone's relief, Carly turned up alive. This statement only adds to Luke's heartache over learning Nikolas' paternity and that Laura and Stefan had been lovers when she was missing all those years ago. The police did not believe Lesley's story and soon Lesley found herself on trial for murder. She is the biological daughter of the late Gordon Grey and his old flame, Lesley Webber, and the adoptive daughter of the late Rick Webber. [36] Francis and Shriner became quite close during their onscreen romance. [7] Laura falls for law student, Scott Baldwin, and is so distraught when he rejects her that she starts an affair with Rick's friend, David Hamilton (Jerry Ayres). Nikolas and Lucky discuss this with Dr. Winters, who advises that Laura's condition has not changed; that Lulu has imagined Laura's awakening as a coping mechanism and Laura's doctor from the French clinic was a hallucination. And that's okay with me." Luke managed to bargain a last visit with Laura. Instead, they find Helena on board, but alone. [28] At some point, art imitated life and Francis and Shriner dated for nearly a year. In February 1977, Lesley tracks down a bitter Laura living in a commune in Canada. In an October, 1979 episode, Luke and Laura met at a club, and Luke committed a jailable crime against his future wife, as a Herb Alpert disco hit played on loop. Though he is hurt, Luke tells her to marry Scotty, but Laura ends up turning Scotty down. [27] In October 1983, it was announced that Francis had agreed to a brief return stint to reunite the characters of Luke and Laura. It wasn't a question of money they were quite generous I was just tired of the same old role. Francis wowed viewers and critics as Laura suffers through the ordeal feeling helpless. [14][19], On May 29, 2015, Entertainment Weekly reported that Francis would once again make a return to the series, beginning June 5. When Lulu is admitted into Shadybrook Sanitarium to treat her failing mental health, she goes to Laura's room to talk to her. The couple originally met on the. [18] Laura and Scotty have a year long courtship which includes "parental disapproval," Scotty supporting Laura during the David Hamilton murder trial, and the interference of Bobbie Spencer (Jacklyn Zeman) who wants Scott for herself. [2] Jason, a teacher, struggles to make ends meet to take care of his family. Luke declines to do so. [24][25][26], In 1979, the character was described by Soap Opera Digest's Joanne Douglas as "scheming, self-centered" and "frequently tormented." At Laura's request, the judge extends the trial period for another 30 days. [61] Geary who had actually returned to the series in 1991 in the role of Luke's cousin Bill Eckert said "Basically, I didn't want to do Luke without Laura. I was panickedreally hungry" for instruction. Francis speculated that the network underestimated how serious she was about leaving the show because she felt limited. On October 16, 2021, it was revealed that Francis will return to GH as Laura sometime during November sweeps. Four months later, the then 14-year-old Francis booked the role of Laura, when the character was rapidly aged into a teenager. Shortly afterward, she pays a visit to Lulu at The Haunted Star, where Laura tells her that she has seen Lucky overseas, who left Port Charles a year before. In hot pursuit of his favorite nemesis, Luke discovered that Helena had hid out at Wyndemere and that Nikolas gave Helena money and let her go in order to protect Gia. "[33] According to Shriner, "Laura was the big love of Scotty's life." The outcome of the story was a very huge guarded secret. Laura returns a few months later at the doorsteps of Patrick Drake. Laura was reluctant at first, but finally agreed to marry him when they were re-enacting the Wall of Jericho in Beechers Corners. "[30] Suddenly, Francis found herself with a very demanding work schedule in which she arrived on set at 7:30am and sometimes did not finish work until midnight. They agree it is time to put the past to rest but they can't stay out of each other's minds. However, Laura's condition quickly deteriorates and she is forced to return to Shadybrook. Laura also reconnects with Elizabeth and meets Lucky's son, Aiden for the first time. As portrayed by Genie Francis, Laura has become one of the most beloved characters in daytime television. They are forced to abandon their diner in British Columbia to escape Frank Smith (Mitchell Ryan). Held hostage at gunpoint (along with Holly, Held hostage at gunpoint and almost killed (along with Luke) by Frank Smith and his men [Jul 3-6, 2015], Held hostage at gunpoint in a room of people on Cassadine Island by, Held at gunpoint and almost killed by Valentin [Jul 22, 2016], Was exposed to malaria (the test confirmed that she didn't have it) [revealed Aug 9, 2016, Poisoned and kidnapped by Rudge, under the orders of, Held hostage by Ryan in the basement of Ferncliff, along with, Attacked and held hostage by Ryan in a cabin rigged with explosives (along with, Held hostage at gunpoint by Cassandra (along with Curtis) and was ordered to tie herself to him [Sep 17, 2019], Had a gunshot fired in her direction by Cassandra as Curtis went to disarm her [Sep 17, 2019], Indirectly threatened by Cyrus [May 7, 2020], Had her arm grabbed by Cyrus [Jan 8, 2021], Threatened by Cyrus for a fourth time [May 19, 2021], Blackmailed by Cyrus into letting him remain a free man or else he'll make sure that neither one of them makes it out of the hostage situation alive [Jun 3-4, 2021], Threatened by Cyrus if Curtis did not drop his gun [Jun 4, 2021], Threatened by Cyrus once again before his departure to prison [Jun 10, 2021], Targeted (along with Martin) by Victor [Aug 20, 2021-Jan 4, 2022; revealed on Dec 20, 2021; Victor called off the hit on Jan 4, 2022], Nearly killed by a woman posing as a maid under Victor's orders [Dec 8-9, 2021; revealed on Dec 20, 2021], Held at gunpoint (along with Valentin) by Victor's henchman Mattis [Nov 1, 2022; saved by Kevin]. The couple attempted to settle into their roles in politics, but found the roles stifling. Luke and Laura take off on a helicopter to attempt to locate the Haunted Star where they believe Lulu is being held. She is an actress and producer, known for General Hospital (1963), Joy (2015) and Guiding Light (1952). Lesley is overjoyed when she finally sees Laura for the first time at a candy store. If the couple's desire to get out from under Smith's constant threats weren't evident before, they are obvious and crucial when Laura learns she is pregnant. Congratulations are in order for General Hospital's Laura Wright (Carly)! In early 1977, Genie Francis took over the role of the rebellious teenage Laura. Laura is also the paternal half-sister of attorney Martin Grey and drug kingpin Cyrus Renault. They all reunite with Scott and Tracy at a hotel in California and decide to return to Port Charles. [10] In story, a dejected Scotty left town. "[18] Martin and Laura are in the 12/6/21 preview. On September 6, 2002, an orderly wheeled Laura out of her room as Luke tearfully told her, "good-bye, my angel, good-bye." Laura hesitantly enters into a partnership with Lucy Coe to revitalize Deception, but is soon distracted from the project when she learns of Luke's poisoning. Realizing that Laura was in deep trouble, Luke tried to get her out of the attic but Laura was not cooperative. The Daytime Emmy-winning actress has a lot to be happy and thankful for. "[12] In her early years, Francis remembered being terrified of going to the studio alone and was accompanied by a nanny hired by her parents. At one point, Luke plans drugs on Nikolas. She is best known for her roles as Ally Rescott on Loving and The City from 1995 to 1997, and Cassie Layne Winslow on Guiding Light from 1997 to 2005. Child actress Stacey Baldwin originated the role of Laura Vining in 1974. However, Francis claimed that she did not plan on attending school full-time. "[7] Her husband Cameron Faulkner was jealous and paid the Vining's to run off with Laura. It would bring her instant stardom in the late 1970s. Laura went through cycles of reawakening, infrequently but with greater periods of lucidity as time progressed, as a side-effect of the experimental LS-49 drug Luke gave her in 2006. Lesley receives temporary custody of Laura for 30 days. Scott then arrives and reveals that he and Laura are back together. She is able to trap Stavros in the cryogenic chamber where Stavros had Lulu. The drug had been shown to reverse catatonia for a short period of time. [67] Much like when Laura's early stories guided Francis through adolescence, Francis would learn about motherhood through her portrayal of Laura. Luke pumps Frank full of lead, this time sending the aging mobster to his death for sure. Scott runs interference with Robert, Holly and Anna. Laura Wright lost both her parents, father Rector Sisk, and mother, Betty Risk, in 2018 within 2 months of each other. Bobbie calls Lulu and tells her that it's a teddy bear with a clock. After discussing Elizabeth's complicated love life, Laura returns to The Haunted Star, encountering a bewildered Luke. Mayor Laura Collins is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. [5] Genie Francis filmed her first scenes on December 28, 1976 and made her onscreen debut on February 8, 1977. After Luke, Laura, and Lucky are proven not be a match, Laura is forced to find her long lost son, Nikolas. When Luke and Laura are at Dante and Lulu's apartment waiting to see if the kidnappers make contact. She is the daughter of the late attorney John Durant and Bobbie Spencer, whose pregnancy was the result of a one night stand. Luke realized that Laura was losing her grip on reality, but played along with her wedding fantasy and shared touching vows with her. Laura initially tries to avoid Luke, but they continue to end up together when they both start working at ELQ. She returned again from August 25 until November 12, 2008. [41] Francis characterized the incident as "an acquaintance rape" because it was "by someone Laura knew and had been fascinated with. I was 20 years old. When Luke was finally cleared, he returned to Laura, who announced the joyous news that she was pregnant. [17] Francis returned to the series on November 14, 1983, and left on December 27, 1983. "At one time, she genuinely loved him because she thought Luke was dead" Francis said of Laura's "underlying" feelings for Stefan. Laura was horrified and heart-broken when she talked to Nikolas directly about his involvement and he lied to her. The daughter of veteran actor, Ivor Francis, Genie Francis was new to acting and had recently appeared on the ABC drama series, Family opposite Kristy McNichol. It was quite a shock for her to realize that several years had passed and that all of her children were grown. "[42], In a 1983 interview with Soap Opera Digest, after Luke and Laura had been written to fall in love, Francis described the incident as a "seduction rape." Lulu is kidnapped. Determined to get her way, Carly had Gia lock Laura on the roof the night Laura plans to announce the new model. [40] In 1979 when Pat Falken Smith known for her work on Days of Our Lives took over as head writer of General Hospital, Laura had just married Scotty and everyone was happy. Through the photo, Luke, Laura and Holly discover clues thanks to Lucky and Ethan and it leads them to their location. Murphy also described Laura as "conniving, and often bittersweet. [30] She returned on contract on October 1, 2018. Rick denied it but he refused to tell her what happened and instead slowly approached her with a syringe.

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