In the world of soap operas, few names carry as much weight as Jane Elliot (Tracy, General Hospital). While many people spend years trying to figure out their path in life, Jane always knew she wanted to be an actor. Now, she’s celebrating an incredible 61 years in television, a journey that has taken her through nine different soap operas and even onto a movie set with Elvis Presley.
From Elvis to General Hospital
Before she became the legendary Tracy Quartermaine, Jane was working steadily in primetime television and film. One of her most famous early roles was playing a nun in Change of Habit, alongside Mary Tyler Moore and Elvis Presley.
In a recent interview, Jane admitted she wasn’t particularly impressed by Elvis at first. That quickly changed. She shared that the King won her over almost immediately, describing him as honorable, funny, and completely professional.
It Pays to Be “Mean”
Jane’s soap career began in 1965 with A Flame in the Wind, a show filmed live at a time when there was absolutely no room for mistakes. More than a decade later, in 1978, she landed at General Hospital and created the iconic character fans know and love today.
Surprisingly, Jane has said that playing a villain like Tracy is actually the easiest kind of role. There’s no emotional heartbreak to carry home at the end of the day. You show up, deliver the snark, be unapologetically mean, take off the costume, and go home happy.
Of course, it does require being comfortable with not always being liked. Jane jokingly summed it up perfectly when she said, “I don’t care what you think of me.”
The Last Quartermaine Standing
One of the more amusing twists in Jane’s career involves her longtime co-star Wally Kurth. On Days of Our Lives, the two played lovers. On General Hospital, however, he plays her son.
Jane has shared that switching between those dynamics wasn’t always easy, admitting she sometimes had to stop herself from “batting her eyes” at him and remind herself, “I’m his mother this time!”
Today, Jane sees herself as the matriarch of General Hospital. With so many original cast members gone, she feels a deep responsibility to represent the legacy of the Quartermaine family. In her own words, she’s “the last person standing,” holding down the fort for one of television’s most famous fictional families.
A Career Built on Love, Not Money
At this stage in her life, Jane says it’s no longer about money. It’s about doing what she loves. She’s reached a point where she can fully enjoy her legendary status, relish playing mean on screen, and then leave it all behind at the end of the day to live life on her own terms.
Sixty years in television is no small feat, and Jane Elliot has earned every ounce of her status as a true soap icon. Watch the video!
Photo Credit: ABC/Disney.
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