Nearing an impressive 160,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, Maurice Benard (Sonny on General Hospital) just dropped a brand new episode of State of Mind, and this one is a biggie. He invited his GH colleague and beloved actress Genie Francis, better known as Mayor Laura Collins, for part one of a two-episode deep dive. And Francis opens up in a way many fans have never seen before.
Right from the emotional intro, you could feel how special this conversation was going to be. Benard eased her into talking about her early years, and Francis shared that she started acting around age 14, landing a two-part spot on the series Family.
Genie Francis’ Early Acting Days
“I played a nasty little bitch who was picking on Christy McNichol,” she said with a laugh. She admitted that she was nervous, but she had wanted to be an actor for a long time.
She said she’d watch The Brady Bunch and think, “I can do that.”
Her father was an actor and already had an agent, so he snapped a picture, sent it out, and before long, she was working. And of course, at just 14, she was cast as Laura on GH.
But her quick rise came with a cost. Genie explained that she was completely separated from her peers during her formative years.
While bouncing between school and the GH set, her grades took a hit. “I went from straight A’s to failing,” she admitted. “I failed sewing. To this day, I don’t want to sew.”
Eventually, she was placed in full-time studio school. “I never set foot in a high school,” she said.
Looking back, she wouldn’t recommend that kind of schedule for most kids. A very young child on TV is one thing, but teens, she says, need their real-world development.
She didn’t know she’d become a phenomenon, but she had her first hint of fame when she was riding her bike near Burbank Boulevard, and a car full of people started pointing at her.
That’s when she realized she wasn’t just acting. She was becoming known. And as we all know, GH wouldn’t be GH without Laura. The pairing of Luke and Laura became a cultural event that still echoes through daytime history.
How Genie Francis Met Her Husband
Francis even shared the story of meeting her husband, Jonathan Frakes, while filming North and South. Although they had met before this, she credits Kirstie Alley for bringing them together.
She recalled how the cast’s costumes left the women extremely pushed-up and on display while the men tried to keep their eyes up.
“Jonathan came over, looked straight down, and said, ‘Nice tits, baby.’ And I thought, Wow, I love this guy. He’s just so honest.” It was a moment that still makes her laugh.
Her Struggles with Social Anxiety
She touched on her time on The Young and the Restless and All My Children, and then opened up about something far more personal: her lifelong struggle with social anxiety.
She believes it runs in her family, and shared a story about her mother having a panic attack in a grocery store and an aunt who can’t leave her home.
Genie admitted something many fans might relate to: she actually loved the lockdown period during COVID because there was no pressure to socialize. She called it “the promised land.”
Interestingly, she says her anxiety disappears completely when she’s acting. It’s like another part of her brain switches on.
Francis also reflected on those we’ve lost recently, including Tristan Rogers, Leslie Charleson, Tyler Christopher, and Jacklyn Zeman.
Her New General Hospital Storyline
When the conversation turned to her new storyline, Genie shared something fans will love. ABC once asked her what she wanted most for Laura, and she told them, “I want a story with Maurice Benard.”
She explained that love comes in many forms, not all romantic. She feels there’s a strong on-screen chemistry between her and Maurice, and she wanted writers to lean into it.
The two also teased scenes they’ve recently worked on (which apparently air this week). Francis notes that there’s a powerful moment where Laura tries to open up about her trauma. Benard predicts these scenes could earn Genie a Best Actress Emmy.
Considering how moving this interview already is, he just might be right.
Watch the full episode below!
Photo Credi: ABC/Disney.
Key Takeaways
- Maurice Benard interviews Genie Francis on his YouTube show State of Mind, discussing her early acting career and her time on General Hospital.
- Francis shares her struggles with social anxiety and her unique experience in the acting world, stating she feels at ease while performing.
- The interview touches on personal stories, including her meeting with husband Jonathan Frakes, and reflecting on recently lost colleagues.
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