Genie Francis

Genie Francis was born on May 26, 1962 in Englewood, New Jersey to actors Ivor Francis and Rosemary Daley. She grew up in Long Island, New York and California. She has an older brother, Ivor Francis, and a younger brother, Kenneth Francis, and a half-sister, Shelley Francis. The attractive, blonde Ms. Francis got her start in television on General Hospital (1963), as a teenager (following a guest appearance on ABC's prime-time series, Family (1976)) and literally grew up in the enormously popular role of "Laura". As portrayed by Genie Francis, Laura has become one of the most beloved characters in daytime television. In 1981, after five years on General Hospital (1963), Ms. Francis left the show and returned, briefly, two years later and again in 1984 and, finally, on October 29, 1993. The wedding of Laura to "Luke Spencer" (played by Anthony Geary) in November 1981, remains the most-watched daytime drama event in the history of television. The fictional couple's romance even garnered a cover story in Newsweek magazine. Genie's extensive television work also included recurring appearances on Murder, She Wrote (1984). She starred in the prime-time series, "Bare Essence" (1982), and the television miniseries, "North and South", both with actor Jonathan Frakes, who went on to become her husband. She successfully battled substance abuse problems. Francis created the role of "Diana Colville" on NBC's daytime serial, Days of Our Lives (1965), in 1987 and played the role for two years, but she didn't like it and she left. Soon she originated the role of "Ceara Connor" on ABC's daytime drama, All My Children (1970), in 1990. Her portrayal of an adult incest survivor earned her critical and viewer plaudits. On the stage she has appeared in "Crimes of the Heart" and "See How They Run". In 1991 Ms. Francis appeared in the Williamstown Festival Theater Production of "Defying Gravity". That same year Genie made her New York City debut in "The Baby Dance" at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in Greenwich Village. She also appeared in a Comedic Curtain Raiser at Manhattan Class Company for their festival of One Acts, called "The Group". In 1988, Genie married actor/director Jonathan Frakes, who starred in the popular syndicated television series, Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). They maintain residences in both Los Angeles and Manhattan. Their first child, Jameson Ivor Frakes, was born on August 20, 1994. Their second child, Elizabeth Francis, was born on May 30, 1997. Ms. Francis has been with "General Hospital" on-and-off over the years, winning the much-coveted Emmy award as Best Supporting Actress for her role as "Laura" in 2007. But she stated she didn't want to play a wounded dove like Laura anymore and wanted to play stronger characters. In 2011 she got her wish when she started playing the role of the manipulative "Genevieve Atkinson" on another daytime drama, The Young and the Restless (1973). Although she earned an Emmy nomination for the role, she was let go in 2012 for economic reasons. Soon after she closed her store called "The Cherished Home" in Belfast, Maine, where had she sold cottage furnishings and home accessories. In 2013 she returned to her role as "Laura" on General Hospital (1963).