ABC confirms Francis' exit
by Dan J Kroll
Posted Sunday, August 25, 2002 7:55:07 PM


ABC has now confirmed that Genie Francis (Laura Spencer) is leaving the show. The confirmation comes two weeks after soapcentral.com first reported that the actress would be exiting the show - but some three months after rumblings first appeared on the Internet.


"We are saddened by Genie's decision to leave General Hospital," said former ABC Daytime President Angela Shapiro in a statement. "Her portrayal of Laura Spencer over the last 25 years is a testament to her incredible talent and passion for her craft."


This is not the first time that Francis will be departing Port Charles. The Daytime Emmy-nominated actress joined General Hospital in 1976 and stayed through 1981. The actress returned in 1983 before leaving the following year. Francis then remained away from General Hospital for nearly a decade, returning in October 1993 and remaining with the show through the present.


Genie Francis taped her final General Hospital scenes on August 13. She last air on-screen on September 6.


LEARN MORE ABOUT FRANCIS' EXIT FROM GH

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Related Information

News Archives: Francis to leave GH in fall. [Aug 12, 2002] News Archives: Luke and Laura --- reunited at last? [Apr 3, 2000] News Archives: Biography series to profile Genie Francis. [Nov 29, 2001] About The Actor: Learn more about Genie Francis. Who's Who: Read a biography of Laura Spencer. More Archived News: Review more past GH news headlines. News and More: Return to soapcentral.com's GH FrontPage.