Eugenie Ann Francis
Port Charles Presence
Laura Spencer (1976-1981; 1983-1984; October 29, 1993 to September 6, 2002; October 26, 2006 to November 22, 2006; August 26, 2008 to November 12, 2008)
At a Glance
Ms. Francis got her start in television on General Hospital as a teenager (following a guest appearance on ABC's primetime series, Family) and literally grew up in the enormously popular role of Laura. 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. It wasn't until 1997 that Francis received her first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination. In 2007, the actress won an Emmy in the Supporting Actress category.
In 1981, after five years on General Hospital, Ms. Francis left the show, and returned briefly two years later and again in 1984.
Following her work on General Hospital, Ms. Francis was featured in the television movie, Bare Essence, in 1982. The movie was then developed into a primetime series in which Ms. Francis re-created the starring role of Tyger Hayes. She also co-starred in the hit ABC miniseries, North and South (Books I and II), as the good Southern sister, Brett Main. Genie's extensive television work also included recurring appearances on Murder, She Wrote. Ms. Francis created the role of Ceara Connor on ABC's daytime drama, All My Children, 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, she 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."
Ms. Francis has been seen in the television movie, Perry Mason and the Case of the Killer Kiss, and in Heaven and Hell, the third North and South installment.
Genie is married to actor/director Jonathan Frakes, who starred in the popular syndicated television series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. They maintain residences in both Los Angeles and Manhattan with their son and baby daughter.
Acting Portfolio
TELEVISION
The Note
Peyton Macgruder
2007
3rd Rock From the Sun
Gwen McMichael
February 8th, 2000
3rd Rock From the Sun
Gwen McMichael
February 8th, 2000
Terror in the Shadows
Sarah
1995
Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III
Brett Hazard
1994
Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss
Kris Buckner
1993
Loving
Ceara Connor Hunter
1991
All My Children
Ceara Connor Hunter
1990-1992
Days of our Lives
Diana Colville Winters
1987-1989
North and South II
Brett Main Hazard
1986
North and South
Brett Main Hazard
1985
Murder, She Wrote
Victoria Brandon Griffin
1984, 1986 and 1990
Bare Essence
Tyger Hayes
1983
General Hospital
Laura Spencer
1976-1981; 1983-1984; October 29, 1993 to September 6, 2002; October 26, 2006 to November 22, 2006; August 26, 2008 to November 12, 2008
Acting Portfolio
FILM
Camp Nowhere
Mrs. Spiegel
1994
Awards & Acclaim
Daytime Emmys Winner, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2007; for General Hospital)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (1997)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2007; for General Hospital)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2007; for General Hospital)
Soap Opera Digest Award Favorite Actress (1981)
Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Lead Actress (1997)
Vital Statistics
PLACE OF BIRTH: Englewood, New Jersey
DATE OF BIRTH: May 26, 1962
HEIGHT: 5'5"
HAIR: Blonde
EYES: Blue
MARITAL STATUS: Married, Jonathan Frakes [May 28, 1988]
CHILDREN: Two; Son, Jamison [Aug 20, 1994] and Daughter, Elizabeth [May 30, 1997]
News Archives
News Archive: Fans to get an Intimate Portrait of GH star Francis. [Oct 29, 2001]
News Archive: Francis could exit GH by end of the summer. [May 27, 2002]
News Archive: Done deal: Francis to leave GH. [Aug 12, 2002]
News Archive: ABC confirms Francis will exit GH. [Aug 26, 2002]
News Archive: Genie Francis to return to GH for milestone anniversary. [Jun 26, 2006]
News Archive: This week on GH: Laura awakens from her catatonic state. [Oct 23, 2006]
News Archive: Francis scheduled for another short-term return. [Jul 11, 2008]
