Its been 45 years since General Hospital began dispensing heavy doses of drama to TV viewers. Since 1963, ABCs longest-running daytime series has documented the trials and tribulations of Port Charles citizens, carving an unprecedented television niche with intrigue and illness long before ER, House and Greys Anatomy.
You dont get to 45 years just because youre lucky, executive producer Jill Farren Phelps said as the cast and crew celebrated GHs April 1 birthday with punch and cake on the shows hospital set at ABCs Prospect Studios.
Leslie Charleson and Jane Elliot reminisced about playing feuding sisters-in-law Monica Quartermaine and Tracy Quartermaine for over 30 years.
Since 1977, Charlesons cardiologist character has given up a child for adoption, become a hit woman, been held hostage and battled cancer.

General Hospital characters have been through it all often more than once.
We have such history, Elliot said. Births, deaths, marriages, divorces, birthdays, that weve shared. When we look at each other on camera, you sometimes cant tell if Monica and Tracy are responding to each other or if Jane and Leslie are responding to each other. Its not the characters but the history thats there.
The two of us had a fight scene the other day, and there was a gentleman who was there to serve us papers, said Charleson, whos been on the show for 31 years. He informed us as we were standing there that he had done exactly the same thing 17 years ago to the two of us. You dont get a history like that anywhere else.
Stars such as Demi Moore, John Stamos, Ricky Martin and Rick Springfield got their start on General Hospital. A-list fan Elizabeth Taylor famously guest-starred as the malicious Helena Cassadine at supercouple Luke and Lauras wedding in 1981, one of televisions most popular moments, attracting 30 million people.
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