Genie Francis

Biography: "Delicate" and "transcendent" are adjectives that have been used to describe Laura Spencer. As portrayed by Genie Francis, Laura has become one of the most beloved characters in daytime television. Ms. Francis returned to General Hospital on October 29, 1993, in this unique role; and in May, 1997, received her first Emmy nomination as Outstanding Lead Actress. The attractive, blonde 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. 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 ABC's 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 two children.… Collapse