She is able to trap Stavros in the cryogenic chamber where Stavros had Lulu. I was panickedreally hungry" for instruction. Upset about Luke's affair with Felicia, Laura borrows money from Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and buys Deception Cosmetics from Scott, as a way of asserting her independence pitting her against Luke's niece, Carly Corinthos (Sarah Brown). [20] Francis revealed she would continue to appear on the series following Anthony Geary's exit, which she was originally intended to be returning for. Luke hires a new attorney in Edward's grandson Justus Ward (Joseph C. Phillips) and private investigator Mac Scorpio (John J. York) to help identify the real culprit. That is 16 years, and if you ask most viewers, she is the only . Luke's current wife Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) turned up at the door of his ex-wife Laura (Genie Francis) whose coupledom with Luke sent "General Hospital" to its stratospheric. Right before the lab shuts down, Luke slides under the door, and is embraced by Laura stating that everyone could use a happy ending. At one point, Luke plans drugs on Nikolas. On May 15, Lulu mentions that Laura had sent clothes to Rocco. They later admit they can't live without each other. Their impending nuptials are derailed when Lulu is kidnapped by a very much alive Stavros Cassadine. As portrayed by Genie Francis, Laura has become one of the most beloved characters in daytime television. When they get back home, Laura files for a divorce with Scotty so she and Luke can plan their wedding. How 'General Hospital' Said Goodbye to the Iconic Luke Spencer The celebration was bittersweet. She was previously married to John Wright. More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume Born September 11, 1970 Add to list Awards 5 wins & 9 nominations Photos 51 Known for She never had dreamed of being in the position that she is in today or being a mob boss' wife for that matter. Gordon wants to be with Lesley, but she convinces him to stay with his wife and they eventually leave town. Laura gets very angry when she enters Nikolas's room to find Luke attempting to inject adrenaline into his IV to wake him up so he can tell them what he knows about Lulu. Back in Port Charles, Laura is falsely accused of Damian Smith (Leigh McCloskey)'s murder. Francis returned to the series in 2015, this time as part of Luke's exit storyline. Theresa, who was obsessed with Rick, wanted Rick to leave Lesley but he refused. Americans love the underdogs, and everyone just got on board with that. The outcome of the story was a very huge guarded secret. Luke tried to visit her a few times since she was committed under the belief that only he could save her. Determined to get her way, Carly had Gia lock Laura on the roof the night Laura plans to announce the new model. Unaware that Luke had married Tracy Quartermaine, Laura began planning a wedding for her and Luke. [42], In 1979, the character was described by Soap Opera Digest's Joanne Douglas as "scheming, self-centered" and "frequently tormented." Two years pass when Laura shows up at the engagement party for Luke and Tracy and announces that her feelings for Luke are as strong as ever. As Luke and Laura prepare to celebrate their anniversary, the writers explore Stefan and Laura's romance through a series of flashbacks. [10] In story, a dejected Scotty left town. When Lesley is convicted, Laura confesses and is sentenced to probation. On August 13, 2021, it was revealed that Francis will temporarily exit GH, although Francis promised that she'll be back. [28] It is eventually revealed that Laura's defense attorney, Justus Ward had killed Smith. Genie Francis Abruptly Exited General Hospital In 1981 Actress Genie Francis left her role as Laura Spencer on "General Hospital" in 1981 at the height of her popularity. They try to wait it out and get Lucky to come to them but Helena had convinced him that his parents were behind the entire kidnapping. Upon their divorce in June 2001, Laura reunites with Scott. [37][38] Laura faces off with an old threat from years ago. Dustin Cushman. They decided to leave Port Charles that year in order to see the world. In early 1977, Genie Francis took over the role of the rebellious teenage Laura. 1974-84, 1993-2002, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015-present. Luke and Laura once again lit the spark that they always knew that they had in a dance outside Nikolas and Gia's engagement party. And that's okay with me." However, her agent convinced her to stick around and finally make some money off of playing such a popular character because she did not make much from her first contract. I wanted Laura back on GH from the minute I came onto this show. Laura stays behind for a little while learning that her son, Nikolas, is hiding the truth about Jason Morgan being alive, and he is Jake Doe. [62] Francis further stated "I really wanted to come back and finish it the right way." Nurse Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Spencer, RN is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Luke declines to do so. Then I started asking questions. "[53] In May 1993, during the 20th Daytime Emmy Awards, the official announcement was made; Francis would return and Geary would reprise the role of Luke. The couple's 1993 return coincides with the introduction of their son, Lucky (Jonathan Jackson). Scott Baldwin soon joined them and realizing he had no choice, he told Luke what had happened all those years ago. Labine described the pairing as "two old and dear friends whom we deeply loved but lost." Laura refuses to name her rapist and Laura somehow forgives him in a letter. Though other "supercouples" came before them, Luke and Laura are the most well known outside of the soap opera realm, and are credited with defining the term "supercouple," which caused other soap operas to copy the successful formula. It's tough to think of ABC's long-running daytime drama General Hospital without Genie Francis the actress started playing Laura Collins (formerly Laura Spencer) in 1977 and, of course . They eventually find a cabin, where they discuss Luke's marriage to Tracy and the outlook of their own relationship. Laura makes plans to revive Deception Cosmetics with Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) but those plans are derailed when she goes to help a gravely ill Luke against Scott's wishes. Though Luke and Laura seem unshakable, "this is doing it" Geary said.[72]. She and Luke exchanged vows on, what would have been their 25th wedding anniversary, November 16. After Valentin tries to kidnap her grandson, Spencer Cassadine, Laura sends Spencer away to boarding school. The couple plans to remarry, but Laura suffers a nervous breakdown after uncovering repressed memories of killing Rick's mistress, Theresa Carter (Alicia Arden) and she is led to believe that she killed Rick; Scott is forced to have Laura committed when she goes into a state of shock and reverts to her teenage self. Laura had flashbacks of Rick's death and believed Luke was actually going to hurt her. In 1979, Luke and Laura end up on the run and solve the mystery of the left-handed boy. Luke agreed and went to call Nikolas. They all worked to give Laura her last wish. As Laura began to remember more about what happened in the garage attic, she also realized that Scotty knew what had happened but wouldn't tell her. They awake in bed together and gather that they were transported to the Cassadine Island. She is best known for her roles as Ally Rescott on Loving and The City from 1995 to 1997, and Cassie Layne Winslow on Guiding Light from 1997 to 2005. Laura was horrified and heart-broken when she talked to Nikolas directly about his involvement and he lied to her. General Hospital's Genie Francis Addresses Luke and Laura Rape [47] In September 1981, Francis called a press conference to officially announce her departure from the series by the end of the year. A beam fell on Luke, and Laura cried as she thought that he was going to die. However, when Lulu does so and Nikolas and Lucky come to visit, Laura remains catatonic. "We play very big emotional stuff with the kids" Guza stated. They are forced to abandon their diner in British Columbia to escape Frank Smith (Mitchell Ryan). It would bring her instant stardom in the late 1970s. When Laura finally remembered that she, not Lesley, had killed David, she ran away to New York City. [14][19], On May 29, 2015, Entertainment Weekly reported that Francis would once again make a return to the series, beginning June 5. Scott eventually tells Laura that Luke has been married to Tracy Quartermaine for the last three years and that Luke had staged Laura's wedding to him, two years before. When they approached her again eight months later, Francis said "I didn't know whether to do it." "I signed away three years of my life. Laura's reflection in the mirror looked beautiful, but when Luke arrived, she turned and revealed her true disheveled appearance. Nikolas shows up and as he is about to say something about Lulu he is shot. [56] Francis had several motivations for returning to the series. Luke is willing to do just about anything to keep Laura out of trouble, including a prison break and going on the run. However, "Laura's world has been shattered. Is Laura Wright leaving General Hospital? - Monsters and Critics Luke leaves town and Laura stays behind to face the demons of her past. Only eight months after Monty's hiring, she had Laura kill Hamilton. When 2022 began, Bobbie was absolutely heartbroken to learn the news of her brother, Luke's, death, and immediately suspected that it was not an accident but that someone had murdered him. Obstruction of justice; knew that her son, Assaulted Valentin over the head with a crowbar [Jul 21, 2017], Faked a mental illness (as Curtis pretended to be a doctor) so she could get admitted into the, Knocked out Victor's bodyguard in defense of Valentin [Oct 31, 2022], Attempted to jump off the Cassadine boat; stopped by Stavros Cassadine [1983], Tripped and fell down basement stairs while fending off two men trying to kidnap her, sending her into labor with, Hemorrhaged after her Cesarean section to deliver, In a cave with Luke when it collapsed [Feb 25, 2002], Suffered a severe mental breakdown when she remembered killing Rick's mistress as a teenager, and was in a catatonic state for 6 years [Aug 2002-Aug 2008, briefly emerged from the catatonia in 2006; Psychomotor Disassociation, Held at gunpoint by Helena Cassadine [Apr 2013], Held at gunpoint by Helena Cassadine again, then was asked to shoot either Luke or Ethan in order to save her daughter Lulu [Apr 3, 2013], Drugged, kidnapped, and taken to Cassadine Island by Stavros Cassadine [Apr 2013], Kidnapped by Jerry Jacks, taken to a house in Corinth, Pennsylvania, tied up, and forgotten about until Luke Spencer found her [Aug 2013]. Sadly, Laura's condition began deteriorating rather quickly. She wanted to celebrate Christmas early with her family. The commune leader threatens them, however, forcing Lesley's friend and love interest, Dr. Rick Webber (Michael Gregory), to rescue them. When it came time to plan Carly's funeral, Laura used her memories of nearly losing Lucky and her experiences in motherhood to help Bobbie prepare for burying her daughter. "[33] According to Shriner, "Laura was the big love of Scotty's life." Even today, their union still has a presence in Port Charles. [32] Her first day back was on November 10, 2020. We want to see if they've grown or not. [32] Francis said "We did a first-love story with real-life sex, romance and heartbreak. As her life spirals out of control, Scott and Laura reunite and become engaged on her 17th birthday. Laura was reluctant at first, but finally agreed to marry him when they were re-enacting the Wall of Jericho in Beechers Corners. [18] Laura and Scotty have a year long courtship which includes "parental disapproval," Scotty supporting Laura during the David Hamilton murder trial, and the interference of Bobbie Spencer (Jacklyn Zeman) who wants Scott for herself. They are devastated when the judge awards Valentin, and his new wife Nina Reeves, full custody of Charlotte. However, Laura's condition quickly deteriorates and she is forced to return to Shadybrook. In October 2008, overhearing a lethal injection threat issued by Scott Baldwin to her daughter, Lulu Spencer, Laura reawakens to protect Lulu. When they realized that the plane was crashing, Luke and Laura jumped out and landed in a river. A bitter feud erupts with, not only between Luke and Stefan, but also between Nikolas and Lucky with Laura in the middle.