Eugenie Ann Francis
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, 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.
Francis and her husband, actor/director Jonathan Frakes, reside in Los Angeles, along with their two children, Elizabeth, 11, and Jameson, 14. She also owns a cottage furnishings and home accessories store in Maine called The Cherished Home.
The Young and the Restless
Genevieve Atkinson
June 10, 2010 to Present
TV You Control: Bar Karma
2011
Taking a Chance on Love
Peyton Macgruder
2009
The Note
Peyton Macgruder
2007
Roswell
2000
Oh Baby
Rachel
2000
3rd Rock From the Sun
Gwen McMichael
February 8, 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 to January 15, 1982; November 14, 1983 to December 27, 1983; November 9, 1984 to December 11, 1984; October 29, 1993 to
September 6, 2002;
October 26, 2006 to
November 22, 2006;
August 26, 2008 to
November 12, 2008
Camp Nowhere
Mrs. Spiegel
1994
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 Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2012; for
The Young and the Restless)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2007; for
General Hospital)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2012; for
The Young and the Restless)
Soap Opera Digest Award Favorite Actress (1981)
Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Lead Actress (1997)
DATE OF BIRTH: May 26, 1962
HEIGHT: 5'5"
HAIR: Blonde
EYES: Blue
MARITAL STATUS: Married, Jonathan Frakes [May 28, 1988]
CHILDREN: Two; Son, Jameson [Aug 20, 1994] and Daughter, Elizabeth [May 30, 1997]
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: Genie Francis wins first Daytime Emmy. [Jun 15, 2007]
News Archive: Francis apologizes to fans for leaving GH. [Dec 10, 2007]
News Archive: Francis scheduled for another short-term return. [Jul 11, 2008]
News Archives: GH confirms it's in talks with Genie Francis about a return. [Jan 4, 2010]
News Archives: Stunner: Y&R signs GH icon Genie Francis. [Mar 31, 2011]
News Archives: Francis to exit Y&R, but show says she'll be back. [Aug 7, 2011]
News Archive: LISTEN: Genie Francis reunite with GH mom Denise Alexander in once-in-a-lifetime interview. [Dec 2, 2011]
News Archives: Y&R cuts Genie Francis, is a GH return next? [Sep 13, 2012]
News Archives: Genie Francis returning as GH's Laura Spencer. [Jan 8, 2013]