Actor / Director Profile

The attractive, blonde Ms. Francis got her start in television on "General Hospital" (1963) as a teenager (following a guest appearance on ABC's prime-time series, "Family" (1976) and literally grew up in the enormously popular role of Laura. As portrayed by Genie Francis, Laura has become one of the most beloved characters in daytime television. In 1981, after five years on "General Hospital" (1963), Ms. Francis left the show, and returned briefly two years later and again in 1984 and finally on October 29, 1993. 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. Genie's extensive television work also included recurring appearances on "Murder, She Wrote" (1984). She starred in the primetime series "Bare Essence" (1982) and the television miniseries "North and South", both with actor Jonathan Frakes, who went on to become her future husband. Francis created the role of Diana Colville on daytime serial "Days of our Lives" in 1987 and played the role for two years, but she didn't like it, so she left. Soon, she originated the role of Ceara Connor on ABC's daytime drama, "All My Children" (1970) 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, Genie 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". In 1988, Genie married actor/director Jonathan Frakes, who starred in the popular syndicated television series, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987). They maintain residences in both Los Angeles and Manhattan. Their first child, Jameson Ivor Frakes, was born August 20, 1994. Their second child, Elizabeth Francis was born on May 30, 1997. Ms. Francis has been with "General Hospital" on-and-off over the years, winning the much-coveted Emmy award as Best Supporting Actress for her role as Laura in 2007. But she stated she didn't want to play a wounded dove like Laura anymore and wanted to play stronger characters. In 2010, she got her wish when she started playing the role of the manipulative Genevieve Atkinson on another daytime drama "The Young and the Restless." Ms. Francis also owns a store called "The Cherished Home" located at 31 Searsport Avenue, Belfast, Maine 04915, where she sells cottage furnishings and home accessories.