The Many Faces of Carly Corinthos-Jacks – A Look at the General Hospital Actresses Who Played Port Charles Leading Lady – Vote For Your Favorite (POLL)

Ever since General Hospital’s Carly showed up in Port Charles back in 1996, she’s been a force to be reckoned with. Caroline Leigh Benson first blew into town hell-bent on revenge against Bobbie Spencer for abandoning her as a baby. She seduced her step-father Tony Jones and went on a rampage through the city leaving a string of broken hearts and dreams in her wake. You have to admire her chutzpah, though, she’s gone from a broke newbie in town to a power player and business owner. By hook, crook, marriage and divorce, she’s made quite a success of herself. Today we take a look back at the four amazing women who’ve stepped into this pivotal role and made it their own.

Sarah Brown
Sarah Brown initiated the role of GH’s major vixen back in 1996. Sarah was born February 18, 1975 and attended the LA High School for the performing arts. She appeared on kids show VR Troopers before landing the plum role of Carly on General Hospital. While on GH, Sarah was nominated for four Daytime Emmy Awards and won three times. Sarah spent five glorious years breathing life into the role of Carly and setting her character up for years of turmoil, romance and heartache to come. When it was announced that Sarah was leaving the show, fans reacted with outrage and blamed Jill Farren Phelps, then new to the show, for Brown’s departure. Sarah cleared the air in a 2001 interview with Soap Opera Weekly where she said it was her choice to exit the show because she wanted to explore other opportunities. She played Carly from April 1996 through April 2001 then was featured on a flashback episode on April 1 of last year for the show’s 51st anniversary. Sarah returned to General Hospital in 2008 to portray Claudia Zacchara until that character’s death in 2010.

Tamara Braun
Tamara Braun took on the role of Carly upon Sarah Brown’s departure and played the part until mid-2005. Tamara was born April 18, 1971 in Evanston, Illinois and is an accomplished stage actress. She was ready to quit TV acting after a series of disappointments when she landed the role of Brown’s replacement as Carly. When Braun’s contract with General Hospital came up for renewal in 2005, she opted to step out of the role to pursue other interests. After Tamara left General Hospital, she took on the role of Reese Williams on All My Children then did an Emmy winning turn as Ava Vitali on Days of Our Lives. She has also appeared in smaller roles on Castle and Supernatural. Tamara returned on April 1st of 2014 for GH’s 51st anniversary in a look back at the character of Carly.

Jennifer Bransford
Following Tamara Braun’s departure from General Hospital, Jennifer Bransford was cast in the role of Carly. Jennifer was born December 2, 1968 in Washington, DC. She’s a graduate of prestigious Dartmouth College and is married to fellow actor Bradley White, best known for his long-term gig as Mike Jeffers on Law & Order. Jennifer was in the role of Carly for less than a year from April 2005 until she was fired in October 2005. General Hospital producers announced Bransford’s departure from the role saying “Jennifer’s casting in the role of Carly did not work out.” The main obstacle seems to have been fan loyalty to Braun and harsh criticism of replacement Bransford. She did not return for the GH anniversary in 2014.

Laura Wright
After Jennifer Bransford’s short turn as Carly, Laura Wright was cast and has played the role now for nearly a decade. Laura was born September 11, 1970 in Clinton, Maryland. Laura has enjoyed a successful soap-centric career since she began her career in 1991. She portrayed Ally Bowman on Loving from 1991 to 1995 and then the same character on The City from 1995 through 1997. She then played Cassie Winslow on Guiding Light from 1997 until 2005 when she accepted the role of Carly. Despite two decades of excellent acting work, Laura was continually snubbed for an Emmy but was finally nominated in 2011 – the year Carly saw her son Michael off to prison. She won that year and was nominated again in 2012 but did not win. Laura has grown to be a huge fan favorite and has really brought new depth to the character. In 2013, she renewed her contract for another four years so that means plenty more Carly at least through 2017.

For General Hospital fans, each time the actress portraying Carly changed, it’s been heartbreaking, but despite that, the character gets better and better. Which was your favorite Carly? Laura Wright now? Sarah Brown in the originating role? Tamara Braun? Or Jennifer Bransford in her ill-fated run? Let us know what you think!