‘General Hospital’ News: Happy Anniversary ‘GH’ – Congrats On 53 Amazing Years!

Happy Anniversary ‘General Hospital’! The very first episode joined the ABC daytime lineup on April 1, 1963. It is now the longest running American soap opera in American television history.

A few ‘GH’ stars have already taken to social media to celebrate this momentous anniversary. Kathleen Gati [Dr. Liesl Obrect] offered her congratulations on Facebook. “Congratulations and Happy 53rd Anniversary to General Hospital! So proud to be part of this show! Here’s to many more years!”

Executive producer Frank Valentini tweeted, “Happy Anniversary General Hospital #53 Amazing years!!!#GH.”

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Created by Frank and Doris Hursley and set an unnamed town, later to be given the fictional name of Port Charles in upstate New York, ‘General Hospital’ first stars John Beradino [Dr. Steve Hardy] and Emily McLaughlin [Nurse Jessie Brewer]. Both actors remained with the daytime drama until their deaths. Beradino died from pancreatic in 1996, McLaughlin in 1991, also from cancer.

The soap opera has been nominated for an Outstanding Daytime Drama Emmy numerous times. Under the guidance of executive Gloria Monty the soap won in 1981 and 1984.

With Wendy Riche as executive producer ‘GH’ won the most Emmys in the Outstanding Daytime Drama category. The daytime drama took home the award in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2000. Jill Farren Phelps took over as executive producer after Riche and brought home the golden statuette in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2012.

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The soap opera is noted for many groundbreaking storylines and some of the most iconic super couples on soap operas. The most watched wedding in daytime history was Luke Spencer [Anthony Geary] and Laura Baldwin [Genie Francis] in 1981. The producers and writers created their own version of a Royal Wedding when the super couple finally married.

Happy 53rd anniversary ‘General Hospital’! We look forward to another 53!

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