Genie Francis

Genie: You can lose your ability to play romantic scenes. (Soap Opera Update, November 26, 1996).

(About working with Tony Geary) Genie: It was great. We always work well together and we enjoy working together. Just the fact that we are together raises the bar in both of our minds. We both want to be on top of our game because we've got a lot to live up to. I know Tony feels that way and I feel that way. Fortunately for us, that chemistry was still there, which was a terrific relief to me! Apparently it's still very much alive for both of us. We're a good team.

(About her character in General Hospital) Genie: There is something else at work here that is beyond me - and that is Laura. She has a life of her own. There is a magic in her. The muse is in her. And I'm lucky to have her in my life.

(About her character on Days of Our Lives) Genie: I hated the first year. They just couldn't figure out what to do with me. They didn't give me a past or a future. My agent called and said: This isn't fair to her. How can you do this? The process of discovery happened on the air. It was really embarrassing. Things started to turn around for Francis when DAYS paired her with resident heartthrob Drake Hogestyn, who was then playing Roman Brady. They said: Oh, there's some chemistry, and they went for it. Then they did the big remote in Greece, but this was a year into my contract. the second year was more fun; I loved Drake Hogestyn. How could you not love him? He's such a gentleman and such a family man. they finally got some juice going between Diana and Roman, really sweet, romantic comedy. But by then her contract was up and she had decided to leave. It was a pity. (DAYS) was just not a happy experience for me. I was disappointed and I didn't want to continue. (Soap Opera Digest, February 15th, 1994).

(About her character in General Hospital) Genie: I think in Laura's fantasy world, she would stay married to Luke, he would accept her son, Nikolas would become friends with Lucky, and Stefan would drop by the house for dinner. But unlikely. (Soap Opera Update, November 26th, 1996).

(About attraction to Stefan) Genie: I think there are all kinds of underlying feelings there. At one time, she genuinely loved him because she thought Luke was dead. (Soap Opera Update, November 26th, 1996).

(About Luke and Laura's wedding) Genie: Well, I hate to say it, but my biggest recollection of that day was really how physically uncomfortable I was. I was in spiky heels on this very mushy wet lawn. My dress was made out of something that wrinkled very easily, so I was not allowed to sit down once I put that dress on. I was in it from 6 am. to something like 7 at night. I just wanted to get into my tennis shoes and my sweats in the worst way! I also have a fond memory of doing the Virginia reel that afternoon. That's the part of the day that I really enjoyed. (November 19th, 1996).

(About wanting to be able to play Laura with more strength) Genie: I just feel (the previous regime) didn't fully tell the story of a woman in her late 30s being dumped. I was the one that fought for. Well, a woman being dumped at this point in her life could freak out. She could get drunk; she could sleep with a day player. It's human to act out. But I was told that fan wouldn't want to see Laura drunk. I never wanted Laura to be some kind of goody two-shows, though. She's an incredible woman, but I don't think people can relate to her as readily as they can to a person with a lot of flaws. That's what was most interesting about Laura way back when. She was trying to do the right thing, but couldn't quite live up to it. (May 15th, 2001).

(About meeting Tony Geary gears past General Hospital) Genie: We just talked about our lives. Then we kind of went away to our separate corners to think about our lives. At the next meeting, we had another meal together in which we did an improvisation: I got in touch with Laura, and he got in touch with Luke. We brainstormed about who these people would be today. What would their conflicts be? What would they want? What have the past 10 years been like? And it was that meeting that really made me want to do it. I realized, miraculously, that the connection was still there. (Soap Opera Digest, February 15th, 1994).

(About whether to return to being Luke and Laura) Genie: I didn't know whether to do it. My agent would call me up and say: this is going on too long. You have to decide. And I'd say: Okay, I'm going to call right now. I'd hang up the phone and my heart would pound in my chest and I would breathe into a paper bag and I would pick up the phone and I would dial Tony (Geary, who plays Luke)). Every time I was supposed to call ABC, I called Tony! And I would say: Do you think we can do this? What do you think? Are you ready? (Soap Opera Digest, February 15th, 1994).

(About returning briefly to General Hospital) Genie: They never really gave me an exit, it was unfair to me and unfair to the fans. (1983).

(About Tony Geary) Genie: We hadn't worked together in four years. Soon as we looked into each other's eyes, it was right back there. So I've had a wonderful time. There's nothing I like better than doing a love story, and there's nothing better than doing a love story with Tony Geary.

(Genie explains why when her and Tony make public appearances together, she always stays very close to him) Genie: I've learned to rely on Tony for support. If I'm nervous I can always hold his hand. (1981, Daytimes Greatest TV Stories # 2).

(About Tony Geary) Genie: I have never, ever, had an acting partnership that was a safe, as full, and as exciting as the one I had with Tony. I didn't want to go through life without having a chance to taste it again. (TV Guide, October 16th, 1993).

(About Tony Geary) Genie: The pleasant surprise for me is that when I look into Tony's eyes, he's still 100% present, sharing everything that's going on. Acting with him is like a beautiful dance. (TV Times, January 2nd, 1994).

(About Luke and Laura reuniting) Genie: I am thrilled at the idea of the two characters being brought back together. (Living Legends, January 4th, 2000).

(About Tony Geary) Genie: The joy of being here is that I get to work with this person and we love working together. (Living Legends, January 4th, 2000).

(About Tony Geary) Genie: I could act with him forever. (People Magazine, 2001).

(Genie comments on being Diana, on Days of Our Lives, and why she didn't enjoy it) Genie: Because I knew that people would view it as a failure. And in fact I was actually called a failure by, um...Jane Pauley... called me a failure, on the air. She did, she did, I swear to God. She did. And they put me on that morning show and she was interviewing me and, you know, she said, 'Well, you know you left the most popular show to go to this not so popular show and you left at the peak of popularity and not much has happened since. So, how does it feel to have to go back, Genie?' Oh, God. And you cut to me, and you can pretty much see me start to cry. That was a tough interview, it was brutal. But that's that whole thing, that's how it goes in a career. They build you up, they tear you down, they build you up, they tear you down. I've had a few peaks and valleys already. (Intimate Portrait, November 5th, 2001).

(About why Geary and her didn't remain in closer touch after leaving General Hospital in 1984) Genie: When we left, it was such a huge thing. Luke and Laura were so much bigger than Tony and Genie. Both of us really wanted to move on and forget about it. It's sort of like people who were in the Vietnam War together. I'm sure they don't meet for lunch once a week and chat about it. We wanted to move on. But it's not because we don't love each other, we do. (Soap Opera Digest, February 15th, 1994).

Genie: There is something else at work here that is beyond me and that is Laura. She has a life of her own. There is a magic in her. The muse is in her. And I'm lucky to have her in my life. (Soap Opera Digest, May 14th, 1997).

Genie: Gloria (Monty) put sex and romance into Laura's life and it bowled me over. Here I was doing things in front of 20 million people that I had never done in my own life. It certainly speeded up my growth process. (TV Guide August 26th 1980).

Genie: That's what it's about for me now: my children and my husband, you know? That's the dream. And I got it. (Intimate Portrait, November 2001).

Genie: I think my career would have gone further had I not reacquainted myself with Laura. But I'm sure there's some reason why I needed to be here. This is like a huge family to me. It's been a great place to be, lots of love and support in this building. I'm very grateful for that. (SOD, May 2001).

Genie: I can't really say a permanent goodbye to General Hospital , because it's just too painful. I don't really know. There would have to be some kind of clarity about equality. There would have to be some resolution for me. (TV Guide, September 2002).