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Young and Restless Turns 50
Special Tribute Issue General Hospital Turns 60

Soaps In Depth

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Happy Anniversary to GENERAL HOSPITAL — Let’s Take a Look Back With Some Classic Photos!

By Chris Eades

Congratulations to GENERAL HOSPITAL, which celebrates its 53rd year on the air today!

The longest-running soap currently on the air, GH premiered as a half-hour soap on April 1, 1963. It expanded to 45 minutes in 1976, and a full hour in 1978. The ratings soared in the early 80s due to the incredible popularity of the legendary supercouple, Luke and Laura. The 1981 episode where the characters tied the knot had 30 million viewers and remains the highest rated hour in soap opera history!

Take a look back at some classic characters and moments from GH’s history in our anniversary gallery, and for more about the soap, keep reading the ABC edition of Soaps In Depth magazine!

  1. Gh History 01

    ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

    The cast of GH in 1970 — Front Row: John Beradino (Steve), Shelby Hiatt (Jane), and Ray Girardin (Howie). Back Row: Sharon DeBord (Sharon), Rachel Ames (Audrey), Paul Savior (Tom), Craig Huebing (Peter), Emily McLaughlin (Jessie), Martin West (Phil), Peter Hansen (Lee), and Elizabeth Macrae (Meg)

  3. Gh History 02

    ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

    John Beradino (Steve) & Emily McLaughlin (Jessie) in 1969

  5. Gh History 03

    ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

    Emily McLaughlin (Jessie), Denise Alexander (Lesley), John Beradino (Steve) and Shelby Hiatt (Jane) in a scene from 1973

  6. Gh History 04

    ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

    GH cast circa 1977 — Front row: Unknown, Richard Dean Anderson (Jeff), John Beradino (Steve); Second Row: Emily McLaughlin (Jessie), Rachael Ames (Audrey), Genie Francis (Laura), Unknown, Augusta Dabney (Carolyn), Brooke Bundy (Diana), Mary O'Brien (Heather); Third Row: Craig Huebing (Steve), Michael Gregory (Rick), Unknown, Steve Carlson (Gary), Janice Heiden (Lisa), Stuart Damon (Alan), and Kin Shriner (Scotty)

  7. Gh History 05

    ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

    Denise Alexander (Lesley), Michael Gregory (Rick), Genie Francis (Laura), and Kin Shriner (Scotty) in 1977

  9. Gh History 06

    ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

    Anthony Geary (Luke) with Kin Shriner (Scotty) and Genie Francis (Laura) in a scene from 1980

  10. Gh History 13

    ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

    Jack Wagner (Frisco) and John Stamos (Blackie) in a scene from 1983

  11. Gh History 07

    Bob D'Amico/ABC

    Anthony Geary and Genie Francis from Luke and Laura's legendary 1981 wedding

  13. Gh History 08

    Erik Hein/ABC via Getty Images

    Tristan Rogers (Robert), Demi Moore (Jackie) and Anthony Geary (Luke) on location in a scene from 1982

  14. Gh History 09

    Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

    Lilly Melgar (Lilly) and Ricky Martin (Miguel) on location in Puerto Rico in 1994

  15. Gh History 10

    Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

    Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) and Amber Tamblyn (Emily) in 1995

  17. Gh History 11

    Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

    The Quartermaine family in 1997: Wally Kurth (Ned), John Ingle (Edward), Anna Lee (Lila), Stuart Damon (Alan), Leslie Charleson (Monica), and Billy Warlock (A.J.)

  18. Gh History 14

    Cathy Blaivas/ABC via Getty Images

    Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Vanessa Marcil (Brenda) in a scene from 2010

  19. Gh History 12

    Ron Tom/ABC

    Laura Wright (Carly) and Ingo Rademacher (Jax) in 2007

  21. Gh History 17

    Michael Yarish/ABC via Getty Images

    Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) and Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth) in 2009

  22. Gh History 15

    Howard Wise/jpistudios.com

    Kimberly McCullough (Robin), Jason Thompson (Patrick), and Brooklyn Rae Silzer (Emma) in 2011

  23. Gh History 16

    Patrick Wymore/ABC via Getty Images

    Kelly Monaco (Sam) and Steve Burton (Jason) in a scene from 2011

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