The doctors are in! And some of them have been for decades.
General Hospital, the longest-running soap opera in American television history, has been a daytime staple since its first broadcast on ABC on April 1, 1963. Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, the show explores intimate, emotional tales about the lives of medical staffers and their loved ones (and enemies) in the fictional town of Port Charles, N.Y. Viewers have followed some of its characters for so long, they now feel like part of the family. But who are the longest-running cast members on General Hospital? You might be surprised.
The daytime serial, which started airing in hourlong increments in 1978, celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023 and shows no signs of slowing down as it enters its seventh decade and draws close to 16,000 total episodes. Many of the show’s most well-known stars have appeared in thousands of episodes, according to IMDb, including Maurice Benard as Sonny Corinthos, John Beradino as Dr. Steve Hardy, Rachel Ames as Audrey Hardy, Laura Wright as Carly Corinthos, and Steve Burton as Jason Morgan.
As of 2025, General Hospital holds the record for the most Daytime Emmy Award wins for Best Drama Series, with 17 trophies. Its biggest water-cooler moment ever came in 1981 with the wedding of Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis), which brought in a whopping 30 million viewers and remains the most-watched soap opera episode in TV history. Both Geary and Francis number among the show’s 15 longest-serving cast members of all time.
1. Maurice Benard as Sonny Corinthos
3,633-plus episodes (1993-Present)
As Port Charles’ lovable mob boss, Sonny remains a central figure on GH whose storylines always drive major plot points. Despite his violent nature, Sonny has always been a fan favorite, particularly when it comes to his relationship with Carly.
Daytime Emmy wins: Lead Actor in 2003, 2019, 2021
2. John Beradino as Dr. Steve Hardy
3,108 episodes (1963-1996)
An original character on the show, Steve was killed off when the actor died in 1996. He was a successful doctor and the chief of internal medicine at the main hospital during its early years.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Lead Actor in 1974, 1975, 1976
3. Rachel Ames as Audrey Hardy
2,825 episodes (1964-2015)
Audrey was an airline stewardess who arrived at the hospital in 1964 and soon transitioned to private nursing. She soon fell in love with Steve, and they were married in 1965, only for their relationship to frequently be tested.
Daytime Emmy wins: Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004
4. Laura Wright as Carly Corinthos
2,710-plus episodes (2005-Present)
Often paired with Sonny, Carly is a villainous character in the GH brand who thrives on seduction. Her strong personality and involvement in almost every major Port Charles drama keep her in the spotlight.
Daytime Emmy wins: Lead Actress in 2011
5. Steve Burton as Jason Morgan
2,639-plus episodes (1991-Present)
A fan-favorite since the ’90s, Jason kept always kept viewers guessing thanks to this connections to the Corinthos family. He’s responsible for two distinct shipper fan bases: Liason (Elizabeth and Jason) and JaSam (Jason and Sam).
Daytime Emmy wins: Supporting Actor in 1998 (General Hospital), Supporting Actor in 2017 (The Young and the Restless)
7. Rebecca Herbst as Elizabeth Baldwin
2,398-plus episodes (1997-Present)
Elizabeth’s romantic storylines and personal struggles have kept her relevant and popular through the years. Her separate relationships with with Jason, Lucky, and Franco are frequent hot topics with the audience.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Younger Actress in 1999; Supporting Actress in 2007, 2012
8. Kelly Monaco as Sam McCall
2,303 episodes (2003-2024)
Sam burst into Port Charles as a con artist with a wild personality, determined to break her family’s curse by destroying the “Dead Man’s Hand” poker cards. Over the years, her bad girl persona has evolved into a more confident, self-assured woman.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Supporting Actress in 2003; Lead Actress in 2006
