How long has General Hospital been on air? Everything you need to know

General Hospital is one of the oldest-running soap operas on American daytime television. It's the longest soap among the ones in production as of 2024, for which it has also been listed in the Guinness World Records.

The soap premiered on the ABC Channel on April 1, 1963, meaning it has been on air for 61 years now. It also holds the record for most Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Drama Series, with 14 wins. The show has also featured an extensive list of notable actors, characters and supercouples, catering to a wide fan base of avid watchers.

The official summary for the soap reads:

"Families, friends, enemies and lovers experience life-changing events in the large upstate city of Port Charles, New York, which has a busy hospital, upscale hotel, cozy diner and dangerous waterfront frequented by the criminal underworld."

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Who are the cast members of General Hospital?

As the show has been on air for more than six decades now, the cast of the show has inevitably changed from the original actors and characters.

However, many actors keep making exits and comebacks on the show, and a few veterans of the soap return to make guest appearances in special or celebratory episodes.

The original 1963 cast of General Hospital included the following actors:

• John Beradino as Dr Steve Hardy
• Emily McLaughlin as Jessie Brewer
• Roy Maurice Bernard as Sonny Corinthos Jr.
• Steve Burton as Jason Morgan
• Thinnes as Phil Brewer
• Lucille Wall as Lucille March
• Tom Brown as Albert Weeks
• Craig Curtis as Eddie Weeks
• Jana Taylor as Angie Costello

None of the original cast members are on the soap anymore due to changes in the storylines and the natural progression of the characters. The prominent cast members on the soap in 2024 are:

• Maurice Benard as Sonny Corinthos
• Steve Burton as Jason Morgan
• Maura West as Ava Jerome
• Laura Wright as Carly Spencer
• Kate Mansi as Kristina Davis
• Tajh Bellow as TJ Ashford
• Nancy Lee Grahn as Alexis Davis
• Jane Elliot as Tracy Quartermaine

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What is the current storyline of General Hospital?

Currently, the General Hospital storyline revolves around Lucky and Lulu Spencer, the brother-sister duo in quite a difficult situation.

Lucky has made his way to Africa to locate a friend, with Laura and Kevin following him. Before leaving, Laura also receives news about Lulu's coma, making her hurry the trip up.

Meanwhile, Ava seems worried about danger looming over her as she considers Sonny's warnings. She decides to remain on the lookout against Cates, on the off chance that he plans on killing her.

Additionally, Sonny and Jason's investigation of Valentin's disappearance continues, while Anna tries to reach out to Robert for a helping hand. She even hopes that she might present the case in a way that Brennan might see things from her perspective.

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Audiences can watch General Hospital on ABC. New episodes of the soap are released on all weekdays.