Kelly Monaco Celebrates 20 Years on GH and Sam's Evolution: "All the Pieces Don't Fit Perfectly Yet, But It's Certainly Not Broken Anymore!" - Michael Fairman TV
Connect with us

General Hospital

32

Kelly Monaco Celebrates 20 Years on GH and Sam’s Evolution: “All the Pieces Don’t Fit Perfectly Yet, But It’s Certainly Not Broken Anymore!”

Photo: ABC

Sunday, October 1st will mark the 20th anniversary of Kelly Monaco’s debut on General Hospital as Sam McCall.  And as the story goes, when Kelly finished her run on Port Charles as Livvie Locke (2000-2003), and the show had been canceled, the three major networks were all interested in her to join their soaps.

In the end, GH won out and fans of the ABC daytime drama series have been the lucky ones to have Monaco join the A-list cast of the iconic soap. Throughout Sam’s journey in Port Charles, viewers have seen quite the character growth. Sam started on the show as a con and hustler, and bloomed into a bonafide heroine and a private investigator.

Kelly shared with Soap Opera Digest in their latest issue, how she viewed the Sam of old, to the Sam of today: “Sam came on to the canvas only having herself and her brother, always taking care of someone, and never being taken care of.  I think the biggest evolution for her is starting from being a really lonely, scared woman and becoming a woman who is still really independent, but is protected by family and friends and love and relationships and loyalty, and she never had that before.”

Photo: JPI

In a very poetic way, Monaco added on her character’s development: “She came in bent and broken, and I feel like there’s a lot of her that’s still broken, but she’s constantly sort of putting the Rubik’s Cube together. All the pieces don’t fit perfectly, yet, but it’s certainly not broken anymore.”

Throughout Sam’s two decades in Port Charles she has been in love, suffered terrible lost, found family members, had children, and has been involved in some of the most dangerous and criminal cases involving many a villain as she tried to help bring them to justice.

Photo: ABC

Currently, Sam is involved in a romance with Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna).  Viewers wonder if Lulu ever wakes up out of her coma, would that spell trouble for their relationship, and in turn, give Kelly some great meaty story to work with?

Now, in the comment section below, share your congrats to Kelly for her 20-year-run on GH. Then let us know, what has been your favorite Sam story over the years?

Leave a comment | 32 Comments

32 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Kelly is gorgeous and a wonderful actress and sometimes I don’t think she gets the credit she deserves. Congratulations on 20 years you are truly a Daytime icon.

I agree with you. She is talented and very pretty. Kelly has changed her character into a very strong woman? I wish they would show her kids more often then we could see the mothering side of Sam. We think she needs more story as Kelly has great talents. My husband was amazed at her dancing skills.

Sam has been my favorite GH female character since day one. Love how her relationship with Jason evolved and always maintained. Kelly plays her beautifully.

Congratulations Kelly You’ve Done It Well !!!

Congratulations

Sam has become more likable the past few years. Being out of Jason’s orbit and onscreen less has reinvigorated the character. Some of Kelly’s best work was when Sam’s brother Danny died. The cat scratch fever and giving birth to Scout with her jeans on were memorable for different reasons.

I love Kelly’s acting she has had me as a fan from day one! I really enjoyed her kicking butts to show she can handle what ever they are throwing her way! She can be funny at times and serious when need be. She has plenty of talent just wish she was in more of the story lines, she has a lot to offer and I for one know she can handle it! And she can dance very well too! Congratulations Kelly, job well done

Congratulations Kelly!
Thank you for entertaining us for 20 years and here’s to many more!!❤️

Was running old GH shows on a streaming the other day. The show where Brenda meets Sam and she tries to explain to Brenda how Jason and Sam ended up together. It was hilarious. Those old shows are the best and I am thankful to whoever stashed them for us.

GH and ABC are losing a goldmine by not replaying all of them in better condition on ABC or Hulu. Some of those old shows with the cast is so young are the best TV out there.

The residuals they’d have to pay the actors who are no longer on the show and any of the “under 5” day players makes rerunning those shows on broadcast or streaming cost prohibitive.

Thank you Kelly for entertaining us for 20 years! Here’s to many more years with you coming into our homes! Have enjoyed you since Baywatch and Livie!!❤️

Kelly’s work as a daytime actor has been a joy to watch. Sam has been so multifaceted and enjoyable to watch. Watching her with her family of “Davis women”, reminds us of OLTL ” Cramer women” or “Buchanan women”, soap families of strong women ĵoined at the heart. There is something special about her work with Steve Burton, they sizzled even in a blizzard! However, that is nowhere the roaring flames that she and Michael Easton created as Livvie and Caleb. Many of us would wish the GH would create their own “Bobby & Pam” dream and bring Caleb and Livvie alive again, even in a dream for a fleeting moment. Congratulations Kelly!!

Great analysis, Alyson! And great idea for that dream…

I am thrilled that Kelly is getting so much love here, as I have found her to be a joy to watch since day 1. She is a talented, beautiful actress. For my money, she should have been declared the winner on DWTS. Not the first time they got it wrong… Congratulations, Kelly!

Congratulations Kelly!! And the best and only one for Sam is Jason. Period. Writers messed everything up after the big reveal of Jason being alive and not bringing them back together permanently. They need to get Steve back and make it happen. Cause Sam is just not legitimately Sam without Jason.

They did try bringing them back together. The vibe just wasn’t there between Steve and Kelly when he returned. Even Luke and Laura didn’t last – Jason and Sam had a good run, but it reached its expiration date.

I think Sam and Dante belong together. It would ruin the beautiful love story if Lulu came back. I think they should write that Lulu passed away in her coma. She’s been in a coma too long and there hasn’t been any news of her.

Violet went to visit her mother this summer and Lulu’s been mentioned a few times since. The coma is just a means to keep the character active until the writers decide there’s enough story to bring her back.

With Britt (screen), Epiphany and soon Bobbie passing, the audience won’t be subjected to another long term character passing.

Meant to say Charlotte visited her mother. Violet doesn’t know where Hayden is and never mentions her. They’ll need to circle back to that eventually.

When they had the Jeff Webber stand-in a few months back, did he even mention his supposed other daughter even once? Seems to me they’re trying to “disappear” Hayden from memory. The existence of Violet makes that problematic, obviously.

Of course it was silly to give Liz another sister in the first place… they should have brought Sarah Webber back instead.

Apparently Rebecca Budig was so disenchanted with the way she was abruptly dismissed twice, that she’s sworn off returning again. Didn’t like her character at first, but I grew to appreciate her toward the end of her first run.

Sarah was surprisingly mentioned when Finn went behind Elizabeth’s back before Jeff returned. Is Steven Lars (a dull character despite his birth parents) still languishing in prison for the organ harvesting issue? And now a whole summer went by without Cam returning home for a visit.

Hi KELLY MONACO! You are one of the MOST TALENTED BEAUTIFUL daytime actresses!! I LOVE the romance with DOMINIC ZAMPROGA’s character DANTE FALCONERI, but I want to see more scenes with you two together!! SAMANTHA MCCALL is a GREAT character & I can not believe anyone else can play her to the perfection that you do! I also LOVED you with STEVE BURTON as JASON MORGAN & MICHAEL EASTON as JOHN MCBAIN!! You have had 3 GORGEOUS TALENTED actors to play across!! Lucky you!! HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY on GH & here’s to 20 more!! GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY, have a very BLESSED day & always STAY SAFE!! I LOVE YOU!! I have been a GH fan since 1968, when I I was 9 years old!! I am 64 now.

Congratulations! Been watching GH since I was a kid and I’m 42 now. So, proud of Kelly. She went to Northampton Community College which is only a few blocks from my house. Love her I’ve never met her but I am super proud.

Congrats kelly On October 1st it’s a Special Day for you Happy 20 Years On General Hospital and it’s my Birthday you are a Beautiful Awesome Person And Actress looking forward seeing many more years On General Hospital Congrats you go girl Kelly

I love the Sam character and how Kelly plays her. Sam is flawed, but unlike some, she owns it. She is kindhearted, despite having many reasons to harden her heart. She is a great friend even though GH has often left her practically friendless. She is truly resilient, the bounce-back queen. She’s tough, yet vulnerable. Kelly does so much with the very little screen time given to her. Well done, Kelly. Thank you for persevering!

I love how GH kept Sam in the Sonny circle. She came on pregnant with Sonny’s baby. Was married to Sonny’s best friend Jason. Had a baby with Jason and his twin brother Drew and now in love with Sonny’s oldest son Dante. Isn’t that weird?

Congratulations Kelly!!!!!!!!!!

Sam is The Great character I loved Kelly Monaco as Livvie on Port Charles. Some of her greatest scenes were done when she was with Drew Billy Miller. I am forever team DreAm. There was a montage on YouTube of their scenes together it made me cry.

Sam is a great character. I loved her as Livvieb on Port Charles. I was team lDreAm all the way.My favorite scenes were when she was with Drew Billy Miller. They posted a montage of their scenes together on YouTube it made me cry.

I am shocked but elated on the great chemistry that Sam and Dante share. They appear to enjoy working with each other and seem like a real couple in love!

Congratulations, Kelly. You are an amazing actress n very beautiful. 20 years ago by fast. You are loved.

She has been my favorite female Character from the beginning. Congratulations Kelly Monaco! JASAM FAN FOREVER.

She’s great with Dante never liked her with brain dead Jason

General Hospital

Elizabeth MacRae, ‘General Hospital’s’ Meg Baldwin, Passes Away at 88

Veteran actress, Elizabeth MacRae best-known as the third Meg Baldwin on General Hospital and as Gomer Pyle’s girlfriend, Lou-An Ann Poovie, in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C has died at the age of 88. MacRae passed away in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she grew up.

On General Hospital, Elizabeth played Meg Baldwin who had a young son, Scott (Kin Shriner) from a previous relationship and who married Lee Baldwin (Peter Hansen). The role was originated by Patricia Breslin from 1965-1969. Breslin was temporarily replaced by Jan Shepherd for three weeks in the summer of 1967. MacRae took over the part from Breslin full time from 1969-70 and again from 1972-73.

In story, the character of Meg suffered a nervous breakdown and Lee had her committed to an institution. In 1971, Meg was released and came home, but suffered from severe hypertension. In 1973, Dr Lesley Webber was assigned to her case. Meg became jealous of Lesley and began to think that she was trying to get to have sex with Lee. During an argument with Lee, Meg died of a stroke and soon after Lee adopted Scott.

Photo: ABC

MacRae also appeared on other notable soaps, having roles on Another WorldDays of Our LivesGuiding Light, and Search for Tomorrow.  Elizabeth’s career spanned over two and half decades having also appeared in classic TV shows and countless movies such as: Route 66Surfside 6RendezvousThe FugitiveJudd for the DefenseGunsmokeBonanzaI Dream of Jeannie, and The Andy Griffith Show.

Photo: CBS

She is survived by five stepchildren, Terry Halsey, Peter Halsey, Hugh Halsey, Cate Halsey, and Alex Halsey Topper.

Share your remembrances of GH’s Elizabeth MacRae via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

LAPD Continue to Seek Johnny Wactor’s Killers Who Remain At Large; Asks Public for Tips and Leads

The Los Angeles police department is ramping up its search for to the whereabouts of the three thieves, who got away after one fatally shot former General Hospital cast member, Johnny Wactor (ex-Brando Corbin) in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 26th in downtown Los Angeles.

Law enforcement sources told the LA Times that police are trying to pull fingerprints from Wactor’s vehicle and are looking for video from the area. They also are checking to see whether there are any connections to other nearby catalytic converter thefts.

The thieves were attempting to steal the catalytic converter from Wactor’s car at the time of his death. Sadly, the LAPD investigators shared they have seen an uptick in violence when these types of thieves are confronted.

Photo: ABC

Catalytic converters contain precious metals in which thieves can make hundreds of dollars selling them to auto parts suppliers or scrap yards, where they can be melted down and the valuable metals extracted.

In addition, on Tuesday May 28th, the LAPD shared more on the incident that took Wactor’s life, stating, “Without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals. The three suspects involved were wearing all dark clothing and driving a dark-colored sedan. The suspects fled northbound on Hope Street. Central Bureau Homicide is investigating this case and is requesting the public’s help.”

Photo: ABC

If you have tip: y0u are urged to call LAPD Detectives Gonzales or Martinez at Central Bureau Homicide, at (213) 996-4142. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).

In addition, Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go to http://www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Wactor played General Hospital’s Brando Corbin from 2020 to 2022. According to the LA Times, “Wactor recently had been exploring opportunities in screenwriting while working as a bartender.”

Share your thoughts on this developing story as the LAPD tries to seek justice for the death of Johnny Wactor via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

Nicholas Chavez Speaks Out on the Death of Friend and Former GH Castmate Johnny Wactor: “I’m Beside Myself with Sadness”

It has been another rough go for the General Hospital family following the news surrounding the shooting that killed beloved former cast member, Johnny Wactor (ex-Brando Corbin) over the weekend.

Since that time, there has been an outpouring of grief, shock and sadness, and remembrances for the actor who died at 37-years-old.  Many of Johnny’s castmates have spoken out about the loss and shared heartbreaking tributes.

Now, Nicholas Chavez (ex-Spencer Cassadine) who is soon-to-be-seen in Ryan Murphy’s limited series on Netflix, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has also shared his sentiments. With heartfelt words, along with a photo of himself and Johnny, and another former GH co-star, Marcus Coloma (ex-Nikolas), Chavez explained the difficulty he is having processing Johnny’s death and the unbreakable bond they shared.

Photo: Facebook

Nick began, “Johnny — I’m beside myself with sadness. The last time I saw you, we ran into each other by accident in Los Angeles. When we recognized each other your face lit up and you ran essentially across the room to give me a big and tight hug. You were a strong and kind person”

He went on to say, these heartfelt words to Johnny, “You were a phenomenal friend and you always made me feel welcomed and loved. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been a part of your life and I’m praying for you and your family. I will miss you very much.”

Johnny Wactor run on GH lasted from 2020-2022, while Nicholas Chavez appeared from 2021 till early in 2024.

Share your thoughts on Nicholas’ remembrances of Johnny Wactor via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Michael Easton as Finn

General Hospital

Airdates: 5-20/24-2024

Popular