‘General Hospital’: Elizabeth Taylor, Katie Couric, & More Of The Most Memorable Guest Stars Of All-Time

By:

Christina Casiano

April 21, 2020 10:24AM EDT

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James Franco

James Franco — ‘General Hospital’ has been on TV since 1963 and in its nearly 60 years, the show has welcomed a number of unforgettable guest stars into its cast. From ESPN show hosts, to Oscar winners and nominees, and even some surprising crossovers between ABC shows, there have been a number of familiar faces that longtime fans would most certainly recognize. From the ‘80s, when ‘General Hospital’ was at its height, to as recently as 2018, the soap opera has featured a number of celebrity guest stars that would even shock some fans today! And some left such an impression that their role remained on the show. Like James Franco. The Oscar-nominated actor appeared as the psycho serial killer Franco in the early 2010s when James wanted to make a career move to soaps. Although he left the character after roughly 50 episodes, the role lives on with a new actor and is still an integral part of the show. To see more unforgettable guest stars, click through the gallery!

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Carla Hall

Carla Hall — Carla Hall appeared as Cook 2 on ‘General Hospital’ for two episodes in 2018. ABC loves crossovers, and when it was time to cast the role of a longtime discussed but rarely seen Quartermaine cook, ‘The Chew’ host was the perfect fit!

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Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith — ESPN ‘First Take’ host, Stephen A Smith, appeared as Brick on ‘General Hospital. As Brick, Smith played a serveillance expert who worked with Sonny Corinthos.

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Katie Couric

Katie Couric — Reporter katie Couric played a less than tactile report on ‘General Hospital’ for the show’s landmark 50th Anniversary. She went as far as to dress up like a doctor in order to interview one of the series’ characters.

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Chandra Wilson

Chandra Wilson — When she wasn’t playing Dr. Bailey on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ Chandra Wilson stopped by the ‘General Hospital set in Dr. Linda Massey. As Dr. Massey, the actress worked as a therapist helping to repair some of the issues between the series’ characters.

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Meredith Vieira

Meredith Vieira — Former ‘The View’ host Meredith Vieira played Bree Flanders on the soap opera. While on ‘General Hospital’ she had a major seen with soap opera legend Anthony Geary who played Luke Spencer.

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George Takei

George Takei — George Takei appeared on ‘General Hospital’ as Mr. Diem in 1985. Mr. Diem was the unofficial mayor of the Asian Quarter in Port Charles — where ‘General Hospital’ takes place.

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Gloria Stuart

Gloria Stuart — Gloria Stuart appeared on ‘General Hospital’ for two episodes in 2002 and 2003 as Catherine. The actress experience a major career peak following her 1998 Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in ‘Titanic.’

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Susan Lucci

Susan Lucci — Susan Lucci appeared as her ‘All My Children’ character on ‘General Hospital’ for ABC’s crossover event with their three soaps: ‘General Hospital,’ ‘All My Children,’ and ‘One Life To Live.’ She memorably got stuck in an elevator with Sonny Corinthos.

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Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor — Elizabeth Taylor guest starred on ‘General Hospital’ as Helena Cassadine for three episodes in 1981. She had already won two Academy Awards for ‘Butterfield 8’ and ‘Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf.’

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