Sonny Corinthos and Carly Benson
Encyclopedia
Michael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. and Caroline Leigh "Carly" Benson are fictional characters the long running ABC daytime
soap opera
, General Hospital
and also a supercouple
. Sonny
is the most powerful mobster in Port Charles, New York and Carly
is the daughter of one of the show's popular characters, Bobbie Spencer
, and the niece of soap opera supercouple, Luke and Laura. Sonny is played by Maurice Benard
and Carly is currently played by Laura Wright
. Though the characters are no longer a couple, they have managed to remain friends.
(Vanessa Marcil
). Sonny and Brenda are also considered as Supercouple. Because both women have played such major parts in Sonny’s life, Carly and Brenda have always clashed.
However, Sonny was on the show for years before Carly’s arrival. And it wasn’t until November 1999, when writers first tested their on-screen chemistry. Carly at the time was married to A. J. Quartermaine
(Billy Warlock
) and in love with A.J.'s brother and Sonny's best friend and main enforcer, Jason Morgan (Steve Burton
). If Benard’s success with Marcil wasn’t enough proof that his pairing with Carly would be a success, the history between their families would be. Sonny’s close friend is none other than, Luke Spencer
(Anthony Geary
). Luke is one half of the most iconic Supercouple in the soap genre, Luke and Laura and is also the brother of Carly’s biological mother, Bobbie Spencer
(Jacklyn Zeman
).
). After four years with the show, Benard left on September 24, 1997, and after a brief return in the spring of 1998, has continued to portray Sonny since December 18, 1998. In 2003, Benard won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
for the role. Benard has described Sonny as "unpredictable," and stated that: "You never know from one second to the next what he is thinking, feeling or planning. He's a man in personal conflict who maintains an outward appearance of calm at all times, at any cost."
The role was originated on April 8, 1996 by Sarah Brown, who "quickly became an overnight sensation" and received three Daytime Emmy Award
s for her portrayal of Carly. She won for Outstanding Younger Actress
in 1997 and 1998, was nominated in 1999, and won again for Outstanding Supporting Actress
in 2000. Brown appeared on the cover of Soap Opera Digest
19 times during her run in the role, and won two Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1998 (Younger Lead Actress) and 2000 (Favorite Actress).
In January 2000, it was reported that Brown would be exiting General Hospital when her contract was over in March of that year. Brown's character was put in an important storyline and the show had already lost several of its actors, including Jonathan Jackson
(Lucky) and Steve Burton (Jason). Brown agreed to stay for one year and General Hospital began to create an exit in December 2000 if Brown decided not to renew her contract. Gina Tognoni
was rumored to replace Brown. Brown decided to stay with the series for a month. "My contract expired today, but I will stay with the show 4 more weeks to wrap it all up for them," she said. "I am not leaving because of money issues or contract issues. I am leaving because my heart is telling me I'm done." She departed the series on April 23, 2001.
Fans protested Brown's departure, and sent emails to Jill Farren Phelps
in an effort to get the actress rehired. However, Tamara Braun
replaced her on May 2, 2001. In a November 11, 2001 interview with Soap Opera Digest, Braun commented on being a high profile recast: "I really didn't know about the uproar, which was good. But I was informed about it before I started working. I thought to myself, 'Holy guacamole ... I'm going into something here. But all I can do is the best that I can.' I think on some level, a lot of people were waiting for me to fail." During her tenure, Braun was the first actress to play Carly to take the character into the lead actress category, garnering herself a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Lead Actress. Braun didn't win, however, she did bring the character of Carly into a different strata in terms of the character's place on the soap. For the first time Carly would be considered in the same league as General Hospital
's other lead females such as Laura Spencer
, Felicia Jones, and Bobbie Spencer
.
Braun departed the role on April 15, 2005, and on April 18, 2005, Jennifer Bransford
assumed the role. Phelps released a statement on the recast: "[The audience] will eventually accept a new Carly, especially if Maurice is determined to make it work." During Bransford's tenure, Shayne Lamas
also portrayed the role as a teenager in several flashbacks. On October 5, 2005, Bransford was released from her contract. A representative of General Hospital said, "Jennifer's casting in the role of Carly did not work out. She is a consummate actress and she's good at what she does. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors."
After Bransford's dismissal, rumors began circulating that Laura Wright
, known for portraying Cassie Layne Winslow
on Guiding Light
, was being considered for the role. On November 4, 2005, Wright debuted as Carly. ABC Daytime
president Brian Frons
stated: "Carly is a complex character, and we are excited to bring Laura's talent, beauty and intelligence to this role." In November 2009, Wright signed another 4 year contract, obligating her to stay with the series
until 2013. Wright won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress
in the role in 2011.
(Billy Warlock
). After A. J.'s brother and Carly's lover, Jason Morgan leaves town, Carly learns she is pregnant and A. J. begins blackmailing her. On May 22, 2000 during an argument with A. J., Carly ends up falling down the stairs at the Quartermaine Mansion and suffers a miscarriage. Sonny then finds criminal evidence against A. J. and forces him into granting Carly a divorce in July 2000 and they move in together. The two bond over the loss of their child and Sonny also becomes a father figure to Carly & A. J.'s son, Michael. Carly later gets involved in Sonny's criminal business when she tries to get Joseph Sorel arrested. However, when Carly overhears something she shouldn't, Sonny and Carly get married on September 18 to keep Carly from testifying against Sonny. Sonny and his lawyer, Alexis Davis
(Nancy Lee Grahn
) later get Zander Smith, Sorel's former henchman, released from prison, hoping to use his testimony to put Sorel away. However, Sorel finds out about their plan and has Sonny shot in front of the police station in December 2000 where he almost dies, but thanks to Carly's persistence with the doctor's Sonny recovers. After the chaos begins to settle, Carly and Sonny admit that they were truly in love and renew their vows on February 21, 2001 in Martinique
.
In the summer of 2001, after a bomb is delivered to their penthouse, Carly teams up with federal agents to get Sonny into the witness protection program, hoping to save him. However, Sonny sees this as Carly betraying him once again and can't forgive. After breaking it off with Carly, Sonny is stabbed at the grave of his first wife, Lily but he survives. When Carly and Alexis are taken hostage by Sorel at Sonny's penthouse, Sonny sets off a bomb, but he is okay. He must redecorate the house and Carly believes that they can work things out. However, Sonny still can't get past Carly's betrayal and their divorce is finalized in November. Despite the divorce, Sonny agrees to adopt Michael as his own son. Meanwhile, Sonny and Alexis had a brief affair and Sonny is irate when A. J. marries his paternal half-sister, Courtney Matthews
(Alicia Leigh Willis
). Carly gets jealous when she sees Sonny with his former lover, Brenda Barrett
(Vanessa Marcil
). Carly also finds trouble after she is drugged one of Sonny’s enemies, Faith Roscoe and ends up in the bed with her business partner, Ric Lansing
(Rick Hearst
). Soon Carly tells Sonny she is pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is. Sonny and Carly learn that Ric was actually Sonny’s maternal half-brother and had come to town to destroy Sonny’s life, blaming Sonny for their mother’s death. While preparing for the birth of their child, Sonny and Carly would also stand in as witnesses for Jason and Courtney’s wedding. But the wedding is put on hold after Carly is kidnapped and Sonny must work with federal agents to save her. Carly was being held captive by Ric who had planned to steal her baby and give it to his wife, Elizabeth
(Rebecca Herbst
). By the time Sonny and Jason get to Ric’s home, Carly has been taken hostage by Lorenzo Alcazar
(Ted King
), the twin brother of the late Luis. Carly’s release depended on whether he allowed a shipment of drugs to go through his territory which he reluctantly agrees to. But Lorenzo still hadn’t released Carly which led to himself, Jason & Courtney ambushing Alcazar on his yacht and rescuing Carly. But Lorenzo became obsessed with Carly and plotted to get her for himself by hiring a prostitute who resembled Sonny’s late wife Lily. “Lily” warns Sonny that he is a danger to Carly and their baby and to keep them safe, Sonny buys Carly her own home, for herself, Michael and their baby.
In October 2003, Sonny realized that he was being tricked and goes to the house to tell Carly, but hears her screaming instead. Believing she is being hurt, Sonny puts a bullet through Alcazar and accidentally shoots Carly in the head and must deliver their son, Morgan. Carly fell into a brief coma while Sonny decided to get out the mob to protect his family. However, while in her coma, Carly had dreams about Lorenzo and she realized she had feelings for him. Sonny attempted to shot Alcazar and left town with Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco
). Sonny explained his situation to Sam who told him not to give up Carly and their children so easily. When Sonny is arrested and put on trial, Carly tries to get Sonny to run but to be a good example to his children; he turns himself in and fortunately is found not guilty. Another one of Sonny’s enemies, Faith Roscoe drugs Carly and has her committed to Shadybrooke and then brainwashed her to hate Sonny. Lorenzo rescues Carly and she eventually admits that she has feelings for him and Sonny. Feeling betrayed, Sonny begins sleeping with Sam.
By the time Carly and Sonny were able to reconcile, Sam reveals she is pregnant. Jason and Sonny decide to alter the paternity test to make it appear that Jason was the child’s father. Meanwhile, Alexis’s young daughter, Kristina Ashton becomes sick and is in need of a bone marrow transplant. Alexis shocks Sonny by revealing that Kristina is his daughter and that Carly had been keeping the secret. Alexis begged Sam to induce her labor so the baby could donate her stem cells for Kristina but Sam refused. The stress caused Sam to go into premature labor and their baby was stillborn in November 2004. While feuding with his brother, Faith Roscoe kidnapped Sonny’s children. Morgan and Kristina were eventually returned home but Michael wasn’t and he was presumed dead. Faith’s partner in crime would turn out to be A. J. Quartermaine and Michael was eventually reunited with his family. Detective Reese Marshall (Kari Wuhrer
), the woman assigned to the Corinthos case would stay in town under the orders of John Durant (Corbin Bernsen
) who turned out to be Carly’s biological father. John instructed Reese to find evidence on Sonny. Sonny and Reese had a brief relationship while Carly began losing her grip on reality. Sonny briefly enters into a relationship with Jason's sister Emily Quartermaine (Natalia Livingston
), who is upset that her husband Nikolas Cassadine
(Tyler Christopher) has become involved with Sonny's sister Courtney Matthews
(Alicia Leigh Willis
). During this time Emily forces Sonny to confront his bipolar disorder. Fearing for Emily's safety, Sonny stages a kiss with Carly, who has in turn asserted her independence and is starting a business relationship with Jasper Jacks (Ingo Rademacher
). When a deadly outbreak of encephalitis hits Port Charles, several residents die. Among them is Courtney, who gives birth to John Michael Jacks/Spencer Cassadine right before her death. Sonny and Emily attempt a relationship in secret, but when their relationship goes public, Sonny, fearing changes from his bipolar medication and for her safety, again ends things.
Sonny still in love with ex-wife Carly discovers Jax and Carly become engaged, though she is disappointed when he leaves town to help his wayward brother Jerry Jacks
(Sebastian Roche
). Preying on this, Sonny is caught in a legal dilemma when Carly witnesses him shoot Lorenzo Alcazar
(Ted King
) in self-defense, and forces her to marry him temporarily on January 16, 2007. While attending a party at the hotel she owns with Jax, Carly and several other Port Charles residents are taken hostage by the mysterious Jerry Jacks. Sonny declares his love for Carly, and when the two survive the hostage crisis, they make love. Sonny is heart broken when Carly divorces in April 2007 to marry Jax.
Throughout the years, Carly and Sonny have gone through many trials and tribulations, including the shooting and coma of their son, Michael Corinthos. When Sonny decides to get out of the mob for the safety of his children, Jason will only agree to take over if Sonny signs away his parental rights to Michael and Morgan; to get him to agree, Carly later seduces him. In 2011, when Carly and Jax are divorcing, Jax plans on taking their daughter, Josslyn away from Carly permanently. To ensure that Josslyn stays with her mother, Sonny frames Jax for drug possession.
100 Hottest Couples List in 2008. In 2009, the was listed as one of the favorite supercouples of All Time.
External Links=
ABC Daytime
ABC Daytime is a programming block on the ABC Network which has historically encompassed soap operas, game shows and talk shows.-Schedule:...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, General Hospital
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
and also a supercouple
Supercouple
A supercouple or super couple is a popular or financially wealthy pairing that intrigues and fascinates the public in an intense or even obsessive fashion...
. Sonny
Sonny Corinthos
Michael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera General Hospital. Maurice Benard has played the role, that of a manic depressive Mob boss living in Port Charles, since the character's storyline originated on August 13, 1993...
is the most powerful mobster in Port Charles, New York and Carly
Carly Corinthos
Caroline Leigh "Carly" Corinthos Jacks is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. Originated by Sarah Brown on April 8, 1996, the role of Carly has been portrayed by Laura Wright since 2005...
is the daughter of one of the show's popular characters, Bobbie Spencer
Bobbie Spencer
Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Spencer is a fictional character and popular long running character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She made her first appearance in 1978 and is the mother of popular character Carly Corinthos Jacks...
, and the niece of soap opera supercouple, Luke and Laura. Sonny is played by Maurice Benard
Maurice Benard
Maurice Benard is an American actor. He is known primarily for his portrayal of romantic mobster Michael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital, a role he has portrayed since 1993.-Career:...
and Carly is currently played by Laura Wright
Laura Wright
Laura Wright is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Cassie Layne Winslow on Guiding Light , and since 2005, her portrayal of Carly Corinthos on General Hospital; the latter garnered her the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2011.-Filmography:* 1991 - 1995:...
. Though the characters are no longer a couple, they have managed to remain friends.
Writing
The character of Sonny had been in various relationships with various women before the writers paired him with Carly. The only other character Sonny was paired with that reached the same level of popularity as Sonny and Carly is Sonny’s pairing with Brenda BarrettBrenda Barrett
Brenda Veronica Barrett is a fictional character from the ABC daytime soap opera, General Hospital. The role was originated by Vanessa Marcil on September 18, 1992. After a six-year run with the show, the character of Brenda was believed to have died after her mentally ill mother drove their car...
(Vanessa Marcil
Vanessa Marcil
Vanessa Marcil is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Brenda Barrett Corinthos on General Hospital, Gina Kincaid on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sam Marquez on Las Vegas....
). Sonny and Brenda are also considered as Supercouple. Because both women have played such major parts in Sonny’s life, Carly and Brenda have always clashed.
However, Sonny was on the show for years before Carly’s arrival. And it wasn’t until November 1999, when writers first tested their on-screen chemistry. Carly at the time was married to A. J. Quartermaine
A. J. Quartermaine
Alan James "A.J." Quartermaine, Jr. is a fictional character on the popular ABC daytime drama, General Hospital. The son of the wealthy Dr. Alan and Dr. Monica Quartermaine, A.J.'s storylines centered on his battle with alcoholism, his family's preference for his brother, Jason Morgan, and his...
(Billy Warlock
Billy Warlock
Billy Warlock is an American actor best known for playing Eddie Kramer, a lifeguard on the original three seasons of Baywatch and in the reunion movie in 2003, as well as for numerous daytime roles, most notably Frankie Brady on Days of our Lives and A.J...
) and in love with A.J.'s brother and Sonny's best friend and main enforcer, Jason Morgan (Steve Burton
Steve Burton
Jack Stephen "Steve" Burton is an American actor who played Jason Morgan on General Hospital from 1991 to 2000 and subsequently since 2002...
). If Benard’s success with Marcil wasn’t enough proof that his pairing with Carly would be a success, the history between their families would be. Sonny’s close friend is none other than, Luke Spencer
Luke Spencer
Lucas "Luke" Lorenzo Spencer, Sr. is a fictional character in the American television soap opera General Hospital, and has been played by Anthony Geary since 1978.-Early years :...
(Anthony Geary
Anthony Geary
Anthony Geary is an American actor. He has starred on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital as Luke Spencer from 1978 to 1984 and from 1993 to present.-Life and career:...
). Luke is one half of the most iconic Supercouple in the soap genre, Luke and Laura and is also the brother of Carly’s biological mother, Bobbie Spencer
Bobbie Spencer
Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Spencer is a fictional character and popular long running character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She made her first appearance in 1978 and is the mother of popular character Carly Corinthos Jacks...
(Jacklyn Zeman
Jacklyn Zeman
Jacklyn Zeman is an American actress. She is known for her role as Barbara "Bobbie" Spencer on General Hospital. She is sometimes credited as Jackie Zeman.-Personal life:...
).
Casting
Sonny Corinthos originated during the final weeks of Bill Levinson's regime as head writer, in August 1993 (just prior to Levinson's replacement by Claire LabineClaire Labine
-Early career:Although she originally aspired to be an actress, Labine eventually became a critically acclaimed writer. She attended the University of Kentucky where her major was journalism, but later she switched to playwriting major at Columbia University’s School of Dramatic Arts...
). After four years with the show, Benard left on September 24, 1997, and after a brief return in the spring of 1998, has continued to portray Sonny since December 18, 1998. In 2003, Benard won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
The Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series is an award which has been given every year at the Daytime Emmys ceremony since 1974.In the lists below, the winner of the award for each year is shown first, followed by the other nominees....
for the role. Benard has described Sonny as "unpredictable," and stated that: "You never know from one second to the next what he is thinking, feeling or planning. He's a man in personal conflict who maintains an outward appearance of calm at all times, at any cost."
The role was originated on April 8, 1996 by Sarah Brown, who "quickly became an overnight sensation" and received three Daytime Emmy Award
Daytime Emmy Award
The Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
s for her portrayal of Carly. She won for Outstanding Younger Actress
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series
The Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series has been given every year at the Daytime Emmys since the 12th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony in 1985. The award category was originally called the Outstanding Ingenue in a Drama Series...
in 1997 and 1998, was nominated in 1999, and won again for Outstanding Supporting Actress
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
The Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series has been given every year at the Daytime Emmys since the 6th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony in 1979....
in 2000. Brown appeared on the cover of Soap Opera Digest
Soap Opera Digest
Soap Opera Digest is a weekly magazine covering American daytime soap operas. It features onscreen and offscreen news about the series, interviews with and articles about performers, storyline summaries and analysis, and related promotional information...
19 times during her run in the role, and won two Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1998 (Younger Lead Actress) and 2000 (Favorite Actress).
In January 2000, it was reported that Brown would be exiting General Hospital when her contract was over in March of that year. Brown's character was put in an important storyline and the show had already lost several of its actors, including Jonathan Jackson
Jonathan Jackson (actor)
Jonathan Stevens Jackson is an American actor, best known for playing Lucky Spencer, son of supercouple Luke and Laura on the American daytime drama General Hospital...
(Lucky) and Steve Burton (Jason). Brown agreed to stay for one year and General Hospital began to create an exit in December 2000 if Brown decided not to renew her contract. Gina Tognoni
Gina Tognoni
Gina Tognoni is an American actress.-Career:Tognoni has won Miss Rhode Island Teen USA in 1991 and Miss Rhode Island Teen All-American in 1993. In 1995, she was cast as Kelly Cramer on ABC's soap opera One Life to Live, a role she originated and portrayed to 2001...
was rumored to replace Brown. Brown decided to stay with the series for a month. "My contract expired today, but I will stay with the show 4 more weeks to wrap it all up for them," she said. "I am not leaving because of money issues or contract issues. I am leaving because my heart is telling me I'm done." She departed the series on April 23, 2001.
Fans protested Brown's departure, and sent emails to Jill Farren Phelps
Jill Farren Phelps
Jill Farren Phelps is an American television producer.-Career:Phelps has been the executive producer of many American television soap operas: Santa Barbara , Guiding Light , Another World , One Life to Live , and currently General Hospital .Phelps got her start...
in an effort to get the actress rehired. However, Tamara Braun
Tamara Braun
Tamara Braun is American actress. She is best known for her roles on General Hospital as Carly Corinthos from 2001 to 2005, along with her roles on Days of our Lives as Taylor Walker and Ava Vitali. She is also known for her role on All My Children as Reese Williams.-Biography:Braun was born in...
replaced her on May 2, 2001. In a November 11, 2001 interview with Soap Opera Digest, Braun commented on being a high profile recast: "I really didn't know about the uproar, which was good. But I was informed about it before I started working. I thought to myself, 'Holy guacamole ... I'm going into something here. But all I can do is the best that I can.' I think on some level, a lot of people were waiting for me to fail." During her tenure, Braun was the first actress to play Carly to take the character into the lead actress category, garnering herself a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Lead Actress. Braun didn't win, however, she did bring the character of Carly into a different strata in terms of the character's place on the soap. For the first time Carly would be considered in the same league as General Hospital
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
's other lead females such as Laura Spencer
Laura Spencer
Laura Spencer is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Laura was portrayed by Stacy Baldwin from 1974 to 1976, and since then has been played by Genie Francis, first from 1976–1982, and then from 1992–2002...
, Felicia Jones, and Bobbie Spencer
Bobbie Spencer
Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Spencer is a fictional character and popular long running character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She made her first appearance in 1978 and is the mother of popular character Carly Corinthos Jacks...
.
Braun departed the role on April 15, 2005, and on April 18, 2005, Jennifer Bransford
Jennifer Bransford
Jennifer Bransford is an American actress. She is known for her role as Georgie Phillips on One Life to Live and for her role as Carly Corinthos # 3 on General Hospital .-Personal life:...
assumed the role. Phelps released a statement on the recast: "[The audience] will eventually accept a new Carly, especially if Maurice is determined to make it work." During Bransford's tenure, Shayne Lamas
Shayne Lamas
Shayne Dahl Lamas is an American actress. She is known for her role as the Young Carly Corinthos on General Hospital and as the winner of the twelfth season of The Bachelor.-Personal life:...
also portrayed the role as a teenager in several flashbacks. On October 5, 2005, Bransford was released from her contract. A representative of General Hospital said, "Jennifer's casting in the role of Carly did not work out. She is a consummate actress and she's good at what she does. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors."
After Bransford's dismissal, rumors began circulating that Laura Wright
Laura Wright
Laura Wright is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Cassie Layne Winslow on Guiding Light , and since 2005, her portrayal of Carly Corinthos on General Hospital; the latter garnered her the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2011.-Filmography:* 1991 - 1995:...
, known for portraying Cassie Layne Winslow
Cassie Layne Winslow
Princess Cassandra Elizabeth "Cassie" Layne Winslow is a fictional character on the popular CBS daytime soap opera, Guiding Light...
on Guiding Light
Guiding Light
Guiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
, was being considered for the role. On November 4, 2005, Wright debuted as Carly. ABC Daytime
ABC Daytime
ABC Daytime is a programming block on the ABC Network which has historically encompassed soap operas, game shows and talk shows.-Schedule:...
president Brian Frons
Brian Frons
Brian Frons is an American television executive, and president of ABC Daytime.- Educational background :Frons holds a Master of Science degree in Communications from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the State University of New York at Fredonia.-Television...
stated: "Carly is a complex character, and we are excited to bring Laura's talent, beauty and intelligence to this role." In November 2009, Wright signed another 4 year contract, obligating her to stay with the series
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
until 2013. Wright won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
The Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series is an award which has been given every year at the Daytime Emmys ceremony since 1974...
in the role in 2011.
Storyline
Sonny Corinthos is reeling from the betrayal of his most recent lover and on November 26, 1999, has a one-night-stand with Carly Quartermaine, the wife of A. J. QuartermaineA. J. Quartermaine
Alan James "A.J." Quartermaine, Jr. is a fictional character on the popular ABC daytime drama, General Hospital. The son of the wealthy Dr. Alan and Dr. Monica Quartermaine, A.J.'s storylines centered on his battle with alcoholism, his family's preference for his brother, Jason Morgan, and his...
(Billy Warlock
Billy Warlock
Billy Warlock is an American actor best known for playing Eddie Kramer, a lifeguard on the original three seasons of Baywatch and in the reunion movie in 2003, as well as for numerous daytime roles, most notably Frankie Brady on Days of our Lives and A.J...
). After A. J.'s brother and Carly's lover, Jason Morgan leaves town, Carly learns she is pregnant and A. J. begins blackmailing her. On May 22, 2000 during an argument with A. J., Carly ends up falling down the stairs at the Quartermaine Mansion and suffers a miscarriage. Sonny then finds criminal evidence against A. J. and forces him into granting Carly a divorce in July 2000 and they move in together. The two bond over the loss of their child and Sonny also becomes a father figure to Carly & A. J.'s son, Michael. Carly later gets involved in Sonny's criminal business when she tries to get Joseph Sorel arrested. However, when Carly overhears something she shouldn't, Sonny and Carly get married on September 18 to keep Carly from testifying against Sonny. Sonny and his lawyer, Alexis Davis
Alexis Davis
Alexis Davis is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Nancy Lee Grahn originated the role in April 1996. She is the daughter of Mikkos Cassadine and Kristin Bergman. She is also the mother of Sam McCall, Kristina Davis and Molly Lansing...
(Nancy Lee Grahn
Nancy Lee Grahn
Nancy Lee Grahn is an American actress who has starred in such soap operas as Santa Barbara as Julia Wainwright Capwell from 1985 to 1993 and General Hospital as Alexis Davis since 1996.- Early life and career :...
) later get Zander Smith, Sorel's former henchman, released from prison, hoping to use his testimony to put Sorel away. However, Sorel finds out about their plan and has Sonny shot in front of the police station in December 2000 where he almost dies, but thanks to Carly's persistence with the doctor's Sonny recovers. After the chaos begins to settle, Carly and Sonny admit that they were truly in love and renew their vows on February 21, 2001 in Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
.
In the summer of 2001, after a bomb is delivered to their penthouse, Carly teams up with federal agents to get Sonny into the witness protection program, hoping to save him. However, Sonny sees this as Carly betraying him once again and can't forgive. After breaking it off with Carly, Sonny is stabbed at the grave of his first wife, Lily but he survives. When Carly and Alexis are taken hostage by Sorel at Sonny's penthouse, Sonny sets off a bomb, but he is okay. He must redecorate the house and Carly believes that they can work things out. However, Sonny still can't get past Carly's betrayal and their divorce is finalized in November. Despite the divorce, Sonny agrees to adopt Michael as his own son. Meanwhile, Sonny and Alexis had a brief affair and Sonny is irate when A. J. marries his paternal half-sister, Courtney Matthews
Courtney Matthews
Courtney Matthews was a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She was the daughter of Mike Corbin and Janine Matthews, and the half sister of mobster, Sonny Corinthos. Courtney was portrayed by Alicia Leigh Willis from December 20, 2001 until February 21, 2006...
(Alicia Leigh Willis
Alicia Leigh Willis
Alicia Leigh Willis is an American actress. She is best known for her roles in soap operas.-Personal life:Alicia was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She is one of four children. Sisters Kimberly and Tiffany, and brother Ryan. Her father is actor David E...
). Carly gets jealous when she sees Sonny with his former lover, Brenda Barrett
Brenda Barrett
Brenda Veronica Barrett is a fictional character from the ABC daytime soap opera, General Hospital. The role was originated by Vanessa Marcil on September 18, 1992. After a six-year run with the show, the character of Brenda was believed to have died after her mentally ill mother drove their car...
(Vanessa Marcil
Vanessa Marcil
Vanessa Marcil is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Brenda Barrett Corinthos on General Hospital, Gina Kincaid on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Sam Marquez on Las Vegas....
). Carly also finds trouble after she is drugged one of Sonny’s enemies, Faith Roscoe and ends up in the bed with her business partner, Ric Lansing
Ric Lansing
Richard "Ric" Lansing was a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. The character was played by soap opera veteran Rick Hearst from 2002 to 2009.- Casting and background :...
(Rick Hearst
Rick Hearst
Rick Hearst is an American actor, best known for roles in US soap operas.-Personal life:Born in Queens, New York in 1965 and raised in Dallas, Texas....
). Soon Carly tells Sonny she is pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is. Sonny and Carly learn that Ric was actually Sonny’s maternal half-brother and had come to town to destroy Sonny’s life, blaming Sonny for their mother’s death. While preparing for the birth of their child, Sonny and Carly would also stand in as witnesses for Jason and Courtney’s wedding. But the wedding is put on hold after Carly is kidnapped and Sonny must work with federal agents to save her. Carly was being held captive by Ric who had planned to steal her baby and give it to his wife, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Webber
Elizabeth Spencer may refer to:*Lady Elizabeth Spencer , wife of Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke*Elizabeth Spencer, Baroness Hunsdon*Elizabeth Spencer , American novelist...
(Rebecca Herbst
Rebecca Herbst
Rebecca Herbst is an American actress, best known for playing nurse Elizabeth Webber on the daytime drama General Hospital, a role she originated on August 1, 1997, and Suzee, an alien on the Nickelodeon show, Space Cases.- Personal background :Herbst was born in Encino, California. Her parents...
). By the time Sonny and Jason get to Ric’s home, Carly has been taken hostage by Lorenzo Alcazar
Lorenzo Alcazar
Lorenzo Alcazar is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, originated by actor Ted King, who previously played Lorenzo's deceased brother Luis Alcazar...
(Ted King
Ted King
Theodore William King is an American actor, formally credited as T.W. King.-Personal life:In September 2008 King married his girlfriend Maya Rodwell, with whom he became engaged the year before...
), the twin brother of the late Luis. Carly’s release depended on whether he allowed a shipment of drugs to go through his territory which he reluctantly agrees to. But Lorenzo still hadn’t released Carly which led to himself, Jason & Courtney ambushing Alcazar on his yacht and rescuing Carly. But Lorenzo became obsessed with Carly and plotted to get her for himself by hiring a prostitute who resembled Sonny’s late wife Lily. “Lily” warns Sonny that he is a danger to Carly and their baby and to keep them safe, Sonny buys Carly her own home, for herself, Michael and their baby.
In October 2003, Sonny realized that he was being tricked and goes to the house to tell Carly, but hears her screaming instead. Believing she is being hurt, Sonny puts a bullet through Alcazar and accidentally shoots Carly in the head and must deliver their son, Morgan. Carly fell into a brief coma while Sonny decided to get out the mob to protect his family. However, while in her coma, Carly had dreams about Lorenzo and she realized she had feelings for him. Sonny attempted to shot Alcazar and left town with Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco
Kelly Monaco
Kelly Marie Monaco is an American model, actress, reality television contestant and winner of Dancing with the Stars in Season 1. She is well known for playing the character of Sam McCall on the soap opera General Hospital, a role she originated in 2003.-Modeling:In April 1997, Monaco became the...
). Sonny explained his situation to Sam who told him not to give up Carly and their children so easily. When Sonny is arrested and put on trial, Carly tries to get Sonny to run but to be a good example to his children; he turns himself in and fortunately is found not guilty. Another one of Sonny’s enemies, Faith Roscoe drugs Carly and has her committed to Shadybrooke and then brainwashed her to hate Sonny. Lorenzo rescues Carly and she eventually admits that she has feelings for him and Sonny. Feeling betrayed, Sonny begins sleeping with Sam.
By the time Carly and Sonny were able to reconcile, Sam reveals she is pregnant. Jason and Sonny decide to alter the paternity test to make it appear that Jason was the child’s father. Meanwhile, Alexis’s young daughter, Kristina Ashton becomes sick and is in need of a bone marrow transplant. Alexis shocks Sonny by revealing that Kristina is his daughter and that Carly had been keeping the secret. Alexis begged Sam to induce her labor so the baby could donate her stem cells for Kristina but Sam refused. The stress caused Sam to go into premature labor and their baby was stillborn in November 2004. While feuding with his brother, Faith Roscoe kidnapped Sonny’s children. Morgan and Kristina were eventually returned home but Michael wasn’t and he was presumed dead. Faith’s partner in crime would turn out to be A. J. Quartermaine and Michael was eventually reunited with his family. Detective Reese Marshall (Kari Wuhrer
Kari Wührer
Kari Samantha Wührer is an American actress and singer, mostly credited as Kari Wuhrer, sometimes as Kari Salin.-Early life:...
), the woman assigned to the Corinthos case would stay in town under the orders of John Durant (Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is best known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, and as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych...
) who turned out to be Carly’s biological father. John instructed Reese to find evidence on Sonny. Sonny and Reese had a brief relationship while Carly began losing her grip on reality. Sonny briefly enters into a relationship with Jason's sister Emily Quartermaine (Natalia Livingston
Natalia Livingston
Natalia Livingston is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Emily Quartermaine and Rebecca Shaw on General Hospital and the role of Taylor Walker on the NBC soap opera Days of our Lives before being replaced after a few months by ex General Hospital , ex Days of our Lives , and ex...
), who is upset that her husband Nikolas Cassadine
Nikolas Cassadine
Prince Nikolas Mikhail Stavrosovich Cassadine is a fictional character on the long-running American soap opera General Hospital. The role was originated by Tyler Christopher, who played the character from 1996–1999, and then after a four-year hiatus resumed the role in 2003 and left the show in 2011...
(Tyler Christopher) has become involved with Sonny's sister Courtney Matthews
Courtney Matthews
Courtney Matthews was a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She was the daughter of Mike Corbin and Janine Matthews, and the half sister of mobster, Sonny Corinthos. Courtney was portrayed by Alicia Leigh Willis from December 20, 2001 until February 21, 2006...
(Alicia Leigh Willis
Alicia Leigh Willis
Alicia Leigh Willis is an American actress. She is best known for her roles in soap operas.-Personal life:Alicia was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She is one of four children. Sisters Kimberly and Tiffany, and brother Ryan. Her father is actor David E...
). During this time Emily forces Sonny to confront his bipolar disorder. Fearing for Emily's safety, Sonny stages a kiss with Carly, who has in turn asserted her independence and is starting a business relationship with Jasper Jacks (Ingo Rademacher
Ingo Rademacher
Ingo Rademacher is a German-born US-based Australian television actor. He has played the role of Jasper "Jax" Jacks on the American daytime soap opera General Hospital almost continuously since 1996.-Career:...
). When a deadly outbreak of encephalitis hits Port Charles, several residents die. Among them is Courtney, who gives birth to John Michael Jacks/Spencer Cassadine right before her death. Sonny and Emily attempt a relationship in secret, but when their relationship goes public, Sonny, fearing changes from his bipolar medication and for her safety, again ends things.
Sonny still in love with ex-wife Carly discovers Jax and Carly become engaged, though she is disappointed when he leaves town to help his wayward brother Jerry Jacks
Jerry Jacks
Jerard Aloysius "Jerry" Jacks was a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. He was portrayed by Julian Stone from April 10, 1998 to December 14, 1999. In January 2007 the role was resumed by Sebastian Roché with the in-universe explanation that character James Craig ...
(Sebastian Roche
Sebastian Roché
- Early life :Roché was born in Paris, France, on August 4, 1964; he is of Scottish and French ancestry. He is also fluent in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Italian. On General Hospital, he spoke in Russian, Spanish and French, and on the pilot episode of Odyssey 5, he spoke in French...
). Preying on this, Sonny is caught in a legal dilemma when Carly witnesses him shoot Lorenzo Alcazar
Lorenzo Alcazar
Lorenzo Alcazar is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, originated by actor Ted King, who previously played Lorenzo's deceased brother Luis Alcazar...
(Ted King
Ted King
Theodore William King is an American actor, formally credited as T.W. King.-Personal life:In September 2008 King married his girlfriend Maya Rodwell, with whom he became engaged the year before...
) in self-defense, and forces her to marry him temporarily on January 16, 2007. While attending a party at the hotel she owns with Jax, Carly and several other Port Charles residents are taken hostage by the mysterious Jerry Jacks. Sonny declares his love for Carly, and when the two survive the hostage crisis, they make love. Sonny is heart broken when Carly divorces in April 2007 to marry Jax.
Throughout the years, Carly and Sonny have gone through many trials and tribulations, including the shooting and coma of their son, Michael Corinthos. When Sonny decides to get out of the mob for the safety of his children, Jason will only agree to take over if Sonny signs away his parental rights to Michael and Morgan; to get him to agree, Carly later seduces him. In 2011, when Carly and Jax are divorcing, Jax plans on taking their daughter, Josslyn away from Carly permanently. To ensure that Josslyn stays with her mother, Sonny frames Jax for drug possession.
Impact
Sonny and Carly were listed as one of the best couples of the decade in 2010. They also came in at #20 on the Soaps In DepthSoaps In Depth
Soaps In Depth is a series of magazines created in 1997 by Bauer Publications to give American soap opera viewers more variety in their soap-related magazine purchases...
100 Hottest Couples List in 2008. In 2009, the was listed as one of the favorite supercouples of All Time.
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