“GH” stars Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson recently took soap fans on a trip back to 1993, when a familiar face arrived in Port Charles for what was supposed to be a relatively short stay. More than three decades later, Maurice Benard’s Sonny Corinthos has become one of the most recognizable characters in “General Hospital” history.
However, the nostalgic throwback also reminded longtime viewers just how different Sonny was during his earliest days on the soap. Burton and Anderson recently took to their Stone Cold and the Jackal social media pages to share another “On This Day in General Hospital History” throwback with fans.
The duo looked back at Benard’s arrival in Port Charles, writing, “1993: ALL MY CHILDREN alum Maurice Benard debuted as Michael ‘Sonny’ Corinthos, proprietor of the PARADISE LOUNGE.” Read on to see what “General Hospital” fans had to say.
Maurice Benard’s Six-Month Role Became Soap Opera History
Interestingly, Sonny wasn’t the only character Benard could have ended up playing.
Burton and Anderson also shared with fans in the throwback post, “While being courted by the GH producers, Benard was offered the choice of two roles: Sonny or Damian Smith. As the former was slated for only a short run, Benard signed on to play him.”
Of course, that short run didn’t exactly go according to plan.
The throwback immediately had longtime fans celebrating the arrival of the man who would eventually become one of the soap’s biggest stars.
“He was young in that picture… his dimples are something lol… the best guy that ever happened to soap land,” one viewer commented.
Benard’s famous dimples also caught the attention of another fan, who admitted, “His dimples slay me every time.”
Others focused on the significance of his arrival.
“As they say… And the rest is history,” one soap fan wrote.
Another called Benard’s debut “one of the greatest things to ever happen in daytime history,” while one fan simply declared, “And a legend was born!”
For one viewer, Aug. 13, 1993, was simply a “great day” for “General Hospital.”
33 Years Later, Maurice Benard’s Impact Goes Beyond Port Charles
Benard may have chosen Sonny because the character was initially supposed to be a short-term role, but life clearly had other plans.
“Choosing the short term gig apparently didn’t work out as planned! So glad he decided to stick it out for decades,” one fan joked.
What was originally expected to be a roughly six-month stint ultimately became a defining role in Benard’s career. Now, 33 years after his debut, it’s difficult to imagine Port Charles without Sonny Corinthos.
For some viewers, Benard is even the reason they became “General Hospital” fans in the first place.
“He’s the reason I ever started watching it as an adult, after my sister watched it when I was a kid,” one fan shared.
However, the viewer also praised Benard for something that extends beyond simply entertaining soap fans.
“The fact that he has brought a realistic light to the issue of mental illness on the show is commendable,” the fan added.
As longtime “General Hospital” viewers may know, Benard was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder at the age of 22. His own experiences have helped make him a prominent mental health advocate, while Sonny’s bipolar disorder has allowed the actor to bring aspects of those experiences to daytime television.
Benard has also expanded those conversations beyond “General Hospital” through his “State of Mind” podcast, where he has interviewed fellow soap stars, celebrities and other guests while diving into conversations surrounding mental health and personal struggles.
“Love Maurice and Sonny. Maurice has been through so much and he really wants to help people,” one viewer commented.
Considering Benard initially had little desire to become a longtime daytime star and chose a character expected to stick around for only a matter of months, his more than three-decade run as Sonny makes the 1993 throwback even more remarkable.
Longtime Fans Haven’t Forgotten Sonny’s Dark Beginning
While many “General Hospital” fans celebrated Benard’s debut, the throwback also reminded longtime fans that the Sonny Corinthos introduced in 1993 was considerably darker than the character some viewers may recognize today.
“I remember that and how he had Karen working in his strip club. Miss the old writers,” one fan recalled.
Another viewer thought that part of Sonny’s history sometimes gets overlooked.
“People forget Sonny’s early days and how he supplied the pills to Karen Wexler and had her working for him in his strip club,” the fan wrote.
Longtime “General Hospital” viewers may remember that Sonny became involved with Karen Wexler during his early days in Port Charles. Karen, the daughter of Scott Baldwin, struggled with substance abuse during the storyline, with Sonny supplying her with pills while she worked at the Paradise Lounge.
While Sonny would eventually evolve into one of the soap’s central characters, his treatment of Karen left a lasting mark on his history.
“I remember that storyline. On the show, Scotty Baldwin never forgot,” one viewer pointed out.
Scott’s feelings toward Sonny have reflected that history over the years, with Karen’s father having plenty of reasons to remember the role Sonny played during a difficult period in his daughter’s life.
From the shady Paradise Lounge owner who was only supposed to stick around for a matter of months to one of “General Hospital’s” most recognizable characters, Sonny Corinthos has certainly come a long way since 1993. More than three decades later, both the good and the bad from his history continue to give longtime fans plenty to talk about.
