The show General Hospital is set in the fictional town of Port Charles in upstate New York, but filming is done in Hollywood, California.
General Hospital is a daytime television soap opera that has been running since April 1, 1963. The show is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running daytime drama in television history. Set in the fictional seaport town of Port Charles, New York, the show revolves around the lives of families, friends, enemies, and lovers, with a focus on the busy hospital, upscale hotel, cozy diner, and dangerous waterfront.
With over 15,000 episodes and counting, General Hospital is a true television icon. The show is filmed in Hollywood, California. But in recent years, the show has been using a new set location, at the California landscape right outside their Los Angeles studio, for outdoor shoots. The outdoor location is usually used in the spring and summer to match the weather in New York.
What are some of the filming locations for the show?
When General Hospital first premiered in 1963, it was filmed in a studio in Hollywood, California. In 1977, the show moved to a new studio in Los Angeles, where it has been filmed ever since. The current studio- Prospect Studios, is located at 4151 Prospect Avenue in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The studio where General Hospital is filmed is a massive complex that includes multiple sound stages, production offices, and dressing rooms. Over the years, the set of the show has grown in size and complexity, with new locations being added regularly.
The show has used various other locations for filming, including Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, Niagara Falls, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Big Bear Lake, Mexico, Texas, and Catalina Island. Recently, the show has been using a new set location, the California Landscape Studios, right outside their Los Angeles studio, for outdoor shoots. The outdoor location is usually used in the spring and summer to match the weather in New York.
Who are some of the current cast members of General Hospital?
Some of the current and recurring cast members are:
Chad Duell as Michael Corinthos
Michael Easton as Hamilton Finn
Genie Francis as Laura Collins
Maurice Benard as Sonny Corinthos
Katelyn MacMullen as Willow Corinthos
Nancy Lee Grahn as Alexis Davis
Donnell Turner as Curtis Ashford
Tanisha Harper as Jordan Ashford
Robert Gossett as Marshall Ashford
Tajh Bellow as T.J. Ashford
Josh Kelly as Cody Bell
Cameron Mathison as Drew Cain
Nicholas Chavez as Spencer Cassadine
Charles Shaughnessy as Victor Cassadine
Gregory Harrison as Gregory Chase
Josh Swickard as Harrison Chase
What are some of the memorable guest appearances on the show?
Some of the notable guest appearances on General Hospital include the following:
Elizabeth Taylor plays Helena Cassadine, who made a famous appearance at Luke and Laura’s wedding, putting a curse on the star-crossed pair.
John Stamos
James Franco
Rick Springfield, known for his role as Dr. Noah Drake.
Demi Moore
Mark Hamill
Carla Hall, a celebrity chef and co-host of The Chew, appeared during the 2018 Nurse’s Ball.
Stephen A. Smith, who appeared as Brick
Katie Couric appeared as a reporter
FAQs on General Hospital
A. General Hospital has aired over 15,000 episodes, making it the longest-running serial produced in Hollywood and the longest-running entertainment program in ABC television history.
A. Maurice Benard has been on the show since 1993 and has played Sonny Corinthos in 3218 Episodes.
A. The salaries of the cast differ, with new members earning around $1,000 per episode, while main characters can earn up to $5,000 per episode.
A. The budget to produce an episode of "General Hospital" is approximately $200,000.