‘General Hospital’s Alexa Havins Reflects on Working With ‘Supportive’ Genie Francis

Genie Francis was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Daytime Emmys. So many soap stars have gotten the chance to work with Francis over the years, including Alexa Havins, who currently plays her onscreen daughter in General Hospital.

“What can I say about Genie? She actually has a really funny sense of humor!” Havins told TV Insider on the Daytime Emmys red carpet. “The moment I met her, she was supportive and kind and made me feel welcome. To be able to feel that connection … every time we work together, something new and beautiful always comes out.”

Havins, who shares four children with husband Justin Bruening, said it felt “good” to get out of the house and get dressed up for the Emmys. “You had to drag me out of my mom sweats in suburbia and do all the things,” she laughed. “But all joking aside, it’s a really sweet moment to be here. All the hard work, all the hours … just seeing who’s nominated and what a good story it was last year. And honoring Genie tonight is going to be really special.”

While Bruening didn’t attend the event with his wife, she noted that he was at home with the kids and revealed that he dropped her off at the red carpet. “He was my Uber driver!” Havins joked.

When Francis was announced as the Lifetime Achievement recipient earlier this year, she said in a statement, “This February marks 50 years since I first portrayed Laura on General Hospital. Stepping onto that set at just 14, I could never have imagined the extraordinary journey that lay ahead. I am deeply grateful to have been welcomed onto your television screens and into your homes for five decades; for the love, support and loyalty I’ve been given; and for the privilege of being a small part of your lives.”

Francis’ husband, Jonathan Frakes, presented her with the award at the show, and included a special message from her onscreen son, Jonathan Jackson. “Genie taught me so much,” Jackson raved. “She’s the most emotionally present actor or actress that I’ve ever worked with. She’s always prepared, carrying with her a host of insights and observations of the human soul, and yet, somehow, she maintains the openness and vulnerability of a child. It was mesmerizing to witness as a young artist, and it still is to this day. You can throw anything at her, the most difficult or outrageous scene or story, and somehow she’ll make it brilliant.”

– Reporting by Stephanie Sloane