General Hospital Stars Remember Sonya Eddy As Port Charles Says Goodbye To Epiphany

While the heroes of Port Charles prepare to do battle with the malevolent Victor Cassadine (Charles Shaughnessy) and stop his plot to supposedly save the world — a plan in which he admitted that untold lives will be sacrificed in the process — there was another unsung hero on “General Hospital.” The late actress Sonya Eddy played head nurse Epiphany Johnson in a recurring status from 2006 until her untimely death in December 2022.

The formidable Epiphany was unrelenting in her desire to get her staff to achieve excellence in every facet of nursing at General Hospital. Epiphany was beloved and respected by her co-workers and friends, and she even helped out mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and his enforcer Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) at times — despite the fact that her son Stanford “Stan” Johnson (Kiko Ellsworth) was killed by a mob hit. She also struck up a touching romance with one of Sonny’s bodyguards, Milo Giambetti (Drew Cheetwood). Epiphany, as well as her portrayer, was an amazing singer who often performed for the hospital’s annual Nurses Ball. Because of Eddy’s death, “GH” executive producer Frank Valentini has stated that Epiphany would be killed off rather than recast, because the actress and character are impossible to replace.

The upcoming return of the Nurses Ball for the show’s 50th anniversary will be preceded by a special episode paying homage to the iconic character and actor.

Eddy and her hugs will be sorely missed

The late Sonya Eddy’s friend Yvette Nicole Brown will be joining the cast of “General Hospital” for its special episode honoring Eddy, but her role still remains a mystery. In addition, several of Eddy’s castmates have continued to speak highly of her, and ABC7 shared an interview with some of them. Maurice Benard remarked, “You know, she was just … one word that I can think of is joy.” Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones) admitted that she was getting emotional when remembering Eddy, adding that she was, “One of the most positive people, I think, that has ever worked in this building.” Storms further explained that she had once complimented Eddy on her amazing hugging ability, stating, “And from that point on, she hugged me every time she saw me.” Co-star Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) also joined in on the hug-fest, stating that Eddy, “Gave the best hugs I ever had.”

In the most recent episode, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) tried calling Epiphany, and a state trooper answered with news bringing her to tears, but we didn’t hear what he further stated. It can only mean that Epiphany had sadly died. Of her departed co-star, Herbst said, “I know she was the head nurse of General Hospital, but she truly was that figure in all of our personal lives as well. (Eddy’s death) has been really hard.”

We can’t wait to join everyone for Sonya Eddy’s tribute episode on March 29.

ENTERTAINMENT
The Saddest General Hospital Actor Deaths Of All Time

When a beloved soap opera character dies, fans often feel like they’re losing a member of their family because some characters have come into their lives day after day, all year long, for decades.

When an actor who has played a favorite character for years dies, it can be doubly hard because we know we will never see them again.

Through the years, “General Hospital” has lost some of its greatest talents, either while they were still playing their character or long after they left the show. Some might have been out of the soap and out of sight when they passed on, but they were never far out of mind.

From the recent death of a beloved performer in 2021 to the loss of one actress who was way too young, “General Hospital” fans have had to grieve for quite a few performers since the show first premiered in 1963.

Shell Kepler gave us the first Nurse Amy and died too young

Before the nurses station on “General Hospital” had Nurse Amy Driscoll (Risa Dorken) at the helm, it had Nurse Amy Vining, the adopted sister of the show’s longtime lead heroine, Laura (Genie Francis).

Amy Vining was just as much of a gossip with a heart of gold as Amy Driscoll, dishing out the dirt on the goings-on in the hospital halls (and closets). Played by Shell Kepler from 1979 to 2002, she was beloved by fans (via IMDb).

In 2008, Kepler died in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 49 from renal failure. She had been working as a charity fundraiser there, according to Soaps.com.

After her death, her longtime co-star Jacklyn Zeman, who still plays Nurse Bobbie Spencer as of this writing, paid tribute to her friend.

“Shell was always generous with her time, energy, and creativity. She had a beautiful home and she loved to have her family and friends come over,” Zeman told Soaps.com. “She created a warm and loving atmosphere and she would cook incredible meals and make sure everyone was happy and taken care of.”

Anna Lee brought us the beloved Lila Quartermaine

When Anna Lee made her way to daytime and “General Hospital” in 1978, she had been working in Hollywood for decades, appearing in such films as “How Green Is My Valley?” and “The Sound of Music,” in which she played a nun.

After a long career in movies, she created the role of Lila Quatermaine, the sweet and sassy counterpart to Edward Quartermaine, her husband who forever seemed angry and annoyed about something. Lila always put Edward in his place — as well as her dysfunctional family of doctors and corporate raiders.

In 1981, Lee was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident, but that didn’t stop her from bringing Lila to life from a wheelchair until her death from pneumonia in 2004.

Lila was later said to have died in her sleep off-screen, and the Quartermaine family hasn’t been the same since (via Soaps.com).

Stuart Damon lived years longer than Alan Quartermaine

When the Quartermaine clan was introduced to the “General Hospital” scene in the late 1970s, Stuart Damon created the role of Edward and Lila’s son, Alan, a doctor with a wandering eye and a jealous streak.

While Alan and Monica (Leslie Charleson) cheated on each other off and on for years, they still managed to raise children and love each other through thick and thin, all the way until Alan’s death in 2007 (via Soaps In Depth).

Fans didn’t understand the reasoning behind the character’s death as he was just as popular then as he was when he first arrived in Port Charles.

Damon appeared as Alan’s ghost off and on until 2012, but, on June 29, 2021, ABC7 entertainment reporter George Pennacchio announced the actor’s death from renal failure on Facebook.

“It was his favorite place to be,” said Damon’s son, per Pennacchio. “He loved playing Alan and was always so appreciative of that role and that job. It was his passion.”

John Ingle brought Edward Quartermaine to life

Actor John Ingle came to the world of daytime television — and television, in general — later in life.

The former high school drama teacher counted Nicolas Cage and Richard Dreyfuss among his students (via The Hollywood Reporter) and had already retired by the time he landed the role of Edward Quartermaine on “General Hospital” in 1993 (via IMDB), taking over for David Lewis.

Ingle made the role his own and became beloved by both fans and co-stars.

In 2003, “General Hospital” oddly released him from his contract, but he was quickly scooped up to play Mickey Horton for two years on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives.” By 2006, “General Hospital” brought him back, and he played the lovable but crotchety Edward to once again.

In 2012, Ingle was already wheelchair-bound when he filmed his final “General Hospital” scenes. At the time, Ingle’s daughter Jennifer shared the moment on Facebook.

“His scene was small, and he had very few words … but his presence on the set was monumental,” she wrote (via The Hollywood Reporter). “Beginning with a standing ovation by the entire cast and crew as we entered the set, to the line of people waiting to hug and wish him well, it was a day that he (and we) will remember forever.”

That episode aired on Sept. 11, 2012, and Ingle passed away at the age of 84 five days later.

ENTERTAINMENT
Actors And Actresses We Sadly Lost In 2021

What actors and actresses did we sadly lose in 2021? Celebrity deaths, though they happen often, frequently leave fans reeling. Who hasn’t felt the pinch of shock and pain of grief when a beloved celebrity dies?

Despite how common these feelings are, many people feel ashamed or confused about why they’re so sad about the death of someone they never even met. But, according to the experts, mourning a celebrity’s death is completely normal because, despite the distance of the relationship, it still meant something. “[In our heads], they’re never supposed to die,” grief counselor Dr. Jill Gross told Well+Good. “When they die a little part of us dies, too — our innocence dies with them.”

Psychologist Dr. Natalia Skritskaya also told Well + Good that, “Feelings are important, and they’re not to be ignored… Feelings are signals — if you feel sad about a loss, it’s a signal it had some meaning to you.” That’s why it’s perfectly okay to grieve the loss of the lives of the actors and actresses we sadly lost in 2021.

UPDATED ON December 24, 2021: It’s been a tragic year for the performing arts. We want to pay our respects and remember these amazing stars and the projects they worked on, so we’ve updated this list to honor the actors who made their final bow in 2021.

Jahmil French from Degrassi: Next Generation died in January 2021

According to People, Jahmil French from the Canadian TV show “Degrassi: Next Generation” died on March 1, 2021. He was only 28 years old. Though the cause of death wasn’t released, French’s representation and coworkers were quick to post on social media their shock and grief, as well as messages of love for the young actor. “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of a dear friend and client Jahmil French,” one of French’s reps said in a statement. “He will be remembered by many for his passion for the arts, his commitment to his craft, and his vibrant personality.”

Melinda Shankar, one of French’s “Degrassi” costars, posted a tribute to her friend on Instagram. “You will always hold such a special place in my heart,” she wrote in the caption. “Thank you for being one of the most talented, compassionate, kindest, funniest friends I have. You were so loved.”

French was also known for his work on the Netflix show “Soundtrack,” in which he starred alongside Christina Milian. Milian expressed her grief over French’s death by commenting on his Instagram page, “You will be missed. Rest peacefully King.”

We lost Cloris Leachman to a stroke