Actor Maurice Benard discussed “General Hospital,” his “State of Mind” podcast on mental health, as well as his upcoming “Milestones” Tour.
Next month, Benard will be celebrating his 30th anniversary on the ABC soap opera “General Hospital” as Sonny Corinthos. He made his debut on the Port Charles canvas back on August 13, 1993. “That feels fantastic. I am very grateful because not too many people can say that,” he said about this upcoming anniversary. “It has been good, that’s all I can say.”
Evolution of his character Sonny
“Sonny has evolved because I have evolved,” he said about the evolution of his character. “I was very intense for a long time but now, I lightened up.”
Benard continued, “When I lightened up, Sonny lightens up because we both intertwine, especially with Mike and Sonny. Mike had a different energy to him, Mike is more who I am, and Sonny is who I am on the dark side. I like when I intertwine those two together, and that’s what I am doing right now.”
Proposal storyline on the show
He felt that his latest engagement proposal storyline on the show was “well-written,” which involved his character proposing to Nina (played by Cynthia Watros). “Cynthia was wonderful in it, and people seemed to be in it. I liked it when I did it, and I actually watched it and it worked.”
“There was a lot in there, and I had to nail this big monologue where I was a little nervous, but I did it. This storyline was cool because it ran the gamut,” he added.
Without giving too much away, Benard revealed that he has some “interesting scenes” coming up with such actors as Finola Hughes, Dominic Zamprogna, and Maura West. “Those scenes were a lot, but we did them, and it felt real good,” he said.
‘State of Mind’ mental health podcast
He shared that “State of Mind,” his podcast on mental health is going well. “This Sunday, I will have a deep episode,” he foreshadowed. “It’s a different ‘State of Mind’ episode and it is filmed at my home. I talk about the pandemic, and eventually, I talk about suicide. I am putting a tree out, and the audience will figure out in the end what the tree means.”
“I talk about the pandemic so much that I needed to get people to see a visual of what it was all about for me,” he said.
Most recently, he had young actress Jophielle Love on his podcast, who plays Violet Finn on “General Hospital.” “I love Violet, I enjoy watching her and listening to somebody who is so in the moment. Kids say whatever is on their mind, there is nothing better than that. That’s what I always strive to do.”
Benard revealed that he will have Peter Reckell (known for playing Bo Brady on “Days of Our Lives”) on a future “State of Mind” episode. “I will have Peter on, and I just keep going,” he said.
‘Buddy’ the Goat
He also noted that he enjoys doing videos with his goat, “Buddy.” “I am starting to bring Buddy back for videos,” he said. “I have a video of me dancing with him, I love it.”
Key to longevity in the industry
On the key to longevity in the industry all of these decades, Benard said, The reason for my longevity, I think, is because I have been an open book, especially with my fans. I’ve never shied away talking about mental health or basically anything, and the fans appreciate that. I have fun with animals, kids, my family, and dancing. In a way, I’m glad I’m not just a mental health advocate guy. I like a variety pack.”
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend
At the end of this month, on July 29, Benard is looking forward to being a part of “General Hospital” Fan Club Weekend in Glendale, California, where he will be featured as part of the “Main Cast.” “I am excited, and I can’t wait,” he said.
Solo fan event
Later on in the day, Benard will be hosting his own in-person fan event in Glendale, California, which he shared will be “more intimate.” “I will be meeting my fans and my own ‘State of Mind’ merchandise, which is doing well,” he said. “The solo event is always cool because I have more things planned.”
2023 Daytime Emmy nomination for Maurice Benard
This year, Benard is nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series” for the bi-polar storyline on “General Hospital.” “This year was very important for me because of the bi-polar story, and I don’t think I will have an intense storyline like that anymore,” he said.
Stage of his life
On title of the current chapter of his life, Benard said, “Overcoming it all.”
Remembering Jackie Zeman and Sonya Eddy
He paid his respect to the late Jackie Zeman, who passed away in early May of 2023. She played the role of Bobbie Spencer. “I really got to know Jackie Zeman on my ‘State of Mind’ podcast more than I got to know her on ‘General Hospital’ because I featured her twice on there. She was a vital part of the show for over 45 years,” he said.
Sonny Eddy, who played Nurse Epiphany Johnson, passed away on December 19, 2022. “Sonya was a ball of joy, and I never saw her not smiling. She would always smile,” he said.
‘Trials to Triumph’
Benard enjoyed being a part of Freddie Stevenson’s “Trials to Triumph” sports documentary. “That was quite inspirational,” he said. “Freddie just keeps going and going, it’s incredible.”
‘Milestones’ Tour
This fall, he will be touring the country as part of the “Milestones” Tour. “I am excited,” he admitted. “I will be doing 14 shows all over the country, which is wild. I do a little stand-up in my routine to begin with, but I decided I’m not Richard Pryor, so I let the fans ask me questions.”
On September 2nd, Benard will be performing at the Albany Funny Bone comedy club in Albany, New York, as part of his “Milestones” Tour.
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, Benard said, “Success is peace within. Nothing is better than peace.”
For more information on veteran actor Maurice Benard, follow him on Instagram and check out his official website.
