The Real-Life Partners Of The General Hospital Cast

If you love soap operas, there's a likely chance that you love "General Hospital." Even if you aren't a super fan, you've probably heard of the series. The classic daytime drama started airing in 1963 and currently holds the record for the longest-running daytime soap opera still in production, according to Newsweek. In addition to its long-standing place in television history, the show is also the winner of an impressive 14 Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding drama series, which is another record the soap opera holds (via Soap Central).

For decades, "General Hospital" viewers have tuned in to follow the lives of the characters living in fictional Port Charles, New York (via ABC). Naturally, some characters have come and gone, while others have become staples of the show. Although fans are interested in the ups, downs, and romantic lives of these characters, some of the public might also be interested in learning about the romantic lives of the actors portraying them. Here are the real-life partners of some of the current "General Hospital" cast.

Actor Cameron Mathison is no stranger to soap operas, and if you're a fan, you've likely seen his face on one of your favorite daytime dramas. From 1998 to 2011, Mathison portrayed the character Ryan Lavery in "All My Children," according to his IMDb. He's played Drew Cain on ABC's "General Hospital" since 2021. In addition to his stints on soap operas, the actor has also appeared on several other shows throughout the years, including "Hot in Cleveland," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," and "What I Like About You." He's also landed roles in various made-for-television movies, such as "A Kindhearted Christmas," "A Summer to Remember," and "Along Came a Nanny."

Mathison plays a character with two children on "General Hospital," but he's also a father in real life, which he proudly states in his Instagram biography. Mathison is also a husband, and has been married to his wife, Vanessa Mathison, for two decades. In 2022, the couple celebrated their 20th anniversary. "Happy anniversary my love," Mathison captioned an Instagram photo of the spouses. "I have no idea how you've put up with me for 20 years." Meanwhile, his wife posted a video that included multiple photos from their wedding day. "20 years ago today I married my best friend and love of my life," she captioned the Instagram reel. "There have been ups and downs, but I can't imagine doing life with anyone else but you."

British actor Charles Shaughnessy has portrayed Victor Cassadine, a character known for faking his death, on "General Hospital ” since 2021 (via IMDb). However, this isn't the first time he's appeared on the show. According to his IMDb, Shaughnessy played Alistair Durban on the popular soap opera way back in 1984. He was also a cast member on "Days of Our Lives" off and on from 1984 to 2017.

Although he's worked on "General Hospital" as well as other shows, such as "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," "Saints & Sinners," and "Mad Men," Shaughnessy is perhaps best known in the United States for his portrayal of Maxwell Sheffield in the popular 90's sitcom "The Nanny" starring Fran Drescher. Fans of the show were invested in the will-they-won't-they romantic relationship between Shaughnessy's and Drescher's characters. However, off the set, Shaughnessy was married to actress Susan Fallender.

 "The Nanny" viewers may have loved the tension between the television characters, but Shaughnessy's now adult daughters, whom he shares with Fallender, weren't fans. "I came home one day, and Maddy was very upset," Shaughnessy told People about his daughter's reaction. "She had seen the show that night and said, 'Daddy, don't kiss the girl.' She wasn't very keen on all the Fran and Maxwell chemistry."

Actor Josh Swickard has appeared on "General Hospital" as the character Harrison Chase since 2018, according to his IMDb page. In addition to the shows "K.C. Undercover," "Liv and Maddie," and "School of Rock," Swickard has also been cast in a handful of television movies. One movie, Netflix's "Roped," is particularly special because it's where he met his now wife, actress Lauren Swickard, according to People. Life imitates art, as the actors actually played love interests in the movie.

In December 2018, the actor announced his engagement in an Instagram photo of the couple. "I have always had a hard time posting about my private life," he wrote. "However, I can't keep this to myself, l just asked this beautiful girl to spend the rest of her life with me. @lorynnyork I love you so much and I can't wait to grow old with you." The couple wed in 2019 and announced they were expecting their first child, a daughter, in 2021. Once again, their work lives played another important role in their personal lives, as the couple revealed Lauren was pregnant while they were working on a movie. "We actually were pregnant during the filming of 'A California Christmas,'" Swickard told "Access Hollywood." The couple welcomed their daughter Savannah Kaye Swickard in April 2021, according to People.

Longtime fans of "General Hospital" no doubt know Genie Francis. The actress has appeared on the daytime soap opera, on which she plays Laura Collins, since 1977, according to her IMDb page. Her character is so beloved that 30 million viewers tuned into the episode in which she got married in 1981, making it the most-viewed hour in soap history, according to Francis' website.

Francis' character might have had a legendary wedding, but the Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress is also happily married off the set. In real life, Francis is married to Jonathan Frakes. While Frakes has appeared on several series, including "Guardians of the Galaxy," "How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)," and "The Super Hero Squad Show," he is well-known for playing Commander William Riker on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" from 1987 until 1994 (via IMDb). According to Francis' biography, she and Frakes take part in many hobbies and activities together, including spending time in nature and traveling.

Maurice Benard has been a staple on "General Hospital" since he debuted on the daytime soap opera in 1993, according to IMDb. The actor plays Sonny Corinthos on the series, and has even won a Daytime Emmy Award for his portrayal of the character.

Not only has Benard appeared on "General Hospital" for decades, but he has also been in a longtime personal relationship. Benard has been with his wife Paula Benard for more than 30 years. In 2016, his wife posted a sweet message on her Instagram: "Who knew at 17 that at 47 I'd still be saying I LOVE YOU?!" Paula captioned the throwback Instagram photo of her and her husband. "I DID! My fairytale came true. You are my one and only true love and I look forward to growing old and saying this again in 30 years. See you there."

Benard and his wife have four children, one of whom is Paula's little sister who they adopted, according to People. In 2008, the couple adopted Paula's sister Heather, who was 15 years old at the time, when their mother passed away. At the time, Benard told ABC Soaps In-Depth (via People) that the married couple could give Heather "everything that she couldn't have had before." The spouses also have two daughters and one son.

Actress Eden McCoy has appeared on the soap opera "General Hospital" since 2015, according to her IMDb. McCoy plays the character Josslyn Jacks on the show, and has twice been nominated for outstanding young performer in a drama series at the Daytime Emmy Awards. The actress has also appeared on other shows, such as "Scary Tales," "The Thundermans," and "Walk the Prank." 

Although McCoy's character is young, she has had her share of ups and downs on the show, including surviving cancer and a kidney transplant, according to ABC. While not much is known about her off-set life, McCoy has shared pieces of her life on her social media accounts. One thing that got the public talking was a post in which she seemingly announced a relationship. In April 2022, the soap actress posted a photo of her on the lap of a man named José San Martín. The couple hugged as McCoy made a cute face while wearing a bunny-eared headband and floral dress. "No greater love," she captioned the Instagram picture. "Happy birthday." That July, she posted another photo of the pair at the beach.

Actress Maura West has been a cast member of "General Hospital ” since 2013, but this certainly isn't her first time acting in a popular soap opera. She has also appeared in "The Young and the Restless" and "As the World Turns," where she was a cast member from 1995 until 2010, according to her IMDb profile.

In her personal life outside of television, the veteran soap actress keeps busy as a wife and mother. West is married to actor Scott DeFreitas, who portrayed Andy Dixon on "As the World Turns" from 1985 to 2000 (via IMDb). West and DeFreitas worked together on the show and got married in 2000, after West's first marriage with director Jonathan Knight ended the previous year, according to HollywoodMask. 

DeFreitas proposed to West at the home of her favorite baseball team — Yankee Stadium. The married couple has five children, including a son from West's previous marriage to Knight.

When you're an actress on a popular soap opera, it might help to have a partner who is understanding of your work. For actress Rebecca Herbst, her husband surely knows the ins and outs of her gig, as they have both been cast members on "General Hospital." Herbst has worked on the show since 1997 (via IMDb), while her husband Michael Saucedo appeared on the show in 2000 (via IMDb).

In addition to her longtime work on "General Hospital," Herbst has also acted on "Days of Our Lives," "Boy Meets World," and "Beverly Hills, 90210." She also portrayed her "General Hospital" character Elizabeth Webber on "General Hospital: Night Shift." After his time on "General Hospital," Saucedo appeared on various shows, including "Without a Trace," and has co-written an e-book that pays homage to his wife (via She Knows). The couple got married in 2001 and have three children together — two sons and a daughter, according to She Knows. Additionally, Saucedo has another child from his previous marriage.

Michael Easton is no stranger to soap operas, and soap fans are no stranger to him. Since 2012, the actor has been a cast member on the classic daytime drama "General Hospital," according to IMDb. However, this isn't his first time acting on a popular soap. From 1976 to 2012, Easton played the character John McBain on "One Life to Live." He also worked on the "General Hospital" spinoff "Port Charles" from 2001 to 2003.

Fans who have been following the veteran actor for decades know the many storylines of his various characters' love lives. However, not much is known about Easton's personal romantic life. We do know the "General Hospital" star has been married to a woman named Ginevra Arabia since 2004 (via Soap Opera Digest), although not much is not known about his spouse. According to the actor's official website, the married couple has two children and live in California. Their daughter Lilah was born in 2011 and the couple had a son in 2013, according to a Facebook post from Easton (via Soap Opera Digest).