Vanessa Marcil's Powerful Tribute to GH Co-Star Maurice Benard

The pairing of Brenda and Sonny created one of GENERAL HOSPITAL’s most enduring and popular supercouples, and portrayers Vanessa Marcil and Maurice Benard became just as close off-screen. The actress is in an emotional place right now, having recently lost her father, and reached out on Instagram to explain how her former co-star changed her life forever.

“Maurice was handed a bigger job than he was expecting,” Marcil confessed. “A brutally abused young girl. He picked me up, healed my heart, and mended my broken wings so that I could fly away from him. Yes, a father. Because of the extra work Mo put in, I was able to forgive my father and break a chain that changed my life and the lives of my children. I forgave my dad because my tiny heart could finally take it after Mo patched it back together. Sonny was Brenda’s daddy. Beautiful, scared child…”

GH Vanessa Marcil Maurice Benard - ABC-Getty

(Photo Credit: ABC/Patrick Wymore via Getty Images)

The former castmates have remained friends over the years, and often interact on social media, much to the delight of their fans. “Sorry for forgetting your birthday,” Benard tweeted in October 2016. “My memory, except for lines, is horrible. But you know how I feel!” He also included an emoji of a rose to sign off. “I forget yours every year, Papi,” Marcil replied. “I love you forever. I miss your laugh and fierce intelligence. Your talent took me from enduring life to living it.”

Such beautiful sentiments! These two clearly still have a strong connection, which is why GH fans are always so eager to see Marcil return to Port Charles to share more scenes with Benard. Hopefully, she’ll be back again soon!

Check out some of Sonny and Brenda’s most memorable moments in the special flashback gallery below!

For more on your favorite GH stars, past and present, keep reading the ABC edition of Soaps In Depth magazine.

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