Jane Elliot, a Soap Opera Icon Celebrates Sixty Years in Television
For six decades, Jane Elliot has been captivating audiences on the small screen as one of television's most iconic characters - Tracy Quartermaine from General Hospital. A legendary actress with an illustrious career spanning nine soap operas, Elliot has proven that acting is not just a profession, but her calling.
Elliot's journey in television began in 1965 with her role in the live drama series "A Flame in the Wind." She was later drawn to Guiding Light, where she played a less-than-honorable character. Her experience on Guiding Light led her to other soap operas, including All My Children and General Hospital.
Elliot's breakout role as Tracy Quartermaine in 1978 cemented her status as an Emmy-winning actress. In this iconic character, Elliot has brought forth her snarky and mean persona - a trait that makes playing Tracy easy, as she says, "There's no crying. There's no heartbreak... you come in, you're snarky and mean, you take your wardrobe off, and you go home, and you don't take it home with you."
Elliot's enduring legacy on General Hospital has been her ability to play the same character for years while still keeping Tracy relevant. She attributes this to embracing a persona that is often not liked by audiences - "I prefer to do what I do because it demands the ability to be comfortable not being liked, and a lot of people are not comfortable with that."
Elliot has shared memorable experiences from her long career in television, including her time on Kojak and Change of Habit alongside Elvis Presley. Her appreciation for the King has grown over the years - "He ended up being everything I never imagined he was... intelligent, kind, honorable, funny, professional."
Now, as the matriarch on General Hospital, Elliot takes pride in being the last member standing from the original arch family. As she continues to play this iconic role, Elliot reflects on her 60-year career - an incredible milestone that showcases her resilience and dedication to acting.
"I'm the last person standing," she asserts. "I represent what is left of the arch family that started. And I have to fill all those slots now."
For six decades, Jane Elliot has been captivating audiences on the small screen as one of television's most iconic characters - Tracy Quartermaine from General Hospital. A legendary actress with an illustrious career spanning nine soap operas, Elliot has proven that acting is not just a profession, but her calling.
Elliot's journey in television began in 1965 with her role in the live drama series "A Flame in the Wind." She was later drawn to Guiding Light, where she played a less-than-honorable character. Her experience on Guiding Light led her to other soap operas, including All My Children and General Hospital.
Elliot's breakout role as Tracy Quartermaine in 1978 cemented her status as an Emmy-winning actress. In this iconic character, Elliot has brought forth her snarky and mean persona - a trait that makes playing Tracy easy, as she says, "There's no crying. There's no heartbreak... you come in, you're snarky and mean, you take your wardrobe off, and you go home, and you don't take it home with you."
Elliot's enduring legacy on General Hospital has been her ability to play the same character for years while still keeping Tracy relevant. She attributes this to embracing a persona that is often not liked by audiences - "I prefer to do what I do because it demands the ability to be comfortable not being liked, and a lot of people are not comfortable with that."
Elliot has shared memorable experiences from her long career in television, including her time on Kojak and Change of Habit alongside Elvis Presley. Her appreciation for the King has grown over the years - "He ended up being everything I never imagined he was... intelligent, kind, honorable, funny, professional."
Now, as the matriarch on General Hospital, Elliot takes pride in being the last member standing from the original arch family. As she continues to play this iconic role, Elliot reflects on her 60-year career - an incredible milestone that showcases her resilience and dedication to acting.
"I'm the last person standing," she asserts. "I represent what is left of the arch family that started. And I have to fill all those slots now."