CONFIRMED: Marcil Back to GENERAL HOSPITAL

Brian Frons, president, daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group, announced today that Emmy Award-winning actress Vanessa Marcil will return to GENERAL HOSPITAL as fan favorite Brenda Barrett, the role she created in 1992 and in which she won a Daytime Emmy in 2003 for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Marcil's first airdate is Wednesday, August 11.

"Fans can now rejoice, Vanessa is returning to GENERAL HOSPITAL. True to form, Brenda arrives in Port Charles with a secret that will impact Sonny, Jax and Jason," said Frons. "GENERAL HOSPITAL has always been dedicated to the strong history of our characters. Fans and viewers alike will be thrilled with her storyline and will agree that her return was worth waiting for."

"We are so thrilled to welcome Vanessa Marcil home to GENERAL HOSPITAL. Vanessa is a wonderful, talented actress and her portrayal of Brenda makes her a force of nature in Port Charles," says executive producer Jill Farren Phelps.

"I feel so lucky to continue to be allowed to visit GENERAL HOSPITAL and honor where I came from," says Marcil. "I am humbled by these great people and a character that I truly love."

Brenda Barrett's return to Port Charles comes at a time when the three most important men in her life - Sonny, Jax and Jason - are all in crisis. Brenda's in trouble herself - when is she not? - possessing an explosive secret. Only she doesn't even realize it's something devoutly to be kept secret. Brenda has no idea the havoc this little indiscretion will wreak or that she'll send the lives of loved ones hurling into chaos.

Named to People magazine's "100 Most Beautiful People" list, Marcil was seen in many successful TV series, including LAS VEGAS, WITHOUT A TRACE, LIPSTICK JUNGLE and BEVERLY HILLS, 90210".

Marcil won a Daytime Emmy for the role of Brenda in 2003, as well as ranked #44 on We Love Soaps 50 Greatest Soap Actresses Of All Time list made up of choices from over a dozen soap critics.