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General Hospital’s Maurice Benard Shares the Poignant Gift Left to Him By His Late Father
Tuesday, December 7th, 2021
Even after his passing, Humberto Morales found a way to reach out and touch his beloved son.
When Maurice Benard lost his father this fall, we felt deeply for him. How could anyone not, as he shared his pain at “knowing I will never see my hero again.”
The General Hospital Emmy winner idolized Humberto Morales the way one might Superman. “My dad was one of a kind — no one like him,” Benard said at the time. “Those who knew him know what I’m talking about.
“When I was a little boy, I wanted to be him,” he added. And Morales was his son’s biggest fan. “Nobody was more proud of me than my father.”
As devastating as the loss was for Benard, he has managed to see, in a way, a silver lining among the dark clouds. “I believe when someone dies, they leave you with a gift,” Sonny’s portrayer explained on December 7. “And it can come in all forms.”
For him, it seemed to come in the form of moments stolen with loved ones. “I’m so glad,” Benard said, “I was able to spend some time with my brother and my mom at my father’s Mass.”
More: General Hospital plots a Corinthos family reunion
In such times, what more can one hope for than the comfort of the company of one’s nearest and dearest. On this somber occasion, refill your heart by celebrating fathers in the below photo gallery of soap stars and their doting dads.
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Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
1/26
<p><em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em>’s Annika Noelle (Hope) brought her father out for a night on the town. Here they are at the 45th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 2018. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
2/26
<p>Camryn Grimes’ (Mariah/ex-Cassie) dad joined her for a big celebration on the set of <em>The Young and the Restless</em>. He, along with her family, helped the CBS soap fave <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/625929/young-restless-camryn-grimes-anniversary-debut-cassie-mariah/" target="_blank">commemorate her 25 years in daytime</a>.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
3/26
<p><em>Bold & Beautiful</em> and <em>Young & Restless</em> alum Kelly Kruger (ex-Eva; ex-Mac) took some time away from the girls <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/news/539079/darin-brooks-and-kelly-kruger-expecting-first-child/" target="_blank">during her baby shower</a> to pose with her dad. The special celebration surrounding her and husband Darin Brooks’ (<em>B&B’s</em> Wyatt) first child was held at a private residence in July 2019.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
4/26
<p><em>The Young and the Restless’</em> Sharon Case (Sharon) took her dad along on a soapy adventure. The two attended the CBS soap opera’s, Fan Club event in June 2019 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel in California.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
5/26
<p>Jeffrey Vincent Parise’s (ex-Carlos) dad was able to get some camera time with his son during a fan event in 2015. As part of the <em>General Hospital</em> Fan Club Weekend, Parise had some one on one time with his followers at Conrad’s Restaurant in Glendale.</p>
Image: Laurent Groult/JPI
6/26
<p><em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em> has won numerous <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/news/542834/bold-and-beautiful-stars-monaco-59th-annual-golden-nymph-awards/" target="_blank">Golden Nymph Awards</a> for Outstanding Telenovela/Soap Opera at the Annual Monte Carlo TV Festival. Alum Kim Matula (ex-Hope) had her dad in attendance for the 52nd closing ceremony in June 2014 in Monaco.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
7/26
<p>Molly Burnett (ex-Melanie) had her dad on hand at the <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/21127/day-of-days-2011-video-interviews/" target="_blank">2011 Day of Days event</a> — where <em>Days of Our Lives</em> fans get to meet their favorite stars. The daughter/father stopped to capture the moment at the Samba Brazilian Steakhouse in Universal City.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
8/26
<p>Former <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> actor Texas Battle (ex-Marcus) took his dad to daytime’s biggest event — the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Both stopped for the cameras on the red carpet at the Las Vegas Hilton in June 2011.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
9/26
<p><em>The Young and the Restless’</em> Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) and her dad went out for a night of laughs. Here’s a sweet photo of them back in February 2011 at ACME Comedy Club Theatre’s Hollywood Dream Roll and Scandal.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
10/26
<p><em>Young & Restless’</em> John Driscoll (ex-Chance) brought his dad to a private pool party hosted by fellow alum Darius McCrary (ex-Malcolm). This all went down at the Artisan Hotel in Las Vegas during the weekend of the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in June 2010.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
11/26
<p>Batter up! <em>Young & Restless’</em> Kate Linder (Esther) took her dad out to the ballgame in July 2009 at Dodger Stadium during an all-star game. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
12/26
<p>Before he gained a fan base on NBC’s <em>Days of Our Lives</em> playing Stefano/Jake, Brandon Barash already had one from his <em>General Hospital</em> days as Johnny Zacchara. Here’s a shot taken with his dad during Barash’s separate fan event during the ABC soap’s <em>General Hospital</em> Fan Club Weekend in July 2009 at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
13/26
<p><em>General Hospital</em> alum Natalia Livingston (ex-Emily) went out on the town with her dad in April 2008. He accompanied his daughter to a fan event at PF Changs in the Marriott Courtyard in Chicago, Illinois.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
14/26
<p><em>Bold & Beautiful</em>’s Winsor Harmon (ex-Thorne) took a trip back in time in January 2008 to visit his childhood home in New Orleans. With his dad by his side, Harmon shared the memory with fellow <em>B&B</em> castmate and travel companion Dan McVicar (ex-Clarke) while in the French Quarter.</p>
Image: Paul Skipper/JPI
15/26
<p>Talk about a blast from the past! Here’s a photo of Heidi Mueller (Kay) and her dad taken on the set of <em>Passions</em> at the Radford Studios in September 2007.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
16/26
<p><em>The Young and the Restless’ </em>Eva La Rue (Celeste) and her dad said goodbye to summer together in August 2006. They attended <em>Feedback</em> magazine’s Last Party of the Summer event at Colors on Bedford — An American Bistro in Beverly Hills.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
17/26
<p><em>Days of Our Lives</em> alum Jason Cook (ex-Shawn) took his dad to the screening of his 2006 film <em>Social Security Guard</em> at the Raleigh Studios in the Charlie Chaplin Theatre in Los Angeles. Not only did Cook pen the film, he directed it too. Talk about Mr. Cook being a proud papa!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
18/26
<p>Remember SOAPnet? <em>Days of Our Lives’</em> Kristian Alfonso (Hope) and her father Gino attended the channel’s Annual Daytime Emmy Nominee Party at The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood in 2006.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
19/26
<p><em>Young & Restless</em> fan fave Michael Graziadei (ex-Daniel) went to a yard sale like no other — with his pop! The two were in attendance for <em>W</em> magazine and Clothes Off Our Back’s Hollywood Yard Sale benefit in Los Angeles in September 2005.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
20/26
<p>A very sweet moment was captured for <em>Passions</em> star McKenzie Westmore (Sheridan) — on her wedding day in May 2005. The actress’ dad Michael is shown with the bride, who married Keith ‘Seven’ Volpone at the Porter Valley Ranch Country Club in California. Volpone’s band, Seven and the Sun, was on set at the NBC soap filming its summer theme song when they met. The couple divorced in 2011 and <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/45532/soap-opera-actors-where-are-they-now-kelli-giddish-gave-birth-victor-garber-got-married-as-did-leven-rambin-and-mckenzie-westmore-2/" target="_blank">Westmore has been married to Patrick Tatopoulos</a> since 2015.</p>
Image: J Graylock/JPI
21/26
<p><em>The Young and the Restless’</em> Christian LeBlanc (Michael) took his dad Andre to the 32nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in May 2005. The father/son duo is pictured on the red carpet outside the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
22/26
<p>Former <em>Young & Restless</em> actor David Lago’s (Raul) dad joined his son for a CBS soap event. The two stopped for a family photo at the number one daytime drama’s Cocktail Party at The Sony Club in New York City in May 2004.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
23/26
<p><em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em>’s Drew Tyler Bell (ex-Thomas) had a lot to celebrate in 2004 — and so did his dad. Though his birthday was in late January, many gathered in early February at the Lucky Strike Bowling Alley in Hollywood for his 18th birthday bash.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
24/26
<p><em>One Life to Live</em>’s Bree Williamson (Jessica) is seen with her dad Ted at the 30th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. The event took place at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City in May 2003.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
25/26
<p>This is a photo to be cherished by the CBS daytime family. <em>Young & Restless’</em> Lauralee Bell (Christine) is with her father, the late William J. Bell (creator of <em>Another World, Bold & Beautiful</em> and <em>Young & Restless</em>), at his 75th birthday party at the CBS Studios in March 2002. Take a <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/564039/tour-soap-creators-lee-phillip-bell-william-j-bell-malibu-estate/" target="_blank">look inside his Malibu estate</a>, which went on the market in April 2020. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
26/26
