In the world of daytime drama, characters often become so iconic that they feel like members of the family. Jane Elliot, through her decades-long tenure as the formidable, quick-witted, and endlessly complex Tracy Quartermaine on General Hospital (GH), has achieved just that. Yet, even for a veteran of nearly fifty years in the soaps, a recent storyline proved to be an unexpected, and delightfully bizarre, turning point.

Elliot recently offered candid insights into her career, her famous co-stars, and a particularly unconventional plot twist that finally freed Tracy from her usual romantic entanglements: a diagnosis of a “parasite infestation” stemming from eating unclean food in Mexico, manifesting as worms in the brain.

While the medical reality of the plot was undeniably “very silly,” Elliot embraced the opportunity for a radical change of pace. Tracy Quartermaine has endured countless dramatic scenarios—corporate takeovers, family feuds, secret children—but for Elliot, the hospital setting was new territory.

The actress noted the historical significance of the storyline for her character, sharing that Tracy rarely occupied a patient’s bed: “I started on GH in 1978 and my character has never been in a hospital bed, except once to give birth. It’s nice to do something different.” This fresh context allowed Elliot to explore a new dimension of Tracy, one stripped of her usual defenses and placed squarely in a fight for survival.

She humorously celebrated the departure from her character’s typically messy love life, acknowledging that the bizarre nature of the diagnosis provided a welcome respite. “For once, Tracy is not a victim of romance. [Laughs] Instead, it’s a parasite infestation,” Elliot stated, highlighting the relief of avoiding yet another dramatic romantic confrontation.

The plotline, however unconventional, was far from easy to film. The diagnosis required Elliot to portray harrowing seizure episodes, demanding both intense professional preparation and physical stamina. Elliot approached the scenes with characteristic seriousness, ensuring authenticity despite the fantastical nature of the cause.

She revealed that she “really did my homework” and collaborated closely with a medical technician on the set to accurately portray the physical effects of the seizures. The scenes were inherently challenging, requiring her to fall backward stiffly while convulsing. This brought an added layer of anxiety for her younger, stronger male co-stars, who were tasked with catching her during the collapse.

Elliot humorously recalled the first time she had to film a seizure with actor Matt Cohen, who played Dr. Griffin Munro at the time. “I said, ‘Hi, my name is Jane, and I’m about to fall into your arms,’” she recounted. The stakes were high, as she was concerned not just for the scene, but for her co-star’s nerves. “I’m a substantial, almost-70-year-old woman, and they were terrified of dropping me, like I was going to break a hip or something.”

Ever the uncompromising professional, Elliot offered a humorous, yet firm, instruction to her much younger protectors: “Good luck to ya, boys! I’m going down. If you don’t grab me, you’re going down too!” This anecdote perfectly illustrates Elliot’s ability to command respect and inject levity into the most dramatic on-set situations, ensuring the safety of all involved while maintaining the scene’s emotional weight.

The discussion also provided a glimpse into Elliot’s extensive and varied career, which spans decades and includes film, theater, and other daytime roles. Her tenure as Tracy Quartermaine remains the highlight, an iconic role that began with a last-minute audition and quickly became one of the longest-running characters in the history of General Hospital. Her early brilliance in the role earned her a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1981, cementing her status as daytime television royalty.

Elliot also fondly reminisced about her early foray into film, recalling the unexpected experience of playing a nun opposite Elvis Presley in his final movie, Change of Habit (1969). She remembered trying to “challenge” the legendary singer on set, only for him to “play it cool,” a memory that speaks to the stability and appeal of her own long career, which has outlasted many of the ephemeral stars she encountered along the way.

For Jane Elliot, the longevity of her career is a testament to the stability of the soap opera genre and her singular dedication to making even the most outlandish plotlines—like a parasite infestation—feel emotionally compelling and real. Her willingness to embrace the unconventional and her uncompromising professionalism continue to define her legacy as one of the most unforgettable figures in daytime television history.