Sonny Corinthos
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Michael "Sonny" Corinthos Jr. is a fictional character on the American soap opera General Hospital. Maurice Benard has played the role, that of a bi-polar mob boss living in Port Charles, since the character's storyline originated in August 1993.
Some viewers and critics are bothered by the mob storyline and what they see as the show's emphasis on violence. Others consider Sonny a compelling figure and no more dangerous than the Cassadine family, whose existence on the show spans three decades.[citation needed]
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[edit] Character background
Sonny is a Roman Catholic and his religious faith is emphasized by the soap opera. This is a literary device utilized by director Francis Ford Coppola in his famous Godfather trilogy and by David Chase who writes and produces The Sopranos. Showing Sonny to be a devout Catholic and at the same time a figure in organized crime immediately establishes the conflict within the character. Sonny is portrayed as a father who loves and cares for his children, but whose actions also put his children at risk. Members of his family are shadowed by bodyguards, live in homes with bulletproof windows and guards at the door, and travel in cars with bulletproof glass. His children have witnessed car bomb explosions and have been sent to Sonny's private island for safekeeping, causing them to miss school. All three of Sonny's children were kidnapped in 2005 by mobster Faith Rosco, who had been paid to do so by Michael's biological father Alan "AJ" Quartermaine Jr..
Sonny has had a number of romantic partners, which is common for a veteran character in the soap opera genre. His morality is portrayed as comparing well to other citizens of Port Charles who claim moral authority but have mistresses, affairs, lovers, illegitimate children, commit murder and indulge in unethical business practices. However, some critics feel that the show's producers deliberately darkened the writing so that Sonny would compare favorably with the doctors, lawyers, and police officers who once dominated the canvas.
Maurice Benard introduced a new kind of soap leading man--an antagonist and anti-hero, in the vein of anti-hero Luke Spencer, who has many layers woven into his character. Like Luke, the character of Sonny doesn't fit the mold of most soap male characters who tend to be benevolent doctors, successful lawyers or business men, police commissioners or agents in secret national and international espionage agencies. Unlike Luke, who dances around the law while not breaking it, Sonny continues to work in his dangerous profession. Even so, Sonny remains a popular character on the show. This is due to the talents of actor Maurice Benard, who has been nominated several times for a Daytime Emmy, and was awarded one as best actor in a soap opera in 2003.
Sonny's violent behavior, such as throwing things or slipping into a deep depression, has been attributed to his recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder. He has given up drinking, takes medication and sees a therapist on a regular basis. Sonny's portrayer, Maurice Benard (who also is bipolar) felt so strongly about this storyline that he put himself at risk by pushing hard to make the story as realistic as possible.
[edit] Early Years
Sonny first appeared on the show as a strip club owner and low-level mobster who provided teenage stripper Karen Wexler with pills and told her she was right to blame herself for being molested as a child. He was set up as a foil in the romance of the front burner couple Karen Wexler and Jagger Cates. However, actor Maurice Benard took a character that was supposed to be short term and hated and wove so many intricate layers into Sonny (such as vulnerability, loneliness, and desperation) that the audience saw behind Sonny's swagger and bravado. The lines between good and bad were blurred and Sonny Corinthos became a very different type of soap leading man. Sonny was soon given a much larger role on the canvas. Sonny lived with his good friend Stone Cates, a troubled teenager he took in. Sonny was devastated when Stone died of AIDS in 1995. Stone influenced Sonny's life so much he named his second son Morgan Stone after him and Jason Morgan. The rings that Sonny still wear today belonged to Stone and were given to him by Stone's girlfriend Robin Scorpio The audience learned that Sonny and his mother Adela Corinthos had been abused by his stepfather, Deke, when he was a child. Sonny's father, Mike Corbin, who presumably changed his name from Michael Corinthos Sr., later came to town but Sonny resented him for abandoning him. Mike has a gambling problem and Sonny often had to bail him out of financial trouble. Sonny later learned that his father had a daughter, Courtney Matthews, with an ex-girlfriend Janine. His mother, Adela, had a second son, Ric Lansing, with fiance Trevor Lansing but chose to leave Ric to be raised by his father. Trevor blamed Sonny for Adela's fall down the stairs while she was pregnant with Ric and refused to have Sonny in his household. The show has established that Sonny's mother was of Cuban heritage, while his father is of Irish and Greek descent. Sonny occasionally speaks Spanish on the show.
[edit] Sonny and Brenda
One of General Hospital's most popular storylines was the supercouple pairing of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Brenda Barrett (Vanessa Marcil). The couple's passion and heartbreak kept viewers glued to their television sets. However, there were complications which included: Sonny's mobster life style, Sonny being forced to marry Lily Rivera, and Brenda's relationship with corporate raider Jasper Jacks (Ingo Rademacher), which became one of the most popular love triangle in General Hospital history. Sonny, worried about Brenda's safety because of his lifestyle, decided to "stand her up" at the altar hoping this would make her hate him and forget him. The loss of Sonny coupled with career setbacks and loss of income caused Brenda to have a nervous breakdown. Brenda was presumed dead in 1998 when her car went into the ocean. She was later discovered to be alive in 2002. During her short stay in town Brenda told Sonny she understood why he left her at the altar and thanked him for keeping her safe. Brenda might come back to Port Charles in late 2007 so maybe brenda and him might get back together.
[edit] Sonny and Carly
One of General Hospital's most popular couples is the pairing of Sonny and Carly Corinthos. Sonny and Carly have two young boys Michael Corinthos and Morgan Corinthos. In early 2007, Carly barged into Sonny's office and saw what she believed to be Lorenzo Alcazar holding Sonny at gunpoint (she was correct). Her entrance into the room startled Alcazar and Sonny was able to retrieve a weapon and shoot Alcazar in self defense. Trying to help Sonny, Carly told the PCPD that she saw the whole thing and that Sonny acted in self defense. From where she stood in the office, however, she would have been unable to see Alacazar's gun. In order that she would not have to testify as a witness in court she married Sonny in name only. while they are being held hostage Carly and Sonny adimtted that their feelings are still there for each other and either one of them want to the divorced. When Jax makes Carly believe that he slept with Alexis Davis it could push Carly back into her husband's arms.
[edit] Romances
Sonny was forced to marry Lily Rivera instead of his real love Brenda Barrett because of Lily's mob boss father. A pregnant Lily was later blown up by a car bomb meant for Sonny. Lily's father arranged for the car bomb because he thought Sonny meant to go back to Brenda. Sonny inherited Rivera's territory after he too died. Sonny's relationship with Brenda did not last, but he has a number of other relationships. The most significant has been with Carly Corinthos, who came to town as Caroline "Carly" Benson. He has married and divorced Carly several times. Sonny has two living children with Carly. Sonny adopted Carly's son, Michael Corinthos (by a one night stand with A.J. Quartermaine). He was able to get custody of Michael when he produced evidence that A.J. committed arson by burning some of Sonny's warehouses on the Port Charles docks. Rather than go to jail, A.J. gave up all claims on his son. Some fans see this as underhanded on Sonny's part while others aren't bothered because in their eyes A.J.'s only interest in his son was in providing the Quartermaine heir. Later, AJ married Courtney Matthews, Sonny's half sister and demanded his parental rights. Sonny ordered his henchmen to hang A.J. from a meat hook and threatened to kill him if he did not sign the adoption papers. Carly later gave birth to his son, Morgan Corinthos. Sonny accidentally shot Carly in the head while she was giving birth to Morgan after being gas-lighted by Lorenzo Alcazar. Alcazar paid a woman to have plastic surgery so that she would resemble Sonny's first wife, Lily. When he found Carly in labor he thought she was in danger and shot at what he thought was Lorenzo Alcazar. Sonny also has a daughter, Kristina Davis, with his former attorney, Alexis Davis. Alexis kept the paternity of her daughter secret for years to protect her from Sonny. She was forced to tell Sonny the truth when Kristina developed aplastic anemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Sonny also had a stillborn daughter, Lila (named for Jason's grandmother, Lila Quartermaine) with Samantha "Sam" McCall. Sam later turned out to be the daughter Alexis gave up for adoption as a teenager. Sonny was dismayed when he learned he had slept with a mother and daughter. Sonny was most recently involved with Emily Bowen-Quartermaine, the adoptive sister of his right hand man, Jason Morgan. Emily persuaded him to get treatment for his bipolar disorder. Sonny recently ended the relationship out of fear that his lifestyle would hurt Emily. Sonny's half-brother, Ric Lansing, the son of Sonny's mother Adela by Trevor Lansing, hoped to use Sonny's bipolar disorder to gain advantage over Sonny, but his plot was foiled. Now Ric is conniving with Lorenzo Alcazar to kill Sonny and his right-hand man Jason Morgan. Alexis Davis is battling lung cancer and asked Sonny to let Ric raise Kristina if she dies. In order to get Alexis to consider chemo therapy as treatment for her cancer, Sonny threatened to gain custody of his daughter if Alexis' dies. Since Alexis' separation from Ric Lansing, Sonny and Alexis have rekindled their friendship somewhat. His lawyer, Diane, is working on Alexis' custody case with Ric (Ric is trying to gain custody of their daughter Molly on the grounds that Alexis is too sick to be an adequate parent) and has provided a strong shoulder for her to lean on as she is dealing with the effects of chemo therapy and battling with lung cancer. -
[edit] Quotes
Soap Opera Digest...You’ve Got Male 9/05/06
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sadly, things went a bit off-course this summer for Sonny, probably the greatest male soap hero ever to grace the daytime screen. It was disheartening to see him collapse into madness. We love the powerful Sonny, the Sonny who’s always in control, the Sonny who makes the babes fall head-over-heels even though they know he’s bad, bad, bad. This isn’t saying that Maurice Benard didn’t do a good job with the Sonny madness, but we just didn’t like seeing our hero succumb to his illness. Get well soon, Sonny. Here’s hoping that next summer, you’re back to kicking ass again.
Soaps in Depth Gold Star 8/01/06
Maurice Benard's consistent and passionate portrayal of GENERAL HOSPITAL's soft-hearted but emotionally damaged mobster, Sonny Corinthos, has never failed to rivet us. But the Emmy winner has yet again raised the bar, proving that his talent has absolutely no limit. In real life, Benard has faced the challenges of manic depression and survived its torturous traits, educating the masses about it along the way. So as Sonny battles the same disorder, the actor has chosen a path that can only be described as brave. He is reliving and exposing the raw, painful reality that he himself has suffered and learned to live with.
Soap Opera Digest Best of 2004, Best chemistry: Maurice Benard with everyone 12/31/04
Some complain that GH revolves around Sonny. But it would be foolish not to take advantage of the remarkable magnetism that Maurice Benard has displayed for the past 11 years.
To embody Sonny is to commit from the inside out, synchronizing a complex chorus of morality and passion on every level. Benard positively hums with it--which helps draw out the essense of every character Sonny crosses. So while he's riveting in scenes with everything from graves to ghosts--it's opposite flesh-and-blood characters like Carly, Sam and Alexis that he has helped spawn three boisterous fan bases. And we may joke about his closeness with Jason (they could be GH's hottest couple), but the truth is, this is one of the most intriguing male bonds on daytime.
Creating sparks is hardly guaranteed, but with Benard at the nucleus, you won't be bored.
[edit] Family & Relationships
[edit] Parents
- Mike Corbin (Father) {aka. Michael Corinthos Sr.}
[edit] Dead Parents
- Adela Corinthos (Mother, deceased)
[edit] Sibling(s)
- Ric Lansing (Maternal Half-Brother)
[edit] Dead Siblings
- Courtney Matthews (Paternal Half-Sister, deceased)
[edit] Martial Status
- Carly Corinthos (Married; fourth time) [01/2007+]
[edit] Past Marriage(s)
- Carly Corinthos (Divorced; first time)
- Carly Corinthos (Divorced; second time)
- Carly Corinthos (Divorced; third time)
[edit] Dead wives
- Lily Rivera (Dissolved by her death)
[edit] Children
- Michael Corinthos III (Adopted Son, with Carly Corinthos) {Carly's child with A.J. Quartermaine}
- Kristina Davis (Daughter, with Alexis Davis)
- Morgan Corinthos (Son, with Carly Corinthos)
[edit] Dead children
- Unnamed Child (Son, with Lily Rivera, deceased)
- Unnamed Child (Son, with Carly Corinthos, deceased) {Miscarriage}
- Lila McCall (Daughter, with Sam McCall, deceased) {Stillborn}
[edit] Other Relative(s)
- Molly Lansing (Half-Niece)
- Spencer Cassadine (Half-Nephew)
[edit] Flings & Relationships
- Karen Wexler (lovers)
- Brenda Barrett (lovers/engaged)
- Cindy Woods (dated)
- Hannah Scott (lovers)
- Carly Benson (affair/lovers)
- Angel Ellis (flirtation)
- Alexis Davis (one night stand)
- Sam McCall (affair)
- Emily Quartermaine (lovers)
[edit] Dead lovers
- Reese Marshall (lovers, deceased)
- Faith Rosco (kissed)
[edit] Crimes Committed
Involved unscrupulous mob-related activities [1993-present]
Put out a hit on Jagger Cates [1993]
Shot and killed Scully, the man who had befriended him as a teenager and had Sonny's stepfather killed, Deke Woods [1995]
Busted Brenda out of jail when she was arrested for murdering Pierce Dorman [1997]
Arrested by the FBI for racketeering [September 1999]
Adultery; slept with Carly Benson while she was married to A.J. Quartermaine. [November 29, 1999]
Blackmailed AJ into giving Carly Benson a divorce [March 2000]
Arrested by the FBI when Carly Benson and Roy DiLucca set him up [April 2001]
Helped fugitive Angel Ellis skip town [October 25, 2001]
Arrested for locking Skye Quartermaine in a boathouse (it was actually Carly Benson) [March 2002]
Faked his death to flush out Luis Alcazar [September 2002]
Shot Luis Alcazar [September 2002]
Held Ric Lansing captive [2003]
Badly beat up Ric Lansing [2003]
Shot Lorenzo Alcazar [October 24, 2003]
Acciently shoot Carly Corinthos [October 24, 2003]
Held a gun up to Faith Rosco's neck [October 31, 2003]
Attempted murder; tried to shoot and kill Lorenzo Alcazar [November 26, 2003]
Kidnapped Sam McCall [November 26, 2003]
Shot and killed Ben Rogers to protect Sam McCall [January 9, 2004]
Adultery; slept with Sam McCall while married to Carly [Winter to Spring 2004]
Sent Jason Morgan to kill Brian Beck [February 5, 2004]
Held Brian Beck at gunpoint [February 11, 2004]
Lied about not being the father of Sam McCall's baby [2004]
Killed the assassin who planted the explosive in his limo [April 2004]
Arrested for racketeering [Nov 18th, 2004]
Held Reese Marshall at gunpoint [Feburary 2005]
Had several members of the Sandoval family murdered [2005]
Aided and abetted fugitives, Sam McCall and Jason Morgan [November 2006-December 2006]
Created a distraction at General hospital so fugitive Jason Morgan could escape [December 2006]
Shot Lorenzo Alcazar [January 2007]
Lied to Carly Benson to get her to marry him [January 2007]
