Holly Sutton-Scorpio

Holly Sutton-Scorpio is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network, portrayed by Emma Samms. She originally appeared from July 1, 1982, to September 5, 1985. With Samms choosing to leave the series amicably to go to ABC's prime time hit Dynasty and its spin-off The Colbys, Holly seemingly perished in a plane crash. "Fan favorite" Samms had been so popular at General Hospital that Holly was brought back from the dead on January 16, 1992, after a seven-year absence. She stayed in the role until July 22, 1993, during this time also playing Holly's lookalike half-sister Paloma, a heroic revolutionary.

After a 13-year absence, Samms made a seven-episode return to General Hospital as Holly on February 20, 2006, in time for the series' 11,000th episode. She reappeared for a three-week run starting May 1 and then again on June 30 the same year. Samms again made a brief return to the series on May 15, 2009. In January 2012, it was announced Samms would once again temporarily step back into the role of Holly. She returned from February 28 to March 8, 2012. Emma Samms again returned for a short stints in August 2013 and June 2015, the latter as part of the story leading to the exit of Anthony Geary's Luke.

On September 18, 2020, Samms briefly reprised the role of Holly. In August 2022, it was announced she would again return to the role in October of that year; she returned from October 20 to November 30. On March 13, 2023, it was announced Samms would again reprise the role; she was set to make her return on April 14 of the same year; however, due to a preemption, her return date was pushed back to April 17. On July 29, 2024, it was announced Samms would reprise the role, with Holly returning during the final moments of the September 4 episode. She departed the role when Holly left Port Charles with Robert in November 2024.

Holly met Luke met at a camping trip, when he saw her skinny dipping. He was smitten, and they ended up having a one-night stand. Holly set up Luke, as she played a principal role in an oil scam designed to bilk the citizens of Port Charles out of millions. Luke refused to believe Holly was a professional grifter. Eventually, Holly was forced to admit the truth. Then, Holly was kidnapped. Luke and Robert Scorpio traveled to Victoria, British Columbia, to rescue Holly and recover the money stolen by her ex-cohorts. Still hurt over Holly's deception and unable to fully trust her, Luke and Holly ended up having a terrible argument. Luke packed his things and headed to the mountains. Shortly afterwards, news arrived there had been an avalanche. Luke was presumed dead, but he had broken his back and was recuperating in a remote hospital. Holly discovered she was pregnant with Luke's child and about to be deported. To honor Luke's memory, Robert offered to marry Holly and help raise Luke's child. Soon after the wedding Holly suffered a miscarriage.

Both Robert and Holly were shocked and dismayed when Luke returned alive and well. Luke was deeply hurt to find out his best friend and his ex-lover not only married but had fallen for each other. This ignited one of General Hospital's best love triangle stories. Holly found herself torn between the two men for a while. However, Holly came to realize the man she truly loved was Robert. Robert and Holly Scorpio went on to become one of the most successful couples in GH history. When Luke later reunited with Laura and left town, the Scorpios took over as the main Supercouple on the show and helped maintain the show's stellar ratings. Robert and Holly were hailed by the fans and the press as the most romantic couple in Daytime. They broke the mold of soap couples by being happily married, totally devoted to each other while never being boring and always being frontburner. The chemistry, romance, class, sexiness and charm of this couple would delight millions of fans for the next few years to come.

In 1985, their marriage was put to the test when a secret ex-wife from Robert's past came to town in the form of Anna Devane. While this shocking development drove a wedge between them for a time, they later reconciled and decided to move to Australia. Holly went ahead to Australia first. Robert remained behind to tie up loose ends. However, just after Holly left for Australia Robert found a young girl in his home. Much to his astonishment, Robert learned she was his daughter, Robin. After an adventure in the Asian Quarter, Robert left for Australia to be with Holly. He then returns and reveals that Holly has ostensibly been killed in a plane crash.

In reality, Holly had been in a car accident and fell into a coma for nearly two years. Her family did not let Robert know she was alive. When she awoke, she discovered her husband engaged to another woman and, feeling it was too late to regain the life she had with Robert, she made the decision to stay away and let him keep his new happiness. Their paths crossed again in 1992. Robert was astonished to find Holly alive. He was angry and hurt but in a short amount of time came to entrust Robin into the care of both Holly and his brother Mac while he left town to try to find the kidnapped Anna.

Before going in search after his kidnapped wife Anna, Robert had divorce papers drawn up upon Holly's request to dissolve his marriage to Holly. However, after his and Anna's death, Holly tore up the divorce papers. Holly, devastated over Robert's "death", continued to help Mac care for Robin for a while. She later dated Bill Eckert, Luke's look-alike cousin, before leaving Port Charles in 1993.