Webber Thrill

Rebecca Herbst Hits the 20-year Mark on GH

- Mara Levinsky

In June 1997, the year after original GH cast member John Beradino (ex-Steve) passed away, the show brought Steve’s granddaughter, Sarah, onto the canvas.

Rebecca Herbst had auditioned and didn’t get the job (Jennifer Sky did), but on August 1, at the age of 20, she debuted in the role of Elizabeth, Sarah’s sister, which was created for her. Though Sarah was gone by 1998, Liz was just getting started. As she marks her 20th anniversary in Port Charles, Herbst reflects back on the job she’s now held for half her life.

Soap Opera Digest: Could the Rebecca Herbst of 1997 have imagined staying at GH for 20 years?

Rebecca Herbst: Never! My original contract was for three years and I remember thinking, “Oh, my gosh, three years, that’s forever!” I thought for sure that if I was lucky, it would last two years, and if I was on for three years, that would be incredible — never mind 20 years! Digest:

How many times had you auditioned for GH before being cast?

Herbst: I think I had gone in only once before, to play a friend of Robin’s. Then [Casting Director Mark Teschner] brought me back a couple of years later for the role of Sarah and I ended up screen-testing with, like, five blonde girls. I remember thinking, “What am I doing here? This is so weird!” They called and said, “You didn’t get the role,” and then about a month later they called back and said, “We would like to write you a part to play, Sarah’s sister.” And that’s how I ended up being Elizabeth.

Digest: Was it a job you really wanted, or was GH just one of many auditions at that point in your career?