User:Nk3play2/Steve Hardy

Dr. Steven "Steve" Hardy is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Former Major League Baseball infielder John Beradino originates the role in 1963, and was one of the longest running cast members, being apart of the original cast.

Casting
Beradino originated the role of Dr. Steve Hardy in premier episode of General Hospital on April 1, 1963. Beradino was a contract cast member until his last appearance in April 1996. Beradino passes away the following month and the character is retired on July 15, 1996 when Steve is scripted to have died from a heart attack. Beradino's portrayal of Steve Hardy earned him three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series from 1974 to 1976. Beradino also makes a brief appearance on GH's sister soap, One Life to Live in 1968 and 1969 when he travels to Llanview, Pennsylvania to consult on Meredith Lord's blood disease. This is used by the network as a way to lead General Hospital viewers to watch One Life to Live.

1960s
Dr. Steve Hardy is so dedicated to his medical career that it cost him his fiancée, Peggy Lowell in the fall of 1963. Though he doesn't have anyone to love, Steve has very close friends, including Nurse, Jessie Brewer and attorney, Lee Baldwin. In early 1964, Steve catches the attention of the young nurse, Audrey March. They fall in love and plan to marry but when Steve gets cold feet, she breaks it off with him and is about to marry Randy Washburn when she is diagnosed with lymphoma. Randy abandons her while Steve stays by her side and proposes marriage again; the couple finally marries in February 1965. Fearing Steve was sterile, Audrey secretly underwent artificial insemination. Overcome with guilt, Audrey confesses to Steve while they are driving leading to a car accident and her miscarriage. Believing Steve will never forgive her, Audrey files for divorce and goes to Vietnam. When Audrey returned she marries Dr. Tom Baldwin to prove she is over Steve, but the marriage ends in disaster when he rapes her.

1970s
In 1971, Steve and Audrey plan to marry and "adopt" her son, "Stevie"