‘GH’ Maurice Benard Reveals Regrets Over ‘The Exorcist’

General Hospital star Maurice Benard, known for his role as crime boss Sonny Corinthos, recently discussed movies and other things about his life. In particular, he mentioned The Exorcist. Read on to find out how it profoundly impacted his life so much.

Mental Health Chat

The conversation about movies came during Tuesday’s We’re Out of Time podcast with Richard Taite, where Maurice appeared as a guest. Obviously, they talked about much more than just the ABC star’s acting on the daytime drama.

The duo also discussed mental health awareness, his acting legacy, and how the coronavirus pandemic made folks more aware of bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. But then, they chatted about Erika Slezak, which reminded the real-life Sonny about Ellen Burstyn.

As Richard doesn’t watch scary movies, Maurice explained that Ellen acted the role of Regan’s mom, (Chris MacNeil) in The Exorcist. In part, the movie resonated with him because his own parents once went to see it.

Terrifying Things 

For the actor, there’s a fine line between mental health and terrifying things like the infamous movie. He opined, “a nervous breakdown or manic episode, being bipolar, whatever, a lot of it is God and the devil fighting each other in your mind, right?”

Reflecting on that, Maurice said to Taite, “And most of the time God wins, but there are times when he doesn’t and the person is not here anymore.” So, because of his upbringing, “it’s all very spiritual.”

It’s not the first time that Benard has opened up about mental health, but it is the first time that he mentioned how profoundly he could relate to the terrifying scenes in The Exorcist.

Maurice Benard said: 

…my mom and dad went to go see The Exorcist. I was 10 years old. I was babysat by my brother’s girlfriend and sister. And as a young boy,…I made out with both of them and gave them hickeys…

Immediate Regrets

The ABC veteran actor explained that at the time, he didn’t watch the scary movie. However, his father, who did watch it, “couldn’t sleep for three nights.”

Eventually, the GH crime boss from Port Charles watched it, and the regrets were huge. Maurice Benard elaborated, saying, “that movie traumatized me to the point when I had my first breakdown in the hospital, I was telling everybody I was the exorcist. I was spitting on people. It was just horrific.”

For the actor, there’s a suggestion that terrifying things like the infamous movie can impact folks. That’s because a lot of our emotions start in the mind. So it seems that opening up to suggestions on-screen might not exactly help vulnerable people.

Reflecting on that, Maurice intimated to Taite that poor mental health can be affected by our beliefs. And often, terrifying movies might be very traumatic for those who struggle.

Spiritual Ties

It’s not the first time that Benard has opened up about mental health, but it is the first time that he mentioned how profoundly he could relate to the terrifying scenes in The Exorcist.

What are your thoughts? Did you ever watch a movie that was so scary that it made you feel so bad you suffered from anxiety? Or, did you ever watch a film and have immediate regrets because it scared you badly? Let us know in the comments below, and come back here often for all your General Hospital cast news and updates.