General Hospital star Lynn Herring celebrates a milestone

Lynn Herring is always a delight as General Hospital's Lucy Coe, through the best of times and the worst of times. Today, Herring is having a best-of-times moment in real life as she celebrates her birthday.

Happy birthday, Lynn Herring

Lucy and the Deception ladies on General Hospital | Image: ABC

Herring was born on September 22, 1958, in Enid, Oklahoma, but grew up in Virginia, where she became Miss Virginia USA in 1977, before becoming fourth runner-up in the Miss USA pageant later that year.

After graduating from Louisiana State University with a degree in psychology, Herring moved out west to pursue a career in acting. Not long after, she began landing roles. She had an uncredited part in the flick Roller Boogie in 1979, and went on to have episodic parts on shows like Matt Houston, Tucker's Witch, and Quincy, M.E.

In 1986, Herring landed the role of meek librarian Lucy Coe on General Hospital, who turned out not to be so meek after all. She has been a Port Charles fixture ever since, even bringing the character to the spin-off series, Port Charles. Herring's other soap roles in between GH stints include Lisanne Gardiner on Days of our Lives and Audrey Coleman on As the World Turns.

Herring was married to fellow soap star Wayne Northrop (ex-Roman Brady, DAYS) from 1981 until his death in 2024. They shared two adult sons, Hank and Grady.

Lucy Coe gets around

After Northrop's death following a battle with Alzheimer's disease, Herring resumed work on GH where she continues to shine as Lucy. This year, Lucy has tried to navigate Deception drama that she has unknowingly brought on herself via her friendship with Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota).

Through the years, Lucy has been involved with multiple romances, including relationships with Kevin Collins (Jon Lindstrom), Scott Baldwin (Kin Shriner), and most recently, Martin Grey (Michael E. Knight). In 2023, Lucy was presumed dead for several months, but was just being held captive by Victor Cassadine (Charles Shaughnessy). Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) and Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) finally rescued her.

Lucy remains a Jill-of-all-trades in Port Charles, dabbling in real estate, cosmetics, writing, and even a little vampire slaying when the situation calls for it.