By Joanne Gallo

Since Maurice Benard debuted on GENERAL HOSPITAL in 1993 as Sonny Corinthos, he's slayed viewers with his soulful eyes and passionate heart. Though his day job as a mobster provides much intrigue, it's Sonny's role as a lover, not a fighter, that has made him one of daytime's most popular characters—and one of WEEKLY's most popular cover guys.

April 5, 1994: The Mating Game

Actors on cover: Lynn Herring (Lucy), Jon Robert Lindstrom (Kevin), Wally Kurth (Ned), Rena Sofer (Lois), Vanessa Marcil (Brenda), Maurice Benard (Sonny)

When Benard landed on his first cover with Marcil as one of "GH's newest twosomes," he probably had little idea how big of a supercouple Sonny and Brenda would become. But then-GH head writer Claire Labine proclaimed the duo had chemistry from their first casual on-screen encounter, which prompted an official pairing, pronto.

May 23, 1995: Bad Company

Actors on cover: Vanessa Marcil (Brenda), Maurice Benard (Sonny)

After the Spencer house and Luke's club is sprayed with bullets, Brenda demands to know what Sonny's involvement is. She slaps him with an ultimatum: either he tell her the truth about his lifestyle or she'll say hasta la vista. Sonny fears that if he does tell her, she'll leave anyway.

Sept. 19, 1995: Musical Beds

Actors on cover: Lilly Melgar (Lily), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Ricky Martin (Miguel), Vanessa Marcil (Brenda)

Sonny and Lily sleep together, right on the heels of Sonny's breakup with Brenda (and Lily's breakup with Miguel). Sonny takes Lily back to his apartment after the taping of Miguel and Brenda's music video and they make love. Though Sonny cares for Lily, he is still not over Brenda.

Feb. 6, 1996: Married to the Mob

Actors on cover: Lilly Melgar (Lily), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Vanessa Marcil (Brenda)

Sonny prepares to marry Lily, daughter of mob boss Rivera, as part of a deal that got the grand jury to acquit him of racketeering charges. Though Sonny still loves Brenda, he's determined to go through with the wedding. A devastated Brenda shows up at the ceremony, prepared to do whatever it takes to stop it.

March 11, 1997: Brenda and Sonny Make Love

Actors on cover: Vanessa Marcil (Brenda), Maurice Benard (Sonny)

Sonny and Brenda are trapped in the catacombs, thanks to Harry's plan to punish Sonny for Lily's death. Fearing they will die, they admit their deepest feelings for each other and make love. After being rescued, Brenda begs Sonny to keep it a secret, because she is still committed to Jax.

May 9, 2000: Twist of Fate

Actors on cover: Maurice Benard (Sonny), Sarah Brown (Carly)

Though they started out hating each other, Sonny and Carly's feelings start to emerge and they make love. Since she is already carrying his baby, Carly agrees to his marriage proposal. However, she still loves Jason, and Sonny's just trying to do the right thing for the sake of their baby.

Oct. 16, 2001: Maurice Benard Uncensored

Benard candidly discusses the state of the show, including his dissatisfaction with Sonny's pairing with Angel, and what it's like to work with the new Carly, Tamara Braun.

Jan. 29, 2002: Carly Out, Alexis In!

Actors on cover: Tamara Braun (Carly), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis)

After spending an increasing amount of time together, Alexis decides it's time to tell her favorite client, Sonny, how she really feels about him. Alexis is conflicted because she knows Sonny still loves Carly—and that he's not the type of man she should be involved with.

Aug. 6, 2002: The Race to Tell Sonny the Truth!

Actors on cover: Tamara Braun (Carly), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis)

Carly, now secure in her relationship with Sonny, urges Alexis to tell Sonny he's the father of Alexis' baby. Alexis writes a letter to him, then burns it. Alexis' sister, Kristina, finds the charred remains and brings it to Sonny at the warehouse. Before she finds him, she is killed in an explosion set by Sonny's new rival, (Luis) Alcazar.

Feb. 24, 2004: Showdown!

Actors on cover: Tamara Braun (Carly), Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis)

Carly blackmails Alexis into representing her against Sonny in the custody case for Michael, threatening to tell Sonny he's baby Kristina's biological father. Sonny plans to take Michael and Morgan out of the country, but Carly shows up with (Lorenzo) Alcazar before he can.

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