The Jerome family is a fictional family from the original ABC Daytime drama General Hospital. The family was first introduced in January 1987. As one of the most powerful families in organized crime, the Jeromes rose to popularity due to their longstanding feud with antihero Duke Lavery and his heroine wife, Anna Devane. However, by the spring of 1990, all of the major family members had been (presumably) killed off of the series. In 2013, the family was revived as part of an ongoing storyline.
Family members
First generation
Victor Jerome (Jack Axelrod) Born on November 18, 1928,[1] Victor was the patriarch of the family and the leader of the Jerome mob. Victor forced Duke Lavery into trying to help him legitimize the mob. However, those plans failed due to the fighting between his children. Victor is the father of Dino Antoinelli, Evan, Julian, Olivia St. John, and Ava. Victor died on October 20, 1989 after Lucy Coe rejected him and he choked on a piece of jewelry he made for her.
Second generation
Dino Antoinelli (Chris DeRose) Victor's illegitimate son with his longtime mistress, Dimitra Antoinelli. Dino was raised by his mother, and eventually went to work for Victor's organization. It was not until 1988 that his paternity was revealed. A bitter Dino tried to kill his half-sister Olivia in an attempt to take over their father's organization for himself. Dino and Dimitra were later sent to prison for their part in Olivia's attempted murder, and Dino rejected Victor when his father came to visit him.
Evan Jerome, Sr. (Mentioned character) Evan was the oldest legitimate son of Victor, and considered the black sheep of the family. He married a woman named Veronica and together they had a son, Evan, Jr. In 1983, Evan met Duke Lavery in L'Orlean, Canada during a party at the home of Duke's father, Angus McKay. Evan was killed when he tried to rape Angus's daughter, Camelia. Duke and Angus covered up his murder while Camellia suffered a psychotic break and blocked out the event. Veronica wanted revenge, but Victor put an end to her scheming by banishing her to Europe.[2][3][4]
Olivia St. John (Tonja Walker) Victor's oldest daughter, born Olivia Jerome. She developed an obsession with Duke Lavery, and struggled with her brothers Julian and Dino for control of the family business. She was presumed dead after Julian killed her for betraying him. In 2017, she was revealed to be alive and the Jerome crime boss, looking to get revenge against Julian. She was caught and locked up in D'Archam mental asylum.
Julian V. Jerome (William deVry) Victor's youngest son, and most favored child, born 1961. Shielded from the mob while growing up, but later went to work for his father anyway. Julian battled with his siblings for control of the empire. In 1990, Julian and Duke were both presumed killed during a struggle over a gun. Julian returned to Port Charles in 2013 looking to rebuild the Jerome Family empire with his younger sister, Ava. Julian has three known children: Lucas Jones, Sam Morgan, and Leo Falconeri.
Ava Jerome (Maura West) Victor's illegitimate daughter with Delia Ryan. Ava came to Port Charles in 2013, working with her brother, Julian, to re-establish the family's power in Port Charles. Ava has two daughters: Kiki Jerome and Avery Corinthos.
Third generation
Evan Jerome, Jr. (Mentioned character) Son of Evan Jerome and his wife, Veronica. In 1990, Eric "Edge" Jackson pretended to be Evan Jerome, Jr. According to Victor's will, Evan, Jr. stood to inherit the entire family's estate. With Edge's true identity revealed, Anna Devane learned that the real Evan Jerome was a drug addict who once worked for Edge. The search for the real Evan began, but Edge believed he was already dead.[5] It was later confirmed that Evan Jr. had been killed in a car crash. The diamonds were taken by the IRS to pay Victor's back taxes.[6]
Lucas Stansbury Jones (Ryan Carnes) Julian's son with Cheryl Stansbury, born in 1989 revised to 1987. He was sold on the black market by Victor shortly after birth, and illegally adopted by Bobbie Jones, who names him after her brother Luke Spencer. When Cheryl finds out the truth, she gets Lucas back. When Cheryl dies, Lucas is briefly taken in by his aunt Tiffany Hill before being legally adopted by Bobbie and her then husband Tony Jones. Lucas comes out as gay right before Tony's death.[7]
Lauren Katherine "Kiki" Jerome (Hayley Erin) Ava's daughter with Dr. Silas Clay born on May 29, 1992 revised to 1993. However, Kiki was raised as the daughter of the crazed artist Franco. Kiki has struggled to trust her mother, simultaneously loving and hating Ava for lying and hurting her several times.
Avery Corinthos Ava's daughter with Sonny Corinthos, born on October 31, 2014. Avery is stolen at birth by Nina Clay, who skips town with the baby and, with the help of Franco, makes plans to raise the baby as her own. Avery was rescued, and briefly lived with her brother, Michael Corinthos. Avery has been the subject of a bitter custody battle between her parents.
Leo Falconeri Julian's son with Olivia Falconeri born on May 2, 2015. Olivia claimed that Ned Ashton was his father, to protect Leo from Julian's lifestyle. Olivia and Ned faked Leo's death, and took a prematurely born Leo to upstate New York for treatment, to keep him hidden from Julian. Olivia returned, and claimed Leo was a child she adopted. Julian eventually found out the truth, and they worked out a custody arrangement, though Olivia is still reluctant to let Julian spend time with Leo.
Fourth generation
Lila McCall Sam's daughter with Sonny Corinthos. She was stillborn on November 8, 2004 after Sam collapsed while arguing with Alexis Davis. Her stem cells were donated to save Kristina Davis. Sam intended to name her Lila after Lila Quartermaine, but the baby was buried as "Baby Girl McCall."