Rena Sofer is checking back into “General Hospital” after leaving 26 years ago

Now here's a plot twist. After leaving General Hospital 26 years ago, Rena Sofer is checking back into the storied soap opera next month as Lois Cerullo, PEOPLE reports.

A General Hospital fan favorite in the '90s thanks to her fast-talking Italian persona and thick Brooklyn accent, Sofer's Lois was a band musician who fell in love with a hip, leather-loving rocker named Eddie Maine (Wally Kurth). Only after they got married did she learn that "Eddie" was actually Ned Ashton, scion of one of the wealthiest families in Port Charles.

Everett Collection Rena Sofer as Lois Cerullo on 'General Hospital'

Ned's family, the Quartermaines, tainted his relationship with Lois when Katherine Bell (Mary Beth Evans) blackmailed the dynasty to get Ned to marry her. He did, and tried to keep the truth from Lois, but then she surprised him by jumping out of Katherine's birthday cake and declaring, "Happy Birthday to Mrs. Ned Ashton, from the other Mrs. Ned Ashton!" Refresh yourself on that incredible moment in the clip below.

Eventually, Lois gave Ned a choice between her or his family, and he chose the latter. Heartbroken, Lois returned to her hometown of Brooklyn and gave birth to their daughter, the imaginatively named Brook Lynn.

The character briefly returned to General Hospital from 2004-2005, where she was played by actress Lesli Kay. But now Sofer is back — and what timing, too, considering that Ned is now suffering from amnesia and once again believes he is Eddie Maine.

Seinfeld viewers may also recognize Sofer from her memorable guest appearance in the season 8 episode "The Muffin Tops," in which she played a visitor center worker who mistakes George (Jason Alexander) for a tourist in New York. Her part had significant plot consequences for the show, because George's attempts to impress her eventually got him fired from his office job for the New York Yankees.

You can refresh yourself on that incredible moment, too, in the clip below.

General Hospital fans can expect to see Sofer's return in October.

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