kate howard is a fictional character from the abc daytime soap opera "general hospital". the character was originated by actress megan ward, who portrayed the role from may 2007 to october 2010. in september 2011, the role was re-introduced with actress kelly sullivan, who has portrayed the role since. connie is known for having two distinct alternate personalities – connie, who later changed her name to kate howard, who established her career and what the character was initially introduced as and an alternate personality also named connie, who was based on her life back in bensonhurst. sullivan departed the role one year later in august 2013 and made a one-off appearance in october 2014. ward briefly returned for one episode in january 2018.