‘GH’ Star Steve Burton Breaks Silence On Kelly Monaco’s Firing
GH fans are still reeling over the news that Kelly Monaco was fired. Steve Burton breaks his silence on his longtime screen partner’s exit. Keep reading for all the details.
GH Rocked By Cast Changes
General Hospital has undergone a lot of changes this year, both on-screen and behind the camera. The show fired Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor as head writers in early 2024 and replaced them with Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahey.
Longtime soap writer Mulcahey’s time as head writer was short-lived. He was fired a few months later. The show announced in August that Van Etten had been rehired and was writing the show with Elizabeth Korte.
But the behind-the-scenes drama is nothing compared to the many cast changes in the last few months. Steve Burton returned to the show after three years. Jonathan Jackson was another big-name return, bringing Lucky back to the canvas after nearly a decade. The actor made an appearance in 2015 to help write Luke Spencer (Tony Geary) off the show.
The show lost several other actors to make room for Lucky and Jason. Michael Easton, Roger Howarth, and Michael E. Knight were among the 2024 departures. Nicholas Chavez decided not to return to Spencer Cassadine after booking a huge Netflix role.
But the revolving door of comings and goings did not prepare fans for the news that Kelly Monaco was leaving the show after 21 years.
Kelly Monaco Helped ABC Announce Steve Burton’s Return
ABC aired a primetime special in January to celebrate the soap’s 60th anniversary. The special included the surprising news that Steve Burton was returning as Jason Quartermaine. He was let go in 2021 after refusing the COVID vaccination.
Kelly Monaco and Laura Wright, who plays Jason’s leading ladies Sam and Carly, were part of the announcement.
Kelly Monaco’s Sam McCall has been connected with Jason since the beginning when the actress joined the show in 2003. JaSam, as fans affectionately call the duo, hasn’t shared much screen time since his return. But fans were hopeful that the beloved couple would resume their romantic relationship at some point.
But that seems unlikely now that Kelly Monaco is leaving, especially if the rumors are true that the show is killing Sam off.
Steve Burton Breaks Silence On Kelly Monaco’s Firing
Steve Burton co-hosts the Daily Drama podcast with his GH co-star, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli.) The two filmed a podcast episode shortly after news broke about Kelly Monaco’s firing.
The podcast’s YouTube page was flooded with questions about the unexpected exit. Bradford Anderson said that the show was on a filming break and the rest of the cast heard about Kelly’s firing at the same time as everyone else.
He added that they don’t have any more information than what’s already out there. Steve Burton chimed in to agree. “I wish we had information to tell you,” he said.
He speculated that more information should come out in the coming days. The GH star noted that he doesn’t know how the show will write off Sam but said, “Whatever happens sucks.”
Watch the podcast clip below.
Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson addressed Kelly Monaco’s firing from #GH @dailydramatv pic.twitter.com/SzUIQLdpWo
— Special Guest Star ♏️ (@jon_ari_) August 27, 2024
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I am seventy five years old so I have been watching general hospital A lifetime. I thoroughly enjoy the acting of Laura Wright. She rises to the occasiand everything.I cannot imagine general hospital without her. Ask for kelly Monica, I have enjoyed her also.However I believe she is too good to be Stagnant in her Role. I would likething where she can spread her wings and show how good she really is. I have enjoyed her immensely on general hospital but I feel her role Husband diminishing. I do not want to see her another soap operas that I do not watch. Bold, and the beautiful is one that I watch and really needs help. That may be a better place for her. I will definitely miss her on general hospital.
I am having a difficult time as it is adjusting to the replacement . Kelly, it’s a big world out there.Go spread your wings and Strut Like you are that grand peacock and show what you can do. I am so proud of you blessings.
And grand entrance. To wherever you go!
I do not know what these riders are thinking by letting great actresses go that have been with this shelf for many many years. I think people are going to get tired of all the changes they’re making. I think what they should be doing is getting rid of the writers. God bless you, kelly Monaco, and I wish you the best in your future. Definitely deserve better than the way they treated you after all these years Of you being on General Hospital. shame on them for letting you go
Writers don’t hire or fire!! They do what the GH Execs tell them. Yell at the execs. Budget cuts suck but the Veteran actors are renewing contracts and the execs fire them instead of renewing contracts and giving raises. Sam, Finn and Austin were fired cuz ain’t no money for raises. Won’t be long till GH is gone too!!
SB and KM hated each other so in his mind I’m sure he’s jumping for joy.