Steve Burton will return to “General Hospital” after having been fired in November 2021 due to his refusal to get the COVID vaccine. At the time, Burton was certainly one of two actors on the long-running ABC cleaning soap opera who refused to be vaccinated; Ingo Rademacher was additionally fired. (He later sued the corporate, and misplaced.)
Burton made the announcement of his return himself throughout an ABC primetime particular Thursday night time celebrating the present’s sixtieth anniversary.
“Happy anniversary, ‘General Hospital,’” Burton stated as he walked by a doorway, flanked by solid members Laura Wright and Kelly Monaco. “Big things are coming to Port Charles.”
Burton performed Jason Morgan on the ABC cleaning soap on and off since 1991, however on the Nov. 19, 2021 episode, a tunnel on Cassadine Island collapsed on Jason, and he’s been presumed lifeless since. His physique was not discovered, in fact. At the time, Variety reported that the present wouldn’t recast Burton’s function.
Burton introduced his “General Hospital” ouster himself in November 2021. “I wanted you to hear it from me personally.” he stated on the time on Instagram. “Unfortunately, ‘General Hospital’ has let me go because of the vaccine mandate. I did apply for my medical and religious exemptions, and both of those were denied. Which, you know, hurts. But this is also about personal freedom to me.”
But he additionally left the door open to return again. “Maybe one day if these mandates are lifted, I can return and finish my career as Jason Morgan. That would be an honor.”
Burton has been on “Days of Our Lives,” which streams on Peacock, however on Jan. 4, he stated he had filmed his last episode.
Earlier this 12 months, throughout a roundtable dialog with “General Hospital” solid members to commemorate the present’s sixtieth anniversary, Variety requested about the opportunity of the favored Burton returning to the present. Genie Francis, who’s performed the long-lasting Laura on the cleaning soap opera on and off because the late Nineteen Seventies, stated: “I certainly hope so. Because he’s so missed — on screen and off. You’ve gotta admit, one of the nicest human beings who’s ever been with us.”
Fans will see Jason’s return in early 2024.