Steve Burton is leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL. Rumored for weeks now, Burton confirmed his exit in a new interview with TV Guide Magazine.TV Guide Magazine: Word is, this is one of the most amicable soap exits ever — no money battles, storyline complaints, testy negotiations. Where's all the drama, dude?
Burton: I've been through 21 years of ups and downs with GH — regime changes, cast and crew changes, budget cuts, shakeups of one kind or another, and it's been nothing but a huge positive in my life and for my family. I have no complaints, no negative feelings at all. But it's time to go. I'm going to take some time off and do nothing but relax, just enjoy life a little bit with my wife and kids. I've bought a home in Tennessee, way out in the country outside Nashville. [Laughs] Probably too far out in the country! I've been talking about leaving GH and moving there for the last seven years. The timing was never right and then the economy crashed and I couldn't sell my house in California. I went there many years ago when I did the movie The Last Castle and loved it. Tennessee reminded me of growing up in Ohio. The people are nice, it's family oriented and, now that my kids are 6 and almost 9, I want to get them planted. My contract was coming up at GH so we put the house up for sale again and it went in, like, eight weeks. That opened the door for me to leave GH.
TV Guide Magazine: How will the show handle this? They wouldn't dare recast, would they?
Burton: I really don't know. Right now my last tape date is Sept. 25 but I told them I'm happy to stay for another couple of weeks if it helps wrap things up. So it looks like I will be on air through October, maybe into November.
Burton also revealed he's been working on a new novela with James Franco and Jill Farren Phelps.
The actor took to Twitter this morning to share his appreciation for the fans: "Morning.Just wanted to thank all of you for your support over the years.You are amazing.It's been an incredible 21 yrs of my life.THANK YOU"
What do you think will happen with the character of Jason on GENERAL HOSPITAL?
RELATED:
- EXCLUSIVE: Steve Burton Dishes On New Cookbook & More!
DAYTIME SOAP OPERAS
