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‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reflects on His Time with TV Parents Stuart Damon and Leslie Charleson

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) took some moments to share stories and remembrances of two of the all-time greats of General Hospital, who also happen to have played his television parents, the late Stuart Damon (ex-Alan Quartermaine) and Leslie Charleson (ex-Monica Quartermaine).

The moment came during the release of Sunday’s all-new episode of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve and Bradford Anderson. The episode featured questions from fans of the actors; one of which was for Steve that asked, “What it was like working with Stuart and Leslie as your parents?”

The two-time Daytime Emmy winner, who is currently in the last part of his extended hiatus from the ABC soap, always talks fondly of Stuart and Leslie and often gets choked up doing so. Stuart Damon passed away back in June of 2021, while Leslie Charleson passed away more recently in January of 2025. Burton debut as a young teenaged Jason Quartermaine back in 1991, and as he tells it, without the influence and help of Stuart Damon, his GH career may not be where it is today.

Photo: JPI

STUART DAMON’S WORK ETHIC

“Stuart was super consistent in how he worked. Super structured. I learned a lot from Stuart about his work ethic, his discipline, showing up, treating people kindly, being grateful,” recalled Burton. “If that’s what you can learn from somebody … that’s amazing. It was just something special about being in the Quartermaines. We had something. It was a special family put together.”

As viewers know, just by watching the death of Monica Quartermaine episodes earlier this year, just how close in real-life Steve was to the late Leslie Charleson. “Leslie was a firecracker. You didn’t know what was going to happen or when it was going to happen,” shared Burton. “I always tell the story about how I would come in chewing gum. I was this little cocky teenager and she’d be like, ‘spit it out now!’  Leslie was such a nurturing person. She loved to help, and had amazing sense of humor. I couldn’t have had two better onscreen parents ever.”

GH did a complete about face with the character of Jason Quartermaine after his motorcycle crash on New Year’s Eve in 1995, and he became Jason Morgan, who is now one of the all-time most beloved characters in the history of the show. But as Burton explains it, it may not have happened if it wasn’t for Stuart Damon.

YOU GOT TO GIVE THIS KID A SHOT

“Stuart was the biggest cheerleader of mine. Not often does this happen where somebody would go up to the fifth floor to whoever’s the executive producer and he says, ‘You gotta give this kid a shot. Give him more, see what he can do.’ That was really nice of him,” acknowledged Steve. “So, if it wasn’t for Stewart … I always speak very highly of him because he was amazing, In real-life, Stuart was just a beautiful soul would give anything to anybody. I always give him credit and Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), because without the two of them there, I wouldn’t be where I am for sure.”

You can check out the entire episode of the latest edition of Steve and Bradford’s podcast below.

Now, let us know, do you think that Stuart Damon and Leslie Charleson as Alan and Monica were two of the greatest TV parents in the history of soap operas? What did you think of Steve’s remembrances? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.

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Steve said: “It was just something special about being in the Quartermaines. We had something. It was a special family put together.” He most definitely speaks the truth. What a lovely tribute to Stuart Damon and Lesile Charleson. They and the rest of the Quartermaines were amazing.

Always wondered why JFP killed Stuart Damon off.

His dismissal came as a result of reducing the budget and shift its creative focus toward younger characters.

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Laura Wright Signs New Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Laura Wright

While there have been plenty of on-screen newcomers in recent weeks on General Hospital, no need to worry about one of its mainstays, with the news from Daytime Emmy winner, Laura Wright, herself. Wright who plays Carly Spencer on the ABC soap opera has revealed on X, that she just re-signed a new deal with the soap opera to remain in Port Charles.

Wright is the fourth actress to play Carly, following in the footsteps of the OG Carly, Sarah Brown, Tamara Brown, and Jennifer Bransford. In fact, Laura left her major role on Guiding Light as Cassie Layne Winslow to take over the role of Bobbie Spencer’s (the late Jackie Zeman) complex daughter in November of 2005. Now almost 21 years later, Laura has made Carly her own and has delivered memorable performance after memorable performance throughout her run.

When a fans commented on X, “Can I just say if you ever leave General Hospital as Carly I will stop watching the show. I honestly have loved you and think that you are the best person to play Carly,” Laura Wright jumped in to the thread and assured her and other GH fans, that she has no plans to go anywhere else.

Photo: ABC

LAURA WRIGHT STAYING PUT AT GENERAL HOSPITAL AND FANS ARE HAPPY SHE’S STICKING AROUND

Laura expressed, “I’m not going anywhere, just signed a new contract!!!” Since she made her public statement, many GH fans were thrilled with the news with comments such as: I would’ve been devastated if you weren’t sticking around. You’ve truly made Carly your own after so many years, ” and Happy to hear this, I always enjoy #GH more when Carly is on,” plus “So glad you’re sticking around as Carly. Love Carly and can’t wait for more #Caradine and #Jarly”

One fans hopes Laura will be on for years to come a la Jane Elliot’s tenure as Tracy Quartermaine saying, “Awesome. It’s so fun getting to see the full life of a character. Hope you stick around for many more years. I think Carly will be a hoot in her Tracy Quartermaine era.”

Laura Wright’s road to General Hospital started back on ABC’s Loving when she first played  Allison “Ally” Rescott on Loving (1991 to 1995) and then its spinoff The City (1995 to 1997). She later joined Guiding Light as Cassie, who was revealed to be the sister of Reva Shayne played by Kim Zimmer. She played the part from 1997-2005. From then on its been all GH scoring a Lead Actress Daytime Emmy win in 2011, along with eight total nominations throughout her daytime career.

Currently, Carly is involved in a romance with Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), but it’s on shaky ground with Anna Devane back in the picture not so happy to see the two canoodling, and Carly having been warned by Sonny that Valentin is not trustworthy.

However, after seeing Laura’s post that she has signed on to stay at GH, James Patrick Stuart commented on X  reacted by stating, “Phew!”

So, happy to hear Laura has re-signed with General Hospital and will continue her role as Carly Spencer? Let us know via the comment section below.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Willow Feels The Effects of Jacinda’s Drugs; Josslyn Find Out She’s CEO of Jasper Jacks Enterprises

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Willow

On the Friday, August 7, episode of General Hospital, Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) unknowingly has put her children Amelia and Wiley in danger, Drew (Cameron Mathison) and Ava (Maura West) appear to be in collusion against Sonny, and Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) get off to a rocky start (which as you know in soaps could be a love match down the line!).

Here’s what went down as most of the action took place at the Metro Court pool area: First, Josslyn meets with Hudson, who reveals himself to be none other than the VP of Operations for JJE (Jasper Jacks Enterprises). Hudson tells Josslyn he was sent to Port Charles from Australia, while her dad was sailing around the world as he had named her the new CEO of his company.

Josslyn immediately puts her foot down and tells Hudson she is not accepting the position. He asks, why? She informs him that she works as a WSB agent. Hudson seems stunned and his interest is piqued.

Hudson

Courtesy/ABC

HUDSON DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF JOSSLYN

In turn, they get into a tiff, where Hudson is annoyed that he flew all the way around the world and wasted his time. Meanwhile, Josslyn is annoyed that her father didn’t even bother to ask her if she wanted to run the company. In the end, Josslyn tells Hudson to get her a list of qualified candidates, one of which she can sign the company over to.  She then storms off.

However, Hudson spots Ava Jerome, whom he knows was speaking with Ethan in Norway, and who knows about Ethan’s involvement with baby Phoebe. Ava is busy talking with Drew on how they mutual disdain of Sonny, and it should be the driving force for them to work together to take him down. Ava wants no more threats over her head of having Avery taken away from her by her father. Drew is all ears!

Michael (Rory Gibson) meets up at the pool with Jacinda. She shows him the restraining order that Willow got from the courts against her to stay away from the children. Michael promises to get his lawyers to fight it.

However, Michael knows something is up when Jacinda said, “Willow is about to make a public mistake,” hoping that pills she put in Willow’s iced coffee have begun to spin the congresswoman out of control. Michael demanded to know what Jacinda had done to Willow.

Josslyn

Courtesy/ABC

WILLOW’S ABOUT TO GO FOR A DANGEROUS DRIVE

Elsewhere at Nina’s, Willow got a surprise when Amelia and Wiley showed up. Now, she will have them for the afternoon and decides they are going to have fun day. After a slight scare when Wiley picked up her iced coffee, Willow told her son to put down the drink because it has caffeine in it. However, then Willow began to drink it herself unaware that Jacinda spiked it with drugs.

In the final moments of the episode, Willow’s behavior changes as she is now over-excited about taking the kids to the arcade. A drugged Willow grabs her car keys, and she and Amelia and Wiley head out to the car. We fade to black.

So, did you feel on-screen chemistry between Hudson and Josslyn? Do you like Drew and Ava teaming up? Do you think Willow gets into a car accident with Amelia and Wiley in the car, which in turn, will kick Jacinda to the curb with Michael? Share your thoughts on what happens next and more in the comment section below. But first for some clues, take a look at the General Hospital preview that aired for Monday’s August 10th episode during the closing of today’s GH.

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‘General Hospital’ Alum, Chad Duell Releases New Music Track, ‘Static in the Quiet Room’

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Chad Duell

Duelly is in the house, once again! This time, former General Hospital and Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael) is back with his latest single after revealing just over a month ago that he has switched, for now, his focus to creating music under the “Duelly” banner.

The initial musical genre has been EDM (electronic dance music), but this time out, Chad has given listeners a bit of a different vibe still with electronica present and more upfront vocals than his previous track, If You Need Me.

Now, the former Michael Corinthos, took to his Instagram and shared his new track Static in the Quiet Room which is available on all music streaming platforms including: Spotify, Apple Music and You Tube Music.

Photo: JPI

Chad shared on the new single and the collab within in it: “I’m really excited to finally put this one out. Static in the Quiet Room is about that weird space when you can feel someone you were close to slowly becoming distant. They’re still there, but somehow they don’t feel as close anymore. Like you’re trying to hold onto something that’s already starting to fade.”

The former General Hospital star where he played Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly’s (Laura Wright) son, Michael for 15 years added, “I’ve been experimenting a lot with music lately and trying to find my own sound, and this is probably one of my favorite things I’ve made so far.  This was also the first time I actually worked with other professionals on one of my tracks, which made this one a little different for me. Really hope you guys enjoy it”

As GH fans know, Duell decided to exit the long-running ABC soap opera after 15 years looking to pursue other career interests and opportunity and to take a break following the passing of his beloved father. Rory Gibson became Chad’s successor in the role taking over on-screen in  late May of 2025.

You can check out a preview of Static in the Quiet Room on Spotify below.

Now let us know, did you like this track of Chad’s? Happy that he’s pursuing one of his other career goals? Miss him on GH? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

 

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A post shared by Chad Duell (@duelly)

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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