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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.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who Winds Up Hitting the Sheets First? Jordan and Michael or Curtis and Monet?

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Curtis, Monet, Michael and Jordan

After today’s Friday, October 9 episode of General Hospital, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard) informs Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner), that not only is she Jordan’s (Tanisha Harper) half-sister, but the best damn lawyer there is to get him out of spending the rest of his prison sentence in Pentonville. Does he believe her?

If Monet can come through, would Curtis look at her in a whole new light, especially since his girlfriend, Jordan has headed to Europe with Michael (Rory Gibson) to visit the burn clinic to restore her face and remove the scars that have plagued her since the car accident with him?

It appears GH is ready to shake-up the couples and the romance on the long-running ABC soap opera. We already know Tanisha Harper previewed that the series is trying out the chemistry between Harper and her GH co-star Rory Gibson, and that Michael and Jordan might explore their burgeoning feelings for one another since both currently work together at Aurora Media, and understand what the other went through following horrific sets of circumstances that left them scarred.

Photo: ABC

As for Monet, she would like nothing more than to stick to her sister as their is still a deep troubled history between the two yet to be fully revealed. It would seem Monet would love to flaunt a relationship with Curtis. And knowing Curtis, he will be so eternally grateful to Monet for helping him gain his freedom that this might be a possible scenario. But the question becomes, who cheats on who first?

Do you think Jordan and Michael hook-up while away from Port Charles? Does Monet take advantage of Curtis, if and when, he becomes a free man? Does Curtis already sense Jordan pulling away from him but is keeping that inside, or will this all come as shocker if he were to learn Michael and Jordan have become closer?

Tanisha and Rory

Photo: ABC

While much of this is speculation, it does seem like the trajectory of the storyline; given that Michael’s recent love interest Jacinda (Paige Herschell) was written-out of the story, and it appears that Serena Baldwin (Kelly Kruger) is now being put in the romantic path of Jason Morgan (Steve Burton).

GH spoilers for the week of October 12-16 indicate that on Wednesday, October 14, Michael reflects on his past, while on Thursday, October 16 Monet advises Curtis.

So, do you think that Jordan hits the sheets with Michael, and Monet and Curtis will hook up? Or, do you think it will all be a giant tease? If it becomes true, who would you be rooting for to end up together? Any of them? Let us know in the comment section below.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase Turns a Blind Eye to the Scathing Headline About His Ex-Wife and Runs to Her Defense

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Chase

By the end of the Thursday, October 8 episode of General Hospital, we were left scratching our heads at how utterly indefensible Chase’s (Josh Swickard) complete and utter blind eye to his ex-wife, Willow’s (Katelyn MacMullen) actions and his knight in shining armor antics are so misguided.

Let’s break this down! After Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) piece in The Invader has the whole town of Port Charles talking, Carly (Laura Wright) laughs in Drew’s (Cameron Mathison) face about how he was trapped in a wheelchair with a paralytic drug for months, while Tracy (Jane Elliot) filled Michael (Rory Gibson) and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) in on the article, which to this point they have not seen.

Said article, comes on the heels of Lulu’s little chat with Sidwell (Carlo Rota) in his hospital room. The headline reads: “Motion Denied: Congresswoman Gives Husband Paralytic Drug For Months!”

Michael and Brook Lynn worried that Willow will lash out do something vengeful and blame the Quartermaines for this. They hope that Chase will finally see the light to who Willow truly is.

Willow

Courtesy/ABC

WILLOW CAN DO NO WRONG?

Meanwhile, Chase is meeting with his lawyer Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard) to discuss his separation from Brook Lynn, when he suddenly gets a text from Tracy. He opens it up and tells Monet he has to bolt. Something has come up. So, Chase being Chase, shows up in the Quartermaine kitchen and blames Brook Lynn, Michael and Tracy for a hit piece on his ex-wife.

The three deny involvement. But Chase being Chase, doesn’t believe a word they are saying. He then makes a VOW to stop them from trying to destroy Willow’s reputation any further! After he storms out, Brook Lynn is angered and devastated that no matter what, Chase is standing by his ex, and not trying to save his marriage to her.

FRIENDLY SUPPORT INTERUPPTED

Meanwhile at the gatehouse, Willow is opening up to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), who came by to see her to offer her support. Willow admitted the story is true and that Sidwell gave her the paralytic drugs to use on Drew, in return for having her implanted in congress to do his bidding and to take Drew’s seat. Willow’s concerned that the mere existence of this article will cause massive problems with her political career and the custody arrangement over her children she has with Michael.

As Britt tries to help Willow figure a way to save herself, Chase arrives fuming mad. He tells Willow he is absolutely sure that Brook Lynn, Michael and Tracy were behind the article and he knows exactly how they could fight back.

So, does it seem to you that even if Willow admits to Chase to what she did to Drew is true, that Chase will just feel bad for her and not see anything but desire for her? Is Chase going to continue to be the dumbest male character in daytime? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first, check out the scenes between Britt and Willow below from today’s GH.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Hudson West Wins Big as Contestant on ‘The Price is Right’

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Hudson West

You just never know when one of your favorites from a soap opera will pop on TV on another show! Such was the case on the Tuesday, October 6 episode of the number one daytime game show in America, The Price is Right on CBS!

Hudson West, who has played Jake Webber on General Hospital from 2016-2019, and then has been recurring since 2021 and used very sporadically in story, was in attendance in the audience for a taping of The Price is Right. He wound up selected as one of the players and eventually won a car.

Here;’s what happened: West bid $3,000 on a five-night stay at the Bandon Marina Inn in Oregon. His opponent, Charles, bid $4,550, which was too high, so West got the chance to play the game “Any Number” for a prize.

Hudson West, General Hospital

Photo: ABC

The drama became intense as West picked the numbers needed to win a new car with host Drew Carey presiding over the game play. After he won, Hudson fell to the floor in shock before getting up and running in excitement towards his new car!

Later in the show, Hudson got the opportunity to spin the wheel to try to advance to the “Showcase” round, but his opponent named Jenny spun a higher number to qualify, ending West’s run in the game. But, he came away with the new car.

General Hospital viewers know that Hudson’s Jake Webber is the biological son of Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) and became the legal son of Lucky Spencer (Jonathan Jackson).

Apart from his role on GH, TV fans have seen West on NCIS: Los Angeles, Dancing with the Stars: Juniors and Grace and Frankie to name but a few.

You can check out what happened when Hudson won a car on The Price is Right on the video below.

Now let us know, what did you think of Hudson’s big win? Do you hope that GH finally has Jake back in story since he is the son of Elizabeth and Jason? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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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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