Connect with us

General Hospital

3

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

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

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.

3 Comments

3 Comments
oldest
newest

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

Double Emmy Nominee Jeff Kober Reveals He Would Be Open to Return to ‘General Hospital’ If He Could Work Again with Genie Francis

Published

on

By

Jeff Kober and Genie Francis

Jeff Kober (ex-Cyrus Renault, General Hospital) has been in celebration mode since July after receiving not only a Daytime Emmy nomination for his role on the ABC daytime drama series, but a Primetime Emmy nomination for his dramatic turn on the HBO Max series The Pitt where he played patient Duke Elkins. The dual nominations mark the first-time in Emmy history that a performer has been nominated for both Emmy awards at the same time.

As GH viewers know, Kober made his debut in General Hospital as Cyrus Renault in 2020. He appeared in the show on-and-off for five years until his character was killed off in an episode that aired on February 20, 2025 ending Renault’s reign of terror.

In fact, it was Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) who shot and killed him, and along with Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna), covered it up. It was that moment that eventually turned Josslyn into an avenge-seeking WSB agent. Kober came back one last time to GH back in December of 2025, when he reprised the role in a dream sequence with Cyrus’ on-screen sister, Laura Collins (Genie Francis).

Courtesy/ABC

JEFF KOBER AND GENIE FRANCIS PLAYED TV BROTHER AND SISTER

Speaking with PEOPLE, Kober talked about his time on General Hospital and if he would ever consider returning to the soap opera if they were to resurrect the now deceased troublemaker Cyrus Renault, or if he even where to play someone else in Port Charles?

“I love to work and I would do anything with Genie (Francis),” expressed Kober. “She’s a great actress and a great scene partner. She’s someone who’ll go anywhere you want to go with them So, if they bring me back and let me work with her, I wouldn’t mind making the drive over to Prospect Studios.”

Kober added, “I would say I’m closest to her in that we both get excited when we can work together because both of us want to make it as rich as possible and find the dangerous areas of it, and see what happens there.”

WILL JEFF KOBER FIND HIMSELF WITH EMMY GOLD TWICE OVER COME THIS FALL?

Previously, Kober won the Outstanding Supporting Actor in Daytime Drama Series for his performances as Cyrus Renault back in 2022. He was also nominated in 2021. Now in 2026, Jeff finds himself among the nominees in the Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series category.

For the Primetime Emmy Awards, and also as had been previously reported, Kober submitted himself in the Guest category when the studio/network did not. Speaking to his decision to self submit, Jeff shared, “There are so many great performances on this show (The Pitt), and they have a limited number of people that they can submit. But I knew it was a job that I wanted to have seen. I knew the material and my particular wheelhouse were perfectly aligned, so I really wanted to at least have it be seen.”

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are set to air live on Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, while the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be streamed live on watch.theemmys.tv and associated apps on on Friday night, October 30 from Hollywood.

So, would you like to either see Cyrus Renault turn out to be alive … or Jeff Kober return to GH in another role and share scenes and a story with General Hospital icon, Genie Francis? Let us know via the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Action-Thriller ‘Supermax’

Published

on

By

Nicholas Alexander Chavez

Nicholas Alexander Chavez (ex-Spencer Cassadine, General Hospital) has booked another motion picture role, and this time it’s in the upcoming action-thriller Supermax. The Amazon MGM and Miramax feature is currently in production.

According to Deadline, character details for the film which stars Will Smith and AnnaSophia Robb, are being kept under wraps. Production began on Monday, August 24 in New South Wales, Australia, with support from the NSW Government through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund.

In story, Supermax follows two FBI agents (Smith & Robb) who investigate a seemingly impossible murder within the impenetrable walls of a maximum-security prison. Jaafar Jackson and Jason Clarke are also set for roles in the film.

SUPERMAX IS NEXT FEATURE ROLE FOR THE FORMER GH DAYTIME EMMY WINNER

Chavez’s casting announcement came with the addition of the former General Hospital Daytime Emmy winner, and three other actors who joined the production.

David Gordon Green directs the film from script by David Weil and David J. Rosen, with The Picture Company’s Andrew Rona & Alex Heineman producing alongside Smith and Adam Fishbach for Westbrook Studios. The plan is for Supermax to be released on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

After departing his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital in early 2024 (in a part part he had played since 2021), Chavez went on to star as Lyle Menendez in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. He then reunited with Murphy for the FX horror drama Grotesquerie as father Charlie Mayhew.

Coming up, Nicholas will be seen in The Technique, a psychological thriller, where he stars alongside Emma Roberts, Ben Platt and Noomi Rapace, as well as and the remake of the horror flick, Possession.

So, what do you think of Nicholas Alexander Chavez’s upcoming role in Supermax? Wondering what he will be playing in the action-thriller? Do you miss him on General Hospital? Let us know via the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Warns Jack, ‘You Just Get Willow What She Needs, or the Only Person Who’s Going to Be Destroyed is You!’

Published

on

By

Nina

The August 26 episode of General Hospital certainly gave off “murder mystery” vibes, as Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) made a very public threat against Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). With the recent report (although unconfirmed by GH itself) that Chris McKenna is set to exit the soap in the fall, and that Brennan will be killed-off, it appears that story is kicking into high gear.

In the key story point, Nina learns that Brennan threatened her daughter Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) via the tape recording Willow made of Jack’s conversation with her. When Nina goes to talk to Jack at the Metro Court Gardens, she leveled her threat saying, “You just get Willow what she needs, Brennan, or the only person who’s going to be destroyed is you!”

However, in that moment, Carly (Laura Wright) was on the scene and overheard Nina. In addition, GH Dr’s Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) Gannon and Tristan (Dean Geyer) Roberts, (who’s past or present with the WSB is still undefined enough to question if he has an axe to grind with Brennan) were at a table together and overheard the threat. Also having a meet-up at poolside were Jordan (Tanisha Harper) and Drew (Cameron Mathison). Certainly, Carly and Drew have no love lost for Nina and would like to see her knocked down several pegs!

Courtesy/ABC

NINA PUT HER FOOT IN HER MOUTH

The entire set-up would seem to make Nina the prime suspect in a Brennan murder mystery, if it is found there is foul play involved. We already know someone is getting their drink spiked by week’s end at the Metro Court poolside; thanks to this week’s previously released ABC promo for the series.

Courtesy/ABC

ALEXIS IS FIGHTING MAD

Meanwhile, at the end of the episode, Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) has had enough with Willow. After Kai (Jens Austin Astrup) meets with the legal eagle at her house, and explains how Willow is threatening him with the fact that he was in Drew’s house the night he was shot along with Trina, Alexis is mortified.

Alexis cannot believe Willow is continuing to stoop to such lengths; given she knows Willow was the culprit in Drew’s shooting all along. Kai also believes that Willow tried to kill Drew a second time by pushing him in his wheelchair into the lake; unaware that it was actually Nina who tried to drown Drew.

Now, in the show’s final moments, an enraged Alexis shows up at Willow’s office. She reveals that she’d known since the trial that Willow shot Drew, and she was not going to stay silent any longer. Willow fired back that Alexis, because of her oath as her lawyer, she can’t do a thing about it. Next, Alexis said boldly, “Watch me, Congresswoman.”

So, do you agree that it now looks like it’s curtains for Brennan, a murder mystery will unfold, and Nina will take the fall? Or, do you think this is all a red-herring? What will Alexis do to Willow? How will she out the congresswoman with all of her lies and crimes? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

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

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

3
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x