Connect with us

General Hospital

32

Kelly Monaco Celebrates 20 Years on GH and Sam’s Evolution: “All the Pieces Don’t Fit Perfectly Yet, But It’s Certainly Not Broken Anymore!”

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo: ABC

Sunday, October 1st will mark the 20th anniversary of Kelly Monaco’s debut on General Hospital as Sam McCall.  And as the story goes, when Kelly finished her run on Port Charles as Livvie Locke (2000-2003), and the show had been canceled, the three major networks were all interested in her to join their soaps.

In the end, GH won out and fans of the ABC daytime drama series have been the lucky ones to have Monaco join the A-list cast of the iconic soap. Throughout Sam’s journey in Port Charles, viewers have seen quite the character growth. Sam started on the show as a con and hustler, and bloomed into a bonafide heroine and a private investigator.

Kelly shared with Soap Opera Digest in their latest issue, how she viewed the Sam of old, to the Sam of today: “Sam came on to the canvas only having herself and her brother, always taking care of someone, and never being taken care of.  I think the biggest evolution for her is starting from being a really lonely, scared woman and becoming a woman who is still really independent, but is protected by family and friends and love and relationships and loyalty, and she never had that before.”

Photo: JPI

In a very poetic way, Monaco added on her character’s development: “She came in bent and broken, and I feel like there’s a lot of her that’s still broken, but she’s constantly sort of putting the Rubik’s Cube together. All the pieces don’t fit perfectly, yet, but it’s certainly not broken anymore.”

Throughout Sam’s two decades in Port Charles she has been in love, suffered terrible lost, found family members, had children, and has been involved in some of the most dangerous and criminal cases involving many a villain as she tried to help bring them to justice.

Photo: ABC

Currently, Sam is involved in a romance with Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna).  Viewers wonder if Lulu ever wakes up out of her coma, would that spell trouble for their relationship, and in turn, give Kelly some great meaty story to work with?

Now, in the comment section below, share your congrats to Kelly for her 20-year-run on GH. Then let us know, what has been your favorite Sam story over the years?

32 Comments

32 Comments
oldest
newest

Kelly is gorgeous and a wonderful actress and sometimes I don’t think she gets the credit she deserves. Congratulations on 20 years you are truly a Daytime icon.

I agree with you. She is talented and very pretty. Kelly has changed her character into a very strong woman? I wish they would show her kids more often then we could see the mothering side of Sam. We think she needs more story as Kelly has great talents. My husband was amazed at her dancing skills.

Sam has been my favorite GH female character since day one. Love how her relationship with Jason evolved and always maintained. Kelly plays her beautifully.

Congratulations Kelly You’ve Done It Well !!!

Congratulations

Sam has become more likable the past few years. Being out of Jason’s orbit and onscreen less has reinvigorated the character. Some of Kelly’s best work was when Sam’s brother Danny died. The cat scratch fever and giving birth to Scout with her jeans on were memorable for different reasons.

I love Kelly’s acting she has had me as a fan from day one! I really enjoyed her kicking butts to show she can handle what ever they are throwing her way! She can be funny at times and serious when need be. She has plenty of talent just wish she was in more of the story lines, she has a lot to offer and I for one know she can handle it! And she can dance very well too! Congratulations Kelly, job well done

Congratulations Kelly!
Thank you for entertaining us for 20 years and here’s to many more!!❤️

Was running old GH shows on a streaming the other day. The show where Brenda meets Sam and she tries to explain to Brenda how Jason and Sam ended up together. It was hilarious. Those old shows are the best and I am thankful to whoever stashed them for us.

GH and ABC are losing a goldmine by not replaying all of them in better condition on ABC or Hulu. Some of those old shows with the cast is so young are the best TV out there.

The residuals they’d have to pay the actors who are no longer on the show and any of the “under 5” day players makes rerunning those shows on broadcast or streaming cost prohibitive.

Thank you Kelly for entertaining us for 20 years! Here’s to many more years with you coming into our homes! Have enjoyed you since Baywatch and Livie!!❤️

Kelly’s work as a daytime actor has been a joy to watch. Sam has been so multifaceted and enjoyable to watch. Watching her with her family of “Davis women”, reminds us of OLTL ” Cramer women” or “Buchanan women”, soap families of strong women ĵoined at the heart. There is something special about her work with Steve Burton, they sizzled even in a blizzard! However, that is nowhere the roaring flames that she and Michael Easton created as Livvie and Caleb. Many of us would wish the GH would create their own “Bobby & Pam” dream and bring Caleb and Livvie alive again, even in a dream for a fleeting moment. Congratulations Kelly!!

Great analysis, Alyson! And great idea for that dream…

I am thrilled that Kelly is getting so much love here, as I have found her to be a joy to watch since day 1. She is a talented, beautiful actress. For my money, she should have been declared the winner on DWTS. Not the first time they got it wrong… Congratulations, Kelly!

Congratulations Kelly!! And the best and only one for Sam is Jason. Period. Writers messed everything up after the big reveal of Jason being alive and not bringing them back together permanently. They need to get Steve back and make it happen. Cause Sam is just not legitimately Sam without Jason.

They did try bringing them back together. The vibe just wasn’t there between Steve and Kelly when he returned. Even Luke and Laura didn’t last – Jason and Sam had a good run, but it reached its expiration date.

I think Sam and Dante belong together. It would ruin the beautiful love story if Lulu came back. I think they should write that Lulu passed away in her coma. She’s been in a coma too long and there hasn’t been any news of her.

Violet went to visit her mother this summer and Lulu’s been mentioned a few times since. The coma is just a means to keep the character active until the writers decide there’s enough story to bring her back.

With Britt (screen), Epiphany and soon Bobbie passing, the audience won’t be subjected to another long term character passing.

Meant to say Charlotte visited her mother. Violet doesn’t know where Hayden is and never mentions her. They’ll need to circle back to that eventually.

When they had the Jeff Webber stand-in a few months back, did he even mention his supposed other daughter even once? Seems to me they’re trying to “disappear” Hayden from memory. The existence of Violet makes that problematic, obviously.

Of course it was silly to give Liz another sister in the first place… they should have brought Sarah Webber back instead.

Apparently Rebecca Budig was so disenchanted with the way she was abruptly dismissed twice, that she’s sworn off returning again. Didn’t like her character at first, but I grew to appreciate her toward the end of her first run.

Sarah was surprisingly mentioned when Finn went behind Elizabeth’s back before Jeff returned. Is Steven Lars (a dull character despite his birth parents) still languishing in prison for the organ harvesting issue? And now a whole summer went by without Cam returning home for a visit.

Hi KELLY MONACO! You are one of the MOST TALENTED BEAUTIFUL daytime actresses!! I LOVE the romance with DOMINIC ZAMPROGA’s character DANTE FALCONERI, but I want to see more scenes with you two together!! SAMANTHA MCCALL is a GREAT character & I can not believe anyone else can play her to the perfection that you do! I also LOVED you with STEVE BURTON as JASON MORGAN & MICHAEL EASTON as JOHN MCBAIN!! You have had 3 GORGEOUS TALENTED actors to play across!! Lucky you!! HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY on GH & here’s to 20 more!! GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY, have a very BLESSED day & always STAY SAFE!! I LOVE YOU!! I have been a GH fan since 1968, when I I was 9 years old!! I am 64 now.

Congratulations! Been watching GH since I was a kid and I’m 42 now. So, proud of Kelly. She went to Northampton Community College which is only a few blocks from my house. Love her I’ve never met her but I am super proud.

Congrats kelly On October 1st it’s a Special Day for you Happy 20 Years On General Hospital and it’s my Birthday you are a Beautiful Awesome Person And Actress looking forward seeing many more years On General Hospital Congrats you go girl Kelly

I love the Sam character and how Kelly plays her. Sam is flawed, but unlike some, she owns it. She is kindhearted, despite having many reasons to harden her heart. She is a great friend even though GH has often left her practically friendless. She is truly resilient, the bounce-back queen. She’s tough, yet vulnerable. Kelly does so much with the very little screen time given to her. Well done, Kelly. Thank you for persevering!

I love how GH kept Sam in the Sonny circle. She came on pregnant with Sonny’s baby. Was married to Sonny’s best friend Jason. Had a baby with Jason and his twin brother Drew and now in love with Sonny’s oldest son Dante. Isn’t that weird?

Congratulations Kelly!!!!!!!!!!

Sam is The Great character I loved Kelly Monaco as Livvie on Port Charles. Some of her greatest scenes were done when she was with Drew Billy Miller. I am forever team DreAm. There was a montage on YouTube of their scenes together it made me cry.

Sam is a great character. I loved her as Livvieb on Port Charles. I was team lDreAm all the way.My favorite scenes were when she was with Drew Billy Miller. They posted a montage of their scenes together on YouTube it made me cry.

I am shocked but elated on the great chemistry that Sam and Dante share. They appear to enjoy working with each other and seem like a real couple in love!

Congratulations, Kelly. You are an amazing actress n very beautiful. 20 years ago by fast. You are loved.

She has been my favorite female Character from the beginning. Congratulations Kelly Monaco! JASAM FAN FOREVER.

She’s great with Dante never liked her with brain dead Jason

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Kelly Monaco Reveals She’s Six Months Sober

Published

on

By

Kelly Monaco

Longtime General Hospital favorite, Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall), took to her Instagram on Tuesday, September 15 and shared that she is six months, seven days sober from alcohol. Monaco played Sam for 21 years on the ABC soap opera.

Accompanied by a screenshot from the I Am Sober app that tracks the progress of anyone struggling with or trying to not drink, Monaco wrote, “Now the whole 6/7 thing makes sense! #duces.”

Monaco has kept a very low profile since her final episode on General Hospital aired back on October 30, 2024, when Sam had a shocking heart attack and died. It was later revealed that Daytime Emmy nominee, Jeff Kober (ex-Cyrus Renault) injected Sam’s IV with a fatal dose of digitalis.

Photo: JPI

KELLY MONACO HAS KEPT MORE TO HERSELF SINCE LEAVING GH

This year, Kelly has posted on her Instagram account a total of four times, most recently to celebrate her mother, Carmina’s birthday, who turned 70 just four days ago.

Jumping into the comment thread on Kelly announcing her sobriety were several of her former GH co-stars including Brandon Barash (ex-Johnny, GH) who shared, “Love this. Congrats! 👏👏👏,” Ingo Rademacher (ex-Jax, GH) who just posted the hands up and heart emojis, and Lexi Ainsworth (ex-Kristina, GH) who wrote, “So proud of you 👏 badass.”

Kelly Monaco, Dancing with the Stars

Photo: ABC

DANCING WITH THE STARS BEGINS NEW SEASON; KELLY WAS THE SEASON ONE CHAMP

With this season’s Dancing with the Stars about to kick-off tonight, in which Kelly was the first-ever celebrity winner in season one and returned for an All-Star version, might we hear from her on her picks or thoughts on this year’s batch of contestants?

One thing has remained a constant with Kelly’s unwavering fan base, they want her back on General Hospital, because as we know in the soaps, many characters somehow come back from the dead, so why couldn’t Sam?

Share your thoughts for Kelly and her six months of sobriety via the comment section below and if you would still like to see her back on General Hospital or even another soap opera within the next few years. 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kelly Monaco (@kelly_m23)

Continue Reading

Breaking News

Soap Alums Remembered During In Memoriam Segment at 78th Emmy Awards; Patrick Muldoon Omitted

Published

on

By

In Memoriam Emmys 2026

During last night’s 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony, as it does every year, the television academy paid tribute to those in the industry that they’ve lost over the last year; since the previous Emmys held each year in September.

Starting with an emotional tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara by three of her co-stars, Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy and Dan Levy and Home Alone’s Macaulay Culkin, the segment then dovetailed into Noah Kahan performing “Bridge over Troubled Water” as the faces and the names of those being remembered were shown on the screen.

Daytime soap alums, who either stayed in the genre for the majority of their career, or went on to primetime success as well, were honored including: Anthony Geary (Luke, GH), Hayden Panettiere (Sarah, OLTL, Lizzie, GL, Juliette, Nashville), James Van Der Beek, (Dawson, Dawson’s Creek, and Stephen, ATWT), Gil Gerard (Alan, The Doctors), June Lockhart (Mariah, GH), Patricia Crowley (Mary, Port Charles and GH), Randolph Mantooth (Clay/Alex, Loving and The City, and Richard, GH) and Jon Cypher (Alex, ATWT and Arthur, Santa Barbara).

Photo: TVAcademy

THOSE HONORED AND THOSE WHO WERE NOT

However, in a glaring omission, the producers of the In Memoriam failed to include Days of our Lives beloved star, Patrick Muldoon who played the OG Austin Reed and also Richard Hart on Melrose Place. Muldoon passed away in April of this year at 57.

After Kahan concluded his performance, a special tribute to Rob Reiner began with Jamie Lee Curtis taking to the stage to share some warm words about her late friend.

In a ironic and sad twist, Curtis shared ,“Last week, Robbie won an Emmy for guest actor in a comedy series for his beautiful work on The Bear, and he now holds the record of 48 years for the longest gap between acting Emmys, which was previously held by his father Carl Reiner, at 37 years.”

Reiner, who along with his wife, Michele Reiner were killed by their son, Nick Reiner, is currently awaiting a decision if he will stand trial. Prosecutors on Tuesday, shared they will not seek the death penalty if he is convicted at trial, but instead life in prison. Curtis said of Rob, “He was generous and kind and funny as hell, and a friend to all. We all miss Rob and Michele and all those we lost this year.” The Emmys then faded to black and went to commercial break.

So, were you happy to see those who you know from their work in soap operas included in the 2026 In Memoriam tribute at the Primetime Emmys? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, in case you missed it, you can watch it below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Break Up After Realizing They Can’t Trust Each Other

Published

on

By

Jason and Britt

Trust issues were cited as the reason for the break-up of Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) and Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) on the Monday, September 14 episode of General Hospital, ending the their complicated romance once and for all.

The episode began with the pick-up of Jason and Britt’s argument over Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) at the Quartermaine boathouse. Britt is in disbelief that Jason continues to take Anna’s side, and that he will not back her up as her witness, as she wants to report Anna’s attempted murder of her to the PCPD.

Jason tells Britt that Anna had been pushed to the brink through the mental torture she’d endured while held captive at Wyndemere, and accused Britt of doing nothing to save her, when she knew exactly what was going on as she was at Wyndemere as well. Britt told Jason that she’d been a victim of Sidwell and Cullum too, and by the time she figured out what was happening to Anna, they had moved her somewhere else.

Courtesy/ABC

BELIEF SYSTEM BROKEN

Then, Jason clearly lets Britt know he doesn’t believe her version of what transpired. An enraged Britt fires back at Jason in disbelief, that he is siding with Anna instead of her, when he was on Mount Emerson and saw for himself how Anna was planning to kill her. Suddenly, Britt wants to know if Jason would have helped Anna cover her tracks, if Anna had killed her.

Next, Jason argued that Britt seemingly needs to believe Anna would have killed her when he knows deep down Anna would never have murdered her. Jason thinks Britt is trying to absolve herself of her own guilt and complicity in keeping Anna locked up.

Britt shouts “You need to believe that! Otherwise, you’d have to admit that your friend is unhinged and dangerous. And she would have killed someone you say you love!” Now at a complete impasse, Britt walks out on Jason realizing they don’t trust each other and calls it quits.

Tristan

Courtesy/ABC

PICKING UP THE PIECES

Later, Jason finds Carly (Laura Wright) at the Metro Court, and while in an elevator fills her in that he doesn’t trust Britt, and that as much as he loves her, he doesn’t trust her like he does Carly. Britt is back at the hospital.

A concerned Tristan (Dean Geyer) tries to talk to her about what transpired with Anna. However, Britt clams up and walks away from any discussion.

Now in the General Hospital teaser video for the action on Tuesday, September 15,  Jason ask Carly (over beers and a game of pool) “When you lie for a living, how long before you start lying to yourself? Take a look at that below.

Let us know, are you glad that Jason and Britt finally called it quits? What about the reason that the couple broke-up, over Britt knowing about Anna being locked-up at Wyndemere and Jason not willing to back Britt about Anna trying to kill her? Is Tristan the next man for Britt? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.

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

32
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x