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GH’s Steve Burton Talks on How Stuart Damon Was an Advocate for Him, Becoming Jason Morgan and More on Maurice Benard’s ‘State of Mind’

Courtesy/StateofMind

Part one of the highly-anticipated guest appearance of Steve Burton (Jason, General Hospital) on Maurice Benard’s (Sonny, General Hospital) You Tube series, State of Mind, was posted on Sunday.

In it, the longtime co-stars and good friends discussed: Steve’s beginnings as an actor, his parents divorce and his decision in his teen years to go live with his father, what it was like for Burton when he attended Beverly Hills High School, the start of his acting career, and eventually landing at General Hospital in the role of Jason Quartermaine.

The duo also discussed how a few years into Burton’s run as Jason, Maurice was cast as Sonny, and at one point, as the story goes, Benard saw something in Burton and helped Steve grow as an actor.

Photo: JPI

Some of the highlights of their ‘State of Mine’ talk included: finding out what went down behind the scenes that led the character of Jason Quartermaine to become Jason Morgan. As it turns out, it was Burton’s on-screen dad, the late Stuart Damon (ex-Alan Quartermaine), who kicked things off when he said something to the powers-that-be.

Steve shared, “Stuart Damon was a huge advocate for me. He would always go up (to producers) and say, ‘Hey, give this guy something. He’s good. He’s got something.'” He added (as to the Jason Morgan character shift), “I believe it was Elizabeth Korte who is now our head writer, and I believe, it was something between her and Bob Guza (former GH head writer). I don’t know who’s idea it was, but what happened was, you and I (Benard) were starting to work together a lot off-camera as Jason Quartermaine, still. We were breaking down my scripts. Then, they made a decision to change my character and have me work with you.”

Benard brought up what he pegged as “The Three Amigos”on GH –  Carly (Laura Wright), Jason, and Sonny, where Maurice sees Sonny as the dark knight and Jason as the white knight.

Photo: ABC

Later, Maurice gave major kudos to Steve for his 1998 Emmy tape where Burton shared scenes with Kimberly McCullough’s Robin. Maurice told Steve that it was “raw” and “one of the greatest Emmy tapes I have ever seen.” Burton took home his first Daytime Emmy that year for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series.

Photo: JPI

Watch the full conversation between Maurice and Steve below. Then, let us know what you thought of it via the comment section below.

 

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One note Steve still needs help to grow as an actor.

You may not like his character or perhaps his delivery style, but two daytime Emmys for supporting actor shows he’s doing something right.

Damn right!!

Yes…he’s got Jason down Cold…

He is an amazing actor, he has perfected his craft and works very hard to deliver 200 percent. He nails it every time.❤️

Steve is doing a lot right. He’s great. Loved by so many.

Thank you!

One note has been the character not the actor. I think the writers are giving the character a little more depth this go round.

He’s right about the news screwing up your mental health, but I was on cloud 9 Friday!

Wasn’t most of the free world with you on cloud 9 ?

Yes. Why are you bothered by this?

I wasn’t bothered at all. Were you?

Jason is my favorite. Been watching General Hospital for 40 years. I love Carly too. Wish they stayed married.!

General Hospital

Michael Easton and Jophielle Love Share Heartfelt Messages Following Airing of Last ‘General Hospital’ Scenes Together

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house after General Hospital viewers watched the Thursday June 27th episode. In it, Finn (Michael Easton) comes to say goodbye to his daughter Violet (Jophielle Love), who is now in the temporary custody of his brother Chase (Josh Swickard), before he heads out to rehab.

The episode also would be Michael Easton’s last with the ABC soap opera as Finn was written-off the canvas. Fans of the soap, watched the heartbreaking Finn and Violet scenes, and following its airing, both Love and Easton shared touching posts on their Instagram accounts accompanied by photos.

Easton shared, “This is the hardest goodbye of all for me. The first picture was taken right after Violet and Finn’s last goodbye. After they said cut, Jophielle Love and I immediately found each other and we hung on like we didn’t want it to end. The last video was taken between scenes on the very first day we met and I remember it like yesterday. Jophielle you are pure magic and you are going to do amazing things in this life. Go forward with rainbows in your heart and know that I will never forget you.”

Photo: MEastonIG

Love (through the writing by her mom) shared: “How do I say good bye ? Michael and Jophielle have been working together on General Hospital for 5 years now ! Over 100 episodes… Today’s scenes were an absolute heartbreak . Jophielle doesn’t lose sight of the possibility of her parents coming back into her GH life … This scene was way too familiar from one she experienced on her first few months on set as her tv mother went through what felt like the same door … saying good bye … and never returning to this day! Poor Violet lost everyone… Jophielle was genuinely very sad … Her chemistry with Michael on set was amazing from day one , as she always insisted to fix his hair before each take as a five years old. Now she is 10 … and … tears were pouring down. It was a very very hard day on set and everyone was tearing up … She managed to get through it all like a pro , …. It was … very emotional and also amazing. Like a grown up scene.”

Photo JLoveIG

In a personal note from Love’s mother it read, “Michael … I speak as a mom today who has been there on set every step of the way , being so thankful for you and for Rebecca Budig’s incredible love and instant connection with Jophielle. There is something to be said about tv families… and even more on a show like General Hospital, where these families have such a real bound as they are part of a long lasting legacy … Like Jophielle does … I really hope you get to come back …. Never say never … we love you Michael and we thank you for everything. See you soon 😘”

Photo: ABC

What did you think of the touching posts and sentiments from Michael and Jophielle and her mom? Share your thoughts in the comment section, but in case you missed it, grab the hankies and watch the emotional goodbye between Finn and Violet below.

 

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A post shared by Michael Easton (@iammichaeleaston)

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Finn and Violet Share an Emotional Goodbye Before He Leaves for Rehab

Thursday’s June 27th episode of General Hospital featured one of the saddest and most heartbreaking goodbye scenes in recent memory. In story, Finn (Michael Easton) comes to see his young daughter, Violet (Jophielle Love), who is now staying at the Quartermaines, to tell her why he has to leave her and head to rehab to get help for his drinking problem.

In real life, this marked Michael Easton’s final GH episode in the role of Hamilton Finn. The way the exit was positioned in story, Finn has to go away for three months to rehab. Just how the show will explain his continued absence remains to be seen.

Easton’s final scenes were extremely emotional, and we are sure that the audience at home was reduced to tears and reaching for the hankies throughout. When Finn arrives to see Violet, the two share a hug while she’s concerned about his bandaged hand. Violet tells her dad she wants to go home with him, but he explains he is sick and needs to go away on his own to get help to stop drinking.

Courtesy/ABC

With tears streaming down his face, Finn tells Violet that he doesn’t want to leave her, but he has to go and if he doesn’t he won’t get better. He can’t let what happened the other night (when she found him passed out on the floor and bleeding) ever happen again. Violet cries that he thought he was was dead like her Grandpa.

Violet says she can help Finn, as she becomes more and more desperate to not be separated from her father, whom she loves so dear. In tears, Finn tells his daughter, they can take care of each other, and when he is better he can be there for her the way a father is supposed to be.

Courtesy/ABC

As Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) look on with tears streaming down their faces. Finn and Violet hug one last time before he leaves. As he walks out with Chase to drive him to rehab, a sad Violet looks on.

At the conclusion of the episode, Easton shares his final scenes with Josh Swickard. As brothers Finn and Chase, the two are there for each other in the darkest of times. Remember, they are still grieving the loss of their father. Finn thanks Chase for allowing him to say goodbye to Violet. Chase promises to take good care of her. However, Chase warns Finn to not to take any shortcuts on his way to sobriety and to always think of Violet’s wellbeing.

Courtesy/ABC

It is apparent, the brothers don’t want to say goodbye, but on the count of three, Finn leaves Chase’s car and walks through the door of the rehab facility, while Chase in tears beats the steering wheel before drives away.

What did you think of the Michael Easton’s final GH episode? The goodbye scenes and performances by Michael and Jophielle Love? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

General Hospital Co-Stars Share Heartfelt Goodbyes to Michael Easton

Michael Easton is set to exit General Hospital on-air tomorrow on the Thursday, June 27th episode of the ABC soap opera. This comes on the heels of the actor’s videotaped announcement on Wednesday via his Instagram, where he revealed that he has wrapped his run as Dr. Hamilton Finn.

Since the time of the video’s posting, several of his GH co-stars have followed suit with comments on their time working with the popular actor, who has been with the show on and off since 2012, and in three different roles; John McBain, Silas Clay, and lastly, Finn.

Michael’s exit comes as Finn has fallen off the wagon, and is losing custody of his daughter, Violet due to his drinking. Previously, Finn found his father, Gregory had passed away in the middle of the night after battling ALS. The material has given Easton a chance to shine in memorable performances as he says goodbye to his time with GH.

Photo: ABC

Here’s just a sampling of what some of Michael’s pals and GH co-stars had to say to him below:

Maura West (Ava): “MEastie, I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with you … you are just an exceptional person… as an actor, author, poet, friend. Your ample talent surpassed only by your humor, decency, kindness and charm. Class A1 in every way. xxo your fan and friend forever, MWestie.”

Jophielle Love (Violet): “💔😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 There are no words…”

Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis): “The class, grace and elegance in which you just did that is why I will miss you every working day.”

Finola Hughes (Anna): “Michael, love you. You are a stellar person, a wonderful actor and I had the most fun and unique storyline with you and loved every moment.”

Photo: ABC

Jon Lindstrom (Kevin): “You’re a gift to any set you choose to work on, and an excellent artist no matter where or what you create. Proud to call you my friend Michael. Be seeing you soon.”

Emma Samms (Holly): “I’m SO sorry I didn’t get to work with you again..!”

Eden McCoy (Josslyn): “You are magic love you forever Michael”

Risa Dorken (Amy): “Amy will always have a crush on Dr. Finn… Rise will always love & appreciate Michael. Thank you for your warmth & professionalism every time.”

Photo: ABC

Brook Kerr (Portia): “This was gutting. You are a phenomenal actor and man…until next time.”

Marc Anthony Samuel (ex-Felix): “Congratulations Michael! It was a pleasure to work there when you were there.”

Jacqueline Grace Lopez (Blaze): “Your work was inspired. Congrats on an incredible character. Can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Lydia Look (Selina Wu): “Love to you Michael! Keep riding.”

Michael Fairman TV will continue to update this post with more reactions from the cast as they are posted across social media.

What do you think about the high regard Michael’s GH co-stars have him? Will you miss him on the ABC soap opera? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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Michael Easton as Finn

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