Soap opera star Steve Burton has announced he will be taking a temporary hiatus from his long-running role on the daytime drama General Hospital. The actor, who has portrayed Jason Morgan on the show for over three decades, shared the news via Instagram on Tuesday.
Family Time Takes Priority
In his social media post, Burton explained that his decision stems from a desire to spend quality time with his family following his recent marriage. "Hey everyone, I wanted to share that I'll be taking a short break from General Hospital," Burton wrote. "I'm newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family. I'm grateful for all the support and will be back this summer."
A New Chapter Begins
Burton tied the knot with chef and content creator Michelle Lundstrom in May 2025 during a beachfront wedding ceremony. The couple announced their engagement just four months prior to their nuptials. This marriage marks a fresh start for Burton, who was previously married to Sheree Gustin for more than twenty years before their separation in 2022.
Following their split, Burton confirmed they continue to co-parent their three children together. Lundstrom also brings two daughters from a previous relationship to their blended family.
A Storied Soap Opera Career
Steve Burton's connection to General Hospital spans multiple decades, beginning in 1991 when he first appeared as Jason Quartermaine. Following a dramatic drunk-driving accident storyline in 1996, his character underwent a significant transformation, emerging as Jason Morgan with brain damage and memory loss.
Burton's soap opera journey has included several notable transitions:
- He left General Hospital in 2012 after more than twenty years on the show
- Joined the cast of The Young and the Restless as Dylan McAvoy in 2013
- Departed that role in 2016 before returning to General Hospital in 2017
- Was fired from General Hospital in November 2021 due to vaccine refusal
- Briefly appeared on Days of Our Lives in 2023 as Harris Michaels
- Returned to General Hospital as Jason Morgan once again in 2024
Award-Winning Performances
Throughout his extensive daytime television career, Burton has earned critical recognition for his work. He has received two Supporting Actor Daytime Emmy Awards—one for his portrayal of Jason Morgan on General Hospital and another for his role as Dylan McAvoy on The Young and the Restless.
Production Details Remain Unclear
While Burton has confirmed his summer return to the series, specific details about his departure from current storylines remain undisclosed. It is currently unknown when he stopped filming episodes or how the show's writers plan to temporarily write his character out of Port Charles.
The actor's announcement has generated significant interest among daytime television fans, many of whom have followed his character's dramatic journey through numerous plot twists and personal transformations over the past thirty-five years.
