General Hospital star Steve Burton surprised fans when news broke that his character, Jason Morgan, would be leaving Port Charles. Now, the actor has explained why he decided to take a short break before returning this summer.
Steve Burton explains why he took a hiatus from General Hospital
Steve Burton shared his thoughts on the podcast That’s Awesome, which he co-hosts with Bradford Anderson. Burton opened up about his decision to pause his role as Jason Morgan on General Hospital.
“Everybody knows we’re grateful. The opportunity’s amazing. But in life … life is more important than anything else,” Burton said. He explained that the passing of actor James Van Der Beek deeply affected him.
“I had a couple executive producers who said once, ‘Hey, family and life is way more important than any show that you’re ever gonna do,’ right? And that really hits home after the passing of James Van Der Beek.”
Thinking about Van Der Beek’s family made Burton reflect on how short life can be. “I always say — and I always try to teach my son [Jack] this and any time I’m on coaching calls [I share that] everything is perspective in life … You just don’t know when the [last] day is.”
“And yes, grateful for the show, obviously — like, it’s been my whole life, you know? And to step away, it’s not always easy. It’s like family there. But I have a family, too,” he said, adding that time with loved ones matters most.
Burton recently married Michelle Lundstrom and now shares a blended family with five children. He said he wants to enjoy that time. “I’m newly married,” he shared. “I want to take a break, I want to live life a little bit and go enjoy.”
He made it clear this break is temporary. “I know I’ll be back in the summer,” he confirmed. He added that the show will likely have a strong storyline waiting for him. He also addressed rumors about his hiatus. “I’m not sick, Michelle’s not pregnant, and I’m coming back in the summer,” he said.
He simply wants time to step away and enjoy life. Burton has played Jason on and off since 1991, before returning again in 2024. He said he feels grateful for the opportunity but wanted to focus on something more important life and family.