General Hospital is celebrating a major milestone with the 16,000th episode of the long-running soap opera. This special occasion has brought back one of the show’s most iconic actors, Steve Burton, who has been a part of the series since 1991. Burton first appeared as Jason Morgan, a character born into the prestigious Quartermine family. However, after a car accident in 1995 left Jason with permanent amnesia, he abandoned his past and became the chief mob associate of Sonny Corinthos, played by Maurice Benard.
Burton, now 57, has had several stints on the show over the years. He was let go in 2021 due to his refusal to get the Covid-19 vaccine, but returned in 2024. More recently, he announced a temporary hiatus in February, citing the need to spend time with his newlywed wife, Michelle Lundstrom. The couple married in a beachfront ceremony in May 2025, just four months after announcing their engagement. Burton has three children from his previous marriage: Makenna, 22; Jack, 20; and Brooklyn, 11.
Despite his recent break, Burton has already made a return to the set for the 16,000th episode, which was filmed on Monday. A video posted on the show’s Instagram account on Tuesday showed Burton posing on the TV set alongside longtime cast members like Benard and Laura Wright. The caption read, “There’s nothing like celebrating a milestone with friends, family, and cake to cure a case of the Mondays.” It also noted, “63 years and 16,000 episodes later, we’re still going strong thanks to all of you! Thank you so much for watching.”
Other stars featured in the video included Cameron Mathison, Chris L. McKenna, Jane Elliot, Cynthia Watros, and Kristina Wagner. While the exact list of returning cast members for the milestone episode is not yet confirmed, the episode is scheduled to air on Monday, July 13.
Meanwhile, another fan-favourite cast member, Kate Mansi, has announced her departure from General Hospital after three years. In an interview with TV Insider’s Stephanie Sloane for her blog SoapSteph, Mansi shared that she had made a difficult decision to leave the show. “I’ve made the very difficult decision to leave General Hospital,” she said. “I have a few new projects that require my full attention, and with my husband [Matt McInnis] currently producing a series filming primarily abroad, I needed the flexibility to travel while continuing to develop and work in Los Angeles.”
Mansi took on the role of Kristina Davis, the daughter of Sonny Corinthos and his former attorney, Alexis Davis (played by Nancy Lee Grahn), in 2023. Her departure marks the end of an era for fans of the show, who have followed her journey on the series.
The show continues to attract a dedicated audience, with many viewers appreciating its long-standing tradition of storytelling and character development. Independent readers are often described as globally minded individuals who value factual, unbiased news and real-life experiences. In a world where information is constantly evolving, these readers seek out content that empowers them to make informed decisions and take a stand for their beliefs.
