Steve Burton Talks Kelly Monaco’s ‘GH’ Exit and How Maurice Benard Helped Him Through It
Steve Burton is opening up about saying goodbye to Kelly Monaco‘s Sam McCall on General Hospital. After 20 years on the soap, Sam died from a heart attack after undergoing surgery to donate part of her liver to Lulu Spencer. In a recent episode of The Daily Drama Podcast, Burton admitted that he struggled during his preparation for Jason’s final scene with Sam.
“I was really at a loss in the sense of I wasn’t sure how to play this,” Burton said. “Obviously, we have a huge history. Obviously, we’ve worked together for a long time, so there was all of these things going on, but I didn’t have a clear vision.”
He eventually turned to his longtime costar and “mentor,” Maurice Benard, for help. Benard, aka Sonny Corinthos, gave Burton some sound advice about the heartbreaking scene.
“Whatever happens in there is supposed to happen. And that’s it. You don’t have to force anything. Just let it work,” Benard told Burton.
Burton said Sam’s sendoff was “heartbreaking” to film. He commended his costars for their performances in the wake of Sam’s death. “It was very sad because Kelly was obviously leaving, and then the emotion of the character passing and all these things, and I just thought everybody really did a wonderful job,” he told his co-host Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).
The actor also revealed that he shot Jason and Sam’s hospital goodbye scene before the buildup to Sam’s death. “I had to shoot that stuff with her first and then go backward because we shot everything out of order, so those are my first scenes,” he disclosed.
He added, “It was really interesting to have gotten all that emotion out and then have to go back. I know people in movies do this all the time, but as an actor, it’s not your favorite thing to do.”
What did you think of Jason’s goodbye to Sam? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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R
"Jason", "Dante" and "Alexis" all deserve awards for their performances. I felt their pain/grief along with them. Outstanding acting!
47 1
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M
Absolutely heartbreaking and moving. You can see Jason’s true love for Sam and how her loss affected him 💔
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B
Jason was so good they had the best relationship ever I want Sam back!!!!! Please bring her back They deserve to be together no one else works with Jason
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R
I so wish they could bring her back! It will not be the same!!! I agree, no one else works like Sam!! Soo Bummed!!!
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B
Incredible emotional performance!! Had me in tears the entire time. Steve's goodbye to the love of his life
Was epic
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G
Steve Burton is one of the best actors of Day/Night time TV!!!
Whatever he touches is golden. Of course, I was moved, especially when theirwork together becomes final.
Nice job, Steve!
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G
Steve/Jason doesn't have to say a word his emotion is all over
his face
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G
Absolutely great they all did great but they shouldn't have taken her off the show. I do not know what she did but , it's not worth disappointing the fans ,
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R
I completely Agree!! I am upset about the whole thing! I heard a rumor that they could not Agree on a contract or something! It is very disappointing! I absolutely loved her character and acting!!
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B
I THINK THAT JASON,ALEXIS, AND DANTE DID A TERRIFIC JOB, AS ALEXIS WAS TRYING TO SAY HER GOODBYES SHE STARTED TO CRY, ÀND AS I WAS WATCHING THIS IT WAS HARD NOT TO CRY WITH HER. WISH THAT KELLY MONACO WAS STILL ON THE SHOW, ALL THOSE ACTORS SHOULD GET AN AWARD.
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P
It was so sad 5 hankies. Acting was done to perfection very touching.
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R
All the actors did amazing scenes. I wish Sam was never let go. The writers sidelined her for a long time. But she and everyone acted as they were currently feeling, with the great sadness of Sam leaving. Such great acting, drawing us into your grief, leaving us in tears, as well. Those scenes must be very hard to do, but you were all amazing. I applaud the work all of you do. By the way, Steve, it is SO good to have you back!!
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O
What sam back with jason
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G
Well, it was heartbreaking. Who in their lifetime loses someone so important to them and doesn't feel that heartbreak no one? And when Steve Burton gets that emotional which doesn't happen often at all. You know that is emotion from his soul. Everyone brought their best when they had their time with Sam. Sam and Jason had a long history together.
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O
I've been watching GH 50 years. I was grieving for days!! Awards have to be given. No acting has ever drawn me in to grieving like GH actors did.
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R
Absolutely heartbreaking, thought it was well done. Jason and Sam were huge parts of each other's lives. They were my favorite couple.
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G
Steve Burton's Goodbye, Was so Heartbreaking and moving, to see Jason with so much emotion I never new he had, until then.
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B
I don't know why they got rid of Sam when we've had 7+ days associated with her death and we'll have her funeral so clearly she is a very important character. Bring her back, please.
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R
I THINK THAT THEY MADE A HUGE MISTAKE ALL BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO REBUILD LAURA'S FAMILY!!! ALSO THEY HAD TO LET FIN, MARSHALL, VIOLET AND HEATHER GO BESIDES SAM IN ORDER TO PAY FOR LUCKY, LULU, AND HOLLY TO BE ON THE SHOW!!! LULU HASN'T BEEN SEEN ON THE SHOW FOR THE LAST 8-10 YEARS!!! SINCE SHE'S BEEN IN A COMA ALL THIS TIME I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD'VE KILLED LULU OFF INSTEAD BECAUSE SAM HAS BEEN ON THE SHOW FOR 24 YEARS AND HAD MANY OF THE ACTORS & ACTRESSES TIED TO HER NOT JUST HER 3 CHILDREN AND DANTE, SHE HAS ALEXIS WHO'S HER MOTHER, MOLLY & KRISTINA AS WELL!!! I THINK IT WAS DONE SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY HER RETIREMENT MONEY NEXT YEAR BECAUSE SHE WOULD BE THERE 25 YEARS AND SHE DEFINITELY DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE THE SHOW!!!
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O
Outstanding performances by all, but especially Steve Burton and Nancy Grahn!!
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H
Well done
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G
EXCELLENT!!!
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O
Jason did an amazing job. It almost felt real. I must say he and Alexis deserve an Emmy for their performance in saying goodbye to Sam. They were fantastic.
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R
It's was very heart breaking for me I've cried everyday because I know how that feel to lose someyou love somuch that you think it would never happy to some you care about so much
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B
What a excellent actor he is scenes filled with emotions
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O
Can GH do what Dallas did many many years ago and make this a nightmare that one of Sam’s family members have and they wake up and she’s still alive? Who remembers the scene on Dallas when Pam wakes up and Bobby is in the shower? The entire previous season had him dead but the fans were so enraged they had to write a script to bring him back. The entire previous season was Pam’s nightmare. It was so shocking but cool! I WANT SAM BACK!!!
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C
Cried through all of it.
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G
I'm sick and tired of hearing about Kelly Monaco and her termination there's more important things to talk about.
Why is this even discussed.i wish this stupid thing would just away.
Ingo rademacher was fired and nobody cared. Stuart Damon aka Alan Quartermaine was nobody cared.
Why' does anybody care about Monaco
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C
Just because you don't care doesn't mean other people can't voice their opinions.
If you don't like it, quit watching!
12 1
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C
If you're sick and tired of hearing about Kelly Monaco, why do you read and comment on articles focused on her? Find something more productive to do.
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