Steve Burton Has Left 'General Hospital' More Than Once — What's His Current Status on the Show?
"I feel like I have another two or three years of acting," Steve said in 2024.
Updated Sept. 26 2025, 4:37 p.m. ET
The soap opera General Hospital has been on the air since 1963, and fans have loved the decades-long storylines.
Over the years, there have been all sorts of dramatic, romantic, and compelling moments to keep you hooked.
But one star who has been with the show for more than 30 years may not be on for much longer. Steve Burton, who plays Jason Morgan, joined the cast in 1991, but has left the daytime soap opera more than once.
As expected, fans are always curious if he is leaving the show for good, given his track record. So, what is Steve's current status on General Hospital?
Steve Burton first left 'General Hospital' in 2000.
Steve was a fan favorite when he announced he was leaving General Hospital after nearly a decade in 2000.
At the time, it was reported that he was pursuing other projects but it wasn't long before he was back on ABC as Jason MOrgan. He made his return to General Hospital in 2002, and stayed until 2012.
In 2012, Steve Burton left General Hospital for 'The Young and the Restless.'
Within three months of leaving General Hospital, Steve appeared on the CBS rival daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless as Dylan McAvoy.
He would remain on the series until 2017. According to Steve, it was his ability to work while keeping his family in Nashville that guided this decision.
"I told my manager if I can keep my family there and I can spend time with them and come back and forth, I would do that in a second. Without hesitation, CBS Daytime made that deal. Really quickly," he said on The Talk at the time. "This is crazy, but I'm just so happy to have the best of both worlds for my family, because before, I couldn't."
Despite his character being replaced by Billy Miller, Steve made his return as Jason Morgan in 2017, while Billy's Jason Morgan was revealed to be his twin brother, Andrew Quartermaine.
Steve Burton exited the show in 2021 due to the vaccine mandate.
Nearly five years later, Steve confirmed that he was fired from General Hospital because of his vaccination status. On Nov. 23, 2021, he posted a video to Instagram talking about the whole situation.
"Well, I know there's been a lot of rumors and speculations about me and General Hospital," Steve said. "Unfortunately, General Hospital has let me go because of the vaccine mandate."
Steve went on to say that he did apply for both medical and religious exemptions but they were both denied. But he also feels like this whole thing is about "personal freedom."
"I don't think anybody should lose their livelihood over this," Steve said. "But, with that being said, you know me. I'll always be grateful for my time at General Hospital."
He went on to say that he hopes it might be possible for him to come back to the show one day, once the mandates are lifted.
Steve made his triumphant return in 2024, but is he ready to retire?
Three years later, Steve appeared in a promo with Laura Wright and Kelly Monaco in a promo for the prime-time special 60 Years of Stars & Storytelling.
On March 4, 2024, Steve was back on television screens as General Hospital's Jason Morgan once again.
"It's been amazing to come back to the show. It's always felt like home," he told ET following his return. "I love the cast, I love the crew, and life is amazing right now. It really is, truly."
However, at the age of 55, is Steve ready to officially call it quits? The end might be closer than fans want to hear.
"I feel like I have another, I don't know — it's a feeling right now and I don't like to go on feelings all the time - another two or three years of acting," Steve shared in 2024.
Only time will tell when Steve leaves Port Charles for good.