Steve Burton returns to “General Hospital” after dealing with off-screen drama that was almost as dramatic as the soap opera that made him famous.
Burton, who was fired from “General Hospital” in 2021 due to the network’s coronavirus vaccine mandate, returns to the series after divorcing his ex-wife, who had a baby with another man while they were still together.
The program revealed Burton’s return with a dramatic preview shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘GENERAL HOSPITAL’ STAR STEVE BURTON FINALS DIVORCE AFTER EX-WIFE HAD A BABY WITH ANOTHER MAN
Steve Burton will return to “General Hospital” after finalizing his divorce from ex-wife Sheree. (Scott Kirkland)
Burton previously explained his departure from “General Hospital” on social media.
“I wanted you to hear it from me personally,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “Unfortunately, ‘General Hospital’ let me go because of the vaccine mandate. I applied for my medical and religious exemptions, and they were both denied, which, you know, hurts. But for me this is also about my personal freedom .”
“I don’t think people should lose their livelihood over this, but that being said, you know me, I’ll always be grateful for my time at ‘General Hospital’. I love it there. I grew up there. I grew up with some of you, so “I will always be grateful, and I believe that when one door closes, several doors open. That has always been my perspective,” Burton continued.
Burton first joined “General Hospital” as Jason Morgan in 1992. The star filmed his final episode on October 27, 2021.
At the time, Burton noted that he would be willing to come back and finish Jason Morgan’s story if the mandates were ever lifted.
A representative for Burton did not respond to Fox News Digital’s immediate request for comment.
STEVE BURTON REMAINS ‘GRATEFUL’ WHEN LIFE THROWS ‘CURVED BALLS’: ‘I HAVE FAITH’
Steve Burton announced his separation from Sheree in 2022. (David Crotty/Patrick McMullan)
During his time away from the soap opera, his own personal drama unfolded in real life.
Months after his departure from “General Hospital”, Burton announced his separation from Sheree. At that time, the couple had been married for 23 years. The soap star revealed that Sheree was pregnant with her fourth child, but Burton was not the baby’s father.
“I wanted to clarify something. Sheree and I are separated,” Burton wrote on his Instagram Story in May 2022. “She recently announced that she is expecting her fourth child. The child is not mine.”
Sheree has since given birth to a daughter, Izabella, and is currently pregnant with her fifth child.
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Steve Burton revealed that Sheree had become pregnant with another man’s child while they were married. (Taylor Hill)
Burton and Sheree finalized their divorce on December 27. The former couple agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their minor children, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
Burton must pay Sheree $12,500 per month in child support for her two youngest children, Jack and Brooklyn, until April. The monthly payments will then change to $10,000. Burton must also maintain health insurance coverage for supported children.
The former couple waived their rights to spousal support and agreed that Burton would pay Sheree a retroactive support sum of $50,000. “The parties agree that no further support is due retroactively from the date of execution of this stipulated judgment,” the document states.
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Steve Burton’s departure from “Days of our Lives” came shortly after finalizing his divorce from Sheree Burton. (Craig Sjodin via Getty Images)
Shortly after their divorce was finalized, it was revealed that Burton would be leaving “Days of our Lives.”
“Everyone enjoyed having Steve back in the ‘Days of our Lives’ family,” the show confirmed to Soap Opera Network. “Although filming wrapped at the end of the year, ‘Harris’ will remain on the schedule for many more months.”
Burton previously told Fox News Digital that he relies on his faith when life throws him “curve balls.”
“Obviously, life can throw you curveballs, and really, in life, it’s all about how you handle things,” Burton said in a 2022 interview. “And I always find a way to be grateful. And, you know, gratitude is the number one thing for me. And I’m still so grateful to be in a medium that exists after more than 50 years, that Deidre and I “Can sit here on Zoom and talk to you about still working during the day and ‘Days of Our Lives'”.
“I have hope. I have faith and I’m just grateful,” he added.
Steve Burton first joined “General Hospital” in 1992 as Jason Morgan. (Nick Agro via Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.
