The Hollywood Reporter was the first to break the news. Ingo Rademacher is best known for his portrayal of corporate raiding playboy Jasper “Jax” Jacks on long-running ABC soap. He initially joined the cast in 1996 and was a prominent character for many years until his abrupt departure in 2021.

Rademacher had argued vehemently that he was unjustly dismissed from the show for declining the COVID-19 vaccine, citing his religious beliefs and medical condition as grounds for an exemption. Yet, the court sided with ABC, asserting that the actor’s opposition to the vaccine was grounded more in health concerns than in religious conviction.

It’s crucial to remember that ABC, like many other studios, had implemented vaccine mandates as part of their return-to-work protocols. These mandates mainly targeted those in the highest-risk areas on the set – including the main actors and key crewmembers. However, as the pandemic evolved, many studios, including Disney, ABC’s parent company, began to pull back from these blanket policies, opting instead for more nuanced approaches.

Rademacher’s case against ABC relied on the assertion that the network lacked the authority to impose a vaccine mandate on its employees. He claimed the network had wrongfully terminated his contract and violated his right to privacy, among other allegations. His arguments hinged on a moral belief that his body, as “endowed by his creator,” should not be subjected to foreign genetic material, such as the COVID-19 vaccine.

Yet, ABC’s defense painted a different picture of Rademacher’s religious objections. The network’s lawyers argued that the actor’s beliefs were more focused on health and personal ethics than comprehensive religious doctrine. They pointed to the absence of formal religious structures or practices in Rademacher’s “religion,” such as specific writings, gathering places, clergy, ceremonies, and proselytization.

Moreover, ABC questioned the sincerity of Rademacher’s belief in a book he cited, the “Revelations of Ramala,” considering he last read it three decades ago and no longer possessed a copy. While Rademacher’s lawyer contended that the actor’s beliefs were not hastily concocted to bypass the vaccine policy, Judge Stephen Goorvitch remained unconvinced. The court found that ABC did not have an obligation to accommodate Rademacher’s unconventional religious beliefs.

This outcome, while specific to Rademacher’s case, has broader implications for Hollywood. The dismissal of Rademacher’s lawsuit may serve as a precedent for similar cases and potentially discourage others from pursuing similar legal routes. Notably, ABC has been sued by other “General Hospital” crew members who were dismissed for refusing the vaccine. As Hollywood continues to grapple with the challenges of the pandemic and return-to-work protocols, this ruling reinforces the authority of studios to prioritize health and safety over individual objections to vaccine mandates.

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On November 2, TV Source learned that Steve Burton was among three stars that would be exiting the series for failure to comply. Although we teased social media that major news was coming, we were not comfortable publishing the story.

Performers in the Screen Actors Guild — the union representing performers that daytime actors belong to — are working under pandemic era terms in their return to work agreement which states “Producers may in their discretion implement policies requiring that current and prospective employees in Zone A (the area where scenes are filmed and the immediate vicinity where the crew works), studio teachers and others who come into close contact with minors be ‘fully vaccinated’ as a condition of employment where permitted by law.” Actors were made aware in August that a mandate to be vaccinated would be implemented for a date of completion by November 1.

While there has been wide speculation about who was going and staying, one of the biggest hits came in the form of none other than viewer’s favorite leather jacket and black t-shirt wearing blue-eyed mob enforcer, Jason Morgan, portrayed by Steve Burton. The Emmy winning actor confirmed he was terminated from General Hospital for refusing to get vaccinated. Burton’s final airdate was Friday, November 19. The show films 3-4 weeks ahead, and the taping took place before the mandate went into effect. In the episode, Jason was seemingly killed after being crushed in a cave collapse in Greece.

Citing medical and religious reasons for opposing the vaccine, Burton took to Instagram and made it clear that he has no desire to obtain the vaccine as a compromise to reprise the role that he has played on and off since 1991. Even after contracting Covid-19 back in August of this year, stating he’d contracted the virus on set, the actor remained firm in his decision to not vaccinate. In an anti-vaccine, “my body my choice”-like speech, he revealed some of the reasons why he was let go from the long-time soap opera.

“I wanted you to hear it from me personally, unfortunately, ‘General Hospital’ has let me go because of the vaccine mandate. I did apply for my medical and religious exemptions, and both of those were denied. Which, you know, hurts. But this is also about personal freedom to me.”

He continued stating that one day if the mandates were lifted, he could return and reprise the role and also thanked his fans saying “when one door closes multiple doors open.” While one of those doors clearly won’t be in Port Charles, the actor seemed very optimistic about his future.

His full statement can be seen below:

Well I know there has been a lot of rumors and speculations about me and General Hospital and I wanted you to hear it from me personally. Unfortunately, General Hospital has let me go because of the vaccine mandate. I did apply for my medical and religious exemptions and both of those were denied, which, you know, hurts. But this is also about personal freedom to me. I don’t think anyone should lose their livelihood over this. But with 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 when one door closes multiple doors open. That’s always been my perspective, so I am excited to see what the future brings. And maybe one day when these mandates are lifted, I can return and finish my career as Jason Morgan. That would be an honor. And if not, I am going to take this amazing experience, move forward and be forever grateful. I have got to say that I am forever grateful for your love and your support over the years. It means so much to me. Thank you. I don’t know when my last airdate is. It may have aired or it might be tomorrow or the next day. I am not sure. I want you guys to have an awesome Thanksgiving. I know it is hard, maybe, in this type of situation to be thankful or grateful, but we have so many things to be thankful about. Being grateful really is the key. Love you guys. Thank you.

Steve Burton via Instagram

Burton isn’t the only actor exiting GH. Co-star Ingo Rademacher, who plays Jax Jacks and was at the center of anti-vaccine headlines over the summer, also refused to comply with the vaccine mandate and was terminated. His last episode was November 22. Joining him is Carolyn Hennessy, who plays attorney Diane Miller (Editor’s Note: See Below Update & Correction). There were also over a dozen crew members who failed to comply.

There are several questions in the air as to how General Hospital will handle the exit long term. The character was originally slated to be a major part of the series’ Christmas episodes, which have since been rewritten. Jason Morgan is a pivotal character connected to all major families. Recasting is an option, as the series did in 2014 with Billy Miller, though the storyline was retconned upon Burton’s return in 2017.

It remains to be seen at this time if that’s where the show is headed, but one thing is very clear, Jason Morgan gone from Port Charles, and it wasn’t by plane, it wasn’t by train, it was a needle or lack of one that decided the fate of everyone’s favorite mob enforcer.

UPDATE 11/24/21: CORRECTION: GH star Carolyn Hennessy has commented on reports of her alleged exit. For transparency purposes we will not edit the original article, but will include this correction indicating she has refuted the report.

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TV Insider’s Michael Logan was the first to break the scoop.

Over the weekend, Winsor Harmon, who’s played Thorne intermittently since 1996, announced he would not be returning to the role and executive producer/head writer Brad Bell would be recasting. “Just spoke with Brad Bell and at this time he’s decided to recast Thorne. I wish the new actor and the show continued success,” wrote the star on Twitter.

Ingo Rademacher will first air in late November. In an interview with Michael Logan, the actor reveals he was originally up for an 11-episode role of Mateo (now played by Francisco San Martin). “My managers called me up and said B&B was interested in my doing this 11-episode character, and I said, ‘Sweet. Let’s do it.’ But then, as I understand it, [executive producer] Brad Bell had a change of heart and wanted to give me a full-time, contract role.”

The Aussie heartthrob said he hadn’t spoken to Bell about his plans for the story, but he’s been reading up on the history. As for taking over the role previously held by Harmon, Ingo said, “You can’t try to be someone else, but I certainly hope to play Thorne as well as Winsor did.”

Harmon congratulated Ingo on Twitter, writing:

Congrats @IngoRademacher you're gonna be amazing as Thorne buddy!! Big shoes dude, size 11, call me man.

— Winsor D. Harmon III (@winsorharmon) September 25, 2017

For more on Ingo Rademacher’s jump to The Bold and the Beautiful, including whether or not his old GH stomping grounds was an option to return to, visit TVInsider.com.

Our Take: This is certainly an interesting development. Ingo Rademacher is a great actor and would be a great addition to any series, but it’s going to be weird seeing him as Thorne. Winsor Harmon is a class act for the way he handled the news to recast and his welcoming message to Ingo. How do you feel about the recast?

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Rademacher, who originated the role of Jax in 1996, last appeared on GH in 2013 for the series’ 50th anniversary celebration. Jax’s engagement to Brenda (aka the love of his life) fell apart yet again due to Brenda’s never ending love for Sonny.

Are you excited about Jax’s return?

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