Breaking soap opera news hit the airwaves (or rather, smartphones) early Wednesday! Michael Easton, a familiar face to daytime drama fans, took to Instagram to share a bittersweet message. After a memorable run as Dr. Hamilton Finn on “General Hospital,” he’s filmed his final scenes, confirming his departure from the beloved ABC series. This news comes after weeks of buzzing speculation about his character’s fate.
In a poignant video recorded in the early hours outside the “General Hospital” set, Easton addressed his fans: “I’ve always been partial to the Irish Wish goodbye. That’s where you leave the party without actually telling anyone you’re gone. But I thought you all deserved better.”
Easton continued, “So, I just wanna let you know, I just filmed my final scenes here at General Hospital. I’ve loved every minute that I’ve been here. I want to thank the entire cast and crew for allowing me to share their stage these past ten years. Most importantly, I want to thank all of you for the kindness and love you’ve shown me and my family. I won’t ever forget you.”
In a touching conclusion to his message, Easton echoed the famous words of Lou Gehrig: “As I walk out here for the last time, and with apologies to the great Lou Gehrig, I feel like the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” The reference to Gehrig, who passed away from ALS, resonates deeply as Easton recently portrayed a storyline involving Finn’s father, Gregory, succumbing to the same illness.
Easton signed off his Instagram post with a final expression of gratitude: “Thank you for your kindness. My heart is filled with love and gratitude.”
In the current storyline, Finn’s life has taken a dark turn. After seven years of sobriety, he relapsed following the death of his father, Gregory. His daughter, Violet (played by Jophielle Love), has been removed from his home, and a restraining order has been issued against him. This tragic arc raises questions about Finn’s departure from Port Charles—will he seek help and redemption?
Easton’s exit also signifies the end of Finn’s relationship with Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst), especially after their recent confrontation over his drinking. Additionally, with Jonathan Jackson’s (Lucky) return to “GH” this summer, fans are left wondering how these storylines will intertwine.
Easton’s journey on “General Hospital” began when he transitioned from Llanview to Port Charles as John McBain after “One Life to Live” was canceled. He debuted on “GH” on March 13, 2012, but due to legal disputes over the characters, he exited the show in March 2013. He returned in May 2013 as a new character, Silas Clay, who was written off in 2015. Easton made his final comeback in 2016 as Dr. Hamilton Finn, a role he has embodied for the past eight years.
Throughout his time on “General Hospital,” Easton has received critical acclaim, including a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in 2018. Given his compelling performances, many believe he could earn another nomination in 2025 as his “GH” journey concludes.
As Michael Easton steps away from “General Hospital,” his departure marks the end of an era for his character and the fans who have followed his storied career. His heartfelt goodbye leaves a lasting impact on the soap opera community and his loyal viewers.