Michael Easton’s emotional exit from General Hospital: His message to fans

Michael Easton has left General Hospital now that his character, Dr. Hamilton Finn, has entered rehab. The fan-favorite actor spoke with Soap Center for an interview to talk about his release and what he wants fans to know about his journey in Port Charles.

Leave as a sign of gratitude

Easton says he’s grateful to the show for giving him such powerful material, not only in the story leading up to his departure, but throughout his entire run on the show. His only wish is that Finn’s downfall had played out over a longer period of time. “From an acting standpoint, I would have liked to have brought a little more subtlety and nuance to it,” he says.

“I had to get to a point very quickly,” Easton says, adding, “I had a really good script and really good direction. I had the opportunity to work with some really great actors.”

Easton’s exit story seems to be moving quickly. Gregory (Gregory Harrison) has died and Finn has fallen into depression and gone insane. “I have such an affinity with Gregory (Harrison),” Easton says. “He’s a wonderful actor. He’s just as wonderful, if not more so, as a human being. I’ve become very close to him.”

The TV doctor’s departure from GH comes at an opportune time in his life. “I’m the same age my mother was when she died,” Easton says, “which doesn’t seem like a very old age to die.”

The actor has had to deal with many losses in recent years. His dear friend Kamar de los Reyes (ex-Antonio, A life to live) died on Christmas Eve. “I also thought about Sonya (Eddy, ex-Epiphany), Johnny (Wactor, ex-Brando), Tyler (Christopher, ex-Nikolas) and Billy (Miller, ex-Drew),” he said. “There was a lot of emotion in the story. Even though (Finn’s fall) seemed rushed in a way, I felt very raw at the beginning.”

Michael Easton has worked with a lot of actors over the years. On the romantic front, Finn has been paired with Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Anna (Finola Hughes). “They’re both incredibly present when you’re in a scene with them,” Easton praises. “Other actors have gotten ‘stuck’ with me,” he jokes, referring to Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Josh Swickard (Chase) and Jophielle Love (Violet).

“I’m deeply in love with Jane Elliot (Tracy),” the actor adds.

Although Finn’s downfall and decision to enter rehab happened quickly, the show gave Easton plenty of moments to play, particularly in its final episodes when Finn decided to smash vodka bottles against the wall, and when he shared a tender goodbye with his TV daughter, Love.

“It was the hardest goodbye of all,” Easton says. “I have a daughter (in real life), and so Jophielle and I had an instant connection. People said our relationship felt so natural, like we knew each other in past lives. I think (Jophielle) is going to do incredible things as an actress and a singer. She’s going to do incredible things in life.”

Finn has already decided not to drink and has entered a three-month detox program. Does that mean the door is left open for Easton to return? The actor says he’s not even going there, at least not right now.

“I think there was a purpose (to my departure), and there was a purpose for me too,” he reflects.

Although fans would love to see him return to GH or appear on another soap opera (he played Tanner on Days of our lives), the actor says it’s too early to speculate on a specific next step. “I mean, I’m not done,” Easton adds. “I’m going to try to find the right role, the next big storyline… I don’t know where that’s going to come from.”

Michael Easton shared some of his feelings on social media, which he says made him feel very vulnerable. He says he wanted to share his thoughts because he is grateful to everyone who supported him throughout his journey at GH. “I am very indebted to the entire cast and crew there,” he says. “I always think that whenever you have success as an actor, the real person that should be recognized is the person that you are working with.”