Farewell Tracy: Jane Elliot Is Ready To Live Her Life HER Way

Tomorrow, General Hospital (GH) fans say goodbye to Tracy Quartermaine as Jane Elliot’s final episode airs.

While we’re not sure how it all ends, we do know Tracy will remain among the living, so maybe, possibly (hopefully?), we’ll see her again one day. But, for now Elliot is ready to retire and enjoy her life without the responsibilities that come with being a soap star.

Elliot summed up her retirement decision to TV Insider’s Michael Logan in her signature way, with humor and blunt honesty.

“I’m 70 years old! For 53 years, I’ve gone from job to job, coast to coast, movies to theater to TV, and it’s all been delicious,” she told Logan.

“I’m really glad I got to do it. But now I want to use a different part of my brain—that part where I don’t have to learn lines, put on makeup, wonder if my roots are showing or think about my weight.

“‘Does this dress make me look fat?’ I don’t want to live like that anymore! Do. Not. Want. To. Do. It. I’m a low-maintenance kind of girl.”

Of course, Elliot and Tracy are still beloved onscreen, with Tracy being the not-always-seamless glue holding the Quartermaine clan together. People wonder if that core family can survive with Tracy gone.

She’s been gone before, but we still had Edward, Lila, and Alan. Now, who will run this funny family?

“I don’t know who everyone would show up for. Would they show up if Ned called a meeting?” she asked. “Would they show up for Monica? Would Monica ever call a meeting? Will they show up for Michael who has denounced the fact he’s a Quartermaine? I don’t know.”

Of course, there’s always Ned, and Elliot has nothing but praise for longtime co-star Wally Kurth. (Remember, they played lovers at one time on Days of Our Lives.)

“I have always loved working with that man,” Elliot said. “There are only four soaps left and Wally is acting on two of them. He’s in 50 percent of the shows on the air! Who does THAT? So, yes, I agree. There could be something really great there.”

Elliot does preview a happy ending for Tracy, but has one wish that never came true for the character.

“As far as I’m concerned, they should have made Tracy the head of the mob. She should have gone one-on-one with Sonny.”

Now, THAT would have been something.

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. Share your thoughts, leave a comment in the section below. Win exclusive member-only GH spoilers, prizes, and more: sign up here! Also, join the conversation on our Facebook page.