General Hospital star Steve Burton didn’t take home an individual trophy at the 2026 Daytime Emmys, but he still found plenty to celebrate. The actor, who plays Jason, enjoyed the evening with his family and watched GH collect several awards. More importantly, he got the chance to recognize two actresses whose work meant a great deal to him.
Key Takeaways
- Steve Burton reflected on his meaningful Daytime Emmy nomination, which involved scenes surrounding Leslie Charleson’s passing.
- Burton was grateful for the opportunity to honor Charleson and revealed that he planned to mention her in his acceptance speech.
- Burton praised Jane Elliot’s talent and dedication, calling her an inspiration and expressing his appreciation for working with her.
Steve Burton Remembers Leslie Charleson
Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) discussed the Daytime Emmys on their podcast, That’s Awesome. Burton explained that his nomination involved material surrounding Leslie Charleson’s (Monica) passing, making the occasion especially meaningful. He appreciated the opportunity to honor his former co-star, regardless of whether he won.
Burton explained that walking the red carpet gave him an opportunity to recognize Charleson’s contributions. “I was able to shed light or give love where it’s due,” he said. He wanted to make sure she received the appreciation she deserved, particularly since her passing figured so prominently in his submitted material.
The actor also revealed that Charleson would have been part of his acceptance speech if he won. Although he didn’t get that opportunity onstage, he still shared his feelings during interviews. Sometimes the most important part of an awards ceremony has nothing to do with taking home a statue.
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Jane Elliot Continues to Inspire Steve Burton
Burton also praised Jane Elliot, whose portrayal of Tracy remains an important part of GH. Many of his nominated scenes involved working opposite the veteran actress. “She’s so inspiring to me to this day,” he said, adding, “I love her. I love working with her.”
Burton pointed out that Elliot doesn’t seek recognition for her performances. “She doesn’t even nominate herself,” he explained. That didn’t stop him from wanting to acknowledge her talent and dedication, especially after seeing firsthand what she brought to their scenes together.
Beyond Charleson and Elliot, Burton expressed gratitude for his family, colleagues, and longtime mentor Maurice Benard (Sonny). He also thanked the fans who continue supporting daytime television across generations. While another Emmy would have been nice, Burton made it clear that celebrating the people behind the work mattered just as much.
