Steve Burton

Steve Burton – Life, Career, and Selected Quotes

Discover the life and acting journey of Steve Burton (born 1970), the American soap opera star best known as Jason Morgan on General Hospital. Learn about his early life, career highlights, personal life, and memorable lines.

Introduction

Steve Burton is a veteran American television actor whose name is closely associated with daytime drama. His long-running portrayal of Jason Morgan on General Hospital made him a familiar face to soap opera audiences. Over a multi-decade career, Burton has taken on roles in multiple soap operas and voiced characters in video games and animated films.

Early Life and Background

Jack Stephen “Steve” Burton was born on June 28, 1970 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
He spent parts of his youth in a Cleveland, Ohio suburb (Richmond Heights) before moving to California, where he graduated from Beverly Hills High School.

Burton’s early ambition led him toward acting roles, and he trained in acting (being coached by mentors such as Jon Cedar and Chris Aable) as he pursued auditions.

Career and Achievements

Entry into Television & Soaps

One of Burton’s earliest roles was as Chris Fuller on the sitcom Out of This World (1987). In 1988, he also appeared on Days of Our Lives as Harris Michaels.

In 1991, Burton landed what would become a defining role: Jason Morgan (initially Jason Quartermaine) on the long-running soap General Hospital. He played this role from 1991 to 2012, returned from 2017 to 2021, and then again resumed the role in 2024.

During his time on General Hospital, Burton earned awards including a Daytime Emmy (Outstanding Supporting Actor, 1998) and multiple Soap Opera Digest Awards.

Other Roles & Voice Work

In 2001, he appeared in the film The Last Castle as Captain Peretz. He also acted in the miniseries Taken (2002) in multiple episodes as Russell Keys.

Apart from on-screen acting, Burton has done voice work:

• He voiced Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children and in various Kingdom Hearts games.

• In 2019, he even portrayed Jason’s twin brother Drew Cain (in flashbacks) on General Hospital.

In 2013, Burton joined The Young and the Restless as Dylan McAvoy, staying in that role until 2017. He won a Daytime Emmy for that performance in 2017.

After his 2021 exit from General Hospital—reportedly related to a vaccine mandate—he joined Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem (as Harris Michaels) and later the main Days of Our Lives cast in 2023. In January 2024, Burton announced his departure from Days of Our Lives, and shortly after, it was announced he'd return to General Hospital as Jason Morgan.

Personality & Strengths

Steve Burton’s long tenure in the world of daytime television suggests his strengths include:

• Resilience & consistency: Staying relevant in a competitive and changeable industry over multiple decades.

• Versatility: Moving between soap operas, voice acting in video games, and occasional film roles.

• Loyal fan base: His return to iconic roles reflects how deeply audiences associate him with characters like Jason Morgan.

Personal Life

• Burton married Sheree Gustin on January 16, 1999.

• They had three children:
  • Makena Grace (b. September 5, 2003)
  • Jack Marshall (b. March 26, 2006)
  • Brooklyn Faith (b. July 7, 2014)

In May 2022, Burton publicly announced separation from Gustin and clarified that his wife was pregnant with another man’s child (and that the child was not his). The divorce was finalized in December 2023.

In January 2025, Burton became engaged to Michelle Lundstrom, and in May 2025, they married in Laguna Beach, California.

Selected Quotes & Remarks

Steve Burton is less known for signature “wise sayings” and more for lines from his soap-opera dialogue. However, here are a few noteworthy remarks and public statements:

• On leaving General Hospital in 2021 due to vaccine policy:

  “I did apply for my medical and religious exemptions and both of those were denied … I believe when one door closes, multiple doors open.”

• On returning to General Hospital in 2024:

  The first look at his reentry portrayed Jason Morgan in a dramatic, bloodied scene—signaling the character’s return would not be quiet or low-key.

Because much of Burton’s public persona is entwined with his characters, many of his most memorable lines come from General Hospital scripts rather than from interviews.

Lessons from Steve Burton’s Career

1. Owning a character can define a legacy
   Burton’s identity is tightly associated with Jason Morgan; his repeated returns show how a strong role can anchor a long career.

2. Adapt to change
   Transitioning between soaps, leaving and returning, and even taking voice roles show adaptability.

3. Professional stamina
   Soap operas demand long hours, evolving storylines, and consistent performance—success in that field requires endurance.

4. Personal transparency has consequences
   His public statements—especially around his 2021 exit—show how off-screen actions and beliefs can impact career trajectories.

Conclusion

Steve Burton is a soap opera mainstay and a fixture in American daytime television. His decades-long performance as Jason Morgan, along with roles in The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives, plus voice work in video games, reflect a multi-faceted career. His personal life, transitions, and returns to major roles make his journey one of both professional success and public scrutiny.