In the days since Michael Easton wrapped up his 12-year run on General Hospital, the actor has been reflecting upon his time in Port Charles, which ended in late June when his alter ego, Finn, entered rehab. In addition to putting his GH exit into perspective, the Emmy nominee made lovely tributes on social media to his three leading ladies: Finola Hughes (Anna), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), and Rebecca Budig (ex-Hayden).
“I’ve always felt that if you’re ever fortunate to be recognized for a performance, the true credit goes to the actor you’re sharing the scene with,” he wrote. “I’ve benefited from working with some of the best, but over the past nine years, three actors got stuck working with me more than all others and I would like to thank Rebecca, Becky, and Finola for putting up with me. I am a better actor and person for the time I spent sharing the stage with each of you and I am forever grateful.”
Easton’s farewell tour on Instagram went on to thank (and compliment!) each actress individually. Starting with Hughes, he shared a video of his favorite scenes with each woman. “Finola is truly iconic, but also an incredibly compassionate actor who is intensely present in every scene. I chose this clip because all Anna and Finn had done up to this point was some witty banter, but this seemed like the moment that they stopped and truly saw each other and was the foundation upon which their relationship was built. Finola could teach a masterclass on how to carry yourself on and off the stage.
Next up was Easton’s favorite memory of Herbst: the scene in which Finn confessed his love for Elizabeth. “Becky is one of those incredibly rare actors that can tell entire stories in their eyes,” he noted. “I like this scene because without saying a word you know that she’s feeling something, but we never know exactly what it is, and we can’t look away from her. So much inner power beyond her beauty.”
For Budig, Easton went back to his last scenes with his co-star in 2017. “Rebecca is an amazing actor with deep soulful eyes that you can get lost in. This was the goodbye scene between Finn and Hayden and Rebecca’s ability to show her pain and vulnerability in one moment and then shift her resolve and be able to walk away from everything in her life is so incredibly heartbreaking to watch,” he confessed. “I am in awe of her talent. And if you bother her enough, she might release About a Girl, and you’ll be blown away by her performance.” (About a Girl is a short film Budig wrote about her struggles with postpartum depression, which Easton directed)
Easton first joined GH in 2012 after One Life To Live was canceled, relocating his beloved Llanview character, John McBain, to Port Charles. After the soap was forced to write him out due to legal issues surrounding the character, a new role was created for him, and Easton returned to the canvas as Dr. Silas Clay. He played that character until Silas was killed off in 2015, returning to the show for a third time in March 2016 as Dr. Hamilton Finn.
Love GH? Be sure to join our We Love General Hospital Facebook group to chat about all the latest storylines and juicy gossip!
