Actress Kelly Monaco, a television daily icon, will be leaving General Hospital after more than 22 years of playing the iconic Sam McCall. The actress, 48, has been one of the mainstays on the ABC soap opera since 2003, appearing in over 2,000 episodes. Though details of how the character will be written off are not yet quite known, fans are even now beginning to feel the early effect of the star’s impending departure.
Kelly Monaco: A General Hospital Legacy
Kelly Monaco first stepped into the role of Sam McCall in 2003 and soon established herself as one of this soap’s most popular leading ladies. Deliciously playing being a bad girl turned good, Monaco’s performances gained her a Best Supporting Actress nomination for the 2006 Daytime Emmys. Before joining General Hospital, Kelly Monaco played Livvie Locke on Port Charles from 2000-2003.
With complex storylines and romantic involvements for years, she has captured the hearts of many viewers, thus making her one of the most beloved characters of the soap opera world. With Monaco’s exit, a chapter of the show will close, and audiences will now move on to speculating how their favorite soap kills Sam. Sam’s exit from the show could have a large emotional impact on the series and its loyal viewers for years to come.
Changes Made Behind the Scenes For General Hospital
Kelly Monaco’s departure is just one of several big behind-the-scenes changes at General Hospital. In late August, word came down that showrunner head writer Patrick Mulcahey was stepping down and Chris Van Etten would take the reins. The regime change has set up some question marks for the show going ahead, particularly as several alums have been coming back to join the returning population of Port Charles, like Jonathan Jackson and Emma Samms.
Behind-the-scenes changes have paralleled the wave of departures: in June, actor Michael Easton, a decade-long cast member who played the role of Hamilton Finn, joined his fellow performers to exit from General Hospital. The return of some famous faces and new plotlines have series fans speculating about how this sets up the series to head into a transitional period.
Kelly Monaco: Beyond a Soap Beauty
Of course, Kelly Monaco has had quite an extensive career outside of General Hospital. She was the first celebrity winner of Dancing with the Stars, winning the Mirrorball Trophy with partner Alec Mazo in the show’s premiere season in 2005. Her appearance in the popular dancing reality competition broadened her fanbase further and proved that she could keep up with any kind of talent. For her appearances in soap operas and more, Kelly Monaco has become a hugely respected figure in the entertainment industry. The legacy she leaves behind, both as a talented actress and pioneer for Daytime Television, is strong upon her exit from General Hospital.
Final Thoughts
Kelly Monaco leaving General Hospital is, in simple terms, the beginning of a new era for the show and its die-hard fans. In playing Sam McCall, Monaco has created an unforgettable presence not only in her own series but also in all soap operas. While she and her character will be leaving the series, her legacy will continue on.
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