What led to Kelly Monaco’s departure from General Hospital despite her visible disappointment with the decision? In the soap opera world, cast changes are common, often involving replacements for key characters. Yet, some actors establish long tenures, as seen with Maurice Benard, who has portrayed Sonny Corinthos since 1993, and Leslie Charleson, who has been in the role of Monica Quartermaine since 1977, nearing half a century.
Although Kelly Monaco has not been part of the series as long as those veterans, she made a significant mark by portraying Sam McCall for an impressive 21 years. Her character was intricately woven into the fabric of the show, being the daughter of mob boss Julian Jerome (William deVry) and attorney Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn). Sam’s story began as a con artist, holding onto her rebellious nature, which played a significant role in the captivating narratives filled with mobsters and antagonists.
Sam’s Dramatic Exit: Heart Attack in 2024
The Dark Truth Behind Sam’s Death
The storyline took a shocking turn on October 30, 2024, during what was meant to be a joyful celebration of Sam’s engagement to Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna). After revealing her engagement to her mother Alexis, tragedy struck. As her ex, Jason Morgan (Steve Burton), was bringing their children, Danny and Scout, to the hospital, he witnessed a flurry of medical staff rushing into Sam’s room, soon learning that she had suffered an embolism. Despite attempts to revive her, Lucas tragically pronounced her dead after a heart-wrenching 30 minutes.
Initially thought to be a straightforward heart attack, Sam’s demise soon sparked speculation. Intriguingly, Lulu, who had been in a coma for years due to an explosion orchestrated by Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober) in 2020, experienced a critical moment when her ventilator unexpectedly failed. While she was ultimately saved, these events led to suspicions of foul play, culminating in the shocking revelation that Sam had not succumbed to natural causes — she had been murdered.
A flashback revealed the true culprit: Cyrus, who had injected a lethal dose of Digitalis into Sam’s IV, intending to eliminate her just as she was poised to donate a liver to Lulu. Following this revelation, three weeks later, Dex Heller (Evan Hofer) confronted Cyrus about his role in Sam’s tragic end. Shortly thereafter, the situation escalated dangerously when Cyrus stabbed Dex, who subsequently died after a surgery. It became evident that Cyrus had also poisoned Dex’s IV, mirroring the tragic fate he had dealt Sam.
Kelly Monaco’s Reaction to Her Character’s Demise
A Surprise Departure from the Show
In many cases, a character’s exit from a soap opera reflects the actor’s desire to pursue new opportunities. However, Kelly Monaco’s departure was quite the opposite, as her exit had been thrust upon her. The show’s executives informed her of their decision to terminate her contract, leading to the shocking death of Sam on-screen. Monaco, wishing to prepare fans, hinted at an impending change, revealing that something significant was imminent for her character.
In a heartfelt farewell, Monaco shared her gratitude after over two decades on the show, stating (via TV Line):
“I’ve been on this lot for 25 years, and you have all been my family — not only my second family but my first family. I just thank each and every one of you for these memories and this experience that I’ll take with me for the rest of my life. … It has been a wild ride, and it will not be the last that you see of me.”
Despite her initial acknowledgment of the show’s impact, Monaco later expressed her shock and disappointment regarding her character’s demise. In an emotion-filled comment on social media (which has since been deleted), she reflected on how she felt blindsided by her character’s conclusion. Responding to criticisms about her “primary role” status, she noted the significant shift in Sam’s storyline following the firing of Billy Miller, who played Jason Morgan, and how it diminished her character’s essence:
“No primary role’.. do your homework. When Billy Miller was fired, Sam’s storyline stopped. Stripping Sam of every characteristic she had. Something I worked for decades to build… Slowly dismantling her into a character that I did not recognize, let alone the audience. Call it what you will… retaliation at its finest. I will give a proper statement. The truth will set you free.”
Although Kelly Monaco assured fans that her departure did not mark an end to her journey, her future projects remain uncertain. Apart from a brief appearance on a 2015 episode of Baby Daddy, her career largely revolves around General Hospital, leaving fans wondering what her next steps might entail.