As Kelly Monaco continues to tape episodes leading toward the untimely death of her character, Sam McCall, some of her “General Hospital” co-stars are cheering for her as she prepares for the unknown, including Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) and Laura Wright (Carly Spencer).
“Every time someone leaves a show I always believe something great is going to come,” said Benard in a post on X (formerly Twitter), in response to a poster asking the cast to speak on behalf of Monaco. “It’s a blessing in disguise. Kelly is really talented. And she will succeed.”
Benard’s comments were echoed in a since-deleted post by Wright who said, “I’m with ya Mo !!! I see an incredible opportunity!! I can’t wait to see Kelly shine.”
At press time, Wright’s post had more than 2,000 views on X (formerly Twitter) before it was deleted, while Benard’s post remains and has garnered nearly 300 likes and nearly 23,000 views.
Christopher Willard/Disney
In late August, Soap Opera Network broke the news that Monaco had been let go from “General Hospital,” with her character slated to be killed off this fall. According to sources, Monaco was said to be “blindsided” by the show’s decision, and while ABC has not formally commented on Monaco’s departure, the network did inform the media that her exit is “storyline dictated.”
“I took the cut. That’s all I’ll say in this moment,” said Monaco in a reply to a post on Instagram addressing an unsubstantiated rumor that she was allegedly the only cast member who opted against taking a cut, either in salary or episode guarantee, which was something allegedly requested by the show’s producers of its talent roster following an alleged Disney mandate to cut costs across its media networks before the end of the company’s fiscal year on September 30.
Monaco has also received public support from some of her former colleagues at “General Hospital,” including Michael Easton (ex-Hamilton Finn) and Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin Scorpio).
In response to Monaco’s Instagram post honoring the first anniversary of the passing of her friend and former “General Hospital” co-star, the late Billy Miller (ex-Drew Cain), Easton said, “You have a lot of people who love you Kelly and we all have your back.” Meanwhile, McCullough stated, “My heart goes out to you Kelly.”
“Duces [sic] ‘I’ve got your back and you always had mine,’” read the caption on Monaco’s post where she quoted a statement made by Miller in the past. “I will tell our story soon enough…. I love and miss you… and beyond,” Monaco concluded in her post.
For reference, “Deuces” was a nickname the pair used stemming as far back as when Monaco shared a photo of herself on Miller’s back in a July 2017 post on X (formerly Twitter). An X user recently shared a signed copy of the photo written by Miller to Monaco that said, “To the best partner I have ever had – who has my back and I have hers because it takes TWO! ‘Deuces’ — Love, Billy.”
As of Sunday, September 15, more than 14,000 signatures have been compiled from a fan campaign hoping the show would reverse course and rehire Monaco. In fact, last week, a mobile billboard was driven around the show’s Prospect Studios in Hollywood, as well as Disney’s headquarters in Burbank.
That said, I’m still hearing plans remain in place for the show to kill off Monaco’s character.
A final air date for Monaco on “General Hospital” has not been announced.
Every time someone leaves a show I always believe something great is going to come
— Maurice Benard (@MauriceBenard) September 16, 2024
It’s a blessing in disguise
Kelly is really talented And she will succeed