Jonathan Jackson.
Fans were shocked last week when five-time Daytime Emmy winner Jonathan Jackson, who returned to General Hospital last summer as Lucky Spencer, announced that he would be leaving the show. In a candid interview with TV Insider, Jackson opened up about his decision to exit, revealing the personal reasons behind his departure.
Why Jonathan Jackson Left GH
The main factor in Jackson’s decision to leave was the difficulty of commuting from his home in Tennessee to the GH set in Los Angeles.
Jackson, who lives with his wife, Lisa Vultaggio Jackson, and their three children, explained that the back-and-forth travel was “a bit of an experiment” that ultimately wasn’t sustainable. “We gave it our best shot, but we weren’t able to keep it going,” Jackson said, expressing that the logistical strain had taken a toll on his family life.
While Jackson’s exit may have seemed sudden to fans, he confessed that he didn’t make the final decision to leave until very recently. As his storyline unfolded, he realized that Lucky’s future in Port Charles didn’t align with where he was in his personal life.
His exit arc was quickly written in, with Lucky proposing to Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst), only for her to turn him down, realizing that they couldn’t build a future together. Lucky, heartbroken, left town, and Jackson followed suit.
Jackson shared that reconnecting with Herbst was one of the highlights of his time back on GH. Reflecting on their past work together, Jackson praised Herbst’s talent and expressed how much he enjoyed their scenes.
“Becky is really one of the most talented people that I’ve worked with,” he said, highlighting her intuitive and smart approach to acting.
The actor also fondly remembered working with his on-screen mother, Genie Francis (Laura), and longtime co-star Maurice Benard (Sonny). He mentioned how much he appreciated getting to work with Kate Mansi (Kristina) for the first time.
Despite the emotional and intense moments, Jackson admitted that the experience of reuniting with his GH family was incredibly fulfilling.
Looking forward, Jackson is turning his attention to his music and writing. He revealed that he’ll be releasing a solo album and a book of poetry later this year, marking a new chapter in his career.
Jackson is excited to explore these new creative endeavors and will focus on music and books, taking on whatever new projects come his way.
What do you think of Lucky leaving Port Charles? Let us know in the comments.
