Sometimes, all it takes is one act of kindness to change the world. Take the character of Jason Morgan on General Hospital, for example. Portrayer Steve Burton reveals that he was thisclose to walking away from the ABC soap opera before Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) said a few kind words that inspired him to stay put, thus changing the course of the show's history forever.
Burton, also known as The Young and the Restless' Dylan McAvoy, reveals that shortly before Jason Quartermaine got into the car accident that affected his memory, he had planned on walking away from GH. But then, "Maurice Benard really took me under his wing," he tells Soaps In Depth, adding that the subsequent conversations the pair had led him to stay with the show and continue on in the character of Jason Morgan.
"Maurice and I didn't really talk that much at first, but we saw each other around, and one day, we started talking," Burton recalls. "I was actually about to leave the show, and he said, 'I've seen some of your work. You're really good. Do you have a technique?' I said, "I have no idea, man.' And he said, 'Man, I'd love to help you!' I was like, 'Awesome! Let's do it!'... So I'd go to his house, and we'd rehearse and rehearse, and he'd teach me. I spent a lot of time with him and his family. I didn't really have a teacher before, and it was like I was in acting class all the time."
RELATED: GH finally includes veteran actor in opening credits
Burton isn't 100% sure whether or not the real-life bond between himself and Benard inspired the writers to rework the character of Jason and turn him into Sonny's protégé, but he has a feeling it was part of the decision.
"I don't know whether that was the trigger or not, but he is a huge mentor of mine and taught me a lot," he says. "It was just amazing. It changed my career, acting wise."
For more from Burton on the important life lessons he learned from Benard in his early GH days, check out Soaps In Depth's article here.
Can you imagine Port Charles without the character of Jason Morgan? Have any of your friends or coworkers inspired you to make life-altering career decisions? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
