After nearly a decade in Port Charles, Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) will bid farewell to the fictional town later this month.

The decision to leave General Hospital did not come easy for the star. Burton says, "Working at General Hospital and ABC has been a wonderful experience. I am extremely grateful to Wendy Riche, Bob Guza and Angela Shapiro for giving me a character to play that is an actor's dream. I will miss my General Hospital family very much, but feel that it is my time to try other things. As for coming back to General Hospital, anything is possible. General Hospital will always be my home."

Executive producer, Wendy Riche says, "Steve will always be a part of the General Hospital family and we wish him success and happiness as he pursues his dreams. Look for an emotional cliffhanger for Jason that will spin key characters into an exciting story twist."

Angela Shapiro, president, ABC Daytime, added, "Steve is an incredibly talented actor and we are grateful for his many years on General Hospital. We are very sorry to see him leave, but understand his desire to explore other opportunities."

Burton last airs on January 17, 2000.