Steve Burton mini-bio

Picture of Steve from his miniseries TAKEN

PERSONAL INFO

BORN-June 28, 1970
BIRTHPLACE-Indianapolis, IN
HAIR-dark blond
EYES-blue
HEIGHT- 5'11

CREDITS

Movie "The Manhattan Project" (aka-Deadly Game) 1986 (Local FBI Agent Ithaca)
TV series "Out of This World" 1987 (Chris Fuller)
Daytime series "Days of Our Lives" 1990 (Harris Michaels)
Guested on "Who's the Boss?" 1990 (Tim)
TV Series "Secret Bodyguard" 1991 (Rick) *credited as Stephen Burton*
Movie "Red Sun Rising" 1993 (Bar Patron)
Feature film "CyberTracker" 1994 (Jared)
Feature film "CyberTracker2" 1995 (Jared)
Daytime series "General Hospital" 1991-1995 (Jason Quartermaine) 1996-2008 (Jason Morgan)
TV movie "Semper Fi" 2001 (Steve Russell)
Feature film "The Last Castle" 2001 (Lt. Peretz)
Sci-Fi miniseries "Taken" 2002 (Randall Keys)
Animated Film "Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children" 2006 (Cloud Strife)
Nighttime soap "General Hospital - Night Shift" 2007 (Jason Morgan)

Steve co-wrote and directed the 2005 short film, The Laws of Gambling

Steve also voiced the character Cloud Strife in the following video games:
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (2007)
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (2006)
Kingdom Hearts II (2005)
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (2004)
Kingdom Hearts (2002)

Steve and his wife, Sheree

FAMILY LIFE...

-Steve is married. His wife's name is Sheree. Their wedding took place on January 16th, 1999. He also has a daughter, Makena, born September 5th, 2003, and a son, Jack Marshall, born March 26th, 2006.

-Steve's daughter, Makena, calls her daddy's hair "The Helmet".

-After Makena was born, Burton cut the umbilical cord and was surprised by his reaction. "I expected to get lightheaded during it and I really didn't. It was cool, man!"

-Steve proposed to Sheree on the beach, when a plane flew over them with a special message for her. This AFTER asking her parents for their blessing.

-Steve, whose parents are divorced, left his mom's home in Cleveland at the age of 16 to live with his father in L.A. It was then he decided to pursue acting.

-His real name is Jack Steven Burton. He was named after his dad.

-Steve and his mom, Tory, appeared on a "Mother's Day" Wheel of Fortune, and won lots of money for charity.

Steve proudly accepts his 1998 Daytime Emmy Award

AWARDS...

-Steve was nominated for an Emmy in the Lead Actor category in 2005, the first time in his career being nominated in that category.

-Steve won the Soap Opera Digest Award in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2003.

-Steve was also nominated for an Emmy in 2000 for Best Supporting Actor.

-Steve won a Daytime Emmy Award on May 15th, 1998 for Outstanding Supporting Actor! He was nominated the previous year in the younger actor category, but in '98 he took that trophy home!!!

-Steve submitted the scenes of Jason & Robin's breakup, and the scenes where Jason and Sonny discuss Sonny leaving town to the Emmy committee when he was nominated in 1998.

-Steve put his Emmy on his fireplace, so he can see it everyday before he leaves for work.

-Steve says he was thrilled to have graduated from the Younger Actor category to the Supporting Actor category at the Emmy's.

-Steve and Sheree flew to Mexico for a vacation after the 1998 Emmy's.

-Steve won a Soap Opera Digest Award in 1997 for Outstanding Younger Leading Actor, and was nominated again in 1998 in the same category, and yes, WON AGAIN!

Picture of Steve from the film THE LAST CASTLE

INTERESTING TID-BITS...

-Steve will again be voicing Cloud Strife in the newest video game installment of Final Fantasy VII entitled Crisis Core.

-Steve recently had to turn down a 6 episode stint on the hit show 24 because it would have kept him away from GH for too long.

-Steve voices "Cloud" in Playstation 2's "Kingdom of Hearts", and in the movie "Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children".

-Steve's most unusual job? He worked in a stockroom for a ladies' clothing store in Beverly Hills. He had to steam dresses and do inventory.

-Steve and GH castmate Tyler Christopher like to play golf together. Once, Tyler accidently hit Steve in the face with a golf club!

-Steve is a big Elvis fan. He even has an Elvis license plate on his car that he got at a gas station in Tennessee.

-Steve had his own poster and calendar in 1996, and both sold out quickly. He also put out calendars in 1998 and 1999.

-Steve appeared in the April 1995 issue of Playgirl magazine. He wore a wetsuit.

-Steve owns two yellow Labrador Retrievers, named Sammi and Jesse.

-Steve originally auditioned for the role of AJ on General Hospital.

-Steve's favorite ice cream is Mint Chip.

-His favorite vacation spot is Hawaii.

-Steve's favorite color is blue.

-He drives a black GMC Yukon

-He really can't stand the leather jacket that "Jason" wears on the show

-Steve hopes to act in and/or direct TV movies and feature films someday.

-Steve and Sean Kanan (ex-AJ) have written a science-fiction screenplay.

-Steve says all the attention he gets feels "strange".

-Steve's cologne? He wears Egoiste Platinum by Chanel.

For more interesting facts about Steve, visit the Steve Burton - FYI page or the 50 Facts About Steve page

Steve's Playgirl cover.

When Steve did an appearance in Michigan a few years ago, he recited a GH parody poem that he wrote to the lucky fans in attendance. To read it, click here.

Steve's GH poem

SOME QUOTES FROM STEVE BURTON

Steve on GH:
"GH has been great. I've done all my growing up as a person on this show. I've been on since I was 21 years old!"

Steve was recently asked by Soaps in Depth magazine: "If you were named casting director on your show, who is the first person you'd hire?" He answered, "I'd hire Al Pacino - to play Maurice Benard's (Sonny's) father."

"You have no idea how much action I see backstage at GH. During those long waits between scenes, John York, who plays Mac, whips out his squirtguns and nerf ball guns, and before you know it, it's a madhouse! If you just want to sit back and learn lines, forget it."

"A lot has happened in my life, but I've always had GH. It's given my life stability, and as an actor, that's hard to come by."

"My dressing room looks like "SANFORD AND SON. It's not a good thing."

"My first day (on GH), I got to punch AJ so that was cool. My very first day, my very first episode I got to punch Gerald Hopkins (who played AJ at the time). Isn't it ironic? My first day involved violence. I can't escape it man!" (laughs)

Steve on Jason:
Soap Opera Digest asked Steve, 'Does Jason think of Spinelli as a sidekick?' Steve responded: "I guess he feels like a big brother to the kid. He trusts him. He hasn't let him down. But when it comes to [romantic] advice, Jason is not the guy to talk to."

When asked what his character should get for Christmas 2007, Steve answered, "Ha! A lot of hairspray."

"When I do comedy shows and fan events, I always say, 'Yes, I do smile, I do laugh.' Because people really think I'm going to be robot man, like Jason."

Steve was asked in the July 18th, 2006 Soap Opera Digest magazine, "What question do you never want to be asked again?". He answered, 'Which character do you like playing better: Jason Quartermaine or Jason Morgan?' That's like asking me: 'Do you miss your gold mullet?' Is there even a choice? I do miss working with the Quartermaines, though. John Ingle [Edward] is back and I just worked with him for the first time since, so that was awesome."

"I first auditioned for AJ. They obviously didn't want the gold mullet for AJ, so casting director Mark Teschner didn't hire me. Then they brought Jason back. At the time, Gerald Hopkins was playing AJ. He's about 6-feet-1 and I'm 5-feet-10. Mark said, 'We're looking for someone similar to Gerald's height.' So I went in and put paper towels in my shoes. I made sure I was his height and it was all cool."

Steve's assesment of the "old" Jason-"He was `Leave it to Beaver`"

Steve's assesment of the "new" Jason-"He's no more Mr. Nice Guy, but kinda."

"I don't think I'm anything like Jason. He's braindamaged."

Steve on his GH co-stars:
"With me and Bradford (Anderson, Spinelli), we improvise a lot. We just kind of go off. It is hard to keep a straight face. It truly is." (SID, March 24th, 2008)

"If it's contract stuff, people ask me for advice. I don't know why that is. I don't know what their reason is for picking me instead of the guy walking across the lot. I don't see that I do anything different than a lot of people, so I can't pinpoint why somebody would ask me. I know I do have a little bit of sense when it comes to money, contracts and negotiating, stuff like that. And if I don't know an answer, I can get one for you." (soapoperadigest.com, 2007)

"Bradford is great. I think the character of Spinelli, if it wasn't played by Bradford, would never have worked. He brings something totally new to the show. The fact that he's a talented actor helps immensely. The kid's full of energy! We improv a lot. We have fun. I tell him, 'I'm being paid not to laugh at you,' which is difficult a lot of times because he is so funny that I want to bust out laughing. But I can't! The writers found something there that was interesting and it works. We're Laurel and Hardy." (SOD, July 24th, 2007 issue)

Steve was asked by Soap Opera Digest, "What's it like to work with Billy Dee Williams (Toussaint, Night Shift)?" Steve's answer? "What can I say? He's Billie Dee. He's got that thing that makes people want to watch him. He's a movie star."

When asked which of his co-stars is the most tech-savvy, Steve responded, "Ingo (Rademacher, Jax)- he knows a lot about a lot of stuff."

"With Rick (Hearst, Ric), no matter what story he's in or who he is working with, he's always 100 percent. Rick does what the writers ask him to do and the they write him a great story. He works hard and it pays off."

On his friendship with Greg Vaughn (Lucky), "Gregy and I have a lot in common - especially football. He's a diehard Texas Longhorn fan, and I'm an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. He's lucky we still talk."

"Whenever I see Leslie Charleson (Monica) cry, I cry too."

"Once when I left the Quartermaine den at the end of a scene, I was going to moon AJ as he went out the door. But Lila came out instead. Anna Lee just laughed."

You read above that Steve was hit in the face with a golf club by co-star and bud Tyler Christopher, but does that discourage Steve from playing with him? "We still play all the time. I'm just very cautious. Tyler has to stay at least 20 feet away from me at all times, that's all."

"Tony Geary and Maurice Benard are my inspirations."

Steve on his Former GH co-stars:
"I've always liked Lindze, and her parents as well. I've kept an eye on her at the studio, especially recently, making sure she didn't bring any questionable guys around - she's like a sister. I'll miss her and wish her only the best." (On Lindze Letherman, ex-Georgie)

"I was in shock when I heard. That one caught me really by surprise. I was deeply saddened. People don't know but Stuart was one of my biggest advocates. He would always say to people when I was Jason Quartermaine, 'Man, you've got to give this kid more to do. You've got to help him out.' He would say that publicly to people like the vice president of Daytime at the time and the writers. I've always wanted to pay him back for that somehow. I really appreciate everything he's done for me. The Quartermaine's were a big part of my life when I first got on the show. It was a great part of my life, because I had great stuff with Leslie Charleson and Stuart. It just hurts. It's kind of like a piece of me is...You know, when a good friend like that leaves the show, even though I don't work with him a lot, there's still that emotional connection that you have. I get emotional just talking about it. Right now, I try not to think about it until the day he goes. Stuart is a guy that loves to act. That's what he's going to miss most...the people and just coming to work. I've known the guy for so long and I don't even know what to say. What can you say? I do want to thank Stuart for being an advocate of mine from day one and for supporting me, not only privately but also publicly to the powers that be. We've been through a lot of things in our lives that are similar, and I just really appreciate him being there for me. I thank him for everything he's done. I love him." (on Stuart Damon [Alan], recently fired by GH, Soaps in Depth magazine)

"I'm sorry that Brad is not going to be around. He's always been very nice - from my first day on the show. Brad is very talented and funny. We always laughed a lot when he was on the set. I wish him only the best in his next job." - Steve comments on co-star Brad Maule's (Tony) departure from GH

"Jennifer (Bransford, ex-Carly) has something special as an actress. When you prepare for a scene sometimes we have homework to do in a scene that is going to get us to a certain place emotionally, if you're working with certain people. Now, when I'm working with Maurice or Leslie Charleson there's a vulnerability and an availability with certain actors and actresses. Jennifer has it. I look into her eyes and it's there. She's a great actress and she's been great to work with."

"Natalia (Livingston, ex-Emily) is doing an awesome job. She works harder than anyone on the show."

Steve on his Family:
Steve was asked "When and where were you most happy" by Soaps in Depth magazine. He answered, "When I'm on vacation at home with my family. I get so caught up in having to work every single day and then going home to memorize. It's just nice to know that a vacation is coming and I can just sit down and enjoy my wife and kids."

"I've got a great wife, great kids. I live for them." (Soaps in Depth)

"Before formula and food, it was fine. But now ... if I'm tellin' the truth ... I have to say that if it's a No. 2 diaper, I might wait an extra half-hour till my wife gets home [laughs]. I'm joking." — On changing his daughter's dirty diapers, Soap Opera Digest, 6/22/04

Steve was asked by Soaps in Depth, What do you want for Christmas (2007)? He answered, "I don't want anything. I have everything I ever wanted in my life. I've got a great wife, great kids. What else do I need? Nothing. I'm very blessed. I just want to eat junk food for Christmas."

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life." (about his marriage)

"It was a kind of winter-wonderland wedding. There were white lights in the trees and white roses every where. It was beautiful." (Steve describes his wedding)

Miscellaneous Steve:
Steve was asked by Soaps in Depth "What is your personal resolution?" He answered, "I don't do them. If you're not doing it during the year, what the heck does it mean when January 1st comes?"

Steve was asked by Soaps in Depth if he, like his character Jason, rode motorcycles. He responded, "Do I ride? I can, but I won't. Just because I want to live and I have children who need to eat."

Steve was asked by SOW which actor from another soap would he like on GH. He answered, "Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R). I've seen his work and he's a great actor. He'd be a great addition to the show. He could definitely play a guy who goes against the mob."

When asked who’d be the first person he would thank if he won an award, Steve responded, “Well, I would thank the Lord because I am a Christian and He has given me everything. And then my wife. Then, I’d go down the list. I’d just rattle it off.”

Steve was asked in the July 11th, 2006 Soap Opera Digest magazine, "What is your barbeque specialty dish?". He answered, "Give me any kind of steak and chicken. I like ribs, too. And hamburgers. I love food, man. Whatever you've got that can be grilled, I'll grill it."

"It can be exhausting when you're having fun." - Steve describes a recent trip to Vegas.

"(The highlight of my prom was) dropping my date off."

"It's a little weird when fans spot me while I'm driving in my car. Once, while I was stopped at a red light, a couple of girls hopped out of the car in front of me just to ask for my autograph. Before I could give it to them, the light changed and they rushed back to their car. But at the next red light, they hopped out again to get it."

"I do personal appearances every weekend. The traveling can be tiring, but the fans are cool."

"I'd love to do a film like 'Jerry Maguire'. I think Tom Cruise is underrated. Just because he's 'Mr. Million-Dollar Smile', people don't give him the respect he deserves."

"I've had auditions for things I never would have been called in for before, like killers, murderers and mental patients. Those are the kinds of roles that I want to do." (Steve talking about what Jason's "change" did for his career.)

When asked by soap magazine Soaps in Depth, "What's your motto?" Steve replied "I hate to say 'Just do it', but....."

"I'd love to play a killer, someone really crazy."

Steve's 1996 calendar cover

SOME QUOTES FROM STEVE'S CO-WORKERS

When asked, "Who gives the best advice on set?" by Soap Opera Digest, both Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) and Brandon Barash (Johnny) answered "Steve Burton." Bradford added, "Steve is the all-knowing sage. He can help in every aspect. He can give you acting advice, but he is also not one of the guys that will give you notes if you don't want them. He is a very respectful actor, but he is always there to help. He gives me life advice, family advice, money advice. He will talk to the people upstairs if you need help. He is the best possible friend, and for me, mentor, that you can possibly ask for. I owe a lot to that guy!"

"He's always positive. Nothing gets him frustrated. He can deal with different groups of people. He loves it!" (Bradford Anderson, SID)

When asked by Soaps in Depth, "Who on your cast should be president and why?", both Laura Wright (Carly) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) answered Steve Burton.
Laura said, "I'd have to say Steve Burton. He's got an understanding of people. He talks with you and not at you. Steve fixes the problem and gets everyone to talk. He'll call everyone out on the real issue and he gets to the matter at hand. He's very diplomatic."
Bradford responded, "Steve Burton would be a great president, just because his moral code is infalible. When he talks with you, you feel like he's hearing you. He's got the kind of presence that you respect. You feel like you're in good hands, because he's a very powerful but compassionate person."

"Steve calls me 'Rusty' all the time - Rusty the Rookie." (Kimberly McCullough, Robin, on her return to GH)

Rebecca Herbst recently told Soaps In Depth magazine, "I just like being at work knowing that Steve Burton is there. I know I can always go to him if I have problems with my character or if I'm just having a bad day. He's always there. Personally, we've grown up together."

Stuart Damon (Alan) was asked in the October 10th, 2006 issue of Soaps In Depth magazine, "Which of your co-stars would you like to team up with on THE AMAZING RACE?" His answer? "I couldn't do it. But, if you mean me at my best, I'd take Steve Burton. He's a great athlete, he's very strong and he's a really, really focused guy."

"My favorite thing about Steve would be that he's always willing to listen." - Maurice Benard (Sonny)

"He's a guy who is so absolutely real. He's deep, but he's got a funny side that doesn't come out in his character. We laugh like little kids." -Maurice Benard (Sonny)

Rick Hearst (Ric) was asked by Soaps in Depth, "Who on your cast would do the best on THE APPRENTICE and why?" He answered, "I think because he's such a consummate businessman, it would be Steve Burton. Steve has that unique quality of salivating when it has to do with dollars and cents."

Scott Clifton (Dillon) was asked in a recent issue of SOW who had the messiest dressing room at GH. He answered Steve Burton. "He's got like dead people in there and cabbage on the floor."

Scott again comments on Steve and his dressing room: "Steve really didn't care that I changed dressing rooms. He's so technical. He was, 'What are the benefits? What are the downfalls?' He's, 'There's a window, and you get cell phone reception? All right. I'm okay with that.'"

"I like him and I think he's cute, but I think he's an amazing actor. I watched him in The Last Castle with Robert Redford; I thought he was awesome in that, too. There are certain people you watch on the show and you think they're really good. I still watch Deidre [Hall, DAYS] and think, 'Wow, how does she do it? It's effortless.' That's kind of how I feel about Steve. He's the person on the show I really watch and think, 'It's natural, it's normal.' I don't just think he's hot." - Kristen Storms (Maxie)

"Steve is really passionate in what he does, and it comes through in his work" - Alicia Leigh Willis (ex-Courtney)

"The most beautiful thing about Steve, is he doesn't know he is. He blushes when I tell him he's cute."-Kimberly McCullough (Robin)

"No one on this show is a bigger fan of Steve Burton's. From the first day he came on, I used to tell the producers, the writers, and everybody else `You're missing the boat with this kid. I know a fine actor when I see one, I know a serious actor when I see one, I know a prepared actor when I see one. This kid has it all, and the looks.` I think the sky's the limit for him, and I have never said that about anyone else in the 18 years I've been on General Hospital. This kid had talent from day one, and humility, and no attitude. It couldn't happen to a more deserving young man, because he will treasure it and look after it."-Stuart Damon (Alan)

"Steve & I have been "buds" for 12 years. I've known him since he was doing "Out of This World"-since he was a kid. Now he's this young man who's grown so much as a person, and I'm amazed how much he's grown as an actor."-Billy Warlock (ex-AJ)

"He is phenomenal."-Senait Ashenafi (ex-Keesha)

"He's incredible. I'm proud him and the work that he's doing. I knew he had it in him when I first saw him. This (Steve's performance) doesn't surprise me."-Maurice Benard (Sonny)

"It's been amazing to see Steve grow as an actor. It's been nice working with someone so truthful and deep. He isn't afraid to take chances."-Maurice Benard (Sonny)

"I've always thought Steve was the most underrated actor around here. I'm glad he's finally been given work that is worthy of his talent."-Tony Geary (Luke)

"Steve Burton, I adore. He's got the overall picture. He's wise beyond his years. He's not overwhelmed, and he's not in awe. He's a gentleman. And a hunk."-Leslie Charleson (Monica)

"I love Steve Burton. I love that character (Jason). Steve is one of the most amazing young actors I've ever seen."-Bob Guza (GH's head writer)

"I dream of taking moonlit strolls with Steve Burton. But who doesn't do that?"-Amber Tamblyn (ex-Emily)

"I'll tell you an inside story. Steve had been on the show for 2 months. All of the attention was going to Gerald Hopkins, then Sean Kanan as A.J. I went to the head writer, to the producer, and to the heads of ABC in New York. I told them Steve Burton is a star. You are missing the boat. This kid is not only an incredible actor, but he has the discipline to blow you off the map if you let him. I rest my case - look at him now! He is so credible and so focused."-Stuart Damon (Alan)

"I love working with Steve."-Kimberly McCullough (Robin)

"He's the next Tom Cruise - only better. The amount of charisma that Tom Cruise has is enormous. But acting wise, Steve was born with more."-Maurice Benard (Sonny)

"He's the best looking GOOD actor I've ever seen." -Brad Maule (ex-Tony)

Want to write to Steve???
Steve Burton
c/o General Hospital
4151 Prospect Ave.
Television Center
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Steve's 1996 poster

Click here for a delicious chicken recipe of Steve's

Steve's Oven Barbequed Chicken Breasts

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Back to main page

You can e-mail us at.....

steveburtonFC@hotmail.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This page has been awarded the Study Web Award of Excellence (in the actor/actress category)

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page