General Hospital fans have always known Steve Burton as the iconic Jason Morgan,
but what many may not realize is that the actor’s career has had some fascinating crossovers with other soap stars.
Specifically, there’s a surprising connection between Burton’s character and Chris McKenna,
who played Detective Mark Harding on The Young and the Restless—a connection that goes back much further than most viewers would expect.
Back in 2015, when Burton left General Hospital for The Young and the Restless to portray Dylan McAvoy, something extraordinary happened.
McKenna, also a soap star at the time, was playing a role that would soon take a dark turn on Y&R—Detective Mark Harding, a cop who started off with good intentions but was later revealed to be a villain.
Both Burton and McKenna were living their own soap-opera-like storylines, and their paths intersected in the world of Genoa City.
The Unexpected Crossover
In 2015, fans were treated to a unique behind-the-scenes moment when Burton and McKenna crossed paths during a Young and the Restless Fan Club event. McKenna, in a #FlashBackFriday post, shared a photo of himself with Burton at the event, captioning it, “Jason and Brennan in another life.” This caption alluded to the roles they had played in other soap operas, hinting at the deep soap history between them. The photo was a reminder of how these two actors’ careers had evolved over the years and how their paths had crossed in a roundabout, yet spectacularly soapy, way.
At the time, Burton was portraying Dylan McAvoy on Y&R, a character with ties to Nikki Newman and Paul Williams’ past in a cult from their teenage years. Meanwhile, McKenna, who was known for his role as the morally ambiguous Detective Mark Harding on Y&R, was also deep into his storyline. Both actors were living in the world of Genoa City, albeit on different sides of the law, yet their bond reached back to a much earlier time.
The 1990s Connection: A Shared Soap History
What makes the connection between Burton and McKenna even more interesting is that the two actors’ paths actually go back much further than 2015. Their careers date all the way back to the 1990s, during their time on other soap operas before they even knew they would cross paths again on Y&R.
Chris McKenna’s big break came when he joined One Life to Live as Joey Buchanan, the younger son of Viki and Clint Buchanan. His character was central to many storylines, but it was his portrayal of Joey that made him a well-known figure among soap fans. At the same time, Steve Burton was making a name for himself on General Hospital as Jason Quartermaine. But Jason was not yet the “Stone Cold” hitman that fans came to love; Burton’s early portrayal of Jason was that of a carefree Quartermaine heir, before the infamous brain injury that would alter his character forever.
Interestingly, Burton’s time on General Hospital predated his role as Dylan McAvoy on The Young and the Restless, and McKenna’s role on One Life to Live came before his time on Y&R. Little did they know that their careers would eventually intersect, creating a full-circle moment in the world of soap operas.
Jason and Brennan: A Life Beyond Port Charles and Genoa City
While the characters of Jason and Brennan never crossed paths on screen, the connection between Burton and McKenna has become a fun piece of soap history. The two actors played characters in very different soap universes but shared the same dedication to their craft, helping to shape the soap world of the 1990s and beyond.
McKenna’s flashback post has provided fans with a delightful peek behind the curtain, reminding them of the interconnected web of soap opera stars who have crossed paths in ways that fans may never have realized. What’s even more fascinating is how the worlds of General Hospital and The Young and the Restless were connected in such a unique way through Burton and McKenna’s paths. The actors’ careers, stretching back to the 1990s, have intertwined in ways that reflect the very essence of soap operas: unexpected twists, complex relationships, and long-running histories.
What Does This Mean for Fans?
For fans of General Hospital and The Young and the Restless, this behind-the-scenes revelation is a testament to the interconnected nature of the soap world. Characters and actors may travel from one show to another, yet their impact and presence remain. In a way, Burton and McKenna’s paths crossing—both professionally and personally—reminds viewers of the magic of soap operas: a rich history of stories, characters, and actors whose journeys intertwine in often unexpected and fascinating ways.
Though Jason and Brennan (as they were known on Y&R) may never have shared screen time, their shared history is a reminder of how soap operas bring together iconic actors who leave a lasting legacy in their wake. And for fans who’ve followed these stars from their earliest days in the 1990s to their more recent roles, it’s another layer to the rich tapestry of soap opera history that continues to captivate audiences year after year.
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
