American actor Steve Burton said his goodbyes in an emotional video after shooting his final episode for the famous television soap opera series ‘Days of Our Lives.’ The vlog style post, which was uploaded on the Daily Drama YouTube channel on 4 January 2024, features Burton thanking his fans for their amazing support of his role as Harris Michaels.
This decision was made by Burton just weeks after finalizing his divorce with estranged ex-wife Sheree Gustin, whom he found pregnant with someone else’s baby in May of 2022.
Just one year after making a comeback to the daytime soap opera, the 53-year-old series veteran announced his retirement on Wednesday. He thanked fans for their constant support during his journey and reflected upon the short time he had with his cast-mates on the show through the short video message which he recorded for viewers.
Burton is seen walking through a corridor as he begins, “Wow! Well, I just shot my final scenes here at Days of Our Lives. I just want to say thank you so much to the cast [and] to the crew. Everybody. It’s been amazing.”
He continued, “I can’t believe it’s been a year already! So, thank you so much to the fans. It’s just I’m always so full of gratitude. So thank you!”
As he concluded the video, Burton urged viewers to “stay tuned” for more to come from him and his podcast episodes with Bradford Anderson at the Daily Drama.
Refusal to take COVID-19 Vaccine
A long time ago, in the year 1988, Burton made his first daytime television debut as Harris Michaels on Days of Our Lives, and after two years, in 1990, he departed the role, again returning in 2022.
He used this position as a springboard to guest star on two more highly regarded serial operas, The Young and the Restless and General Hospital. For his excellent work on both programs, due to which he became quite well known, he was also awarded his two Daytime Emmy Awards.
However, Burton declared in November of 2021 that he had been “let go” from General Hospital due to his noncompliance with the COVID-19 rules of the program.
He was aware that there had been a lot of rumors and speculation about him and ‘General Hospital’, and therefore he wanted to personally clarify the doubts through an official video at the time.
He did request his exemptions for religion and health, but he was turned down for both. which was very hurtful for him. However, through this he also found his own kind of personal freedom, even though he thought that nobody should lose their job because of their preference.
The next year, he returned to Days of Our Lives as Harris Michaels in a spinoff of the American soap opera series titled Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem.
A Child With Another Man
Only a few days have passed since Burton and his estranged wife, Sheree (Gustin) Burton, formalized their divorce, which was caused by her sudden pregnancy with someone else’s child.
Burton took to Instagram on May 2022 to share a story that revealed the shocking event in his failed marriage, “I wanted to clear something up. Sheree and I are separated.” When Gustin announced that she’s expecting her 4th child, Burton declared that the child was not his.
He added that they are still co-parenting their three kids and would appreciate privacy during that time, signing off with the text “Much luv, Steve.” About two months later, Burton filed for divorce formally, and the former couple, who had no prenuptial agreement in effect, eventually separated in December 2023.
According to court records that PEOPLE magazine was able to access, the couple accepted the terms of the divorce, which included sharing physical and legal custody of their daughter Brooklyn and son Jack. They have also taken care of their firstborn 20-year-old daughter Makena as her biological parents.
Until April 2024, Burton will have to pay $12,500 a month in child support to his ex-wife. Following that, the monthly payments will drop to $10,000.
It was decided that neither party would get spousal support “now or at any time in the future, regardless of the unforeseen circumstances that may exist in the future.” But $50,000 in retroactive support will be given to his ex-wife.
