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Longtime fan favorite and two-time Emmy nominee Rebecca Herbst has been fired from General Hospital. ABC Soaps In Depth confirmed rumors of the actress’ exit earlier tonight on Twitter. “Storyline dictates the exit of Elizabeth Webber this spring. The next few months promise to be ‘not-to-miss’ story for the character. We at ABC and GH wish Rebecca Herbst nothing but the best in her future endeavors,” said ABC in a statement to SID.
Emmy Nominee To Exit After 13 Years
Rumors of the actress’ exit began last week when Soap Central announced the “shocking” exit of an Emmy nominee from an ABC soap. Daytime Confidential today published a “rumor report” announcing their sources were reporting Herbst’s exit. Herbst has had little storyline since returning from medical leave in the fall.
Herbst joined the cast of General Hospital in 1997 as bad girl Elizabeth Webber, the granddaughter of Steve and Audrey Hardy, the daughter of Jeff Webber. Her first few months pitted her against sister Sarah over the affections of Lucky Spencer. After Elizabeth’s traumatic rape in 1998, it was Lucky who helped her through her pain and helped her rebuild her life. Over the last 14 years Elizabeth has experienced love, loss and happiness. No longer the self-centered trouble maker after her rape, Elizabeth “found” herself in her skills as an artist, life as a mother and calling as a nurse. She’s loved many over the years — Lucky Spencer, Ric Lansing and Jason Morgan — with each man playing pivotal role in some of the most important times of her life.
Herbst’s work has earned her two Emmy nominations, one in 1999 for Outstanding Younger Actress and 2007 for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Prior to joining GH in 1997, Herbst made appearances on Beverly Hills 90210, Step by Step, Boy Meets World, and Space Cases. Herbst met her future husband Michael Saucedo (ex-Juan) while on GH. The two have three children — Ethan, Ella and Emerson.
No final airdate is available at this time.
Editor’s POV: I don’t know where to begin. I’m devasted by this news. Whether you like the character of Elizabeth her not, Herbst plays one of the few remaining “legacy” characters on General Hospital. The 2000’s saw the systematic destruction of legacy characters from the Quartermaine family and this is not a good move. Herbst is a veteran and has done the best with material handed to her over the last 13 years. This will be tough news for fans of Becky and Liz to take. I understand the need for new characters to help with the evolution of a show, but I’m of the opinion that Elizabeth is not one who should be given a “storyline dictated exit.”
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