General Hospital (GH) has formally cut ties with Ingo Rademacher, the Aussie actor who has played Jasper “Jax” Jacks for 26 years on the ABC soap.
The decision, which was revealed on Monday, November 8th, was based on Rademacher’s refusal to comply with the network’s health mandate, which as of November 1st, insisted that all staff be fully vaccinated in order to work on set.
ABC representatives state that Rademacher had severed ties prior to Monday’s announcement. The actor has yet to address his exit, but his final episode is set to air on November 22nd.
This development puts to rest months of speculation, after Rademacher lashed out at viewers who started the #FireIngo campaign, calling them “morons” and “bigots”.
If his views on the health mandate hadn’t already motivated his exit, another budding controversy might’ve made the decision for him. Earlier on Monday, the actor apologized to co-star Cassandra James (Terry Randolph) after posting a transphobic meme on his Instagram story.
Love GH? Share all of your GH opinions and join the discussion on our GH Facebook Page.
Insisting that he reposted the meme to draw attention to “the hypocrisy of the left-wing media”, Rademacher acknowledged that he didn’t fully agree with the wording of the meme.
“I do apologize for not crossing out ‘dude’ and putting in transgender,” he admitted in a video on his Instagram. “Me personally, I wouldn’t have written it that way.”
He also attempted to apologize directly to James, who is transgender.
“I think you’re an absolute talent,” he said. “You’re very beautiful as well; I don’t think a transphobic man would say that.”
Viewers and co-stars alike shared their outrage that such a meme would be promoted from within the GH family.
“I am aware of the transphobic post shared by a GH member and I would like to start by saying I am disgusted by this action,” co-star Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos) tweeted. “Misgendering trans individuals is dangerous and I do not support this behavior. I stand in support of all trans folks and echo the words of Cassandra James.”
The Hollywood Reporter first broke this news.
Want soap spoilers delivered to your inbox every week? Sign up for Fame10’s weekly soap opera spoilers newsletter.
Visit Fame10 Soaps for more soap opera spoilers
Ryan Pratt
Ryan is an avid runner, reader, hiker and music collector. When he isn't writing and editing for Fame10 Soaps, he's relishing in the fine company of his two cats, Penny and Gus.