Jason Morgan

Infobox soap character
series = General Hospital
name = Jason Morgan
series = General Hospital



caption = Steve Burton as Jason Morgan.
first= 1982
born = January 22 1982
portrayer = Steve Burton
occupation = Mob Boss
residence = 122 Harbor View Drive, Apt #2
Port Charles, New York
parents = Alan Quartermaine, Sr.
(father; deceased)
Susan Moore
(biological mother; deceased)
Monica Quartermaine
(adoptive mother)
siblings = Dawn Winthrop
(adoptive maternal half-sister; deceased)
Antoinette "Skye" Chandler-Quartermaine
(paternal adoptive half-sister)
Alan "AJ" Quartermaine Jr.
(paternal half-brother; deceased)
Emily Quartermaine
(adoptive sister; deceased)
spouse = Brenda Barrett
(annulled)
Courtney Matthews
(invalid)
romances = Karen Wexler
(kissed/dated; deceased)
Brenda Barrett (kissed/dated/almost had sex with)
Keesha Ward
(kissed/dated/lovers)
Robin Scorpio
(kissed/dated/lovers)
Carly Corinthos
(lovers)
Elizabeth Webber(kissed/dated/lovers/engaged)
Courtney Matthews(kissed/dated/lovers/married; deceased)
Faith Rosco(kissed by force)
Sam McCall
(kissed/dated/lovers/broken engangemnt)
children = Unnamed child
(sex unknown, with Courtney, deceased)
Jacob "Jake" Spencer
(son, with Elizabeth)
grandparents = Edward Quartermaine
(paternal grandfather)
Lila Morgan Quartermaine
(paternal grandmother; deceased)
Gail Adamson Baldwin
(maternal adoptive grandmother)
relatives = Tracy Quartermaine
(paternal aunt)
Bradley Ward II
(paternal uncle)
Jimmy Lee Holt
(paternal uncle)
Justus Ward
(paternal first cousin; deceased)
Edward "Ned" Ashton
(paternal first cousin)
Dillon Quartermaine
(paternal first cousin)
Brook Lynn Ashton
(paternal first cousin once removed)
Michael Corinthos III
(biological nephew, via A.J.)
Lila Rae Alcazar
(adoptive niece, via Skye)
color = #FF7F00

Jason Morgan (Born Quartermaine) is a fictional character and the current main protagonist on the ABC soap opera, "General Hospital" and has appeared on its SOAPnet spin-off series, "." He is one of the longest-running characters on the show, having been played by various actors since the character's birth in 1982. [http://abc.go.com/daytime/generalhospital/characters/bio?pn=characterbio&character=Jason%20Morgan General Hospital Official Site, Jason Morgan's Biography.] ] The role is currently played by Emmy Award winning [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0123733/awards IMDB.com, Jason Burton, Awards.] ] actor Steve Burton, who joined the cast in 1991.Wikipedia.com, Steve Burton]

Within the show's storyline, Jason is the biological son of show icon Dr. Alan Quartermaine, from an affair with Susan Moore. [http://abc.go.com/daytime/generalhospital/characters/bio?pn=characterbio&character=Jason%20Morgan&longBio=true General Hospital Official Site, Jason Morgan In Depth Biography.] ] Originally a bright and ethical teenager whose main ambition in life was to become a doctor, the character would be revamped into a organized crime family enforcer and hit man in the Corinthos crime family, after sustaining a massive head injury that resulted in permanent brain damage and substantial memory loss.

Jason has been involved in numerous relationships including Karen Wexler, Brenda Barrett, Keesha Ward, Robin Scorpio, Carly Jacks, Courtney Matthews, Sam McCall, and Elizabeth Webber.

cquote2|A drunk driving accident over ten years ago changed Jason Quartermaine forever. With no memory of his family or past, Jason changed his last name and began life anew in the mob. With a quiet intensity and often intimidating manner, Jason's loyalty and love towards those he holds dear is boundless. "- Steve Burton"

Character history

Early years as Jason Quartermaine

In 1981, Monica falls in love with Rick Webber while married to Alan, leading Alan to sleep with a woman named Susan Moore, who becomes pregnant and leaves Port Charles. [ [http://abc.go.com/daytime/generalhospital/episodes/1981-82/19811.html ABC.com, General Hospital Recap, 1981 (2).] ] She returns to town after giving birth to Jason, and Alan supports her financially while battling Monica for custody of their son AJ. [ [http://abc.go.com/daytime/generalhospital/episodes/1981-82/19813.html ABC.com, General Hospital Recap 1981 (4)] .]

When Alan repairs his relationship with Monica, Susan sues him and wins a million dollar trust fund for her son with the help of lawyer Scott Baldwin. [http://abc.go.com/daytime/generalhospital/episodes/1982-83/19821.html ABC.com, General Hospital Recap 1982 (2).] ] Susan becomes an alcoholic and marries Scott, who is scheming with her cousin Heather Webber to steal the trust fund. When Crane Tolliver murders Susan, Heather gains custody of the baby lives in the Quartermaine gatehouse, as Monica doesn't want Alan's illegitimate son living with her in the main house. [http://abc.go.com/daytime/generalhospital/episodes/1983-84/1983.html ABC.com, General Hospital Recap 1983(1).] ] Monica reluctantly allows Jason to live with her, when Heather and Jimmy Lee Holt attempt to steal Jason's trust fund. [ [http://abc.go.com/daytime/generalhospital/episodes/1983-84/19833.html ABC.com, General Hospital Recap 1983(4).] ] Monica grows to love Jason and adopts him, eventually sending him and AJ to boarding school in Switzerland.

In 1991, Jason returns a straight A student and a star athlete, and plans to study medicine, like his parents. He is considered the family favorite, leading to a strained relationship with his brother AJ, who considered himself the legitimate Quartermaine heir. As AJ begins to descend into alcoholism, Jason works on Tom Hardy's Teen Hotline, meets Karen Wexler, and begins to date her as they bond over alcoholic relatives. The relationship ends after the two deal with being blackmailed and fear they are responsible for a murder. Unaware that underclassman Robin Scorpio has a crush on him, Jason begins to date Karen's rival Brenda Barrett, who is using him to make Jagger Cates jealous. The relationship soon ends, and Jason helps Karen successfully battle a drug addiction fueled by local mob boss Sonny Corinthos, who owns the strip club where she has been dancing.

When Jason begins college, his friend Brenda moves into the Quartermaine mansion. He is concerned when Brenda begins dating the dangerous Sonny Corinthos, and confides in his mentor Dr. Tony Jones. Jason meets an African-American woman named Keesha Ward, and begins to seriously date her, though AJ is also romantically interested in her. Jason and Keesha lose their virginity to each other, and are saddened to learn that friends Stone Cates and Robin Scorpio have been infected with HIV. Jason is supportive of AJ, as Alan continually favors Jason and makes it clear that he loves Jason more than his brother. He is also supportive of Monica as she battles breast cancer, and is happy when his parents adopt Emily Bowen, who lost her mother to the disease.

In December 1995, an intoxicated AJ runs his car into a tree. Jason, who had been attempting to stop his brother, is in the passenger seat and hits his head on a large boulder after being ejected from the car. To spare AJ, his cousin Ned Ashton claims responsibility for the accident, while it is revealed that Jason's brain injuries have resulted in total memory loss.

Becoming Jason Morgan and Falling for Robin

Jason emerges from surgery an angry man with no memory of his past life, as his family attempts to transition him back into his old life, Jason grows to hate them all, with the exception of his grandmother, Lila Quartermaine. He announces that Jason Quartermaine is dead, and takes on the persona of Jason Morgan, named for his grandmother's maiden name. Jason leaves the Quartermaine mansion and runs into Robin Scorpio, who is crying over the loss of Stone Cates to AIDS, on a bridge that would become a central location in her relationship with Jason. His relationship with Robin, would lead him into becoming a messenger for Sonny Corinthos, who had helped her care for Stone as he died.Believing that HIV positive Robin will never get over Stone, Jason begins a casual sexual relationship with Carly Roberts, a newly arrived in town nursing student. However, Jason and Robin earnestly begin to fall in love during a trip to Montauk. Jason admits the truth about having sex with Carly, and vows to never sleep with Carly again, as Robin prepares to attend Yale University. As Jason drops Robin off at school, he tearfully admits that he is in love with her, and as he drives off she whispers the same. Jason begins researching treatments for HIV, and with Alan's help is able to convince Robin to start a drug protocol that could slow or stop the advancement of her disease.

Sonny Corinthos and the mob

Despite the Quartermaine's trust fund, Jason seeks out work with Sonny Corinthos, and would progress from errand boy to second in command. Sonny, remorseful over his past involvement with Karen Wexler's drug addiction, had Jason investigate drugs that were being shipped into Port Charles. After his sister Emily almost died because of drugs, Jason discovered the person responsible was Dr. Pierce Dorman, who was also suing Monica for sexual harassment. Brenda Barrett was framed for Pierce's murder by one of his drug contacts known as the Tin Man, who also shot Jason while having dinner with Robin at her uncle Mac Scorpio's house. Though Jason survived surgery, Robin convinced Sonny to fire Jason from his job, since she had grown up around violence and lost many of her closest relatives because of this. Jason discovered the truth, and after angrily confronting Robin, the two reluctantly and tearfully ended their relationship and Robin left to attend school in Paris. Sonny, understanding Robin's desire to keep Jason safe, left Brenda at the altar, who eventually began to despise Jason for the heartbreak she and Robin endured. As head of the Corinthos organization, those close to Jason were in constant danger, including Nikolas Cassadine, a friend of his sister, and Robin, who Jason briefly reunited with in Paris, when he feared for her safety.

Carly and Michael

Jason's friend Carly asks him to claim to be the father of her unborn son Michael, as the two possible candidates, Tony Jones and his brother AJ, aren't desirable partners to her. Jason agrees to the ruse, but refuses to lie if anyone asks him directly, though no one ever does. After Michael develops a heart condition, Carly develops postpartum depression and Jason is forced to raise the baby on his own. Meanwhile, Robin returns to Port Charles to help Jasper Jacks aid Brenda in her recovery from a nervous break down. Remembering his vow to her, Robin deduces that AJ not Jason is the father, but Jason convinces her to remain quiet until Carly is able to recover and return to town. His grandfather Edward Quartermaine masterminds a plot with Alan, AJ, and Tony to kidnap the baby, but it fails miserably causing Jason to sever all ties with his family. His cousin, Justus Ward, is also disturbed by the plot and leaves the family business to become Jason's lawyer. Jason has the baby christened Michael Morgan, after Sonny aka Michael Corinthos Jr. A mentally unstable Tony Jones kidnaps Michael and Robin, though Jason is able to save them, breaking Tony's hand as retaliation. After Tony is found not guilty for his crimes, an enraged Carly shoots him in open court, and is sent to Ferncliff, a mental hospital, after faking insanity to avoid a trial.

Mob life

After Jason and Brenda agree to be civil, he and Robin reunite and make love for the first time, after she is able accept Jason for who he is. Robin begins to attend Port Charles University, and moves in with Jason. After Robin is almost killed in an explosion, Jason leaves the mob and opens a motorcycle shop with his friend Mike. Carly is released from the hospital, and begins to put a strain on Jason and Robin's relationship, as she is in love with Jason and uses her son to manipulate him. The situation is tense, as Carly and Robin despise each other. When Sonny returns to town, Jason agrees to return as his enforcer, and the two begin their old mob life under the guise of coffee importers. When Jason moves in with Carly to help her cope with motherhood, Robin decides to leave town. She confronts Carly who admits her deception and disdain for Robin's HIV status, causing Robin to tell AJ that he is actually Michael's father in an attempt to free Jason and the baby from being in Carly's life.

A battle for custody over Michael ensued, and Jason temporarily loses custody of the baby, when Carly accuses him of kidnapping Michael in a plot to ensure a settlement from the Quartermaines, full custody, and a future with Jason. The situation is reversed by attorney Alexis Davis, though Jason is at odds with Carly's extended family, who blame him and Sonny for the supposed death of Lucky Spencer in a fire over Jason's motorcycle shop. This was a major blow, as Luke Spencer is a longtime ally and friend of Sonny. AJ and Carly marry, and a judge awards joint custody to Jason, Carly, and AJ, but fearing his hatred of AJ would lead to confusion on Michael's part, Jason signed away all rights.

Jason began to fall in love with Carly, as the two helped Sonny recover from a mental breakdown and the end of his relationship with undercover FBI agent Hannah Scott. Jason began comforting Elizabeth Webber over the death of her boyfriend Lucky, and Carly saw the two sharing a dance. Misinterpreting the situation, Carly went to Sonny who knew about Jason's newfound love for her. In order to protect his friend from Carly, Sonny lead her to believe the two were in love, and arranged for Jason to walk in after Sonny and Carly had angrily made love. Though still close with Elizabeth and the majority of his female relatives, Jason was unable to deal with the betrayal of Sonny and Carly, and left town on January 17, 2000.

Jason is able to help Carly, though he does not return to town, by discovering that AJ hired an arsonist to burn down one of Sonny's warehouses, thus giving Carly the ammunition to divorce AJ. He also briefly returns to save Emily, who has been kidnapped by Zander Smith. When Emily develops feelings for her abductor, Jason turns his attention to Carly, and tries to get her and Michael to leave town with him to avoid testifying against Sonny. When she refuses, Jason accepts their relationship and leaves town again. He again returns to help Sonny deal with rival mob boss, Joseph Sorel. He is forced to hide in Elizabeth's art studio, and the two begin to confide in each other. The two begin to develop feeling for each other, especially as Lucky is trying to recover from being brainwashed by Cesar Faison and Helena Cassadine. Jason asks Elizabeth to leave with him, but she chooses to stay and aid Lucky.

Jason's Return

After Sorel's death, Jason returns again, and begins to date Elizabeth in addition to protecting Sonny's newly discovered half-sister Courtney Matthews. Zander and Elizabeth are kidnapped, and upon rescuing them, Jason discovers the two had a one night stand. As Elizabeth and Jason's relationship crumbles, Courtney, who is married to AJ, begins stripping as the two have little income, and an irate AJ burns down the club, forcing Jason to pay off Coleman.

When Sonny fakes his death in order to draw out international arms dealer Luis Alcazar, a presumed dead Brenda reveals to Jason that she has been living with the arms dealer. Since she believes she is suffering from a rare degenerative brain disease, she forces Jason to marry her, to the delight of the Quartermaine's, in order to protect Sonny, Jax, and Michael from having to deal with her illness.

Jason and Courtney

Jason is forced to protect Courtney when she is stalked. After Courtney wounds Coleman with a gun given to her by Jason, AJ reveals that he has been stalking her, since he saw her kiss Jason. Meanwhile, Luis, Sonny, and Brenda go missing in South America after a botched kidnapping attempt by Luis goes wrong. Jason and Carly rescue the three, and are followed to town by Ric Lansing, who becomes Sonny's lawyer. When Brenda's symptoms worsen, Jason prepares to commit her to an institution in Switzerland, but both are pleased to learn that Luis had been faking the illness. Brenda reunites with Jax, and Jason and Courtney begin a secret relationship out of fear of Sonny's disapproval.

Luis is murdered, and Brenda and Jason become the prime suspects. They remain married, and are acquitted thanks to the legal tactics of Alexis Davis, the real murderer. Jason and Brenda divorce, and Jason drives Brenda to the airport when Jax leaves her at the altar. When Sonny discovers that Jason and Courtney are involved, he fires Jason, who remains loyal to his friend when he believe that Ric and Faith Roscoe are trying to destroy Sonny. Despite Jason's warnings, Elizabeth begins to date Ric, who had shot and almost killed Faith in an attempt to cover up their partnership. Ric continues to plot against Sonny, who stops Jason from killing him as Ric is Sonny's half-brother through his mother. Courtney and Jason become engaged, but on the night of their wedding Carly is kidnapped in front of Michael, who becomes borderline catatonic. Initially believing that Lorenzo Alcazar, Luis' twin brother, was behind the plot, Michael was able to reveal that Ric was the culprit, and had locked Carly in a panic room in the house he shared with his new wife, Elizabeth, so he could steal her baby in exchange for the baby Elizabeth had lost during a fight with Sonny. Lorenzo also discovers Carly's whereabouts, and kidnaps her again.

Courtney discovers she is pregnant, but loses the baby after trying to escape Lorenzo, who caught her trying to free Carly. Jason is unable to comfort her, as he is devastated by the loss and the revelation that his sister Emily is suffering from breast cancer. Eventually, the two find their way back to each other and marry in France. Courtney, however, becomes wary of his mob lifestyle and the two separate. She begins to date Brian Beck, while Jason attempts to thwart various plots hatched by Lorenzo and Faith, who has hired an increasingly unstable Zander Smith. When Courtney shoots at Brian to save Jason, he dies as he names Zander as the killer, who is in turn killed by the police.

During a massive fire at the Port Charles Hotel, Jason forces Courtney to take his place on a helicopter, and he is later saved by Nikolas Cassadine, when crooked cop Andy Capelli handcuffs him in a stairwell. Jason escapes and goads Andy into confessing that Andy actually killed Brian, before Jason kills him. Carly, meanwhile, marries Lorenzo Alcazar, and the two sue Sonny for custody of the children she shares with him. Jason and Courtney both advocate joint custody, but after a bomb scare, Sonny signs over full custody to his ex-wife before entering into a relationship with Sam McCall. Jason and Courtney are unable to find their way back to each other, their divorce is finalized, and the two eventually grow apart.

Jason and Sam

Jason and Sam were arrested for aiding and abetting Sonny, and Jason offered her a million dollars to leave town when he discovered their affair. Sam refused, and she temporarily moved in with Sonny. Sonny and Carly decided to reconcile, and Jason discovered that Sam is pregnant with Sonny's child. Sam flees town, but Jason is able to convince her to return. Jason decided to pretend to be the father of Sam's baby in order to protect Sonny and Carly's reconciliation. Sonny and Sam's child died and Jason and Sam eventually began a relationship.

Mob rival Manny Ruiz accidentally shot Sam in an attempt on Jason's life. Sam's mother, Alexis Davis, convinced Jason to break up with Sam to protect her from his dangerous lifestyle. Sam slept with her stepfather, Ric Lansing, to get back at Jason and Alexis. Jason was very angry to find Sam with his enemy when he was planning to reconcile with her. He sought comfort from his good friend Elizabeth Webber.

Jason and Elizabeth

Jason and Elizabeth Webber have been close friends since 1999 and have a long history of coming to each other's rescue. They dated and expressed the desire for a romantic relationship between them, but she chose Lucky because of Jason's dangerous lifestyle. Lucky and Elizabeth's latest marriage was strained due to Lucky being injured at work, causing financial difficulties. He became addicted to pain pills and began an affair with Maxie Jones. Elizabeth turned to Jason, and they slept together for the first time. Due to defective condoms, Elizabeth became pregnant. A paternity test revealed that Jason fathered her child. She kept the true results private when she learned that Jason believed Lucky was the father and had decided to reconcile with his ex-fiance.

Elizabeth admitted to Jason that he is her baby's father when he rescued her and they became trapped in an elevator during the Metro Court Hotel hostage situation. In order to protect a recovering Lucky and hurting Sam and for the baby's own protection from his true father's enemies, the two agreed to keep the paternity secret. Elizabeth gave birth to Jacob Martin Spencer, and while Lucky believed he was the father, Sam discovered the truth. Sam watched as Jason and Elizabeth's son, Jake, was kidnapped and said nothing. Jason and Sam's relationship ended, and Jason found his son with the help of Amelia Joffe. Lucky and Elizabeth's relationship continued to crumble, and Jason revealed the truth about Jake to Lucky at the Black and White Ball. Lucky and Sam agreed to keep the secret, and Elizabeth and Jason begin to meet at a safe house where they often declared their love for each other and desire to be a family. When Michael was shot during an attempt on Sonny's life, Jason put an end to his secret affair with Elizabeth to protect her and the boys.

Sonny recently gave Jason full control of the mob, in order to keep Carly from leaving town with their son Morgan and to cement a future with Kate Howard. Jason is fighting the influence of the Zacchara crime family, and is allowing Damien Spinelli to live with him. Jason recently admitted to Elizabeth that he still loves her and finally gave into his feelings for her after she requested that they begin to see each other secretly again. They were discovered on the verge of making love by his friend, Carly Corinthos Jacks. Jason confided in Spinelli that he has always wanted to be with Elizabeth, and he asked her to go to Italy with him. Their trip was cancelled after Jason witnessed the shooting of Kate Howard at her wedding to Sonny Corinthos.

Night Shift

Jason arrived at the hospital with Spinelli after the young computer hacker shot himself in the foot. Spinelli was about to get in trouble with the police, and Jason took the blame, claiming his gun went off while cleaning it, since he had a gun permit, and Spinelli did not. Jason pled guilty, and was sentenced to community service at the hospital, where he worked as a janitor. Spinelli was often at the hospital, speaking to Jason, and viewers also saw Robin and Jason reconnect again, their friendship redeveloping. Robin had discussed with him a patient by the name of Stacey Sloan who had HIV like herself and was going to have a baby. After being locked in an elevator with Stacey and Spinelli remembering Robin, decided to, with Spinelli's help, perform a Caeserian section on Stacy as she was going into premature labor. She didn't make it, but the baby girl did. He and Robin were there for each other after the loss of Stacey, the child being without a parent, and where Robin tearfully admitted to Jason that she looked to Stacey as her inspiration and admitted that she wanted to become a mother for the first time.

Robin walked in on Jason holding the baby in the nursery room one afternoon and informed him she had nicknamed her Anna. He loved the name, and Robin showed her appreciation for paying for the baby's medical bills. She later disclosed that she had broken up with Patrick because he didn't want to become a father. She decided to go ahead and file adoption papers for little Anna with an awed Jason looking on, knowing how far Robin had come from the days on the bridge when she didn't know if she would live long enough to become a mother. That night while doing the rounds on his floor by the nursery room, spotted Anna sleeping by the window and looked on happily. A few days later the father showed up to a shocked Robin, assumed Stacey had been telling the truth that the father was a donor. She went up to the rooftop with the baby to say their goodbyes. Jason instinctively knew where to find her and gave her moral support during this period. During the final episode, a gangster arrived at the hospital claiming he was injured. Rival gang members came and a shoot out developed. Jason thinking quickly grabbed a gun and shot many of them down. Robin rushed to the aid of one of the Nurse's that had been shot. Ended up getting grabbed as used as a shield and hostage at the same time while the gunman tried to leave. Jason followed the sound of Robin's screams and aimed his gun at the gangster, looked at Robin feeling unable to take the shot. She looked at him, gave him a quick silent gesture moved her head down, Jason quickly to aim and fired. Hitting the man with the gun and the glass shattering. Both he and Robin fell to the ground, both unmoving. Jason looked on stunned and horrified, rushed to Robin and they embraced each other with relief.

Jason's community service ended the following morning and he was released, and gave his goodbyes to Toussaint played by Billy Dee Williams another janitor ex musician he had befriended while working there. Went to the Nurse's station to tell Robin he was finished and leaving. She agreed to walk him out of the hospital. Sonny Corinthos showed up in a limo to pick up Jason. He got in the limo and looked at Robin one last time as he waved as goodbye as she looked on as the limo drove out of sight.

Notes

* Jason is 35 years old. (He turned 26 in 1999.) His birthday is January 22.
* His son Jacob Martin Spencer has his initials JM and goes by the nickname "Jake"
* After Alan Quartermaine's death it was revealed that Alan's last will and testament stated that he wished to leave a quarter of his fortune to the first child of his son, Jason. Tracy Quartermaine and her husband, Luke Spencer stole his will and made many changes in which were very far from Alan's wishes. Jason and Elizabeth are unaware of their son's inheritance.

References

External links

* [http://www.soapcentral.com/gh/whoswho/jason.php Jason Morgan profile] at soapcentral.com
* [http://abc.go.com/daytime/generalhospital/characters/bio?pn=characterbio&character=Jason%20Morgan Jason Morgan profile at ABC.com]