What To Know
- Kelly Monaco, known for playing Sam McCall on General Hospital for over 20 years, returned to Instagram after a year-long hiatus.
- Her post featured a workout video with her nephew and was met with enthusiastic birthday wishes.
- Monaco departed General Hospital in 2024.
General Hospital favorite Kelly Monaco just returned to Instagram after a one-year-plus hiatus — and she did so to mark a major personal milestone.
On Saturday, May 23, the actress who played Sam McCall for more than 20 years on the ABC soap opera took to Instagram on her 50th birthday to share an update with followers. Her most recent post before then was on March 13, 2025, when she announced her (since-canceled) podcast with her friend Shanna Moakler.
“Today I turned 50!” Monaco declared in the caption of her update. “There’s no place like home… coach @__monaco getting me back in shape.”
In the accompanying video, she stood on an outdoor track as she watched her nephew, Chris Monaco, demonstrate part of their workout. She briefly danced to the music, and then joined him in the drill when he returned to stand beside her and go again.
In the comments, Monaco’s followers flooded her with birthday messages and rejoiced over the rare life update. Fellow General Hospital alum Kristen Alderson wrote, “Happy birthday to the coolest chick around!” as another former GH star, Rebecca Budig, echoed, “Happy Birthday, beauty. Go go go.”
Similarly, Kimberly McCullough shared, “Yes, girl, get it!” while current GH star Cameron Mathison commented three clapping hands emojis.
Yet another GH castaway, Ingo Rademacher, exclaimed, “Happy birthday, Kelly!”
Former Dancing With the Stars host Tom Bergeron pointed out, “Those are the kind of moves that won you that 1st Mirror Ball Trophy,” of the Season 1 winner.
Meanwhile, one fan wrote, “What a treat!!!! So overjoyed to see you on here, my dear.”
Someone else begged, “My favorite GH character. Honestly, the show needs u back!! ”
A different fan commented, “Happy birthday, Kelly. You’re one of the bada** woman around. Thank you for entertaining me throughout the years on General Hospital. Welcome back to social media. I miss you.”
Yet another Instagram user pointed out, “Happy birthday! General Hospital is not the same without you!”
Monaco joined General Hospital as Sam McCall — a con artist and daughter of a mob boss — in 2003. Through the years, she evolved into a private investigator who was a dedicated mother and resident of Port Charles. Monaco left GH in 2024, with ABC airing her final episodes in November of that year.
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