The Truth Behind Ingo Rademacher’s GH Exit

Longtime GENERAL HOSPITAL star Ingo Rademacher’s run as Jasper “Jax” Jacks will come to an end when he makes his final appearance later this month. After news circulated that the actor had parted ways with the soap, GH confirmed that the Monday, Nov. 22, episode would be Rademacher’s last.

Rademacher’s exit came to light following a transphobic tweet he reposted to his Instagram Stories over the weekend, drawing harsh criticism from fans and colleagues alike. But in reality, the timing of his Story in relation to his GH exit was coincidental, as the German-born, Australian-raised actor had already taped his final scenes. According to TVLine, Rademacher departed the daytime drama after declining to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate that went into effect at GH on Nov. 1.

Over the past few months, the actor has been quite vocal on social media about his anti-vaccination stance. Back in August, Rademacher’s posts led to a group of GH fans creating a #FireIngo campaign, clamoring that he be let go from GH. In response, Rademacher called out the group for being “morons” and “bigots” and “horrible people.” More recently, he’s posted his support of anti-vaccine mandate protests in Los Angeles, and that he will stand alongside others fighting “for medical freedom” against the mandates.

According to TVLine, SAG actors — the union that daytime performers belong to — are working under a Return To Work agreement that was created when productions resumed across the entertainment industry in June 2020 during the pandemic. The agreement states that producers may use their discretion to “implement policies requiring that current and prospective employees in Zone A, studio teachers, and others who come into close contact with minors be ‘fully vaccinated’ as a condition of employment where permitted by law.” As outlined by SAG/AFTRA’s Production Safety Guidelines, Zone A is the on-set area where actors are performing and the immediate perimeter where the crew members work, typically without physical distancing and the use of personal protection equipment.

Rademacher said in an Instagram video that he would address his GH status when he could. Keep checking back with SoapsInDepth.com for updates on that and any other actors who might also be leaving GH in the wake of the soap’s vaccination mandate.