General Hospital’s Rena Sofer Leaves Hollywood After 35 Years

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Rena Sofer is saying goodbye to the West Coast.

The star of “General Hospital,” known for portraying band manager Lois Cerullo on the ABC daytime drama, has revealed her plans to relocate from Los Angeles following almost 35 years of residence there.

On Instagram, she expressed her feelings on July 4th: ‘I’ve been feeling quite emotional lately. I gave birth to my children in LA, found my soulmate, built an extraordinary life there, achieved great success in my career, and made lifelong friends whom I will deeply miss.’

As a devoted follower, I’m excited to share that my family and I, which includes my partner Sanford Bookstaver, our 20-year-old daughter Avalon Leone Bookstaver, and our beloved five dogs, are embarking on a new journey by moving to New York state.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d express it as follows: “I appreciate the unique vibe you bring, LA. As a mother to Rosabel Rosalind, age 28, who shares life with my ex and fellow actor Wally Kurth from ‘General Hospital’, I cherish these moments. Now, it’s time for tranquil and serene phases.

TopMob News attempted to get a response from ABC regarding Rena’s departure from the show, but no reply was received as of yet. On August 7th, a source close to Rena informed TopMob News that there have been no discussions about her leaving the program.

 

Rena is moving to the East Coast at a time when there have been several departures from “General Hospital” this summer. Earlier in July, it was announced that Kirsten Storms would be taking an extended break to relocate to Tennessee.

She expressed her heartfelt thanks to GH, the ABC network executives, and the writers in a July 7 Instagram video, as they graciously allowed her to take some time. She feels incredibly appreciative because they comprehend and offer their support.

Kirsten, who has been portraying Maxie Jones since 2005, went on to say, “When you take on a role like this, they might suggest, ‘Forget it. We’ll terminate your contract if you plan to leave the state.’ GH did not do that, which was quite remarkable because I also requested some time away.

In the latter part of that particular month, Sofia Mattsson decided to step down from her role as Sasha Gilmore, expressing that her seven-year tenure seemed to pass by in a blink of an eye.

In her interview with TV Insider on July 18, she shared that from the very beginning, each day presented itself as both a challenge and an opportunity for personal growth as an actress. Remarkably, this perspective has never wavered for her. To put it simply, she feels she continues to learn something new every single day until the project’s end.

For more memorable TV exits, keep reading.

Jax Taylor has stated that he won’t be back on The Valley for season three, as speculation mounts among viewers regarding his actions during the program’s second season.

Currently, my priorities lie in maintaining my sobriety, taking care of my mental well-being, and co-parenting. In July 2025, I expressed this while going through a challenging divorce from my estranged wife, Brittany Cartwright. This time apart is crucial for me to strive towards being the best person I can be, particularly for our son, Cruz.

Sofia Mattsson departed from the lengthy soap opera in the summer of 2025, concluding a seven-year stint portraying Sasha Gilmore. Her onscreen persona, instead of remaining in Port Charles, moved to Paris.

Fans were taken aback in 2025 when it became known that Mehcad Brooks would not be returning for season 25 of the NBC crime drama.

Brooks, who joined the show in 2022, portrayed Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons.

Tracy Ifeachor, a prominent star in the successful first season of the HBO Max medical drama, chose to depart the show following its conclusion.

As a humbled performer, I couldn’t help but express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to bring Dr. Heather Collins to life during this groundbreaking season and production. On July 10th, I took to Instagram to convey my sincere appreciation to all who watched, supported, and shared their thoughts with me regarding Season 1. Your love and enthusiasm have meant the world to me, and I am truly grateful for your unwavering support.

It’s possible that viewers might have anticipated Pedro Pascal’s character Joel Miller’s demise in the second season of “The Last of Us,” given that it mirrors his death in April 2025, as portrayed in the video game “The Last of Us Part II.” However, the gruesome manner in which his character was impaled in the show still left viewers in shock.

Meanwhile, Pascal, who met an onscreen demise in both ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, handled his frequent death with humor. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he quipped, “I die a lot… I enjoy it.

Following what he referred to as “an exhilarating journey,” Peter Krause formally concluded his portrayal as Bobby Nash, the Los Angeles Fire Department captain on 9-1-1, in a 2025 episode of the dramatic series on April.

In a statement addressed to the Hollywood Reporter, Krause expressed, “Bobby Nash was crafted with selflessness, and he was designed for this role.” He continued, “Just like real-life first responders who put their lives on the line for their duty, Bobby’s storyline pays tribute to them by showcasing his sacrifices.

The demise of the troubled yet adored firefighter stirred up a lot of conversation, as showrunner Tim Minear explained to Variety. “It was a tough decision,” he admitted, “but after eight years, we felt that if we want to continue creating stories with real impact in the future, it was necessary for someone to perish.

Summer just got a little less fun.

In June 2025, Paige DeSorbo made an announcement that she was concluding her seven-season run on the Bravo series.

The Giggly Squad podcast co-host expressed his heartfelt appreciation to fans on Instagram, reflecting on the 7 memorable summers he spent with them. He’s thankful for the shared memories, the sense of community, and the life-changing experiences this journey brought him. However, just as with all good things (and maybe a few hasty choices), it’s now time to draw this chapter to a close.

Anticipating the start of the third season for “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” actress Renee Rapp recently shared that she will no longer be part of the show’s cast in the Max series.

She posted on social media in July 2023, stating, “College friends brought me out to Los Angeles and connected me with some of my dearest acquaintances.” After 2 and a half years, I have you all and this community as a result.

The co-creator of the show, Mindy Kaling, also confirmed that Renee Rapp is leaving. On her Instagram Stories, she expressed her affection for Rapp, stating, “We’re going to miss Leighton Murray dearly! But we’re thrilled to see our friend embark on her music career tours!

Over a year ago, there were whispers that Kevin Costner might abruptly leave the successful Paramount drama following its fourth and a half seasons. However, it wasn’t until June 2024 that he officially announced his decision not to come back for the show’s fifth and concluding season.

Following 19 years playing Meredith Grey, Ellen Pompeo bid farewell to her role as a main cast member on the ABC drama in February 2023 while donning her scrubs for the final time.

In a conversation on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022, Pompeo expressed the need for a change, stating, “I need to shake things up a bit.” At age 53, she feels that her brain is like scrambled eggs and needs something fresh. Just as you can’t do the New York Times crossword puzzle every day, Pompeo seeks new experiences.

In a recent disclosure, Henry Cavill, renowned for his role in Batman vs. Superman, announced his departure from the Netflix fantasy drama following its third season. Notably, Liam Hemsworth is set to take over the role of Geralt for season four, with possibilities of continuing this role beyond that point.

In October 2022, Henry Cavill shared on Instagram that his role as Geralt of Rivia has been a mix of encounters with monsters and exciting adventures. Regrettably, he announced that he will be retiring the medallion and swords for Season 4.

In 2022, the original cast member Jesse Lee Soffer decided to leave the show, parting ways with his cherished role as Detective Jay Halstead, a character he had portrayed for ten consecutive seasons.

In a statement following his last appearance on the NBC procedural on October 5th, Soffer expressed that crafting this hour drama week after week was a heartfelt endeavor by everyone involved in the production. He’s always going to cherish his tenure as Det. Jay Halstead.

After five seasons, Damian Lewis departed Showtime’s Billions in Oct. 2021.

Back in August 2021, news broke out that Emily VanCamp had said goodbye to her medical equipment permanently, as she departed from the long-running series The Resident on Fox.

After spending three seasons as part of the enchanting TV series Charmed, Madeleine Mantock, who portrayed the eldest sister Macy in the CW reboot, revealed her decision to leave before the start of season four in 2021. In a heartfelt statement, the actress expressed gratitude for having had “an immense privilege” to work with talented producers, creatives, cast members, and crew.

As it transpired, Elizabeth Keen will never discover Raymond Reddington’s true identity, since Megan Boone, her portrayer, decided to depart from NBC’s The Blacklist at the end of season eight. Consequently, her character was terminated before she could peruse the letter that would have unveiled all the secrets. Boone concluded Liz’s voyage in 2021 with an Instagram post expressing her gratitude for the “dream” experience.

In the second installment of “Bridgerton”, one duke was noticeably absent. The charismatic Rege-Jean Page made a significant impact on Netflix’s popular drama, causing a stir among viewers. However, hearts were left longing when it was confirmed that he would not reprise his role in the second season, which premiered in 2021.

In his conversation with Vanity Fair, I shared that I had taken on a task and completed it, followed by several other tasks. To put it simply, that’s the entire narrative. I couldn’t help but feel that it lacked the allure I had anticipated.

In 2018, Ruby Rose appeared for the first time in the Arrowverse crossover and later starred as Batwoman (also known as Kate Kane) in one season of the CW drama. This marked a historical milestone as Batwoman became the first lesbian superhero to lead her own show, after revealing her sexuality in a significant TV event. However, two days following the season finale airing in 2020, Rose announced her departure from the role. Subsequently, Javicia Leslie was cast as Ryan Wilder, who will assume control of the Batcave in season two.

Later on in season two, Kate got a bit of a face swap and returned played by Wallis Day.

America Ferrera chose to depart from the TV show “Superstore” at the conclusion of its fifth season in 2020, which left Cloud 9 without a manager and the series without its main character. However, due to the pandemic, she appeared in the initial two episodes of season six before the show ended. When it was decided that season six would be the final one, she returned for the series finale to ensure Amy and Jonah (Ben Feldman) received a satisfying conclusion.

In the final episode of the fourth season of the Syfy series “The Magicians,” Jason Ralph’s character Quentin embarked on a mission to rescue Eliot (Hale Appleman), which he successfully accomplished, but at the cost of his own life. Although the show often includes deceased characters, Ralph did not reappear for the fifth and concluding season.

Ahead of the final season, Arrow‘s Emily Bett Rickards announced her exit in a poem of sorts.

Felicity and I have a strong bond, but after the first to the seventh [event/day], we’ll have to part ways from you,” she noted.

She did, however, return for a guest appearance in the show’s 2020 series finale.

In 2018, after extended talks about her contract, Lauren Cohan bid farewell to The Walking Dead. Although she featured in a few episodes of season nine, her character Maggie Greene was missing after a significant time leap. There were expectations that she might reappear in some form during season 10, and following the cancellation of her brief-lived ABC series Whiskey Cavalier, these hopes materialized. In the 16th episode of this season, which aired in October 2020, Cohan made a triumphant comeback to the show.

Following closely after Cohan and Andrew Lincoln leaving the zombie drama, Gurira also announced her departure. She initially joined the AMC series in season three as the katana-wielding Michonne, and her final appearance was made in a season 10 episode that aired in March 2020.

In the first season, Nicollette Sheridan was a regular cast member and played the renowned character Alexis Carrington. However, in 2019, before the start of season three, she decided to leave the CW reboot to be with her ailing mother.

George Eads parted ways with the CBS remake during the third season in 2019, choosing to devote more attention to his family.

George Eads departed from the CBS reboot in 2019, halfway through season three, opting to focus on spending quality time with his loved ones.

It’s not uncommon for Fox’s “Lethal Weapon” to experience cast departures. For instance, Clayne Crawford was dismissed from the series following the second season. In October 2018, Damon Wayans, a fellow cast member, declared his intention to leave the popular drama after completing the 13-episode third season. He stated, “I’m going to be quitting the show in December… I don’t know what they’re planning, but that’s what I’m planning.” Wayans, a 58-year-old diabetic, works long hours of up to 16 per day and expressed feelings of being too old for the demanding workload, echoing his character Murtaugh’s sentiments.

The producers didn’t have to come up with a new plan for the show, as it was terminated after its third season ended.

Cameron Monaghan, who portrayed his character on Shameless during its ninth season, found himself behind bars as the storyline had his character incarcerated. In real life, Monaghan was eager to pursue other opportunities following nine years on the show, but a surprising turn of events led him to rejoin the cast for season 10. Despite his initial departure, he made a comeback and was part of the ensemble when Shameless returned for its 10th season in 2020 and concluded its run with the 11th and final season in December of that year.

After nine seasons as Fiona Gallagher, Emmy Rossum announced plans to leave Shameless in 2018.

Emmy Rossum will always be considered a valuable member of the ‘Shameless’ family, according to executive producer John Wells. In a statement, he praised her for her exceptional performance as Fiona, her significant contributions on set, and her directing roles in various episodes. The team is currently working on a fitting finale for season nine that will appropriately acknowledge Fiona’s character, reflecting Emmy’s outstanding work. Although it’s sad to see an important cast member leave the family, the door remains open for Fiona to revisit or even move back in. John looks forward to continuing the tales of the unpredictable ‘Shameless’ family and everyone involved will miss Emmy and her captivating portrayal of Fiona.

Chelsea Peretti initially appeared on the NBC debut of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” but she didn’t stay for the entire series. In a string of tweets back in 2018, the actress revealed her intention to depart from the comedy, although she hinted at returning. Interestingly, she modeled her announcement after Emily Rossum’s farewell letter from “Shameless.” Peretti gave birth to a son with husband Jordan Peele in 2017. During season five, her character was on maternity leave and missed several episodes.

During season nine, Andrew Lincoln, who played the lead role, bid farewell to the grueling, grime-filled world of the zombie apocalypse on “The Walking Dead.” At San Diego Comic-Con in July 2018, he expressed his gratitude for his co-stars, calling them the best stand-in family one could ask for. However, he acknowledged that he has a real family waiting at home, and it was time for him to return.

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2025-08-08 04:17