He's played the character of Jax on the iconic soap opera General Hospital for 25 years, but actor Ingo Rademacher's stint on the show is coming to an abrupt end—all because of his refusal to be vaccinated and his transphobic Instagram posts.
It is unknown if Rademacher resigned or was fired.
But Rademacher has been outspoken with his anti-vaxx stance for several months. The show's vaccine mandate for its cast is being cited as the reason for his departure.
And from the sounds of it, some of his castmates aren't exactly going to miss him. Rademacher's anti-vaccine drama coincided with another controversy on the General Hospital set following a transphobic tweet he recently posted to his Instagram story.
Cassandra James, one of Rademacher's GH costars and a trans woman, took to Twitter to express her anger toward her former colleague for his post.
I am aware of a transphobic post shared by a fellow General Hospital actor. Shame on you. You have some serious unlearning and education to do. I feel deeply disappointed that such a public display of ignorance could come from our GH family.
— Cassandra James (@cassandrajames_) November 8, 2021
James was unsparing in her criticism of her colleague.
Speaking to Rademacher directly without naming him, she said:
"Shame on you. You have some serious unlearning and education to do. I feel deeply disappointed that such a public display of ignorance could come from our GH family."
Rademacher's Instagram story, which has since expired, included a tweet from a conservative commentator about Dr. Rachel Levine, a trans woman serving as an admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
Rademacher was called out for sharing the tweet, which mocked Levine's appearance and misgendered her as a "dude."
Our LGBTQ community is stronger than the hateful ignorance exhibited by people like Ingo Rademacher. His trafficking in racism, sexism, and now transphobia speaks directly to his character. I don't care how nice he's been *to you*, his behavior is abhorrent. Shame on him. #GH pic.twitter.com/nDcZMWAJxe
— ryan (@SourceRyan) November 8, 2021
Rademacher posted an apology in an Instagram video that arguably just made the whole thing worse.
In the video, Rademacher explains he should have crossed out the word "dude" but specified calling Levine a woman is inappropriate.
"I don't think its okay to call a transgender an empowered woman because where does that leave women?"
He then went on to apologize to James by complimenting her looks repeatedly.
"Cassandra, I apologize to you sincerely. I think you're an absolute talent and you're very beautiful as well. I don't think a transphobic man would say that. I think you're absolutely gorgeous, I really do."
James has yet to comment on Rademacher's apology, but costar Nancy Lee Grahn was certainly not impressed, going so far as to express relief Rademacher has "mercifully" quit or been fired from General Hospital.
The fellow actor, #IngoRademacher, is mercifully no longer a part of the #gh cast. Transphobia & misgendering are disgusting & should be unacceptable in any industry, including soaps/acting. I stand with my costar, @cassandrajames_, & the trans community. https://t.co/pjj6FzEncg
— Nancy Lee Grahn (@NancyLeeGrahn) November 8, 2021
On Twitter, many people were disgusted by Rademacher and cheered his departure from the show.
GH should have fired Ingo Rademacher a long time ago. But they let him spew his hate and ignored it. His character is not valuable to the show. Never has been. And if he were to leave today, not a single storyline would be affected. Not a one.
— Cheyanne. (@CheyanneBabeey) November 8, 2021
Are the writers going to send him up to the attic to get his skis? lol. Good riddance.
— UberNeuman (@NeumanUber) November 9, 2021
And 10 more just like him wait in the wings for their chance. So long.
— Michela (@allender_ann) November 9, 2021
Ingo Rademacher has completely lost ALL respect I have ever had for him. I am glad this show is rid of him and #IStandwithCassandra always. #GH
— emie craigo (@emiecraigo6) November 8, 2021
This should've happened long ago but better late than never! Let's give the talented cast some good story with Jax's brutal demise! #GH
— FrizJunkie (@FrizJunkie) November 9, 2021
Bye jerk 👋 don't let the door hit you in the ass! #IngoRademacher Has Been Fired From General Hospital After Twenty-Five Years' https://t.co/eISvcC76HH
— Cat ✨🛸🖖 (@NurseChapel11) November 8, 2021
Man really just threw away a 20 year steady gig on a popular soap as a popular fan favorite character. I want to retroactively reconsider my crush on Jax. https://t.co/h7c5scRj8d
— Niala (@scififreak35) November 9, 2021
Did #IngoRademacher REALLY just make an Instragram video and say he can't be transphobic because he let his son wear a Disney princess dress when he was little? #GH pic.twitter.com/XnY58MaUEw
— Angela Duncan (@brookelynn74) November 8, 2021
Bye..with all his negatively over this and vaccines, he won't be missed!!
— Glenn Beck (@BuckheadGlenn) November 8, 2021
#IngoRademacher should not be on @GeneralHospital his Instagram story is impulsive, disgusting, and a bunch of trash. Transphobic is highly disgusting, anti vaccine is dangerous. If this is what @ABCNetwork @Disney and @valentinifrank wants for the show I'm out.
— Seth Hunter (@SethHunter22) November 8, 2021
Rademacher will continue to appear on General Hospital through November 22 in episodes shot before his exit.