The message General Hospital star Dominic Zamprogna gave Kelly Monaco upon her exit

There wasn't a dry eye in the General Hospital audience last week when Dante Falconeri said goodbye to his fiance, Sam McCall. Actor Dominic Zamprogna perfectly conveyed Dante's overwhelming grief as he said goodbye to Sam and told her how much he loved her.

Dominic Zamprogna sings Monaco's praises

Dante and Sam in happier times | Image Source: ABC

Despite being a member of the GH cast since 2009, Zamprogna had rarely worked closely with Monaco, who had played Sam since 2003. In 2021, the show decided to pair Dante and Sam, and "Sante" was born. Sam and Dante caught on with fans because this relationship was probably the healthiest one either of the characters had. Zamprogna was also happy to finally get to know his longtime co-star.

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"I got to know Kelly in a way that I’d never known her before," Zamprogna told Soap Opera Digest. "And she’s a remarkable person. She’s tough as nails and admirable in so many ways, and it’s been cool to become a friend of hers. And that won’t end. It’s just that there is still an ending because you’re not working with someone anymore."

Sam and Dante's last General Hospital scenes

Dante and Sam had a healthy relationship | Image Source: ABC

The scenes in which Dante kissed a dead Sam on the lips once last time were the last scenes Monaco filmed on September 27. Zamprogna told Digest that he said his own special goodbye to Monaco when they finished those final tender moments. He also left her with some words of wisdom for her new journey.

"There are not a lot of shows that are on the air as long as GH," Zamprogna said. "There are not a lot of actors who can say they’ve been on a show for one year, let alone 21 years. I think sometimes you don’t want to know what life will be like without it because you’re so used to something. But I’ve found the greatest things in my life have come when it feels like a door is closing. And I was really trying to emphasize that to her."

Dante had finally asked Sam to marry him just hours before her mysterious fatal heart attack. When he returned to the hospital, he learned she died and was forced to bid Sam farewell. However, Zamprogna assures fans that he will keep in touch with Monaco and doesn't rule out the possibility of working with her again one day, saying, "It’s a soap. Who the heck knows what’s gonna happen?”

Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and Hulu.