Actress Lena Sofer Says Farewell to Los Angeles After 35 Years

Lena Sofer, known for her role in “General Hospital,” announced her departure from Los Angeles after nearly 35 years. The 56-year-old actress shared the news in an Instagram post last week, revealing that she and her husband, Sanford Bookstaver, are relocating to New York City along with their five dogs.

In a heartfelt Instagram video, Bookstaver is seen standing in front of their old home, bidding a final farewell to the city. Sofer then joins in, singing Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” which, well, it definitely added an emotional touch to the moment.

She captioned the video, “We’ve been in Los Angeles for nearly 35 years, and now it’s time for me and @sbookstaver to go. I can’t think of anyone better than Billy Joel to provide the perfect soundtrack for our new beginnings.” It seems she’s really looking forward to this fresh chapter, which feels, I mean, exciting yet bittersweet, right?

Reflecting on her time in LA, Sofer mentioned the wonderful friendships she made and expressed her deep affection for her close friends, stating, “Most of my BFFs @Arinacabral and my brother @Davidsofer53!!! Thank you for being you. Now, it’s time for a quieter life.” It’s interesting how such transitions often bring a mix of feelings, isn’t it?

Sofer originally joined the cast of “General Hospital” in 1993, remaining until 1997, and winning a Daytime Emmy for her performance as a supporting actress in 1995. She returned to the show in 2023, although she’s now traveling around. Interestingly, sources close to her indicated there wasn’t a discussion regarding her departure from the show, which I think raises some questions about her future there.

Sofer and Bookstaver first married in 2003 but divorced in 2017 after having their daughter, Avalon, in 2005. They celebrated their 1st and 22nd wedding anniversaries in May 2024. In a sweet post, she remarked, “We married 22 years ago and got married again a year ago! What a beautiful journey! I’m thrilled for what’s next!” There’s something really special about those kinds of reconnections, you know?

Aside from their daughter Avalon, Sofer has another daughter, Rosabelle Rosalind Carse, from her previous marriage. With these transitions, I can’t help but wonder what new adventures await them in New York.