It is the end of an era for soap star Rena Sofer. After playing Joyce and Rocky on the New York-based sudsers Another World and Loving, respectively, the actress headed to Hollywood, where she appeared in numerous roles in film and primetime while also starring as Lois Cerullo on General Hospital and Quinn Fuller on Bold and Beautiful. But now, the actress and her husband, television director Sanford Bookstaver, are heading back to the East Coast after over three decades in California. “Goodbye, LA!” she captioned a video the couple posted to Instagram.
Go East
“Bye, Hollywood,” Bookstaver said at the start of the video, a sentiment his wife repeated. After he declared, “Off to New York,” Sofer began singing the 1976 Billy Joel classic, “New York State of Mind.” He gave his wife a peck on the cheek as she sang, then took over for the chorus, only to be drowned out by a loud noise nearby. Joked Sofer: “It wouldn’t be LA if we weren’t interrupted by a leaf blower!”
Sofer, who reprised her Daytime Emmy-winning GH role back in October 2023, is now preparing for a whole new adventure. “We’ve been in LA for almost 35 years, and now it’s time for me and Sanford to go,” she wrote. “No one better than Billy Joel to create the perfect soundtrack to our dreams! Yes, I’m getting emotional. I met and had my children in LA; met the man of my dreams and created an incredible life there. I had amazing success in the biz and made all my lifelong friends, who I will miss desperately. Most of all, my BFF Ariana Cabral and my brother, David Sofer.”
With her daughters now adults and not living with their mom anymore, it’s just Sofer and Bookstaver who will be making the move to the East Coast. Well, them, and their pets! “Thank you, LA, for being you,” Sofer concluded. “And now on to quieter and calmer times. Leave it to a leaf blower to finish this post — there is nothing more LA! Now we are off in our Rivian with our five dogs in the back to our new life! #saygoodbyetohollywood”
Fans and friends wished the couple well on their cross-country move, including a couple of Sofer’s GH castmates. “So, so exciting!” enthused Laura Wright (Carly). “Big love and safe travels!” And Tanisha Harper (Jordan) added, “You two are so cute! Enjoy the East Coast with all of your beautiful pups!”
