Chad Duell Opens Up About His Emotional General Hospital Exit

Port Charles Says Goodbye to Michael Corinthos

After fourteen years of compelling storylines and unforgettable moments, Chad Duell has bid farewell to his role as Michael Corinthos on General Hospital. The actor recently opened up about his departure in an emotional interview on Daily Drama with former costars Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson.

A Personal Journey

The decision to step away from Port Charles wasn’t made lightly. Duell revealed that several factors influenced his choice, with one significant reason being the recent loss of his father. “I’m still coming to terms with it,” he shared candidly during the interview, demonstrating remarkable vulnerability as he discussed this personal challenge.

Looking Forward

Rather than diving into new projects immediately, Duell is taking a mindful approach to his next chapter. “I’m just kind of, right now, more about just doing things mentally, physically, preparing myself for whatever in next chapters,” he explained. This period of reflection marks a significant transition for the actor who has portrayed Michael since 2010.

Michael’s Legacy

Duell stepped into the role of Michael Corinthos following Drew Garrett’s departure, just as the character faced one of his most challenging storylines – his imprisonment in Pentonville. Over the following fourteen years, viewers watched as Michael evolved through numerous relationships, marriages, and personal trials, including becoming a father of two and taking the helm at both ELQ and Aurora Media.

Future Possibilities

While this marks the end of his current run, Duell hasn’t completely closed the door on a potential return to Port Charles. He acknowledged that Executive Producer Frank Valentini has left that possibility open, noting, “Obviously with Frank and everything…left the door open there…so we’ll see what happens in the future.”

A Time for Growth

In perhaps the most revealing moment of the interview, Duell shared his primary focus moving forward. “Right now I’m trying to grow in ways that maybe I stifled myself in certain aspects,” he admitted. “Me stepping back is more about…like…getting my progress back on self-growth.”

The actor’s honesty about needing time for personal development resonated deeply with fans, who have flooded social media with messages of support and understanding. While Port Charles won’t be quite the same without Michael Corinthos, viewers are standing behind Duell as he takes this important step in his personal journey.

Stay tuned to General Hospital, weekdays on ABC, to see how Michael’s story concludes, and follow us for updates on Chad Duell’s future endeavors.