Longtime General Hospital fans are bracing for another major departure as Chad Duell, who has portrayed Michael Corinthos for 14 years, announced he is leaving the beloved daytime drama. Duell, 37, shared the emotional news on Instagram, expressing his gratitude to the show, his colleagues, and the viewers who have supported him throughout his journey.
Duell’s heartfelt message struck a chord with fans. “After many incredible years with General Hospital, I’ve decided to step away from the show,” he wrote. “This wasn’t an easy decision for me, but it feels like the right time in my life.”
He went on to thank executive producer Frank Valentini, the cast, and crew, describing them as a family that made his time on the show unforgettable. Duell also reassured fans that his departure isn’t the end of his connection to them, signing off with, “This isn’t a goodbye—it’s a see you later.”
Duell joined General Hospital in 2010, stepping into the role of Michael Corinthos, a character central to many of the soap’s most memorable storylines. Over his 14-year tenure, he appeared in more than 1,500 episodes and earned a Daytime Emmy Award in 2015 for Outstanding Supporting Actor, along with six Emmy nominations.
Michael’s journey on the show, from his troubled childhood to his role as a father and business mogul, has been a cornerstone of General Hospital’s ongoing saga.
Executive producer Frank Valentini confirmed Duell’s departure in a statement to Fox News Digital, sharing his sadness over the news. “I have loved working with Chad over the years and wish him nothing but the best. He is a terrific actor and will be missed by everyone at GH,” Valentini said.
Though there are no current plans to recast the role of Michael Corinthos, Valentini teased an engaging storyline for the character’s family as Duell exits early next year.
Duell’s departure follows closely on the heels of Kelly Monaco’s exit from the show last month. Monaco, who played Samantha McCall for over 21 years and appeared in more than 2,000 episodes, marked the end of her character’s arc with Sam’s death in the October 30 episode.
The back-to-back losses of such prominent actors have sparked conversations among fans about the show’s evolving landscape.
