General Hospital’s Chad Duell is leaving the show after 14 years on “Fire Finale.”
Chad Duell as Michael Corinthos in General Hospital.
Disney / Christina BartolucciChad Duellexit from General hospital was shocking, fiery and epic.
37-year-old Duel completed the story of his hero on Monday, January 6, when Michael Corinth caught fire after the explosion. Michael officially served Willow (Kathleen McMullen) divorce papers before he was prompted to hit his estranged wife’s lover, Drew (Cameron Matheson).
Later in the episode, Michael heard a ticking sound before he was set on fire by the explosion. He was eventually engulfed in flames and scream in pain, which came as no surprise after Duel had previously announced his exit from the General hospital after more than 14 years.
“It wasn’t an easy decision for me, but it feels like the right time in my life,” he wrote on Instagram in November 2024. “I am incredibly grateful to (executive producer) Frank Valentini, the cast, the crew, and everyone behind the scenes who have been like family to me throughout this amazing journey.”
When soap opera stars leave their roles, it can be as shocking as the plot of their show. Alison Sweeney surprised longtime Days of Our Lives fans in 2014 when she announced she was leaving the series after 21 years. “I’ve been on Days of Our Lives since I was 16, and I’ve never (…)
Duel noted at the time that it “this is not goodbye – See you later.” He later discussed his decision to leave.
“It’s a life adjustment,” he shared on a December 2024 episode of the Daily Drama podcast. “A lot of things happened in my life. There are a few things behind it, but one thing I said is that my father is dead, and I’m still coming to terms with that.’
Michael Corinthos’ hand after the explosion.
the alphabetDuel he said wanted to spend more time with a partner Luana Lucci and their 16-month-old son, Dawson.
“I’m preparing myself for the next chapters,” he continued. “Right now I’m just trying to grow in a way that maybe I feel like I’ve suffocated myself in certain aspects and sometimes you have to take radical steps or make yourself uncomfortable, and I haven’t done that in a long time. »
At the time, Duell claimed the door was open for a comeback before teasing new projects, adding: “I have a few things lined up in January that I want to do for myself. It’s different because I have a baby now. But also for him and for me and for everyone, if I do what’s best for me – spiritually, mentally, everything – it’s only going to reflect my energy better for everyone around me, and I want to make sure that I’m taking care of myself, how good that I have not always done.
It’s never easy for fans to say goodbye to their favorite characters unexpectedly — and 2024 has seen plenty of shocking departures from our TV screens. In January, viewers learned that Josh Stewart would not be reprising his role as William LaMontagne Jr. in Criminal Minds: Evolution. Stewart brought the role of JJ (…)
Duel what thankful after all for a chance to do something new.
“I feel like I’ve had a very strong solace in it for so long that my identity has been wrapped up in it,” he concluded. “It’s going to be a process, but sort of figuring it out and really seeing who I am and where I am now in my life. It will be a short journey. I don’t know what the future holds, but I have to work hard to reach the potential I know I have. Not only career-wise, but in many aspects as well.”
General hospital airs weekdays on ABC and can be streamed on Hulu.
English