Chad Duell Shares His Reasons for Departing General Hospital After 14 Years
General Hospital star Chad Duell is discussing his choice to leave the iconic soap opera.
“It’s a life transition,” Duell, 37, revealed during the Saturday, December 28 episode of the “Daily Drama” podcast. “There’s been quite a bit happening in my life. Various factors contributed to it, but I should mention that my father passed away, and I’m still processing that.”
The actor, known for his role as Michael Corinthos on General Hospital, expressed a desire to spend more time in Arizona with his partner, Luana Lucci, and their 15-month-old son, Dawson.
“I’m getting ready for the next chapters,” Duell hinted to cohosts Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson. “Currently, I’m focusing on personal growth, recognizing that I might have held myself back in certain ways. Sometimes, significant changes are necessary to challenge yourself, and that’s something I haven’t done for a while.”
In November, Duell revealed he would be leaving General Hospital after more than 14 years in the role. He extended his gratitude to dedicated fans and his colleagues for a remarkable experience in daytime television.
“This was not an easy choice for me, but it feels like the right moment in my life,” he posted on Instagram at that time. “I am incredibly thankful to [executive producer] Frank Valentini, the cast, crew, and everyone behind the scenes who have felt like family to me during this wonderful journey.”
He emphasized that this “isn’t a goodbye — it’s a see you later.”
In his latest interview, Duell confirmed that Valentini, 62, has left the option open for a potential return. For now, he is concentrating on trying new endeavors.
“As I move into January, I have several plans that I want to pursue for myself,” he teased. “Things are different now that I have a child, but it’s also about prioritizing what’s best for myself — spiritually, mentally, in every way — which will positively affect my energy towards everyone around me. I need to ensure I take care of myself as well, which I haven’t always done.”
While Duell recognized that soap operas provide stable employment and a sense of community, he aspires for 2025 to be a year of professional and personal growth. After all, his role as the adopted son of mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) is just one facet of his narrative.
“I feel like I found great comfort in this for such a long time, and my identity became intertwined with it,” he shared. “Unraveling that to discover who I truly am and where I stand in my life will be a journey. I’m uncertain of what the future holds, but there’s a significant amount of work ahead to unlock the potential I know is within me — not only in my career but across many areas.”
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and is available for streaming on Hulu.
