Chad Duell, a familiar face to fans of “General Hospital” for the past 14 years, has made the difficult decision to depart from the long-running ABC soap opera. The news of his exit was shared by Duell himself in an emotional Instagram post over the weekend, where he expressed gratitude to the show’s executive producer Frank Valentini, his fellow cast members, the crew, and the loyal fans who have supported him throughout his time on the show.
In his heartfelt message, Duell thanked his fans for allowing his character, Michael Corinthos, to be a part of their lives and assured them that this is not a final goodbye, but rather a “see you later.” The actor’s departure raises questions about the future of the character on the show, as it remains unclear whether the role of Michael will be recast in Duell’s absence. ABC has yet to provide any official statement on the matter.
Duell’s portrayal of Michael Corinthos began in 2010, taking over from actor Drew Garrett. He has been recognized for his work on the show, winning a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2015. Over the years, Duell has become a beloved member of the “General Hospital” family, making his departure all the more bittersweet for fans.
Interestingly, Duell was temporarily replaced by “The Young and the Restless” alum Robert Adamson for a brief period in 2022, before returning to the role later in the year. This revolving door of actors taking on the role of Michael has kept fans on their toes, but Duell’s portrayal has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on viewers.
Duell’s exit follows in the footsteps of other veteran actors leaving “General Hospital,” including Kelly Monaco’s departure as Sam McCall after more than two decades on the show. As the soap opera continues to evolve and introduce new storylines, fans will have to wait and see what the future holds for Michael Corinthos and the residents of Port Charles.
