‘General Hospital’ Star Chad Duell Leaves Show After 14 Years: ‘It Wasn’t an Easy Decision’

Chad Duell says goodbye to “General Hospital.”

The 37-year-old actor announced on Saturday that he was leaving the soap opera series. Duell has played Michael Corinthos since 2010.

“After many incredible years on General Hospital, I have decided to step away from the show,” Duell wrote in an Instagram post.

“This wasn’t an easy decision for me,” he continued, “but it’s the right time in my life. I am beyond grateful to Frank Valentini, the cast, crew and everyone behind the scenes who have been like family to me throughout this incredible journey.

Duell continued: “To all the fans: thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued support and for allowing Michael Corinthos to be a part of your life. Your love and encouragement mean the world to me :).”

“It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later.” Much love, Chad,” he concluded his message.

“General Hospital” executive producer Frank Valentini shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) addressing the future of Duell’s character.

“I’m sad to confirm the news of Chad Duell’s upcoming exit from #GeneralHospital,” Valentini, 62, wrote. “I have loved working with Chad over the years and wish him nothing but the best. He’s a wonderful actor and will be missed by everyone at #GH.

“There are no plans to recast her role at the moment, but you never know from day to day,” Valentini added. “I can promise a great story for Michael and his family when Chad leaves the team in the new year.”

Michael Corinthos, the son of AJ Quartermaine (Sean Kanan) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright), was originally played by Dylan Cash from 2002 to 2008, then by Drew Garrett from 2009 to 2010.

Duell reprized the role in 2010. He won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2015.

Last year, Duell told Soap Opera Digest what he loved most about his “General Hospital” character.

“I feel like he always puts his family first and always had good intentions,” the actor said. “He likes to give people the benefit of the doubt; he is not malicious and he is very protective and supportive of his family and always wants to keep the peace. He has a good heart and is a good father.

Robert Adamson, 39, has played Michael on and off since 2022, when Duell had scheduling conflicts. It’s possible that Adamson will reprise the role for good now.

Duell’s exit from the ABC series comes after longtime star Kelly Monaco was written off the series.

Monaco’s final episode as Sam McCall aired on November 1. The 48-year-old actress previously said in a since-deleted comment on social media that her exit from the series after 21 years “still makes no sense to me.”

She also called her departure “retaliation.”