Chad Duell, the actor known for his portrayal of Michael Corinthos on “General Hospital” for over a decade, recently opened up about his decision to leave the long-running soap opera. In a candid conversation with co-stars Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) and Steve Burton on their “Daily Drama Podcast,” Duell revealed that his departure was driven by a desire for personal and professional growth.
General Hospital Spoilers: Chad Duell Reveals Real Reason For Michael Corinthos’ GH Exit
“It’s just a life adjustment,” Duell explained. “A lot of stuff has been going on in my life… This break, there’s a few things behind it.” He candidly shared that the recent loss of his father had deeply impacted him, and that he felt the need to prioritize his personal well-being. “My intention was to spend some time back in Arizona, but that’s becoming a little harder to do,” he said, acknowledging the complexities of family life and the demands of his career.
Duell emphasized the need to step outside his comfort zone. “Sometimes you have to take drastic steps or make yourself feel uncomfortable to take a step,” he explained. “That’s kind of what I have not allowed myself to do in a long time, is to step into more of an uncomfortable situation and grow instead of just [being] comfortable and complacent.”
Reflecting on his 14-year journey on “General Hospital,” Duell acknowledged the profound impact the role has had on his life. “Time flew by since I started there. It’s insanity,” he admitted. “I settled into the ‘comfortable and safe job’… But safety and comfort [are] the enemy of progress a lot of times… I feel like I had a very strong complacency and comfort for such a long time that my identity was wrapped up in that. Who I was was the show and the character I’ve done for so long.”
Duell expressed a desire to explore new avenues and discover his true potential. “It’s going to be a process kind of unraveling that and really seeing who I am,” he said. “Especially now in my life. It’s going to be a little journey… I don’t know what the future holds, but there’s a lot of work I have to do to achieve the potential that I know I have; not just in career-wise, but in a lot of aspects. I feel like I’ve been in that bubble of comfort for such a long time. As an artist to be repeating the same kind of thing can kind of be a little stagnant, but I’m still extremely blessed to be able to [have been on GH] for as long as I have.”
Chad Duell’s departure from “General Hospital” marks the end of an era for the actor and his fans. As he embarks on this new chapter, fans will undoubtedly be eager to see what the future holds for this talented actor.
