Chad Duell’s ‘General Hospital’ Exit Explained: Actor Breaks His Silence on What Happened and Why He Left the Show | Chad Duell, General Hospital, Soap Opera, Soap Operas, Television | Just Jared: Celebrity News and Gossip

Chad Duel explains why he decided to leave the soap opera General Hospital after almost 15 years on the show.

The actor began playing the role of Michael Corinthos in the ABC soap series back in 2010 and announced his retirement in November 2024.

Chad appeared in a recent episode of The Daily Drama Podcast and explained why he left the show.

Read on to find out more…

“It’s a life adjustment,” he said (via People). “A lot has happened in my life. There are a few things behind it, but one thing I said is that my father died and I’m still dealing with it.”

Chad continued, “I’m preparing for the next chapters. Obviously I left the door open with (creator) Frank (Hursley) and everything. Right now I’m just trying to grow in a way that maybe I feel like I’m suffocating myself in certain aspects and sometimes you have to take drastic steps or feel uncomfortable to take a step. And that’s what I haven’t allowed myself to do in a long time, to put myself in more uncomfortable situations and grow from that instead of being comfortable and complacent.”

Chad remarked that he felt like he was lost in the work after playing Michael for so long.

“I had a very strong sense of self-importance for so long that my identity disappeared into it,” he said. “Who I was was the show and the characters I did for so long. It will be a process of unraveling myself and truly seeing who I am. I still have a lot of work to do to reach the potential I know I have – not just professionally, but in many ways. I feel like I was in a comfort bubble for so long.”

Chad teased some plans for the new year.

“In January I planned a few things that I wanted to do for myself and it’s different because I have a child now, but at the same time I’m doing what’s best for him and myself too and for everyone me, spiritually, mentally,” he said. “Everything will just reflect my energy even better for everyone around me. I want to make sure I take care of myself.”

Check out some of them General HospitalThe biggest line-up changes in 2024.