General Hospital’s Chad Duell Exits After Seven Years as Michael Corinthos
Brace yourself for the latest Port Charles wave.
By Sage Matthews
Port Charles is preparing to bid farewell to one of its cornerstone figures as Chad Duell, the actor behind Michael Corinthos, confirms his departure from General Hospital after a seven-year run. Duell’s final appearance is slated to air later this spring on ABC, closing a chapter that revitalized storylines and captivated daytime audiences.
According to Deadline and confirmed by People magazine, Duell and ABC mutually agreed to part ways after the actor requested to explore new creative avenues. In his own words on Instagram, Duell shared, “Playing Michael has been the honor of my life. Port Charles will always hold a special place in my heart.” His social media statement racked up thousands of likes within the first hour, underscoring the deep bond he formed with viewers.
From his harrowing mob entanglements to a high-stakes courtroom showdown, Michael Corinthos anchored some of GH’s most memorable arcs. Duell’s portrayal helped transform Michael from a wide-eyed teenager traumatized by violence into a determined attorney grappling with family loyalty and ethical dilemmas. Fans recall his chemistry with co-stars like Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) and Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) as a driving force that held viewers’ attention through seasons of twists and turns.
Showrunner Frank Valentini praised Duell’s professionalism and creative instincts, telling Entertainment Weekly, “Chad brought depth and charisma every single day. His exit is bittersweet but we’re proud of his legacy.” Longtime cast members also chimed in on social media, with Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos) writing, “You’ve given Michael Corinthos life in ways we never imagined. Wishing you all the best.” The production team plans to shoot Duell’s final scenes on location in New York before wrapping his arc back in Los Angeles.
Fan reaction has been immediate and passionate. A petition on Change.org demanding Duell stay has accumulated over 15,000 signatures within 48 hours, while Twitter threads are buzzing with theories about Michael’s next steps—ranging from an overseas fellowship to an inevitable return. Soap opera blogs and discussion boards are already speculating how his exit will impact ongoing feuds and upcoming weddings in Port Charles.
As viewers prepare for Duell’s swan song, the show has planted seeds for fresh faces and rivalries. A new legal eagle is set to arrive in town by late summer, promising to fill the void on the courthouse bench. With contract negotiations under way for other key players, General Hospital is poised for another period of reinvention. Stay tuned to see how Michael Corinthos’s legacy shapes the show’s next chapter—and whether his story might circle back sooner than expected.
And that’s the latest on Port Charles—make of it what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Deadline, People magazine, Entertainment Weekly
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
