General Hospital’s Chad Duell is opening up about his decision to step away from the long-running soap opera.
“It’s a life adjustment,” Duell, 37, shared on the Saturday, December 28, episode of the “Daily Drama” podcast. “A lot of stuff’s been going on in my life. There’s a few things behind it but one thing I did say is my dad passed away and I’m still coming to terms with that.”
The actor, who played Michael Corinthos on General Hospital, also wanted to spend more time in Arizona with his partner, Luana Lucci, and their 15-month-old son, Dawson.
“I’m preparing myself for next chapters,” Duell teased cohosts Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson. “Right now, I’m just trying to grow in ways that maybe I feel like I stifled myself in certain aspects and sometimes you need to take drastic steps or make yourself feel uncomfortable and that’s not what I’ve done in a long time.”
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In November, Duell announced he was leaving General Hospital after more than 14 years. In his announcement, he thanked loyal fans and his coworkers for an incredible experience in daytime TV.
“This wasn’t an easy decision for me, but it feels like the right time in my life,” he wrote via Instagram at the time. “I’m beyond grateful to [executive producer] Frank Valentini, the cast, crew, and everyone behind the scenes who have been like family to me throughout this amazing journey.”
He added that this “isn’t a goodbye — it’s a see you later.”
In his latest interview, Duell confirmed that Valentini, 62, left the door open for a possible return. At this time, however, the actor is focused on exploring new things.
“Coming in January, I have a few things planned [that] I want to do for myself,” he teased. “It’s different because I have a kid now. But also for him and me as well and everybody, doing what’s best for me — spiritually, mentally, everything — will only reflect my energy in a better way towards everybody around me, and I want to make sure that I take care of myself as well, which I haven’t always done.”
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Although Duell acknowledged that soap operas can provide a steady job and a second family, he hopes 2025 can be a year he grows professionally and personally. After all, playing the adoptive son of mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) is only part of his story.
“I feel like I had a very strong comfort in this for such a long time that my identity was wrapped up in that,” he shared. “It’s going to be a process, but kind of unraveling that and really seeing who I am and where I am now in my life. It’s going to be a little journey. I don’t know what the future holds, but there is a lot of work I have to do to achieve the potential that I know I have. Not just career-wise, but a lot of aspects.”
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and can be streamed on Hulu.
