Chad Duell‘s exit from General Hospital was shocking, fiery and epic.
Duell, 37, wrapped up his character’s story on Monday, January 6, when Michael Corinthos caught on fire after an explosion. Michael officially served Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) divorce papers before being encouraged to punch his estranged wife’s lover, Drew (Cameron Mathison).
Later in the episode, Michael heard a ticking before he was set on fire by an explosion. He was ultimately engulfed in flames and screaming in pain, which didn’t come as a surprise after Duell previously announced his exit from General Hospital after more than 14 years.
“This wasn’t an easy decision for me, but it feels like the right time in my life,” he wrote via Instagram in November 2024. “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.”
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Duell noted at the time that this “isn’t a goodbye — it’s a see you later.” He later discussed his decision to step away.
“It’s a life adjustment,” he shared on an episode of the “Daily Drama” podcast in December 2024. “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.”
Duell said he wanted to spend more time with partner Luana Lucci and their 16-month-old son, Dawson.
“I’m preparing myself for next chapters,” he continued. “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.”
At the time, Duell claimed the door was open for a return before teasing new projects, adding, “Coming in January, I have a few things planned [that] I want to do for myself. 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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Duell was ultimately grateful for the chance to do something new.
“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 concluded. “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.
