General Hospital star Chad Duell announced that he is leaving the iconic soap opera after a 14-year run as a series regular.

The 37-year-old has been appearing on the program since 2010 as Michael Corinthos, the adopted son of bipolar mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard).

Several other actors have previously played Michael Corinthos, a character who was introduced on the show in 1997 as a child.

In the past two years, Robert Adamson briefly stepped into the role twice when Chad was unable to film, first because of illness and then over a scheduling conflict.

Now Chad has announced that he is exiting the show for good, revealing that his departure ‘wasn’t an easy decision’ for him to take.

Showering praise on the General Hospital team, whom he described as ‘family,’ he shared that he felt now was ‘the right time in my life’ to step away from the series.

General Hospital star Chad Duell announced that he is leaving the iconic soap opera after a 14-year run as a series regular; pictured on the show in 2020

‘After many incredible years with General Hospital, I’ve decided to step away from the show,’ he wrote on his Instagram page Saturday.

‘This wasn’t an easy decision for me, but it feels like the right time in my life,’ said Chad, who won a Daytime Emmy for the show in 2015.

He gushed that he was ‘beyond grateful’ to the show’s executive producer Frank Valentini, as well as ‘the cast, crew, and everyone behind the scenes who have been like family to me throughout this amazing journey.’

Chad added: ‘To all the fans: thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support and for letting Michael Corinthos be a part of your lives.’

He concluded: ‘Your love and encouragement has meant the world to me 🙂 This isn’t a goodbye—it’s a see you later. Much love, Chad.’

General Hospital has been on the air since April Fool’s Day 1963, and as such is the longest-running American TV drama still in production. 

The character of Michael Corinthos has been appearing on the show since 1997, when he was played by child actors Blake and Dylan Hopkins.

A string of other child actors played the role before adult Drew Garrett joined the show in 2009, earning a Daytime Emmy nomination for his turn as Michael.

 ‘This wasn’t an easy decision for me, but it feels like the right time in my life,’ said Chad, who won a Daytime Emmy for the show in 2015; pictured at the 2018 Daytime Emmys

He has been appearing on the program since 2010 as Michael Corinthos, the adopted son of bipolar mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard); Sonny and Chad pictured on the show

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In 2010, Chad took on the role of Michael – initially angering fans who had grown attached to Drew’s portrayal, but quickly winning them over. 

His other TV work has included an episode of Arrow in 2020, as well as 11 episodes of the streaming soap opera The Bay in 2017.

Before he was on General Hospital, he briefly appeared on two Disney Channel series – Wizards Of Waverly Place and The Suite Life On Deck.

On the personal front, Chad shares a one-year-old son called Dawson with his girlfriend Luanna Lucci, whom he has been with since 2022.