General Hospital
Chad Duell Addresses Rory Gibson ‘Stepping in’ to the Role of GH’s New Michael Corinthos
Being a recast on a soap opera is not easy for the actor coming into a role, especially when they may not be familiar with it while getting to know their new , or when called upon to deliver high-emotional impact moments when you just started. Both Chad Duell and Rory Gibson know a thing or two about it, since both have been recasts, and for Gibson, now two times over, in his daytime career.
When Chad Duell made the decision to exit General Hospital as Michael Corinthos late last year due to personal reasons, at the time, and in the positioning by the show, it appeared that the door was left open for when Chad was ready to return. In fact, to facilitate Duell’s exit, the series burned Michael’s body up pretty badly when he was caught in an explosion in Sonny’s penthouse. However, the show did not burn up Michael’s face.
Fast-forward several months later, Rory Gibson was cast as the new Michael. Since Gibson’s debut back in the middle of May, he has been an anomaly in soaps, where fan reaction to him in short order was swift and positive. Now, for the first time since Chad was recast as Michael, he shared his thoughts on the matter, during an Instagram live on Thursday, June 26, and to connect with his fans.

Photo: ABC
It marked the first time publicly that Duell spoke on his GH recast, expressing: “I wanted to give a little bit of grace to the new person (Rory Gibson) stepping in. I didn’t want it to be all about me … I just wanted it to be a smooth transition and it worked out so well, with him … so I’ve heard.”
Chad fully empathized what Rory was stepping into coming onto the legacy soap opera as a recast, adding, “When I started, it was more of an intense transition on my end. I didn’t have months in between … it was like, one day, boom, the next.” He added, “I’m glad it’s working out, though.”

Photo: ABC
In addition, Chad clarified what was going on behind the scenes with him that precipitated his departure: “I just needed a bit of a break. So, I just needed to step away. For how long, we don’t know. So, that’s really where that stemmed from. That’s where I wanted to give them (GH) enough notice so they can write a story out for Michael, which is the fire thing. So I’m glad I did that. I didn’t want to wait until the very week beforehand to say, ‘Hey! I’m gonna step away for a bit.’’

Photo: ABC
Mental health challenges also played into the need to exit, especially after his father passed away, “I couldn’t get myself going. I’d wake up dragging, go to work, and just feel and look tired.”
The Daytime Emmy-winning actor, played Michael Corinthos for 15 years beginning in 2010 till early 2025.
So, what do you think of Chad Duell’s comments on Rory Gibson being his successor in the role of ‘General Hospital’s’ Michael Corinthos? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
I think he could have been a bit more flattering
He was hoping everyone would miss him and complain, but it’s the best recast in soap opera history. New Michael is excellent. We knew Chad has been phoning it in for a while.
Best recast in soap history is a big stretch, Douglass Watson was a recast, Don Hastings was a recast, Marg Dusay was a recast, Susan Seaforth was a recast and I could go on
Even on GH, Leslie Charleson, Genie Francis, and Wally Kurth are recasts for starters each in the role 30+ years after taking it over.
Don’t get me wrong, Rory is doing quite well.
And Kassie DePaiva took over for Mia Korf as Blair Kramer on OLTL. She turned out to be a great Blair but initially the dramatic transformation left viewers puzzled.
Thanks for that history for yes, they all were fantabulous! But I do have to agree that Rory’s entry has been seemless!
I had no idea Douglass was a recast he was such a darling on Another World. Vicky Wyndham was a recast! She replaced Robin Stresser who was a recast as Dorian Lord. Interesting!
right you are.
Completely agree. I always liked Duell’s Michael, but Mr Gibson is fantastic. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s incredibly handsome (yes, I’m gay. As a good amount of GH’s fan base is).
Good for you! A number of the GH actors over the years have been as well.
Rory is going a great job. But guess what if Chad wants to come back someday I hope it happens. Why don’t you people who think Chads character as he portrayed Michael was boring or that he couldn’t act. Why don’t you guys look back on every single thing he’s done in the last 15 years. All access to her respect. It’s one thing to welcome a new Actor, but it’s another thing to trash the actor that was replaced. Actors read comments that are put out there on them good or bad. They also have family and friends that read this stuff. Why don’t you learn to be respectful? This goes to anybody on all social networks.
I like Rory but it’s a different version if the character good but different. I think they could have waited a bit longer for Chad. There were many characters Rory could have played. Either way they are both good
I think if Chad did come back, Rory would make an excellent Nikolas. Same dark good looks, same brooding behavior. Just sayin, we could keep both actors.
Rory would make an excellent Nikolas!! I never thought of that
Rory is doing a terrific job; the additional months allowed him to hone the character even more than in his temporary earlier performances as Michael. Another great recent recast has been with Alexa as Lulu.
I do not like the new Lulu at all! I think both “Michaels” Chad and Rory did and are doing a great job!
That wasn’t him in the temp earlier performances. It was a different actor.
I don’t believe Chad was hoping that for one second. Chad gave 15 long years to GH. He did a great job. He left on good terms and is missed. The new guy is doing a great job and is a great recast. Chad has many friends on that show. Sad you speak badly of him. Many fans love him. I certainly do and wish him the best.
I think he knows he needed and wanted the break but feeling a bit of regret and a bit dejected. It’s human to want to be told no one can fill your shoes. He’s been Michael for fifteen years; that’s his fictional family. Yet the recast was accepted and raved about immediately; some even said they preferred Rory. Not me; I prefer Chad in the role. So, I think just like actors who smile and applaud when someone else wins the award, he’s putting on a happy face for the audience and inwardly screaming, lol.
Completely Agree!
The message I heard seemed to be Chad saying that Rory is doing a good job holding down the fort until he’s ready to come back. I do not want another Billy Miller- Steve Burton situation.
Duell doesn’t have the gravitas that Burton has. The switch in Michaels is more like the switch of Carlys – as both Sarah Brown and Tamara Braun came back to GH – but with completely different characters.
I thought Chad’s comment was classy, but someone will always pick apart what people say or don’t say on these forums.
Completely Agree!
I hope they keep Rory as long as he wants to stay and not do to him what they did to Billy Miller when Burton decided to return. You leave your choice. GH should never take job away from recast unless they choose to leave.
Nobody could replace Billy miller nobody they have literally destroyed the character of Drew I have not watched since Billy left but shame on them for destroying his character and shame on them for destroying the character of Sam!
Well, that’s not likely because Mikey was born on screen, so nobody’s going to believe he had a secret twin brother. Susan Moore was out of town when Jason was born, so that made her having twins slightly plausible, even if it’s a bit much to think tha Alan (a doctor) wouldn’t have known she was carrying twins.
Saying “GH should never take a job away from a recast” would’ve left us with Jed Allan miscast as Edward, Sandra Ferguson as Felicia, and Lesli Kay as Lois. We’d also would’ve missed out on Tyler Christopher’s great second run as Nikolas.
I was intrigued by the direction they took “Jason” under Miller, but thought he had more unexplored potential as Drew.
agree!!! Billy was a great actor and could of and should of made Drew his own. Sad…
How tacky to comment about it. Recasts have been enormously successful on many soaps and no one will miss him that much.
To be fair, he was asked his opinion about the recast. I think he was trying to be as diplomatic as possible.
Very appropriate. Wish him all the best! Relatable as well. Feel his pain.
Chad acts like he is coming back. These actors think they can walk away and expect them to hold the job open. Guess what, everyone loves Rory as Michael. He caught right on. Sorry Chad.
I agree. The new guy is a better fit.
I agree!!!!! Rory is the man!!!!
Chad chose to leave. Sounds like he wanted them to wait for him to come back. Nu Michael is wonderful!!
Chad will always be my favorite Michael and I miss him but Rory is doing an amazing job
No one is holding a place for Chad.
Rory is fabulous and Chad hasn’t been in years
So it goes
Chad chose to leave. The character of Michael is too important for the role to be left open for too long. The show must go on. Love Rory.
Please do not keep the door open for Chad. He made his decision- now Rory has won the hearts of fans. He is SO much better than Chad. Sounds like veiled sour grapes over his decision. Too bad Chad.
I prefer CD over RG
As much as I love Chad and didn’t think anyone could do Michael justice, Rory is doing it! I have nothing but to say about either one of them.
I think Chad was very respectful in his comments.
I really believe that Rory is doing a much better job. The last couple of years Chad seemed to be just phoning it in. I’m hoping that Rory is now the permanent Michael. He is SO GOOD in the part!
Somehow this thread took off into insinuating that Rory is temporary or he will be replaced if Chad wants to return.
Chad is not Steve Burton, James DePaiva nor Rebecca “the real Greenlee” Budig.
Kudos to Rory and the writers for a smooth introduction.
Like them both but want Chad to come back please
I love Chad! No One is a better Michael! I wish he would come back and I think Rory is a decent actor and should play Morgan. Whoever said that nasty thing about Chad wished we would miss him- well that person is an idiot because many of us miss the heck out of him and are waiting for him to return!!
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Is This the End for Brennan?

This week, all-new episodes of General Hospital tease a long-held secret revealed, a surprise cellmate and a life on the line. On Monday August 24, ABC released their weekly promo entitled “Keep Brennan Busy,” raising eyebrows that this could the beginning of the exit of the character, after it was reported that Chris McKenna (Brennan) is leaving the soap come this fall.
In the spoilers video: First, Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) is telling Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) that she has known the truth all along that she shot Drew (Cameron Mathison), even though she was her legal counsel and defender her during Willow’s trial of shooting the former congressman.
Willow is shocked, and her face shrinks up. What will she say in return? Will she just say, “yes” I did it and then blackmail Alexis to also keep her quiet, like she has been able to do to so many others?

Courtesy/ABC
DREW’S BACK TO HIS OLD SELF WITH A VENGEANCE
Next, Drew is suddenly on this renewed warpath to take down Sonny (Maurice Benard), but before he deals with that, he want to get the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief out of the way. He informs his partner in crime Ava Jerome (Maura West) over drinks at the Metro Court his plan for Brennan. While Drew tells Ava his agenda, we cut to: a woman’s hands pouring a packet full of powder into a drink at the Metro Court pool area.
Drew gives Ava her assignment, “I need you to keep Brennan busy while I search his hotel room.” The question becomes, who is the woman who is drugging Brennan? Is this the first attempt at taking out the guy foreshadowing the future, or could this be the demise of Brennan?
YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MIGHT SEE IN THE SLAMMER
At the end of the video, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is seen in his cell at Pentonville. He gets what appears to be his new cellmate, and utters, “You?” Is this when Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) has manipulated someone from the inside to visit Curtis and begin a plan to get what he wants from Jordan (Tanisha Harper) and use her lover to do his dirty work? Stay tuned.
Take a look at the rest of the official spoilers for the week of August 24-28 below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 24
Valentin makes a pitch to Jason. Brennan confronts Willow. Josslyn has news for Hudson. Laura briefs Anna. Tracy issues a warning.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
Jason encourages Carly. Obrecht wants answers. Anna is tempted. Ric jumps to conclusions. Lulu offers relationship advice.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
Nina is enraged. Jordan makes her loyalties clear. Michael seeks Sonny’s advice. Tristan opens up about his past. Felicia stonewalls Brennan.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
Gio and Emma overhear an argument. Drew vows revenge. Ava feels slighted. Justine gets a shock. Alexis makes threat.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
Sonny makes a promise to Laura. Carly and Valentin make a decision. Anna offers support. Ava sets a trap. Drew is waylaid.
Check out the the latest GH promo, “Keep Brennan Busy” below.
Now let us know, do you think Drew’ plot against Brennan will be the untimely end of the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief? How will Willow keep Alexis from opening her mouth about the fact that she shot Drew? Share your predictions and theories via the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).
On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.
Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”

Courtesy/ABC
HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT
Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”
Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”
Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”

Photo: ABC
DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES
In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”
Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”
You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.
Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.
General Hospital
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)

At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.
However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.
Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Photo: ABC
FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG
Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!
Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”
MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).
Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”

Photo: JPI
PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY
Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”
It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”
A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”

Photo: PGibbons
IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS
As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”
He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”
Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.”
So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.
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