General Hospital
Maurice Benard Recalls How He Treated Chad Duell “Badly” After ‘General Hospital’ Replaced Drew Garrett as Michael Corinthos
On General Hospital, Drew Garrett played the role of Michael Corinthos from 2009-2010 and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination along the way for his performances. Drew was replaced by Chad Duell back in 2010. Chad stayed with the series till earlier this year in 2025. Now with rumors rebound, just who will be playing the role of Michael when the character returns from a burn clinic in Germany all healed up has been a question with much speculation.
On Sunday, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) brought his former TV son, Drew Garrett onto his mental health and interview show State of Mind to discuss many topics including: Garrett’s skin condition which held him back for some time in his career. However, the conversation took a turn later in the episode when Benard once again revealed his initial behavior at learning Garrett was on his way out and Chad Duell was now coming on to GH play to play his son over 15 years ago.
First, Garrett told Benard his thoughts on his time playing his on-screen son in the quick-pace of shooting a daytime drama, “I think I thrived off the pressure and that energy especially because of you. I think in a lot of ways you were supportive and very helpful to my process. I just felt like we saw eye to eye. I felt like you believed in me with that same ‘come-from’ that I did. I always felt like you were kind of street. I always felt like you were kind of no b*s*, and to let the work speak for itself.”
Photo: ABC
Drew recounted a very special scene that connected the actors, “You remember that seven page scene? (The one where Michael and Sonny are sitting in Sonny’s office) which was about Michael wanting to do better and walk in Sonny’s footsteps. I think the throughline of the scene was, ‘You can do better, and you don’t have to be like me.’ Michael wanted to be like Sonny, but he was also dealing with the whole trauma of the head injury and everything that was going on.”
Maurice added, “It was a seven pages and I told you (I think you maybe went up on on the line), we can’t drop the ball on this this scene. Once the ball drops the scene’s done.’ I didn’t tell you then, but it was a hard scene to do. For me it was hard, too. For anybody else, I don’t think they could have done it. We did the scene and you nailed that scene!”
Photo: ABC
Later, Maurice recalled his reaction to learning that Garrett was being replaced by another actor. “It was a Sunday. Paula’s (Maurice’s wife) was on the phone and I hear you’re not going to be working there. I went berserk. First of all, we had just done that scene. It happens all the time and everybody comes and goes like a revolving door, but I came to work the next day and now Chad is there (who’s now a friend of mine). But, let’s just put the cards on the table. I’m not proud of it. I don’t recommend it, but I treated him badly for maybe like 6 months. I didn’t talk to him. It wasn’t cool.”
Benard shared that on Chad’s first day. he watched him having to do monologue on a witness stand and in the scene Sonny is right in front of him. Maurice related, “I’m right in front of him. He’s sweating and having a panic attack.” Understanding his behavior towards Chad was not called for, Benard admitted, “It was awful. Of course, I’ve never done that again. But I was so pissed off. You can say some of that was ego, some of that was I liked you (Drew) so much, and we had just done that scene. It was hard on Chad.”
Responding to a post from Michael Fairman TV on the subject on X, Maurice Benard expressed, “I’m so happy I can consider both actors my friend and we all learn, or should learn from our mistakes.”
You can watch the entire episode of State of Mind featuring Drew and Maurice below.
Now weigh-in: what did you think of the Drew as Michael and Maurice’s story on how he initially treated Chad Duell, before they became friends? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
So is Drew coming back as Michael? Awfully strange timing.
No; that is wishful thinking of several fans online, though.
No he’s not coming back. Maurice is “live” in the YouTube chat when the State of Mind episodes premier on Sunday morning, and he was asked if Drew was on because he was coming back to GH? Maurice said no. For the record, he didn’t say anything else about the recast… or even if there is one yet. But I suspect it’s going to happen soon. Sasha’s baby is due in July, and I don’t see that happening without Mikey back in Port Charles… in one form or another.
According to social media reports, they’ve been quietly recasting Michael. Robert Adamson posted (since removed) that he was not considered for the role. Ironically, Rory Gibson (who replaced Adamson on Y&R) was supposedly screen tested.
Gibson has posted selfies on set in a dressing room that resembles Steve Burton (Jason), and several people from General Hospital have begun following him on social media, from Frank Valentini himself to some makeup crew.
It’s not the first time Maurice Benard has mentioned treating Chad Duell poorly because of Drew Garrett’s exit; it was intriguing to see Garrett’s reaction to this, though. Not going to lie… I kind of wish they had gotten into why we exited the role, as it was never outright disclosed⏤at least to my recollection it never was.
My recollection is that the reason given at the time was pretty much identical to the reason for the most recent recast of Kristina — they simply wanted to take the character in a different, more mature direction.
Of course, Duell is only two years younger than Garrett in real life. And, ironically, one of my issues with Chad’s adult Michael was that he never really looked/sounded much older than when he first came on the show 15 years ago. I obviously don’t support the abuse Duell got from Bernard (or, at times, fans), but count me as someone that hated the recast at the time and never really changed his mind.
Hopefully, with this next recast, they’ll bring in an actor whose adult Michael can hang with Bernard, Wright and company gravitas-wise.
My recollection is that the reason given at the time was pretty much identical to the reason for the most recent recast of Kristina — they simply wanted to take the character in a different, more mature direction.
In searching through this site’s archives (back when it was On Air On Soaps), Duell’s casting came after auditioning with Garrett and then being poised as a potential romantic pairing for Lexi Ainsworth (ex-Kristina), but at the expiration of Garrett’s contract, they chose to bring Duell in instead as Michael, and the character in-development for Kristina was scrapped.
They told Lexi she was reading with Chad as a potential love interest so she wouldn’t give Drew a heads up that they were letting him go. They fired him after shooting his scenes and had Chad lined up to come in the next time Micheal was due to shoot. Thankfully scenes were running long that day and Lexi didn’t end up chemistry reading with Chad, Steve Burton did instead because she would have felt responsible for hiring Drew’s replacement. She did notice Maurice was hard on Chad but she had chalked it up to him wanting to make him a better actor since he and Nancy had taken her under their wing and treated her like one of their own children.
Drew Garrett would make an excellent Will Horton recast, if Chandler Massey, didn’t want to return full-time at DAYS. I’d love to see Will & Sonny back in Salem!
Maurice is a total a hole. Chad was just a kid. Why don’t he go and be mean to the producers…o yeah he can’t cos they pay his bills
This was 15 years ago and Bernard is owning it publicly to make an example out of himself. What else do you want him to do?
Also, Chad was 22 at the time he came on the show. He certainly didn’t deserve Maurice’s abusive behavior, but he was hardly “just a kid” either.
It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since Van Hansis made his debut as the recast Lucas Jones on General Hospital. It was back on October 4, 2023 that GH fans got their first look at the former As the World Turns (ex-Luke Snyder) favorite in his new soap role.
Hansis became the fifth actor to play the role of the adoptive son of the late Bobbie Spencer and Tony Jones, and the biological son of the late Julian Jerome and Cheryl Stansbury. Prior to Van, C.J. Thomason (2002–2003), Ben Hogestyn (2005–2006) Ryan Carnes (2004–2005, 2014–2020, 2024) and Matt Trudeau (2020–2021) had played the part.
When Van left daytime after As the World Turns sadly went off the air in 2010, it would be 14 years until he stepped back into the updated frenetic pace and grind of acting on a daily soap opera.
Photo: ABC
LUCAS CAME HOME TO PORT CHARLES
Since Lucas has been back in Port Charles, he fell in love with the late Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) who was murdered, moved into a new apartment with his current roommate (soon to be love interest?) Joe Fitzpatrick as played by Jonathan Bennett, has become best buds with the “Britch” Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and has found himself involved in multiple other storylines. However, now that Van is firmly implanted on GH, might Lucas get a leading storyline of his own? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, to acknowledge his two-year anniversary at General Hospital, Hansis shared via his Instagram a photo montage and some heartfelt “thank you’s’ and words. “Two years ago yesterday, Lucas Jones came home to Port Charles looking a little different. Looking exactly like me.” began Hansis.
“When I took on the role, I was told it would be a heavy recurring for a few months and then we’d see where it goes – being based in NYC at the time, I thought it would be a fun little gig that would bring me back to my old stomping grounds of daytime for a bit.”
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING FOR VAN HANSIS
Next, the longtime New York-based actor confirmed he has now moved to Los Angeles as this new chapter of his life has unfolded, and how grateful he is that the show’s writers and producers have continually given more for Lucas to do.
Van explained, “But then they kept writing for me more and I fell in love with Lucas, and everyone around him (in front of and behind the camera). I wanted to stay a while and am so grateful I have. Being a part of GH these last two years has been life changing. Literally. My family and I are Angelenos now, I’ve made incredible new friendships and have been able to revisit old ones.”
The three-time Daytime Emmy-nominated actor concluded with, “Thank you Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH), thank you Mark (Teschner, casting director, GH), for inviting me to the party. You throw a great one. ”
So, happy to know Van is sticking around General Hospital for some time to come? What has been your favorite Lucas Jones moment over the first two years of Van’s run? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Breaking News
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
Robert Kelker-Kelly, who became prominent as a one of the leading men in soap operas back in the late 80s and 90s has died at the age of 62. TMZ first reported the news of Robert’s passing on Saturday, October 3 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri.
According to the St. Peters police report, officers responded to call at around 8:16 pm about an unconscious man who was not breathing, as paramedics and other EMS were en route, Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event.
Officers and paramedics administered life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful in reviving Kelker-Kelly. The cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.
Photo: NBC
Daytime fans first saw Robert back in 1987 when he was cast as Sam Fowler on Another World. He played the role for three year suntil 1990. Two years later, he took over the role of Bo Brady on Days of our Lives replacing Peter Reckell, who at that time decided to leave the show.
As Bo, Kelker-Kelly was major in story playing opposite the likes of: Crystal Chappell as Dr. Carly Manning, Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed. When Peter Reckell returned to his signature role in 1995, Kelker-Kelly left the show.
Next, Robert returned to his original stomping grounds at Another World but this time as race car driver, Bobby Reno who was actually Dr. Shane Roberts. His second AW stint lasted from 1996-1998.
Photo: ABC
Eventually, the actor would begin his run as the evil Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital in 2001, then make returns in 2002 and 2003. In 2013, he briefly returned as Stavros as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and made one last appearance in 2014.
Robert has also became a professional pilot full from 2003 to 2015 and had been married to former Days of our Lives star, Miriam Parrish (ex-Jamie Caldwell) from 1997-2011, but the couple divorced in 2011. Since that time, he has not remarried.
Recently, Robert was back in the news when Lisa Rinna talked about her time working with her former Days of our Lives co-star in her recently released memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.
Rinna shared on her then on-screen love interest, “Behind the scenes, we hated each other. Remember when Kathy Hilton said I was the biggest bully in Hollywood? Not true. Not even close! I have legit stories about the real bullies in this town. Robert Kelker-Kelly is one of those bullies.”
The former Billie Reed and reality star even punctuated that with, “He made my life a living hell on the set of DAYS, He was horrible to me, I’d go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.”
Michael Fairman TV will provide further updates as they become available on the death of Robert Kelker-Kelly.
Now, share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Robert Kelker-Kelly via the comment section below and let us know of all his daytime roles, which was your favorite.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Everyone Turns Their Backs on Sonny; Can Anyone Get Chase to Open His Eyes About Willow’s Treachery?
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the ABC soap opera picks right back up with everyone turning their backs on Sonny (Maurice Benard), and now the one person he hoped would be by his side appears to be abandoning ship when Justine (Nazneen Contractor) doesn’t believe him about ordering the beatdown of Sidwell (Carlo Rota) in the latest spoilers video.
Sonny screams at Justine, “Someone is setting me up.” She says, “It’s over!” He proclaims, “I didn’t do it!” Little do they know that it was actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) who set Sonny up to take the fall for the Pentonville drama that left Curtis (Donnell Turner) with injuries as well.
Then, Lulu (Alexa Havins) is seen using her voice memo app on her phone to record her discussion with Sidwell while he is recovering from his injuries at the hospital. This moment is intercut with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) saying, “I wish there was someone who could get Chase (Josh Swickard) to open his eyes about who Willow truly is!”
Next, Willow is seen happily waving while at a table at a Metro Court Gardens, while Chase, Michael (Rory Gibson), Brook Lynn and Ava (Maura West) all receive text messages. Tracy (Jane Elliot) punctuates the promo stating, “That’s the real Willow,” while the words “The world knows” comes across the screen.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week of October 5-9 below.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
Sonny challenges Justine. Josslyn takes matters into her own hands. Britt and Willow discuss matters of the heart. Jason is taken to task. Serena finds herself in a bind.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
Felicia has welcome news for Anna. Brook Lynn confides in Valentin. Hudson tries to talk Josslyn down. Lulu makes a daring play. Willow and Chase discuss his marriage.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Carly asks Anna for a favor. Tracy bites her tongue with Gio. Drew and Alexis go at it. Scout tries to broker peace between Danny and Rocco. Lulu pursues a lead.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
Carly supports Sonny. Lulu’s latest article makes waves. Ava pitches a new target to Drew. Curtis gets a shock. Chase throws down the gauntlet.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Britt offers a lifeline. Anna offers her expertise. Sonny reassures Gio. Portia makes her loyalties clear. Dante’s investigation hits a roadblock.
Check out the latest General Hospital promo for the action this week entitled, “The World Knows” below.
Now weigh-in: With everyone disbelieving Sonny, what will be his next move? Will he hit rock bottom, or rise up and fight back and prove his innocence? Will Sonny enlist Jason to get to the bottom of this, even though Jason is out of Sonny’s business? Meanwhile, can this truly be the week that Willow is exposed for her multitude of crimes … or is this all a red herring? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
Van Hansis Marks Two Years as ‘General Hospital’s’ Dr. Lucas Jones
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Everyone Turns Their Backs on Sonny; Can Anyone Get Chase to Open His Eyes About Willow’s Treachery?
GH’s Kayden Brenna Tokarski Addresses ‘Positivity and Negativity’ That Has Come Her Way as She Embraces Playing Scout Cain
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Who’s Trying to Silence Hayley?
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
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‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Everyone Turns Their Backs on Sonny; Can Anyone Get Chase to Open His Eyes About Willow’s Treachery?
GH’s Kayden Brenna Tokarski Addresses ‘Positivity and Negativity’ That Has Come Her Way as She Embraces Playing Scout Cain
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Who’s Trying to Silence Hayley?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Sally’s Bachelorette Party and Billy’s Bachelor Party Take Center Stage
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