‘General Hospital’s Maurice Benard Shares New Update About Retiring From the Show
What To Know
- Maurice Benard addresses his future with General Hospital and reveals when he’ll retire.
- The actor has played Sonny Corinthos on the ABC soap since 1993.
- Fans became concerned he was leaving the show after an interview in August.
UPDATE (10/27/25 1:15 p.m. ET): Two months after first opening up about his retirement plans, General Hospital vet Maurice Benard shared a new update about his future with acting. On Richard Taite’s We’re Out of Time podcast, Bernard was asked directly whether he was leaving the show. “No, I’m not leaving,” he said, according to People.
He added, “There have always been a lot of people [saying that]. I think they’re saying I’m dying, too, like I have cancer or something.” Benard pointed out that he has a “year left” in his contract, but he’s not ready to bid farewell to Port Charles. “Look, I’m going to retire, but I don’t think it’s going to be before I’m 65,” he said, which will make his GH fans breathe a massive sigh of relief. (Benard will turn 63 in March 2026.)
Benard has been a soap opera staple for over 30 years, having played Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital since 1993. With more than three decades under his belt, it’s hard to imagine the world of Port Charles without Sonny.
In his August 2025 Soapy podcast interview, Benard addressed his future with General Hospital. Host Rebecca Budig asked Benard if he’ll still be playing Sonny on GH when he’s 80, like The Bold and the Beautiful‘s John McCook and The Young and the Restless‘ Eric Braeden have.
“I don’t know, in all honesty, if I can last that long and not because I don’t want to,” Benard explained. “People are going to get mad at me for saying this, but I’m always just going to be honest. I don’t think mentally if I can keep going that long, and I don’t know if I could act on GH if I’m not at least at 90 percent. That’s the truth.”
He added, “Right now, I’m 62. Maybe another couple of years, three years, and then we’ll see what happens.”
Host Greg Rikaart noted that Benard’s got to do what’s best for him. Benard said he’ll know when it’s time to retire. “I’ll know from mental health,” he said.
When asked about what career he’d have if he weren’t an actor, Benard said, “I’d say a boxer or a lawyer. I always wanted to be a lawyer.” The Daytime Emmy winner noted that he’s a huge fan of Dateline, 20/20, and Netflix documentaries.
In a previous interview, Benard opened up about a time in 2024 when he didn’t know he’d be able to return. He told Woman’s World that he “called in sick for two weeks—and I’ve never called in sick. I was in a really rough period where I didn’t sleep at all and had enormous anxiety. It was physical, as well as emotional. I was in bad shape. I didn’t know if I’d ever act again.”
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S
Well, as sad as it would be to see MB retire, he HAS to do what is best for HIM. We all love Sonny, but he is a human being, and sometimes we just need to take a step back and take care of ourselves! Best to you always Mr. Benard!! 🥰
74
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G
I love Mo more than anything, he gave me very nice birthday treat. I know he has to retire someday, but I hope that he stay forever. He is a great actor.
30
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O
I just love sonny why r they always after him. Been watching gh since I was a little girl when he leave I leave
29
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C
Sonny Corinthos is a GH Legend. I hope he's on the canvas for many years to come. Best wishes and blessings to Maurice Benard. 💛
24
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O
I love Sonny he is one of the best actor of all l will miss him and l will leave the show too he has done so much good for GH and everyone is wanting him gone they say he need to pay for all the bad he done what about the good he has done and what about Sidwell he needs to pay for what he done he is the bad guy but no one talks about the bad he has done l would like to see Sonny get rid of him and Tracey for good and not go to jail for it
22
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O
I actually love Tracy. I hate they are playing her as an adversary to Sonny
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P
Before he was Sonny Corinthos, he was Nico Kelly so longer than “since for over 30 years.”
22
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R
I'm so glad that someone finally pointed that out. He is an amazing actor, and mental health advocate.
18
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O
You are correct, i miss AMC
3
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B
I remember him on All My Children alao. General Hospital will never be the same with out Sonny.
I can relate to him wanting to retire. He needs to be able to enjoy his life on his own for awhile.
Maurice, fhank you so much for your màny years of acting. I hated to see you leave All My Children but I think I love you more as Sonny.
Thank you also for letting GH add your BiPolar on the show. I habe a son with BiPolar and it has helped me understand him at better.
I also have 2 Grandson's with BiPolar. So I understand the mental strain you have being on task at certain times for acting.
Just know your fans will miss you very much. With out Sonny the show is going to have to really come uo with a good story line and actor when you do leave.
Sending lots of love
from Louisiana!
5
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G
All respect for Mr B . I bedn. As fan sence 1993 he came on GH and 3 long decades later u go as long as your able God bless him
12
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O
I would cry and at the same time I would be So Happy for MO. He’s endured much and Conquered So Much More. Playing Sonny, my
for 30 yrs is a definite milestone. I’m so proud of You MO. Thank You for Your honesty. I love You!
11
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B
GH wouldn’t be GH without Sonny, he’s the best!!!!
10
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G
yes retire. get Carly back with Jason.
4
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G
Get Carley back with Sonny. OR BETTER YET if he is going to retire go out with Brenda and live happy ever after.
4
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O
Please not Brenda! She’s a traitor!!!
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C
He doesn't have to retire for Carly to be with Jason. Right now I'm enjoying all the new romances for the characters.
1
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O
I wanted Carly and Jason together, i loved their wedding. But they both love Sonny , Carly and Jason will never marry as long as Sonny is alive becsuse Sonny would view it as A Betrayal
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C
Why would he have to retire for them to get together? Sonny hasn't been with Carly for a long time!
Carly and Jason are not going to be together anyway.
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P
He played on AMC for three years. So over 30s years is accurate.
3
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O
I sure hope not I absolutely LOVE Sonny on GH 🦅❤️🦅❤️🦅🤗🥀
2
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P
People do retire. Gheesh. There's more to the show than him. He keft befire and the show was just fine.
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O
I truly love & respect Mo for all he is & all that he has done to help shine a light on/remove the stigma on Mental Health. Pairing that with his 3 decades on General Hospital, he is absolutely one of my all-time favorite soap actors/characters. When his time to retire comes, it has been earned, and hope that he will continue to live his best life with the much deserved support and love of all of his fans.
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G
💯 agree. I've been a fan since day one, watched him when he was bad, good and indifferent. I also admire his honesty and openness regarding his mental health. I'd miss him but he's put the work in and deserves to do what's best for him. I wish him the very best and continued prayers up 🙏.
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B
He should retire. His acting has gone down way hill the last couple years.
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