‘General Hospital’ Star Chris McKenna Speaks Out on Jack Brennan’s Shocking Exit
Exclusive
Chris McKenna‘s run as General Hospital‘s Jack Brennan came to a shocking end on the September 1 episode, when the WSB chief was found dead, floating in the Metro Court pool.
McKenna, who replaced Charles Mesure in the role in February 2025, wrapped earlier in the summer, giving him some time to process his exit. “This is the third soap that has either written me off or killed me off,” McKenna notes. “I did my last episode in June, so I’ve had a few months to adjust.”
It’s a bittersweet exit for McKenna, who started his daytime career on One Life to Live playing Joey Buchanan from 1990-1993, then appeared as Mark Harding on The Young and the Restless from 2014-2015. Still, he appreciates the opportunity to become part of the canvas.
Courtesy Chris McKenna
“I’m really grateful,” he says. “It’s disappointing how it’s ending right now, but this was a gift. Between my son being born and having this place to go to work for the past couple of years, this has been just a fantastic time, and it’s been so much fun. I got to be introduced to an entire new legion of soap fans who weren’t familiar with me, got back into the daytime world and did some powerful work I’m really proud of, so it’s been a great experience. I have no complaints.”
McKenna had several storylines that took unexpected turns, but he looks back fondly on the many opportunities he was given along the way. “I do think that Jack had an extremely unfortunate run of bad luck circumstances that influenced a lot of story since I took over,” he reflects. “When they put me on contract a year ago, I was very much looking forward to the Jack and Anna [Devane, Finola Hughes] love story that they were very clearly going to do and the love triangle with Jack, Anna and Carly [Spencer, Laura Wright], but then we got Carly and Valentin [Cassadine, James Patrick Stuart] instead, and Jack got the short end of the straw there. But also, that story ended up giving Jack some of the best material I’ve ever been able to do on camera, so the work I’m most proud of came from that storyline. And then I was very much looking forward to Jack coming out of his coma to save the day and kill [Ross] Cullum [Andrew Hawkes], but then John Oliver [Z] ended up becoming involved, and Jack gets sidelined during the big climax. Again, a decision I was very fond of. I loved John Oliver and I was really excited about that whole thing, but Jack wasn’t involved in the climax anymore.”
Courtesy Chris McKenna
One connection that McKenna was excited to see develop was Jack’s connection with Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros). “I don’t want to put words in Cynthia’s mouth, but I think we both felt that we had a really special kind of crackling chemistry between us, and it was gonna be really fun, so, I will continue to operate under the belief that ‘Brennina’ is the greatest love story GH never told,” he quips. “We didn’t get a chance to really explore that, but there were so many great moments in there, and there was so much great material that I was given, and I was given such a cool gray, complex character. I’m very fortunate that I got as much as I did.”
Jack’s final storyline gave McKenna a memorable way to bid farewell to the character. After being drugged by Ava Jerome (Maura West), Jack was found dead in the pool by Charlotte Cassadine (Bluesy Burke) and Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn). “I would have loved to have had a big, heroic martyrdom or a big grand speech,” he muses. “Unfortunately, I just played my dead body floating in a pool for two days. I just tried to make it fun for everybody, and I splashed around in the pool and took pictures with Eden [McCoy, Josslyn Jacks] and the kids. It was bittersweet, but it was also kind of fun being in a suit in the pool.”
Courtesy Chris McKenna
His last day on set was an emotional one, complete with a fitting farewell from the cast and crew. “I had been floating around in the pool and having my body shuffled around for days, and everyone came out and applauded,” McKenna relays. “Also, Frank [Valentini, executive producer] gave me a bottle of bourbon. He said, ‘I’d give you flowers, but I’m told you’d prefer bourbon,’ and he was right. Also, Paige Herschell [Jacinda Bracken] and I both found out on the same day that we were being let go, so I wanted to make sure that she got her flowers literally and figuratively and everyone felt supported. I’ve been through this before, and it was new for some others. I was sad to say goodbye to a lot of people, but it’s not also goodbye. I’m still friends with them all, and I live right near the studio, and we have fan events, and I’m working with them on some other projects already.”
McKenna’s exit prompted a touching response from one of his former One Life to Live costars, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki Buchanan), who played Ronnie Bard on GH last year. “Erika Slezak heard the news and immediately reached out to me,” McKenna reports. “She told me how good and strong and handsome I am, and she expressed her incredulity at the decision to let me go. But she’s my mom — what is she gonna say?!”
Courtesy of Chris McKenna/Instagram
Jack’s story may be over, but McKenna says he’ll always remember the way GH fans embraced him and the character. “Even when the rumor of my leaving the show broke, the response was absolutely overwhelming and humbling,” he says. “It ended up trending across the United States, 12th in the country, which is incredible for a soap character, and I’ve only been on for 18 months. So that was really amazing and meant so much to me. I couldn’t thank them enough. I’m grateful for every moment and every one of them. I’ll always look back on this with pride and with joy. I’m going to mourn Jack with everybody else, and this may be the end for Brennan, but Chris is doing fine and you’ll see him very soon.”
The actor already has plenty to keep him busy now that his time in Port Charles has come to an end. “There are a few things in the works,” McKenna shares. “I still teach acting classes; I always have. And I did sell a script right before I got on GH, and now I get to go back to that project, which I’ve been really looking forward to doing for a long time. I have the rights to the Thomas Tessier canon. He’s an American horror author, and he’s passed away, and I have the rights to his work. I’m working to get more of his stuff on screen. I think it’s been criminally under-adapted, so we have some producers interested, and I’ve been taking meetings all week, including ones in Sweden, so that’s been taking up a lot of my time.”
And while McKenna is moving on, he’s still having a little fun imagining what could come next in Port Charles. “Though it’s not the end I woulda chosen for Jack, I hope this generates months of riveting television around ‘Who killed Brennan?’” he says. “And I hope that Willow [Tait, Katelyn MacMullen] killed him. It’s time she graduates to full-on murder.”
Frank Valentini tells TV Insider exclusively, “The cast, crew, and I loved working with Chris, and we wish him all the best.”
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G
It 100% should have been Drew floating in that pool! Chris was one of the best Ambassadors to GH that ABC could ask for and garnered fan interest in the show and the character by being genuine. You don’t find that everyday. This is a big hit for GH! I’m gonna need a minute or really several to get past this decision.
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D
I agree
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G
I agree with you. I can't stand Drew and I'm not the only one. I would love to know why Frank Valentini keeps Cameron Mathison on the show. Everyone hates Drew Cain and why did Frank decide to get rid of Chris, a character that the fans really liked? Frank needs his head examined. He knows that people hate Drew but he won't get rid of Drew. Frank seems to love the characters that the fans despise. I was surprised that he let Cullum go since he was also hated. Now Jensz Sidwell is back. Another hated character. And now Frank is going to have Kai murdered. I like Kai and Trina together and I can't stand the guy who is supposed to be Kai's friend. Will he be the one who kills Kai? I can't stand Simon either. He's trying to break up Kai and Trina and who is stalking Trina? Ava has turned into a bad person again and I was really beginning to like her, but to let her get involved with Drew turned me against her. Maybe she needs to leave the show. I'm glad I record GH so I can FF through most of the show and I am not interested in watching Gio and Trina singing. I think it's a ridiculous story line. If she wants a singing career just write her off the show since Kai is leaving.
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B
Truly hated to see Chris leave. Especially being killed off like this. If Frank was going to kill him which he shouldn’t have but since he did, why this senseless way? Why not at least some heroic act. He missed out on everything heroic situation he had but Frank decides that? Crazy 🤪. Don’t like how things are done at GH now. Everyone personalities changing people being killed off no reason!! Families being shipped off to other countries for no good reason. Frank is killing GH. Now losing Chris when there’s no good reason he’s a great actor leader of port Charles WSB. Guess this new guy will take his place!! Eh
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C
There was so much more story that could have developed involving Jack
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D
agree
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M
Chris is such a talented actor, and I hated that he was let go. I know we will see him in the near future. Good luck, Chris, in your future endeavors.
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S
Chris was great and very sad to see him go
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D
agree
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J
G.H. another blunder in your decision making. You let fans down...again.
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D
agree
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C
Big mistake letting him go! He was the best actor this summer! What were you thinking?
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D
agree
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D
I’m very disappointed they ended Jack’s character on GH. He was an extremely talented actor and was perfect for that role. I would have liked to see where his relationship with Nina would have gone but I also loved him and Carly together! I wish him the best and look forward to seeing him soon in another acting role.
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F
So much potential for storylines involving him. I will never understand why he was let go.
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D
agree
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S
I hated to see him killed off that way. In fact, I hate he's gone. GH let the best go. I wished it had been Drew or Ava(shes killed before and got away with it)
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G
fully agree with you
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D
agree
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F
It's time Anna did have a new romance storyline. Jack was just the man to rescue her from her WSB nightmare. Nina needed a new love too. So sad they squandered these opportunities and let a good actor walk. Sometimes fans clearly don't get it. They act as if we don't have a clue about what a good actor or storyline is. Maybe they need to get a clue.
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F
The burgeoning romance between Jack and Nina was one of the very few highlights in the post Sidwell-Cullum-Cassius storylines. These two had sparks aplenty, and I'm very disappointed their pairing was cut short. I don't know what this show has against Nina, but I wish they'd give her a relationship and storyline beyond her being at Willow's beck and call. Cynthia Watros is worth more.
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D
Very disappointing! Chris was amazing! Why do they do this? He was one of the best actors on GH. They had someone good along with the story being very good. I don't understand this world these days. I think a lot of us agree there were others that should have been gone. Some of the story lines with the ones you are keeping are getting a little old & very boring.
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S
I agree
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J
We will miss Jack, I really liked him. I think we're letting too many bad ones get away, like Willow. She should be the one who kills Jack and is finally goes to prison. Love General Hospital and all the actors.
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J
He will be missed why do you get rid of people when the story is just getting interesting SHAME on you
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D
agree
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M
I’m so disappointed that Jack was killed off. I loved the way his character was evolving. Well, who knows, he was WSB, so it’s possible that dead Jack isn’t dead at all!
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G
Jack is dead
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A
It seems like what viewers watch GH for no longer matters to the producers of this ONCE very popular soap. Not only was Chris a great actor, but he's sooooo handsome and sexy! Valentini needs to hurry and get a clue or ASK
SOMEBODY! He's killing off GH for sure! I was SHOCKED and SAD about Chris being killed off!!!
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V
I’m truly hurt and disappointed. Why did they had to kill him off? I was waiting for him and Nina to have a fresh start at a nice relationship. I will not be loyal to General Hospital anymore. Sunny can do anything he wants like killing an FBI agent and no one says a word they could have sent chief Brennan to a different location if they didn’t need him right now, then write him back in later they didn’t have to kill him off. I could name a few other’s needs to be written off way before you touch chief Brennan. I am really truly hurt.
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G
You know it's really strange that GH brought Jagger Cates back on the show just to let Sonny kill him. I love Sonny but remember, he doesn't write his own script. He probably thought it was crazy to bring Jagger back just so he could kill him. Weird story.
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D
agree
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K
I am sorry to see him leave. It was a shock. Maybe he will come back.
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D
That would be great.
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J
Is it possible that Anna, in her Peter August infused state, pushed him into pool?
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L
I am sad that Chris is gone. Hope to see him in the future. Wish him the best. Miss Jack Brennan
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K
There was no reason, whatsoever to kill that character off! I, for one, really liked the actor and I was invested in the character, as well. I thought Brennan was a interesting character. Was he supposed to be a good guy or a bad guy?. I wanted to know more about him and I felt cheated out of it. Chris McKenna and Laura Wright had GREAT chemistry and I really liked watching the two of them play off of one another. I was not a fan of him and the character of Nina, though. He could of had family members, a ex-wife or somebody from his past to complicate his life. Drugging him and having him drown in a pool isn't the way Brennan should have been killed off. A shootout with him involved would have been the way, to go, but I guess that wasn't meant to be. Because of this, I gave up on GH PERMANENTLY! I don't watch the show or even read the re-caps of prior episodes. You put someone on contract, which should have meant, being given a long-term storyline, but instead reduce him down to nothing. Frank Valentini has no respect for good actors. He doesn't even stand up for them. Instead, he lets other people make the calls on who stays or goes and then he just sits back and lets it happen. He should be fired and I hope that GH loses viewers over this one.
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A
They could've let Drew go!! His story line isn't all that good!! He's just a Bully and not a real good one either!!
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