MAURICE BENARD SHUTS DOWN RUMORS—HE’S NOT LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL AND HE’S DEFINITELY NOT DYING!
TL;DR: General Hospital star Maurice Benard addresses internet rumors claiming he’s leaving the show or battling terminal illness. The Sonny Corinthos actor confirms he’s healthy, staying on GH through his current contract (at least one more year), and plans to work until he’s 65. At 62, fans have several more years with Port Charles’s beloved mob boss!
FALSE Alarm! Maurice Benard Addresses Retirement And Health Rumors—He’s Staying Put!
The internet rumor mill went into overdrive recently with whispers that Maurice Benard was hanging up his iconic fedora and leaving General Hospital—or worse, that he was battling a terminal illness. But the man behind Port Charles’s most beloved mob boss is setting the record straight with his trademark honesty: he’s healthy, he’s staying, and no, he’s not dying.
Speaking on Richard Taite’s We’re Out of Time podcast, Benard addressed the speculation head-on when asked if he was leaving the show. “No,” he stated firmly. “There are always a lot of people. I think they’re saying I’m dying, too. Like I have cancer or something.” For the legion of fans who’ve followed Sonny’s journey since 1993, those words likely prompted a collective sigh of relief.
A Legacy Three Decades in the Making
Benard first stepped into Sonny’s shoes on August 13, 1993, initially for what was supposed to be just a six-month stint. The character, who was originally a strip club owner who did Frank Smith’s dirty work, was designed to be despicable, and audiences hated him. But something remarkable happened. Benard’s own struggles with bipolar disorder, diagnosed when he was 22, bled authentically into his performance, bringing unexpected depth and pain to what could have been a one-dimensional villain.
The actor recalls his emotional breaking point during those early days: “I could not help his pain from coming out. I was going through a breakdown when I first started and playing this dark character was affecting me.” He actually quit the show briefly during that period, but fate—and the network’s faith in him—brought him back. Three decades later, he’s won three Daytime Emmy Awards and transformed Sonny Corinthos into one of television’s most complex antiheroes.
The Real Reason Behind Retirement Talk
So why all the exit rumors? Benard confirmed he has one year remaining on his current General Hospital contract, and while he does plan to retire eventually, it won’t be “before I’m 65.” At 62, that gives devoted viewers at least a few more years with the dimpled don of Port Charles.
The actor was refreshingly candid about why he’ll eventually step away: “mentally, it’s taxing on me.” This echoes comments he made earlier, revealing he took two unprecedented weeks off in 2024 during a particularly difficult period. “I was in a really rough period where I didn’t sleep at all and had enormous anxiety,” he shared. “I didn’t know if I’d ever act again.”
Benard has evolved alongside his character. “I’m more relaxed. I was about 70 percent in the moment in the past. Now that I’m older, I’m almost 95 percent present,” he explained. That growth, both personal and professional, has only deepened his portrayal of Sonny through losses of beloved characters like Stone Cates, son Morgan, and father Mike Corbin.
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Life Beyond Port Charles
When retirement does come, Benard won’t be idle. His State of Mind YouTube series has already attracted 155,000 subscribers, providing a platform for honest conversations about mental health—a cause he’s championed for years. His advocacy work with Mental Health America and his decision to have General Hospital writers incorporate bipolar disorder into Sonny’s storyline have raised visibility for a condition that affects millions.
The actor’s New York Times bestselling book, “Nothing General About It: How Love and Lithium saved me on and off General Hospital,” chronicles his journey, and he continues touring to meet fans and discuss his career and life struggles.
The Bottom Line
Maurice Benard isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. He’s financially secure, creatively fulfilled, and still passionate about bringing Sonny Corinthos to life—even if that won’t last forever. For now, Port Charles’s kingpin remains exactly where he belongs: at the center of the drama, with Benard’s powerful, nuanced performance reminding us why some characters become television legends.
The rumors of his demise—both professionally and literally—have been greatly exaggerated. And for General Hospital fans, that’s the best news they could ask for.
Are YOU relieved Maurice Benard is staying on General Hospital? Comment your favorite Sonny Corinthos moments!
