The corridors of General Hospital haven’t seen a revelation this seismic in years. Veteran actor Maurice Benard—who has embodied mob boss Sonny Corinthos for more than three decades—has opened the door on a possibility fans never wanted to face: retirement. In a candid podcast appearance, Benard admitted that the endgame for his time in Port Charles may come sooner than anyone expected, ushering in questions not just about Sonny’s fate—but the shifting landscape of the show itself.

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A Moment of Brutal Honesty

During a recent appearance on the Soapy podcast, hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart, Benard was asked whether he could envision playing Sonny into his 80s—a milestone some soap legends have reached. His answer was frank and affecting:

“I don’t know, in all honesty, if I can last that long—and not because I don’t want to. 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… I don’t know if I could act on GH if I’m not at least at 90 percent.”
—Maurice Benard

At age 62, he suggested that a horizon of “another couple of years, three years” feels realistic—and that he’ll let his mental health dictate when it’s time to step away.

For fans, the implications are chilling. Sonny Corinthos isn’t just a character—he’s woven into the fabric of General Hospital. If Benard truly intends to bow out this soon, we could be witnessing the beginning of the end of an era.

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A Journey Marked by Struggle and Triumph

Benard’s relationship with the show has never been simple. In the podcast, he revealed that early on—just two weeks into his original GH run in 1993—he quit. The reason? A nervous breakdown that left him unable to continue. But the show’s faith in him at that time forged a bond that would span decades.

Over the years, he’s been remarkably open about his mental-health challenges—particularly navigating bipolar disorder while portraying one of daytime’s most emotionally intense characters. His honesty has enriched Sonny’s storyline (and given many viewers solace knowing they were not alone) but also contributed to real-world burdens.

In 2024, he took an unprecedented two-week absence from the show, citing insomnia, intense anxiety, and emotional depth that pushed him to a breaking point.  As he later clarified, had he extended that absence, the production might have been forced to recast—but he stressed the producers, particularly executive producer Frank Valentini, were supportive and understanding.

Now, mental health stands as his compass. “I’ll know from mental health when it’s time to retire,” he said.

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Exit Strategy: Is November 2025 the Target?

While Benard didn’t formally announce a departure date, speculation is already running wild. Soap insiders point to November 2025 as a strategic moment: it aligns with sweeps in the industry, when ratings and dramatic storylines matter most. A powerful exit at that time could maximize emotional impact and ratings.

Industry sources indicate Benard himself hinted at a “three-year” window, meaning a departure in late 2025 would fall directly in that range.  Fans have also noted an uptick in story arcs for Sonny that lean toward high-risk, life-threatening dramatic beats—weaponry, violent showdowns, near-death experiences—that could double as exit setups.

A potential exit might not be death. The show could craft a treatment that allows Sonny to fade from the board—perhaps a voluntary exile, a betrayal, or a final sacrifice for family, leaving the door open for future returns. In interviews, Benard has hinted at wanting control over how his character leaves the canvas.

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Parallel Stories: Sonny’s On-Screen Wrestling Matches

On screen, Sonny’s life mirrors the turmoil behind the curtain. He’s entrenched in mob wars, grappling with personal health scares, and locked in familial conflicts that test his loyalties. Many longtime viewers have noticed a growing frequency in scenes where Sonny clutches his chest, brushes with danger, or gives ominous inner monologues. Are these narrative devices—or farewells in disguise?

Benard himself acknowledged the current storylines are rich with those potential exit hooks. “The current story lines have placed Sunny in increasingly dangerous situations,” he said, noting that viewers now routinely speculate about his demise—whether by mob violence or a medical collapse.

Within that, the writers may have the perfect palette for letting Sonny bow out while preserving legacy—and enabling a future cameo, should Benard ever feel drawn back.

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Life After Sonny: New Passions, Podcast, and Family Ties

Benard hasn’t merely drifted into retirement fantasies—he’s actively building a path forward. During the podcast, he joked about alternate careers: “a boxer or a lawyer,” instantly piquing curiosity. He noted his fascination with true crime programming and investigative storytelling.

His side project, the State of Mind YouTube podcast, has become more than a creative outlet. It’s a platform for mental-health advocacy that connects him to fans beyond the character. If he steps away from acting, he hopes State of Mind might carry him forward. “If I ever left, I want to bring State of Mind in a place where I can make a good living and do that,” he said.

In 2022, he shared the ambition of turning it into a sustainable venture—one rooted in interviews, real stories, and a mission beyond daytime drama.

Another thread could soften the transition: his son, Joshua Bernard, joined GH in 2022 as Adam Wright. That father–son connection gives the show natural material to age Sonny out gracefully—perhaps handing the reins to the next generation. Benard himself has expressed pride in this dynamic, hinting at collaborative creative paths.

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The Legacy of Sonny — and What Comes Next

To understand what’s at stake, one must appreciate what Sonny Corinthos means to General Hospital. In more than 30 years, Benard has earned three Daytime Emmy Awards and built a character whose layers of mob violence, love, betrayal, and mental illness have anchored countless story arcs. His performance became a show within a show—tangled in the heart of Port Charles.

Perhaps most poignantly, Benard used the storyline of Sonny’s bipolar disorder not just for drama, but to raise awareness about mental health in men. That advocacy has become as central to his identity as the mob boss persona. If he departs Poling slowly, he risks leaving both a narrative vacuum and a public voice.

Any exit must honor those two pillars: the soap icon and the man who changed the conversation.

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What Fans Should Watch For

• Sweeps-driven episodes in late 2025: Expect elevated stakes, life-or-death scenarios, and emotional climaxes.

• Soft exit setups: Rather than a brutal assassination or tragic ending, look for storylines where Sonny chooses to leave—perhaps for family, redemption, or to protect others.

• Joshua/Adam Wright arcs: More screen time for the younger Bernard potentially signals buildup to a handoff.

• Guest return plans: Even if Benard ‘retires,’ GH may leave the door open for cameos.

• Thematic parallels: Key moments—heart attacks, betrayals, moral crossroads—may echo Benard’s real-life honesty about health and mental strength.

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A Last Word

Maurice Benard’s admission that he may be stepping away from General Hospital is less a shock move than a quiet reckoning. For over three decades, he built one of daytime television’s most complex, layered characters—one whose arcs mirrored his own personal battles and triumphs.

If his time as Sonny Corinthos ends sooner rather than later, he won’t just be stepping away from a role. He’ll be negotiating an exit from a legacy.

Port Charles may survive the loss of Sonny. But General Hospital will never quite be the same.