Maurice Benard is an Emmy Award-winning actor best known for his iconic role as Sonny Corinthos on the soap opera General Hospital (Image via Instagram/@mauricebenard)

Is Sonny leaving General Hospital? Everything to know

Modified Jul 15, 2024 12:45 GMT

Maurice Benard, who's been playing Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital for nearly 30 years, went through a tough health scare recently that almost made him leave the show. The 61-year-old actor, known for his role as the mob boss, shared his struggles on his podcast, State of Mind. He spoke about his mental health issues, like anxiety, which got fans worried they might lose their favorite character.

Benard shared that he needed to take a break from his role because he was struggling with a bad case of anxiety that he felt was spiraling out of control. He mentioned that he hadn't been prioritizing his mental health or going to therapy, which made things worse. The producers even thought about finding someone else to play his character because they couldn't keep the show on hold forever.

There's a lot of talk going around, but nothing's been confirmed about Maurice Benard leaving General Hospital right now. We'll just have to wait and see if he decides to move on. General Hospital fans are hopeful that he'll stick around, as Sonny Corinthos is a big part of the show and has been since 1993.

General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s struggle with anxiety

In his recent podcast, General Hospital star Maurice Benard opened up about dealing with anxiety as a lead actor on a TV show. He talked about feeling extra pressure and responsibility when his wife and son were in Europe, leaving him without his usual support system.

He said:

"A lot of that is my fault, not going to therapy like I should and everybody should."

Even though he tried taking medication, it didn't really help and he didn't want to burden his family with his feelings. The actor talked about how he would wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious and unable to sleep. He tried seeing different doctors and therapists, but nothing seemed to help.

Luckily, his daughters Cassidy and Cailey, as well as his friends, were there for him during this tough period. Benard was thankful for their support and said that their presence and prayers gave him some relief during his hardest times.

Sonny Corinthos aka actor Maurice Benard returns to General Hospital

Benard decided to take a break from General Hospital, and the show's executive producer, Frank Valentini, had his back. Benard called Valentini the most generous, compassionate person and was grateful that he allowed him two weeks off. If he had taken a longer break, they would have had to find someone else to play his character, which he knew wouldn't have been good for him.

Benard said about Valentini:

"He was nothing but incredible."

After his wife and son got back from Europe, Benard tried out a treatment facility but didn't like it. So he decided to head back home and get back to work. Even though he's been going through some stuff, he still managed to shoot some intense scenes for General Hospital, which he teased on his podcast. His performance, fueled by his personal feelings, is bound to be impactful and stick with viewers.

Benard's openness about his struggles with mental health is a good reminder to take care of our anxiety. He shared how important it is to ask for help, rely on friends and family, and not be afraid to show our feelings. He also reminded us to keep going and believe in our own strength.

If you're excited to see Maurice Benard back on General Hospital and find out what happens next with Sonny Corinthos, watch the show on ABC every weekday. And if you miss an episode, you can always watch it on the ABC website or Hulu.