Stars Leave Screens
When soap opera stars depart their long-standing roles, it can be just as surprising as the dramatic storylines their characters navigate. Alison Sweeney's 2014 decision to leave Days of Our Lives after two decades stunned fans, marking the end of her journey as Sami Brady, a role she began at 16.
While some actors, like Sweeney, make the choice to step away, others face sudden departures. In 2019, The Young and the Restless star Daniel Goddard was abruptly written out of the show after 13 years as Cane Ashby. "I’m as shocked and gutted as you are," Goddard shared on social media, expressing his disbelief at the decision.
Soap opera exits aren’t new, but they continue to generate emotional responses from fans and stars alike. In August 2024, Kelly Monaco, who played Samantha McCall on General Hospital, left the show after more than 20 years. Her mother, Carmina Monaco, conveyed the sentiment in a heartfelt post, thanking fans for their loyalty and support during her daughter's time on the show.
Similarly, Roger Howarth, a longtime staple on General Hospital, confirmed in late 2023 that his character, Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt, would be killed off, marking the end of his contract with the show. His departure came after portraying several characters on the soap since joining in 2012. Howarth expressed his gratitude for the years he spent with the cast and crew but acknowledged that the decision to leave wasn’t in his hands.
From voluntary exits to shocking dismissals, the soap world has seen it all. Fans, however, always hold onto hope that their favorite actors might return to the screen someday.
