Maurice Benard Discusses His Future on General Hospital

Maurice Benard addresses his situation

Rumors have run rampant on social media for several years that Maurice Benard is retiring from his role as Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital. They were fueled by the actor once stating that he wished he could host his successful podcast, State of Mind, full time.

Benard never said he wanted to walk away from GH but this is what many fans inferred from his words. When Sonny had a health scare with his heart and required surgery in California some who watch the ABC soap thought his portrayer might be leaving.

After Sonny and Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) recently decided to get out of the mob, fans again discussed that Benard may be heading for the door and he has set the record straight.

August 13 marked 33 years for the soap vet portraying the Port Charles mob boss and he has addressed his current situation . In an interview with Michael Fairman, Benard shared how he feels about retirement.

“I’m not going to retire soon, but I’m at a certain point where I can retire if I wanted. But, I don’t want to as long as I’m happy at GH, and I’ve been happy at GH for a while now. So, they’re going have to kick me out. They’re going to have to say, “Nah, we’ve had enough. Get the hell out.”‘ 

Soap actors can change their minds

Benard’s sentiment echoes that of another soap vet, Eric Braeden who portrays Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless. The popular 83-year-old has said several times he has no plans to retire.

In interviews and his book “I’ll Be Damed” Braden stated that if you retire you die. Still, rumors persist that he is leaving his iconic role. Soap fans should keep in mind that daytime actors are human and may change their minds.

In 2020 Kristian Alfonso said she was done with her role as Hope Brady on Days of Our Lives but she has returned at least three times for short story arcs.

When Steve Burton left General Hospital in 2013 he said he was done with soaps. A few months later he was playing Dylan MacaVoy on The Young and the Restless. He has since returned to GH several times as Jason Morgan.

Benard could decide to continue acting and hosting his Podcast, choose one over the other or leave both behind. For now he says he is remaining in Port Charles so General Hospital fans should take him at his word until he says something different.

What about Sonny and Justine?

In addition, he shared with Fairman that something good is going to be in Sonny's future. He also said that when the time comes for his GH run to end he would like his character's death to be a cliffhanger.

Fans know the mobster is in a secret relationship with ADA Justine Turner (Nazneen Contractor). They are clearly smitten with each other but recently Justine told her lover that their relationship has to remain a secret.

Sonny had told her he is stepping out of the mob but this is not enough for them to be able to safely go public. The PCPD still has evidence that could be used to incriminate him. In time, however, this could change.

If through some miracle Sonny and the ADA could make their connection public this would be good. Perhaps marriage could be in their future. Right now they are only friends with benefits and have not declared they love each other.

Be on the lookout for General Hospital updates about Sonny's future and what good things are in store. Keep watching to learn what comes next for his situationship with Justine. Just imagine the response when all of Port Charles learns that the top mobster is sleeping with the assistant DA.