Chad Duell, born on September 14, 1987, in Sioux City, Iowa, is an accomplished American actor known for his captivating performances on daytime television. With over 1,500 episodes as Michael Corinthos on General Hospital, Duell has become a familiar face to many, earning a Daytime Emmy Award and garnering decades of acting experience.
Duell attended Mountainside Middle School and Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he played football and participated in the theater program.
His journey into acting wasn’t always the plan. “First of all, I was going to be a football player,” he revealed. “I was a natural athlete, and things came easy. But ADHD made school and sports tough, leading him to a turning point that would change his life forever.
“I watched this one movie-I think it was Vanilla Sky-and all of a sudden something came over my body. Like, it was like God going like, ‘Oh, you found your calling. From that point on, he left football behind and threw himself into theater.
After dropping out he moved to Los Angeles where he landed a minor role on Disney's hit sitcom, The Suite Life on Deck. Duell also booked a minor role on another Disney series, The Wizards of Waverly Place. “That was so much-talk about fun,” he recalled. “Especially Wizards-just playing this crazy wizard… like a jerk, but also just-I don’t know.
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Chad Duell is back on GH - General Hospital Cast 2025
Career Highlights
Duell got his early TV break on Disney Channel’s The Suite Life on Deck, followed by a memorable guest spot on Wizards of Waverly Place. Landing the role of Michael Corinthos on General Hospital wasn’t what he initially auditioned for, and stepping into a legacy role came with pressure.
Duell's portrayal of Michael Corinthos garnered him nominations for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Despite the nerves, Duell found his footing. “I was actually just trying to survive in the beginning,” he admitted. “At first I thought, okay, so I get fired tomorrow, at least I have this.
He didn’t try to replicate what previous actors had done with the character. “Nothing really, to be honest,” he said about preparing for the role. Instead, he worked to show a more emotional side.
Daytime drama also taught Duell a lot about the pace of production. “I would say being able to handle pressure pretty well. You’re doing scenes quickly… you’re just rolling. The memorization-yes-but you also know the character so well.
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Though forever linked to Michael Corinthos, Duell said there were a few other GH characters he would’ve liked to tackle when we asked. “At this point, it’d be pretty cool. I would say… Jason Thompson, when he played the doctor. He also admitted, “I’d just do a different spin on that hitman type of… you know, with my father. That would be Jason. Jason’s like, he’s friends with Sonny. But I’d probably say Jason’s character.
Reflecting on his time acting opposite Laura Wright as Carly, Duell pointed to some of his favorite moments.
He recalled how Carly initially didn’t approve of Abby, Michael’s love interest, and how the dynamic evolved over time. “Later on, she treated me more like a man. Early on, it was more like her son. And there was that turmoil, that conflict-it was really juicy, if you will.
Though no longer on the show, Duell still keeps in touch with his GH co-stars. “Maurice is telling me I gotta come up and visit him up there. And Josh was telling me too,” he said. “It’s tough, though. In this industry, it’s kind of like-it’s different sometimes. Some people just get in their own world. We don’t always keep that connection, and it’s a shame. But it’s two ways. He added, “I’ve just been doing a lot of transition on my end, too. But I was just texting with Josh earlier. As for Maurice’s farm life. “Crazy. I don’t know.
Duell said he’s open to returning to soaps under the right circumstances. “Yeah, I would entertain doing another daytime soap. It just depends on the role, how it is there, how they see my body of work, and whether the team is excited for me.
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Duell has two major film projects in the works, though he’s keeping things under wraps for now. “I have a couple films I’m working on coming up. One of the projects involves a man imprisoned for assisting his terminally ill father with suicide. “That’s going to be a new experience,” Duell said. The second film is about a blind man who must carry his injured friend through the wilderness. “I have to carry him, but I can’t see anything. His leg’s destroyed, so he has to guide me.
Stepping away from GH gave Duell a much-needed personal and creative reset. “When I left the show, I knew I was leaving on a tear. The industry was completely dead. It was the holiday season. But it was a perfect opportunity for me to reset,” he said. “If I had jumped right into another soap, I wouldn’t have taken the time to rebuild and come back stronger.
He concluded, “When you’re on the same show year after year, you kind of lose your momentum or passion. You’ve got to reset. He also revealed a dream role: playing Tom Cruise’s son someday, somehow! And being directed by Mel Gibson!
“It’s been almost a year [since leaving GH], but I’ll just say thank you for your love and support over the years. Regardless of me feeling burnt out or needing a recharge, it still was a blessing to play Michael - not only for myself but for you all. I hope that me playing Michael made you have a good experience or a good escape - in seeing these storylines through my eyes. I am forever grateful for the support and the love, and that I got to be Michael for as long as I have.
Personal Life
Duell proposed to his girlfriend of nine months, Taylor Novack, at Disney World in August 2011. The couple married in a private ceremony on September 15, 2012. The marriage was annulled in late 2012, with Duell saying that it had been too soon. Duell dated fellow actress Courtney Hope, and the two were engaged on Valentine's Day 2021 after five years of dating.
The couple had a commitment ceremony on October 23, 2021, and split less than two months later. In January 2022, Duell revealed neither he nor Hope had "signed anything" and stated they were not "married or anything." In 2022, he began dating Luana Lucci.
Fatherhood
On August 30, 2023, General Hospital’s Chad Duell (ex-Michael) and his girlfriend Luana Lucci welcomed their first child together and ever since, we can’t get enough of seeing Dawson out and about doing various activities with his parents. Duell announced Dawson’s arrival a few days after he was born and stated, “Welcome to the world lil Dawson.
To celebrate Dawson’s birthday, Duell took him to Disneyland for the first time, which was just as magical for the dad as it was for the toddler. “Seeing it through his eyes for the first time was kind of like a little, like, you know, vicariously through him in a way,” he explained.
When asked about the possibility of having more children, Duell acknowledged that while it isn’t off the table, his current focus is elsewhere. “You know, the only reason I would ever want to do that is because it gives him someone to grow up with.
“Yeah, he just turned two… It’s been quite a whirlwind,” Duell said. “You grow into that role, and you’re seeing him grow as well, especially when he’s two years old. It’s like, ah, this is what it’s all about right now, because the personality’s coming through.
For Dawson’s second birthday, the family headed to Duell’s happy place, Disneyland! “Had a good ol’ time celebrating Dawson’s second birthday at Disneyland,” the actor stated. We hope Dawson had a wonderful birthday!
On Valentine’s Day in 2025, Duell shared a pic of his crew at a pumpkin patch and sent his real-life leading lady a message. “Happy Valentine’s Day from D and me! Thank you for being such an amazing mom and woman!
In April 2025, the family took a trip to the zoo… “Wild hearts at the wildest place,” previewed mom Luna.
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