Maurice Benard’s crossroads. A decision that will forever alter the fabric of daytime television.

The afternoon sun filtered through the windows of Maurice Benard’s home office as he studied the stack of contract renewal papers spread across his desk.

For 32 years, Benard has embodied Sonny Corinthos—the powerful yet vulnerable mob boss whose storylines defined an era of General Hospital. Yet at 62,

the beloved actor found himself standing at a precipice. The next chapter of his life was calling, and it wasn’t in Port Charles.

A Legacy Three Decades in the Making

Since 1993, Sonny Corinthos has been synonymous with General Hospital. More than a mobster, Sonny was a man torn between loyalty, violence, love, and vulnerability—a character whose bipolar disorder mirrored Benard’s own real-life struggles. Through Sonny, Benard transformed daytime television into something more than soap opera melodrama; he brought raw humanity, depth, and compassion to a character type often painted in black-and-white.

His performances won awards, critical acclaim, and most importantly, loyalty from millions of fans. Yet behind the camera, the grind of daytime television—five days a week, year-round, with minimal breaks—has taken its toll.

Earlier this year, during a particularly difficult battle with his bipolar disorder, Benard took an unprecedented two-week leave from General Hospital. “Frank was incredibly understanding,” Benard later confided, referring to executive producer Frank Valentini. “But I realized if I needed more time, they would have had to recast Sonny temporarily. That was the moment I knew—I had to be honest about what I really wanted.”

State of Mind: More Than a Passion Project

For the past five years, Benard has nurtured his YouTube series State of Mind, a mental health-focused platform that grew from humble beginnings into a lifeline for thousands. With 155,000 subscribers and growing, the series features candid conversations about mental health struggles, resilience, and healing. Guests have included fellow soap stars like Steve Burton and Laura Wright, but also ordinary individuals whose stories often go unheard.

But for Benard, it wasn’t enough. “I keep talking to the same circle of people,” he admitted to his wife, Paula. “Don’t get me wrong, their stories are powerful. But there are millions out there struggling who never get the chance to speak. I want to take State of Mind to the streets, to give a platform to people who live these battles every day.”

From veterans with PTSD to teenagers wrestling with suicidal thoughts, Benard envisioned a show that could truly change lives. And in that vision, he saw his future.

Art Imitating Life

Strangely enough, General Hospital seemed to anticipate his inner struggle. Recent storylines found Sonny Corinthos grappling with mysterious chest pains, family tensions, and the violent fallout of Drew Cain’s shooting. Writers leaned into Sonny’s vulnerability, painting a man considering his legacy, his health, and his future.

It was during an emotional scene with Laura Wright’s Carly—a scene where Sonny confessed his desire to prioritize family over violence—that Benard realized he wasn’t just reciting lines. “I wasn’t acting Sonny’s truth,” he later recalled. “I was speaking my own.”

The Difficult Conversation

When Benard finally sat down with Valentini in a quiet Burbank restaurant, the moment was heavy with emotion. “Frank, you’ve been like family to me for over three decades,” Benard began. “When I was at my lowest, you didn’t just protect my job—you protected me as a person. That’s why this is so hard.”

Benard explained his vision: to make State of Mind his full-time mission. He spoke candidly of feeling stagnant within the confines of soap storytelling and of his drive to reach wider audiences through mental health advocacy. “I’m not walking away from Sonny out of anger,” he told Valentini. “I’m walking toward something that could save lives.”

Hollywood Reacts

News of Benard’s decision rippled across the soap opera world. Colleagues were stunned, but supportive. Steve Burton, who recently reprised his role as Jason Morgan, told friends, “He’s not leaving for publicity. This is Maurice’s life mission. Anyone who’s seen State of Mind knows how passionate he is.”

Writers began crafting a farewell storyline to honor Sonny’s legacy while avoiding the cliché of death or disappearance. Instead, Sonny will step away from the mob world on his own terms, mirroring Benard’s real-life journey of choosing family and mental health over chaos and violence.

“We owe Maurice an exit that reflects his impact,” co-head writer Elizabeth Korte shared. “This won’t be about defeat. It’ll be about peace.”

The Farewell Storyline

Viewers will soon watch Sonny make a profound decision. After his health scare and the emotional toll of Drew’s shooting, Sonny will choose to leave Port Charles not as a victim, but as a man prioritizing family. His final storyline will see him establish a foundation dedicated to mental health resources—a storyline rooted directly in Benard’s personal advocacy.

One pivotal line Sonny delivers to Carly says it all: “I’ve spent thirty years fighting everyone else’s battles. Maybe it’s time I fight for something that really matters—our family’s peace of mind.”

A New Beginning

On his final day of filming, the General Hospital set was filled with both tears and celebration. Cast and crew gathered not only to say goodbye to Sonny Corinthos but to honor Maurice Benard’s courage in pursuing a greater mission. Laura Wright summed it up best: “Maurice isn’t just leaving a show—he’s starting a movement.”

Benard’s vision for State of Mind is ambitious. Beyond expanding the YouTube platform, he plans to launch a podcast network, collaborate on books with mental health experts, and create a nonprofit organization. Already, his interactive Zoom forums—safe spaces where fans share their struggles—are booking months in advance.

“These aren’t therapy sessions,” he explained. “I’m not a therapist. But I am someone who has lived with bipolar disorder for decades. I can create a safe space where people don’t feel alone.”

A Legacy That Lives On

When Maurice Benard leaves General Hospital in January 2026, it will mark the end of an era. For fans, Sonny Corinthos has been more than a character—he has been a companion through triumphs and tragedies, a mirror of human complexity. But Benard’s decision underscores an even greater truth: sometimes the most powerful role we can play isn’t on television, but in the lives we touch directly.

As he filmed his final State of Mind episode from his dressing room, Benard addressed his fans with heartfelt honesty. “This isn’t goodbye. This is just the beginning of taking these conversations where they’re needed most.”

For millions of viewers, both General Hospital fans and State of Mind followers, Maurice Benard’s next chapter promises to be as groundbreaking as the one he leaves behind.

Because this isn’t just about leaving Port Charles. It’s about saving lives.