“I had a great journey”

Roger Howarth opened up about ending his 11 years on General Hospital during an interview with Soap Opera Digest published Monday.

The 55-year-old entertainer, who played Austin Gatlin-Holt, Franco Baldwin and Todd Manning on the long-running series, was killed in a shooting during an episode that premiered on November 17.

The actor began his media interview by explaining how he learned that his most recently cast character was being written off the show.

“Several weeks ago, I received a phone call from someone I’ve known for a very long time and like very much, telling me that when my contract expired at ABC, I wouldn’t be offered a new job. contract and Austin’s character would be killed off,” he said.

Howarth described the decision to kill Gatlin-Holt as “something they both wanted and needed to do to move (the story) forward.”

The performer then said that although it took “a minute to adjust” to the fact that his character was being written off the show, he ultimately accepted the decision.

He then “realized how lucky I was to be able to do something I really love doing for over a decade with people I really loved working with.”

Howarth said he understood that the choice to kill off Gatlin-Holt, who he has portrayed since 2021, was not personal and that he was grateful for the opportunity to appear on the series.

‘I’m a lucky guy. I’ve had a great run and it’s a decision made by people who make these kinds of decisions for a living,” he said.

The actor, who said he felt “very respected and supported” throughout his participation in the series, recalled that his last day of filming was festive and light.

“Everyone has been very nice to me. The producers gave me flowers and I was able to say thank you and goodbye to so many people that I really admire,” he said.

Howarth added that he always felt “supported by writers and producers who had enough confidence in me as an actor to ask me to play three different roles” throughout his time on the show.

The performer made his debut on General Hospital as Todd Manning in 2012, and he held the role until the following year.

The actor quickly returned to portray Franco Baldwin, and he appeared as the character from 2013 until 2021, when the character was killed off.

Howarth remained with the series, however, and took on the role of Gatlin-Holt that year.

The entertainer, who said he would be “one hundred percent” interested in returning to daytime television, concluded his interview by expressing gratitude for his fans’ longtime support.

He said: “Daytime fans are the most loyal, the most intelligent and the most demanding. a group of enthusiastic and supportive people throughout the history of entertainment and they have been very kind to me and very generous with their support.