Roger Howarth Cut From ‘General Hospital’ After More Than a Decade
After 11 years and practically 900 episodes, Roger Howarth was let go from his position on the long-running daytime cleaning soap opera General Hospital.
Howarth joined the present in 2012, enjoying the character Todd Manning — whom he’d originally portrayed for a decade on One Life to Live — and went on to play two different characters for almost all of his run on GH, most just lately portraying Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt.
Howarth spoke with Soap Opera Digest on Monday about his departure, and defined that he realized his contract wasn’t being renewed “several weeks ago” when he received a name from Executive Producer Frank Valentini telling him that, when his present contract with ABC was accomplished, he “would not be offered a new contract and that the character of Austin would be killed, and that this was something [they] both wanted and needed to do to move story.”
According to Howarth, the information took him abruptly, however he stated the truth that he is been so lucky is what he’s actually taking away from the expertise.
“I realized how lucky I was to have been able to do something I really love doing for more than a decade with people who I really enjoyed working with. I’m a lucky guy. I had a great run and this was a decision made by people who make these kinds of decisions for a living,” Howarth shared with the outlet. “For a long time I’ve enjoyed coming to work, learning lines and saying them with really cool people.”
Howarth added that he would not “feel like I’ve been slighted in any way or that there was bad juju around these decisions.”
“I think that the writers and the producers and the directors work really hard to entertain a really loyal and dedicated audience and I hope that they succeed in thrilling the audience for another 60 years,” Howarth added. “I will say this: I’m really proud of myself — like, totally truthfully, honest to God, I always tried my hardest. So for me, ultimately, there’s no loss. I know I did everything I could.”
Howarth additionally shared some phrases of knowledge on his Instagram, posting a photograph of his shadow towards a wall.
“Three things that I know for sure… 1 Daytime fans are lovely and amazing and supportive and dedicated and I am deeply grateful to each sparkly one of them. 2 I enjoyed my time at General Hospital and wish the cast and crew the best and continued success. It was a pleasure working with you all. 3 Life is amazing. We just don’t Ever know what’s gonna happen. How great!” Howarth captioned the put up. “Turn toward the light. Always. Huge thank you to you all.”
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