Roger Howarth Explains How He Found Out About His 'General Hospital' Exit

Roger Howarth

After more than a decade, Roger Howarth said goodbye to General Hospital after his character Austin was shot and killed in the Nov. 17 episode of the soap opera. Now, the actor is opening up about his feelings on the departure.

Speaking with Soap Opera Digest, Howarth revealed how he found out that he wouldn't be coming back to the show, saying, "I got a phone call from somebody I’ve known for a very long time who I love very dearly [Executive Producer Frank Valentini] telling me that when my contract was up at ABC, I would not be offered a new contract and that the character of Austin would be killed, and that this was something that both wanted and needed to do to move story."

While he admitted it took a minute for him to digest the news, Howarth said that his next thoughts were thankful: "Immediately, 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."

Howarth went on to describe his last day of shooting General Hospital when he wrapped up his character's arc back in October, telling the publication, "Everybody was very sweet to me. The producers gave me flowers and I got to say thank-you and good-bye to an awful lot of people who I really admire."

After his final episode aired, Howarth also took to Instagram to thank the fans for their support, writing, "Daytime fans are lovely and amazing and supportive and dedicated and I am deeply grateful to each sparkly one of them."

He then reiterated his love for General Hospital, before adding positively, "Life is amazing. We just don’t Ever know what’s gonna happen. How great!"

Despite Howarth's thankfulness and positivity, some fans are still processing his departure from General Hospital, upset that he'll no longer be a part of the soap opera. While he seems eager to continue acting, as of writing, Howarth has not shared any future career plans. Considering the history of General Hospital and its extensive cast, Howarth could possibly be brought back at any point in the future.

Howarth first joined General Hospital in 2012, when his One Life to Live character Todd Manning was brought over to the show. He was then brought back as the character Franco until 2021, when he began playing Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt.

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