Dramatic Departures: Kristian Alfonso, Alison Sweeney, and Beyond
Unexpected departures from beloved soap operas have left fans in shock Discover the surprising exits of soap stars Kristian Alfonso, Alison Sweeney, and more, and delve into the captivating world of ever-changing drama
When soap opera actors depart from their roles, the news can be just as surprising as the dramatic twists in their shows. In 2014, Alison Sweeney stunned loyal Days of Our Lives viewers by revealing that she would be leaving the series after 21 years.
"I've been a part of Days of Our Lives since I was 16, and in all that time, I've never taken more than a two-week break," the actress shared during her appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "I'm marking my 21st year and have made the decision that it will be my final year with the show."
Yet, not all soap opera actors choose to leave on their own terms. In 2019, Daniel Goddard announced that he had been let go from The Young and the Restless.
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"I am just as shocked and devastated as you all are," Goddard, known for his role as Cane Ashby on the daytime TV show, shared on social media. Check out more surprising soap opera departures over the years.
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Shocking Soap Opera Exits: Kristian Alfonso, Alison Sweeney and More
When soap opera stars leave their roles, it can be as shocking as their shows' plotlines.
After 21 years with Days of Our Lives, Alison Sweeney surprised fans in 2014 by announcing her exit from the series. "I've been on Days of Our Lives since I was 16 years old, and I have never had more than a two-week vacation in that whole time," the actress, who joined Days in 1993, said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "I'm celebrating my 21st year, and I decided that it's going to be my last year with the show."
Some soap stars don't leave willingly. In 2019, Daniel Goddard announced his unexpected departure from The Young and the Restless, leaving fans and himself shocked and disappointed. He played the role of Cane Ashby on the daytime TV show.
Keep scrolling for more shocking soap opera exits through the years.
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Roger Howarth
After his character, Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt, was fatally shot in a November 2023 episode of General Hospital, Howarth announced that he would be permanently leaving the show. "Several weeks ago, I received a call from executive producer Frank Valentini, informing me that my contract with ABC would not be renewed and that the character of Austin would be killed off to advance the storyline," he revealed to Soap Opera Digest.
Howarth first appeared on General Hospital in 2012 as Todd Manning, a role he had portrayed on One Life to Live from 1993 to 2012. He later took on the character of Franco Baldwin from 2013 to 2021 before returning to the show as the new character Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt in the same year.
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Kimberly McCullough
In 2011, McCullough made the decision to depart from General Hospital in order to focus on her directing career. She began her tenure on the show at the tender age of 7, back in 1985, portraying the character of Robin Scorpio. After a stint that lasted until 1996, she made a triumphant return in 2005.
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Susan Flannery
After 25 years of playing Stephanie Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful, Flannery chose to exit the show in 2012.
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Steve Burton
Burton, who began portraying Jason Morgan on General Hospital in 1991, revealed his departure in 2012. "I've experienced 21 years of highs and lows with GH — changes in leadership, shifts in the cast and crew, financial constraints, and various disturbances, and it has been nothing but a significant source of positivity in my life and that of my family," he shared with TVGuide.com at the time. "I have no grievances, no negative emotions whatsoever. But it's time to move on. I'm planning to take a break and simply unwind, and savor life with my wife and children."
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Alison Sweeney
Sweeney, who started her journey on Days of Our Lives as Sami Brady in 1993, made the announcement in 2014 that she would be leaving the show after a remarkable 21-year run. "I have made the decision that this will be my final year on the show," she stated at the time. "I have dedicated so much time to my work, and now that my daughter has just turned 5 and my son is 9, I really want to be able to spend more time with them."
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Greg Rikaart
Rikaart announced his departure from The Young and the Restless in 2017 after portraying the character of Kevin Fisher for 14 years. "I have such love and fondness for the cast and crew of Y&R that when I watch Kevin enjoying himself in scenes, it’s hard to know where he ends and Greg begins. At the moment it is unclear what lies ahead for Kevin and I, as we will be saying goodbye to Genoa City for a while," he said in a statement at the time. "I am sad to leave a place I hold so dear but also really excited about what the future holds, I cannot overstate how much gratitude I have to all of you who have been such loud cheerleaders for me. You’ve all enriched my life."
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Eileen Davidson
Davidson made the decision to depart The Young and the Restless in 2018, announcing on Twitter that while she was grateful for the opportunity to portray Ashley Abbott, she desired "a greater degree of autonomy in my daily routine." She initially joined the show in 1984 and departed on multiple occasions throughout the years.
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Daniel Goddard
In 2019, Goddard, best known for his role as Cane Ashby on The Young and the Restless, made the announcement that he would be departing from the CBS soap opera. He took to Twitter to express, “It’s with a heavy [heart] that I share the news that I will no longer be part of the cast of The Young and the Restless. I’m as shocked & gutted as [you are]. I’m forever grateful for my 13 [years] in the Y&R family but sadly it seems that without Neil & Lily… there just is no Cane."
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Kristian Alfonso
After spending 37 years on Days of Our Lives, Alfonso made the decision to depart from the series in July 2020. In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, she expressed her gratitude for being part of the Days of Our Lives family for such a significant period of time. However, she also mentioned that in recent years, the show had undergone changes that made it different from the Days of Our Lives she had known. Following her departure, she admitted to feeling a sense of relief.
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Greg Vaughan
In August 2020, Vaughan announced his departure from Days of Our Lives after eight years playing Eric Brady. The Queen Sugar actor told Soap Opera Digest at the time that many promises made to him were not kept, and he felt like a secondary character in other people's storylines. He never felt like he and Ari [Zucker] were treated as the main couple. However, he left the possibility of returning in the future open if asked.
