General Hospital’s Maurice Benard surprised fans this week on his video podcast, State Of Mind, with special guest, castmate Chad Duell. This marked Duell’s third visit opposite of the host, his first since the announcement that he was going to be a father in September with girlfriend Luana Lucci [no relation to Susan Lucci] and the announcement of his most recent Daytime Emmy nod for Outstanding Supporting Actor. For those keeping score, that is six nominations and one win for the actor.
Maurice Benard and Chad Duell: Answered Prayers
Watching GH’s Benard (Sonny) and Duell (Michael), who play father and son on the soap opera, in a conversation is like watching a great ping pong match with each giving as good as they get. The subjects ranged from daily routines, crazy storylines, puppy training, and who’s dog would win in a fight.
Clearly, they know each other well and get along splendidly. There is a mutual trust and respect which makes for good viewing when they dare to venture into deeper subject matter such as finding your purpose in life.
Duell had some thoughts on the subject recently. “There is this saying that, ‘A man who lacks purpose distracts himself from pleasure.’ And I have done that a lot in my life, a lot where you don’t feel like you have a purpose, where you get stuck just feeding your mind to distract yourself.”
The actor explained what he meant, “You have to sit in those moments of quiet because that is where you grow otherwise you distract yourself with a video game or say, ‘Oh, I am going to do that.’ You need to fill your void with purpose.”
The Daytime Emmy winner addressed the elephant in the room. Or in this case, the baby. “I am sure a lot of people were shocked to find out. Obviously, we were shocked to find out [that his girlfriend was pregnant],” noted Duell. “It was a surprise. It was interesting that me and Luana were both praying not knowing that we were praying for the same purpose, the same thing. Praying to God to help me find a greater purpose in my life.”
The Next Step: When Your Purpose Is Revealed
Duell tried to put his feelings into perspective. “It happens a lot when you live a life of routine of repeat, repeat, repeat. Living for the weekend or living for the break, time goes by fast. You feel like it is depressing,” he said. “My greater purpose isn’t just about being on a TV show or making good money or something like that. That shouldn’t be anybody’s purpose.”
He pondered the bigger picture and his role in it. “I guess I thought ‘what am I meant to be or what am I meant to do?’ To affect those around me. Some grander purpose. I was like, ‘Help me find what this is.’ She was literally doing the same thing. Unknowingly. We weren’t even in a relationship when she started praying for it.”
Duell acknowledged the host’s support in the past. “It’s weird because you [Benard] always say, ‘God works in mysterious ways.’ And it seems mysterious to us, but it is perfect, really, in the long run. I know that this is going to be my big purpose. I feel like it is really going to change me.”
The actor noted that his baby-to-be is a boy. “He’s due around September. It is going to be an adventure.” He reflected on his impending fatherhood. “It is going to be scary. Overwhelming. I just want to make sure that I give everything that I possibly can to him emotionally. Most importantly. And that is going to be my purpose to make sure that this boy, soon-to-be man, is somebody that is going to change people’s life in a positive way.
Duell’s final comments struck Benard as his most profound. “That would be my purpose to raise the best man that I possibly can. I prayed for a purpose, and there is no greater purpose than being a father or a mother.”
The actor was candid about many things during their conversation, including relationships on-screen and off. What worked and what didn’t. He shared the areas that he is always working on within himself. The two talked about life in Port Charles, their ongoing storyline, and the Daytime Emmys. Benard addressed Duell’s health scare and recovery, divorce, and the road back from there. Don’t miss the full episode here.
Maurice Benard teased more shows to come on State Of Mind that would feature this year’s Daytime Emmy nominees. Follow Chad Duell on Instagram and Twitter. Follow Maurice Benard on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. To follow State Of Mind and subscribe, go to YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.
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