Dr. Austin Holt (Roger Howarth) was doing the right thing after doing a many things wrong. Although Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober) pulls the strings, Austin still carried out criminal acts on top of the lies he told to Ava Jerome (Maura West). The thing is that Austin wasn’t a bad guy but he did bad things because Cyrus had the upper hand. After all, it was Cyrus who paid Austin’s way through medical school. But was it really worth it when Austin was never able to outrun his debt?
Earlier this week, General Hospital star Roger Howarth confirmed his GH exit and Austin Holt’s unexpected death. General Hospital recaps recall the latest storyline shocker! Dr. Austin Holt took the righteous path and was preparing himself to give Cyrus up to the PCPD in exchange for immunity. After all, he only commutes those crimes and told those lies because Cyrus and Mason (Nathanyael Grey) gave him no choice.
Austin Dies
General Hospital spoilers reveal that Howarth has filmed his final episode. His two and a half year run as the peculiar Dr. Austin Holt from Pautuck is over. But this isn’t the first time that Howarth’s role has been given the axe. The Daytime Emmy Winner is best known for his role as Todd Manning on One Life To Live. Since the Soap Opera’s 2012 cancellation, Howarth has played various Daytime TV roles. In fact, he became known for playing more than a couple characters on the same Soap. First Roger brought OLTL’s Manning to GH. Then, he was written off and he has played two other roles on GH following the Llanview legend. While General Hospital fans mourn Austin’s death and Howarth’s departure, hope remains that he returns as someone entirely new.
Why Roger Howarth Is Leaving GH
“Several weeks ago I got a phone call from somebody I’ve known for a very long time who I love very dearly [GH and OLTL 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 they both wanted and needed to do to move story,” the iconic daytime television star revealed to Soap Opera Digest. “And it took me a minute to kind of adjust, to kind of hear the news; it took a second for me to let that settle in.
“And then, 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,” Howarth continued. “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. For me, I felt it was very much like that scene in Moneyball and Jonah Hill had just told me I’ve been traded. I feel very respected and supported. For a long time, I’ve enjoyed coming to work, learning lines, and saying them with really cool people.”
Will Roger Return In His Fourth Role?
So much is to be said about a 30+ year acting career. Daytime Television has been luck to have a talent such as Roger. The best is yet to come!
Clearly, there is no bad blood between Howarth, Valentini, and TPTB over at GH. Roger’s statement clarifies any misunderstandings that may have developed through recent GH rumors. Although Roger cleared the air and shared the truth behind his GH exit, one thing remains uncertain. Soaps are known for some wild casting shifts. And it just so happens that Howarth is iconically known for his role change-ups. Three different roles on one drama is impressive but can he match co-star Michael Easton at four?
