After a maddening several weeks of rumors circulating on the Internet, it seems William deVry (Julian Jerome) has finally confirmed that he has wrapped up his time at General Hospital.
Behind-the-scenes sources first leaked the surprise exit news the week of October 26, sending shockwaves throughout the soap opera community. The show kept mum, and the actor himself didn't directly comment on the casting rumor; however, he did share a tweet that same week that said there was "a lot of junk out there" and that he would be making an announcement about something soon.
Nothing solid came to fruition for days, but deVry continued to make cryptic posts that convinced fans that the exit rumor was true. One of his posts revealed he was experiencing "new beginnings" that were giving him "nervous enthusiasm."
Home sweet home. Life is good! New beginnings breed nervous enthusiasm. pic.twitter.com/EmeraeHQLd
- William deVry (@WilliamdeVry1) November 1, 2020
Another post from outside the show's studio was cryptically captioned, "'Good-Bye Yellow Brick Road' and 'Say Good-Bye to Hollywood'? Songs of the day?"
"Good-Bye Yellow Brick Road" and "Say Good-Bye to Hollywood"? Songs of the day? pic.twitter.com/Rc1HEn6PyD
- William deVry (@WilliamdeVry1) November 5, 2020
The actor also began quote-tweeting some of the fans who commented on his rumored exit, which further fueled the flames of the gossip happening about his status at GH. And yet, nothing solid came about to confirm whether or not deVry was actually leaving GH -- until now.
In the late hours of Thursday, November 12, deVry posted a photo of himself outside of Prospect Studios (where GH films) along with a message of gratitude to the people who have supported him during his seven-year journey on the ABC soap opera. Though his post doesn't contain a definitive "I'm leaving," it's the closest thing yet that sheds light on his status at the ABC soap.
In the tweet (below), deVry sends "much love" to the soap's executive producer, Frank Valentini, as well as several actors that he has worked with and everyone else that has shown him love these past seven years. "Fans made #Julexis and Julian," he added.
Much love to @valentinifrank @GeneralHospital @NancyLeeGrahn @dom_zamprogna @lldubs @phideaux_xavier @GenieFrancis @kinshriner @haleypullos @RealEdenMccoy @_lexiainsworth & everyone 4 all the ♥️ last 7 years. 💯 Fans MADE #Julexis & Julian..♥️4ever. pic.twitter.com/VCsl8sXKTF
- William deVry (@WilliamdeVry1) November 13, 2020
Several actors immediately began sharing their reactions to deVry's post, many of which strongly support the theory that deVry has been let go from GH.
Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) wrote, "Much love back to you, my hot, sexy partner who helped make our senior sex the hottest thing for three years straight," she shared. "Nobody can throw this 60-year-old against a wall like you did, gather a freaking #JulexisArmy like we did and live to tell about it. #Julexis made ageism stupid and experience sick."
Lisa Locicero (Olivia Falconeri) shared, "Much love baby daddy. I will miss seeing what old tv episodes you are enjoying, and sharing a snappy scene.. but have no doubt I'll see you soon!"
Dominic Zampgrogna (Dante Falconeri) wrote, "You're a class act buddy. Gotta have some distance beers to celebrate what's next!"
And if the above messages aren't enough to convince fans that deVry is leaving, consider this: the actor shared that Jon Lindstrom (Kevin Collins/Ryan Chamberlain) "came by and said a heartfelt goodbye," and he thanked his costar Kin Shriner (Scotty Baldwin) "for sticking around while I packed."
Unfortunately, fans who are holding onto hope that deVry will eventually make his way back to GH at some point in the future may want to brace themselves for a truly permanent goodbye. During the actor's slew of tweets over the last couple of weeks, he shared the crushing news that in the event that he leaves GH, he will not be returning. "If I go. No return," he tweeted. "That's a promise."
If I go I go. No return. That's a promise..love the fans.
- William deVry (@WilliamdeVry1) November 1, 2020
No matter what comes to fruition in the days ahead, deVry stresses that he has thoroughly enjoyed his entire GH journey. "Thank you for a wonderfully blessed seven years," reads one of his tweets. "Wouldn't change a thing."
As @GeneralHospital actors we didn't get to see @vickiabc123 @nathanvarni and @billburton1 very often. But when we did it they were always AA1st Class. Thank you for a wonderfully blessed 7 years. Wouldn't change a thing.
- William deVry (@WilliamdeVry1) November 13, 2020
William deVry got his start in the soap world playing Timothy Dolan on Port Charles back in 2002. He went on to play All My Children's villainous Michael Cambias from 2003 to 2006 and The Bold and the Beautiful's Storm Logan from 2006 to 2008. He landed the role of GH's Julian in 2013 and has been playing him since (outside of a short contract negotiations snafu in 2017).
Unfortunately, deVry isn't the only performer who has reportedly been let go from GH in recent weeks. Emme Rylan (Lulu Spencer) was supposedly written off of the ABC soap opera and has since started an epic road trip with her family. To read about Rylan's reported firing and her new adventure, click here.
How do you feel about William deVry likely having exited GH? How would you like to see the writers wrap up Julian's time on the canvas? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
