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General Hospital alum ‘taking step back from acting’ as industry has taken him to a ‘dark place’
The star posted a cryptic message with fans on Instagram
GENERAL Hospital alum Ryan Peavey has announced that he is 'taking a step back from acting,' revealing that he's in a 'dark place.'
The actor, known for appearing in Hallmark films, shared the news with fans in an Instagram video.
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Ryan, 39, announced his break from acting on Friday after a series of video statements detailing aspects of the industry he was struggling with, including social media.
He shared the written statement in an Instagram video.
"Hey everyone...so first and foremost, I am a bit apprehensive that I even have to make a statement like this," he began.
"I am certainly accustomed to a certain degree of gossip, but the past few weeks in particular have gotten out of control with speculation from third parties that have taken my words and expended upon them to meet their narrative, or flat out misrepresented my words or misconstrued the meaning.
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"I have always been an open book, and one who speaks his mind truthfully and directly, and it is unfortunate that we live in a world where social media makes it very easy to twist one's words' I am often unaware it is even happening until someone from my team messages me in a panic, and so I feel it best to make a formal statement through HEAVY."
Ryan continued, "As I've stated before, I am taking a step back from acting, something I've felt I've needed to do for a while now, and a decision proven to be absolutely necessary in the past few weeks.
"The industry hasn't felt like the place for me in quite some time now, and my mental health has suffered from it. It's taken me to a bit of a dark place, made me into a version of myself I don't like very much. I've vented some of my anger and frustration publicly, and for that I apologize.
"I've had many years of smooth sailing, and am very lucky to be able to say that, but the waters have been much rougher the last year or so. I know I am not unique in this; it seems nearly EVERYONE, in Hollywood or not, is going through troubled times to some degree."
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The Marrying Mr. Darcy star then detailed some of his recent challenges.
"I've had bank accounts hacked, money embezzled, investments stolen....things that, while difficult, can be recovered from. But after all that, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer.
"I left Los Angeles to be closer to her, and feel the need to devote more of my time, energy, and resources closer to home."
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Ryan added, "Please don't think for a second that it's 'all bad news.' I have so, so much to be grateful for. I am grateful to this industry as a whole. I am grateful to General Hospital for giving a green actor a chance and tolerating his learning curve, to Hallmark for changing my life and taking me to places that have become my favorite on Earth, to my managers for seeing something in a grunt with no resume and helping to architect a whole new trajectory and life for him, and to all of YOU who have helped raise up this handyman and bartender and taking him on a decade long adventure the likes of which he never imagined."
"I have so much to be thankful for, and not a day goes by that I don't think that thought," he concluded.
Comments were turned off on that post, as well as the videos Ryan shared earlier in the week.
General Hospital cast
General Hospital has been on air since the early 1960s.
The cast of the iconic soap opera includes:
- Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos)
- Chad Duell (Michael Corinthos)
- Katelyn MacMullen (Willow Corinthos)
- Robert Gossett (Marshall Ashford)
- Josh Swickard (Harrison Chase)
- Gregory Harrison (Gregory Chase)
- Michael Easton (Hamilton Finn)
- Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones)
- Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri)
- Kelly Monaco (Samantha McCall)
- Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber-Baldwin)
- Cynthia Watros (Nina Reeves)
- Maura West (Ava Jerome)
Celebrity appearances:
- Demi Moore (1982-1984)
- Meghan Markle (2002)
- Mark Hamil (1972)
- Kristin Davis (1991)
- Eva Longoria (2000)
- George Takei (1985)
- Elizabeth Taylor (1981)
SAD STRUGGLE
on Thursday. the actor uploaded a video sharing his plans to step away from social media as well.
In the Instagram clip, he was seen sitting in front of the camera in a black T-shirt and matching hat, which he wore backward.
"Hey guys, so as of this morning I am going to begin to retreat from public social media stuff starting with the deletion of my public Facebook page, which I just did," he began.
"The scammers are everywhere, and they are incessant. My managers and I have been on the phone today with a lady who got scammed out of a significant amount of money, and I just can't do it anymore. I can't be in the space.
"Social media platforms don't care. They're not helping us get rid of them and there's no way to educate the masses on how scammers operate, or prove that I'm the real me or anything like that, so the only thing I can do is leave the space entirely," Ryan continued.
"If you're speaking to someone on Facebook or on WhatsApp or on Telegram or in a private email account or anything like that, please stop. You are being scammed. I will not have a presence on any of those platforms any longer."
In an earlier Live video, the model addressed earlier comments he made "about residuals structures," clearing the air.
His caption explained that he made the comments "out of a lack of understanding."
"I've since been educated by my team and by my Union, and so setting the record straight, and apologizing," he wrote.
"When ya know better, do better."
Ryan previously announced plans to take a break from acting in April
A fan uploaded a screenshot from a Woman's World story which dubbed Ryan the No. 1 hallmark hunk.
Another fan replied to the post on X, formerly Twitter, wondering when Ryan would return with a new movie.
"Sadly no word of a film...I may take 2024 off from filming, unless the project is with friends," he responded.
"The last 8 months of life in this industry have left a pretty bitter taste in my mouth, and I need some time away from a world so full of fake friends and empty promises. I’m weary…
"I had a great run. I like my simple life in my shop, helping little bro, and frequent surfs," he continued, referring to the fact that he opened a workshop in his home and hopes to share videos and content from it.
"I have much to be grateful for, I’ll figure out a way to stay afloat without acting income…who knows, maybe a film will come along. Insurance would be nice, haha," he continued.
RYAN'S RESUME
Ryan played Nathan West on General Hospital from 2013 to 2018.
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He has also appeared in several Hallmark films, playing various heartthrobs.
The actor starred in Fourth Down and Love; From Friend to Fiancé; Harvest Love; and Unleashing Mr. Darcy, to name a few.
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