General Hospital's Ryan Paevey reveals heartbreaking family news...and explains his Hollywood break

The General Hospital and Hallmark star is taking a step back from the spotlight and finally explains exactly why.

Ryan Paevey, who played Nathan West on General Hospital from 2013 to 2018, took to social media in April to talk about how disillusioned he was with the entertainment industry. He also said he wasn't sure if he would return to acting, but he was leaving the door open. Now, he has issued a long and detailed statement detailing why he recently left Hollywood behind.

Paevey shared his statement with his Instagram followers after it was published on Heavy.com. He explained that rumors and a family illness led to his decision to take a break from acting and focus on things that he felt were more important.

"Hey everyone...so first and foremost, I am a bit apprehensive that I even have to make a statement like this," Pavey said. "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 expanded upon them to meet their narrative, or flat-out misrepresented my words or misconstrued their meaning. 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."

Paevey went on to explain that he has felt out of place in the acting industry for a while. That feeling, as well as his mother's health problems and concern for his own mental health, led to his decision.

"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," Paevey continued. "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. 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."

The actor then assured fans there is still light in his life, as he thanked them and others who have supported him through the years.

"Please don't think for a second that it's all bad news. I have so, so much to be grateful for," Paevey said. "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."

Finally, Paevey assured fans that he will continue to share updates on his life while focusing on his family and his jewelry-making business.

"All this to say, I am simply shifting focus closer to family," Paevey concluded. "I have found another fulfilling creative endeavor in Fortunate Wanderer, and have plans to expand it, begin adventuring more, and share those adventures in the hopes that we will all remain connected, and I will share more about that once I myself have a clearer picture of how to do it. I know this was a lot, but I wanted you all to hear it directly from me. Thank you, so much, for sharing this journey with me, and here's hoping there's more ahead for us all."

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Paevey left GH in early 2018 after signing a contract with Hallmark. Since then, he's made a plethora of Hallmark flicks, including Marrying Mr. Darcy, Unleashing Mr. Darcy, Christmas at the Plaza, and Fourth Down and Love.

Do you miss Ryan Paevey as Nathan on GH? 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.

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