Joe Minoso Reflects on Leaving Chicago Fire After 15 Years

Joe Minoso is leaving NBC’s long-running drama Chicago Fire after a tenure spanning a decade and a half, ending his run as firefighter Joe Cruz on Wednesday night’s 300th episode, NIU Today reported.

Minoso spent 15 years on the show from the very beginning, watching his character evolve from a firefighter into a leadership role and fatherhood. The actor told US Magazine that he was pleasantly surprised by the trajectory of his character arc over the years.

'Chicago Fire' Star Joe Miñoso to Leave Series After 15 Seasons https://t.co/mT3cgwv46Z

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“What’s great about what we did with the character was [that] I never imagined him becoming such a leader or really even a father,” Minoso said. “The arc, whether or not by design from the very beginning really felt fulfilling. We did it in such a positive way. I’m super proud of it.” US Magazine

Following his departure, only three original cast members remain on the series: Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, and Christian Stolte.

Minoso told the Chicago Tribune that his exit as a series regular was “weirdly mutual” and that leaving after 15 years “felt right.” He plans to focus on directing and producing films in Chicago while keeping the door open for occasional returns to the show both in front of and behind the camera.

A Brooklyn native, Minoso first traveled to the Midwest to study at Northern Illinois University, earning an M.F.A. in acting from the NIU School of Theatre and Dance in 2004. The degree launched his career in Chicago theater before landing him the role on Chicago Fire. NIU honored him in 2018 with the Alumni Achievement in the Arts award.

“NIU is almost single-handedly the reason that I work,” Minoso told NIU Today. “NIU gave me the tools, taught me to hone my talent and to be able to use it on call. I wouldn’t be able to do the things that I do on screen or on stage without any of the skills I learned at Northern.”