Joe Miñoso, an original cast member of Chicago Fire, officially exited the series during its landmark 300th episode on November 4, 2026. The departure marks the end of Joe Cruz’s 12-year run at Firehouse 51, a journey that began with the show’s pilot in 2012.
The exit was a creative decision made by the production team rather than a choice by the actor. Miñoso confirmed in post-exit interviews that he was first informed he was being let go on the final day of filming for Season 14.
Joe Cruz’s In-Universe Retirement
In the show’s narrative, the groundwork for Cruz’s departure began with a fractured spine suffered during the events bridging the Season 14 finale and the Season 15 premiere. The 300th episode, titled “Three Hundred,” served as the character’s final appearance (Season 15, Episode 5).
The storyline concluded with Cruz choosing retirement to prioritize his family after his wife, Chloe, gave birth to twins. The character decided to relocate the family to Minnesota. The birth of the twins also provided a callback to Cruz’s late best friend, Otis; the arrival of his children served as the final catalyst for his decision to leave the dangerous profession of firefighting behind.
A Historic Milestone for Network Television
Miñoso’s 300-episode tenure places him in a unique position in television history. He is now recognized as the Latino actor with the most episodes playing a single character in network television history.
Despite the involuntary nature of the exit, Miñoso is maintaining his connection to the “One Chicago” franchise. The actor is already in talks to return to the set later in Season 15 to direct an episode. He is also transitioning into the podcast space, launching a Chicago Fire rewatch series alongside former co-star Yuri Sardarov, who played Brian “Otis” Zvonecek.
The departure of Cruz leaves Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) and Randall “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) as the primary veteran presence at the firehouse alongside Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), as the show continues to navigate a period of significant cast turnover under its new leadership.
