Joe Miñoso, the original ‘Chicago Fire’ star, bids goodbye to his iconic firefighter character after appearing in 15 seasons. The 47-year-old actor will star in a handful of episodes of the upcoming 15th season to complete his character arc and turn over a new leaf. He became a beloved part of the series as a regular starting in the second season after appearing as a recurring character in the first season. His exit leaves only three original characters to continue their journey: Taylor Kinney and David Eigenberg, who were series regulars from the first episode, and Christian Stolte, who started as a recurring character in season one. Here’s a closer look at Joe Miñoso’s exit from ‘Chicago Fire’ after 15 seasons.
Joe Miñoso leaves ‘Chicago Fire’ after 15 seasons of being Joe Cruz
Joe Miñoso, who plays the role of resilient and loyal Joe Cruz, began his journey as a guest role in the initial episodes but made an indelible impression on fans with his skills, leading to his promotion as a regular firefighter, per Deadline. The departure comes after Da’Vinchi joined as the new firefighter Marcus Burke at Firehouse 51. Meanwhile, Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo signed new deals with the production in May to continue the show. Moreover, veteran showrunner Andrea Newman also left the show after 14 seasons, and Victor Teran joined as the new creator. In the Season 14 finale, Joe Cruz was shown discussing the arrival of his third baby with his colleagues in the precinct. Furthermore, his wife was seen panicking over unprecedented bleeding. After going to the hospital, the nurse revealed that a small blood vessel was getting irritated. As for the good news, the Cruz family were welcoming twins. The detailed reason for Joe Miñoso’s exit remains unknown. ‘Chicago Fire’ Season 15 will start airing on October 7, 2026.