Home / Arts and Entertainment / Chicago Fire's Joe Cruz Departs After 300 Episodes
Chicago Fire's Joe Cruz Departs After 300 Episodes
5 Nov
Summary
- Joe Cruz is leaving Chicago Fire after its 300th episode.
- Cruz suffered a spinal injury but is expected to recover.
- He is moving to Minnesota for rehabilitation near family.

Joe Cruz, a long-standing member of Chicago Fire, has officially exited the series following the milestone 300th episode, titled "Three Hundred." The departure comes after Cruz sustained a serious spinal injury during a warehouse collapse, an event that initially put his firefighting career in jeopardy.
Despite facing a difficult recovery, Cruz was informed that he could potentially return to work after extensive rehabilitation. However, with the recent birth of his twin daughters, he has decided to prioritize his family. Cruz will be relocating to Minnesota to be closer to his wife Chloe's parents and to access a specialized rehab facility.
The farewell scenes were notably emotional, with reports of tears on set during filming. Cruz shared vulnerable moments with fellow firefighters, including Severide, and bid a humorous yet touching goodbye to his colleagues. The character's departure marks the end of an era for Firehouse 51, as he was a key figure since the show's inception.
Fans can continue to watch Cruz's journey through past episodes available on Peacock. New episodes of Chicago Fire air on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.