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Gallo Is Leaving Chicago Fire After 5 Seasons: Here's Why
Truck 81 is losing one of its most energetic firefighters. That's right: Blake Gallo is moving on.
Sad news, Chicago Fire fans: After five seasons, Blake Gallo — played by actor Alberto Rosende — is leaving the show. We're sad to see the character go, as he's been one of the most enthusiastic recruits Truck 81's had in years. That said, Gallo's left an impression that will stay with Fire fans long after his exit.
Here's what you need to know about Gallo's Chicago Fire departure:
Why did Gallo leave Chicago Fire?
Gallo left Chicago Fire in the Season 12 premiere ("Barely Gone") to move to Michigan to spend quality time with his aunt and newly-discovered extended family. After losing his family to a tragic house fire as a child, Gallo spent years without having any support outside of his 51 colleagues. After Gallo discovered he had extended family members in Season 11 of Chicago Fire, his aunt offered him the opportunity to live with her in Detroit so that he could spend time with them.
Gallo accepted the offer to relocate to Detroit, prompting him to visit the firehouse one final time to say goodbye to his chosen family at 51. Mouch (Christian Stolte), Herrmann (David Eigenberg), Ritter (Daniel Kyri), Violet (Hanako Greensmith), Stella (Miranda Rae Mayo), and Boden (Eamonn Walker) were there to give Gallo the send-off he deserved.
"Say it ain't so, Gallo!" Mouch said while going in for a bear hug. "You sure you won't stay?"
"Believe me — hardest decision of my life," Gallo told them before excitedly adding, "But my mom had cousins I never met, my aunt introduced me. For the first time in my life, I realize I have nephews and nieces and cousins I get to hang out with and get to know. It's pretty awesome. But I'm going to miss my family at 51 like hell."
Boden assured Gallo that the fire department in Detroit would take good care of him. "No shenanigans, got it?" Boden playfully demanded.
"Thanks, Chief," Gallo said.
"Hey," Herrmann said. "Detroit has no idea what's about to hit them."
"You will be a gift to any firehouse you go to, Gallo," Stella commended.
Why did Alberto Rosende leave Chicago Fire?
Rosende opened up about his decision to leave Chicago Fire on Instagram. "When I decided to end my time with Chicago, it wasn't easy," Rosende wrote, according to Deadline. "The people I've met were truly special, the friendships I've made will last a lifetime, and the story I got to tell was one that made me proud."
He continued, "Can't wait to see what else is in store, and I wish everyone the best in shooting the rest of the season."
Looking back on Gallo's Chicago Fire journey
As fans know, Rosende plays Blake Gallo, an energetic and sometimes hotheaded young EMT/firefighter whose work ethic gets him quickly promoted. As Rosende told NBC Insider, "I think one thing we’ve seen Gallo trying to learn over the course of these three seasons so far is how to take all his unbridled passion and energy and excitement and shape that into being an exceptional firefighter. We see this mold of someone who’s young and excited. That has the potential."
Gallo often finds himself in flirtations and flings with co-workers, having hooked up with paramedic Gianna Mackey (Adriyan Rae), Violet, and Cara (Halie Robinson), who works with his microbrewery partner, over the course of his time with the team.
RELATED: Violet and Gallo Kissed in the Latest Chicago Fire—But What Does It Mean?
As with most of the One Chicago gang, Gallo crossed over into other shows in the franchise, appearing in one episode of Chicago Med (Season 8, Episode 8: "Everyone's Fighting A Battle You Know Nothing About") and one episode of Chicago P.D. (Season 7, Episode 4: "Infection Part III").
During his first year at Firehouse 51, it's slowly revealed that Gallo lost his family in a house fire when he was young.
RELATED: Here's Where You Recognized Gallo's Date From on the New Chicago Fire
To find out what's next, watch Chicago Fire on NBC Wednesdays at 9/8c and next day on Peacock.
