When Blake Gallo was introduced on NBC’s Chicago Fire, it was with the clear knowledge that he was a daredevil.
Gallo (played by Alberto Rosende) met his future Firehouse 51 colleagues when they saw him attempting a dangerous rescue. Since then, he’s been willing to risk his own life and limb to save people on numerous occasions.
While fans initially grew worried that Gallo might leave in Season 11 after having taken one too many risks, he returned for Season 12, but only for the premiere. So, why is Gallo leaving Chicago Fire? We’ve got the scoop on the character’s exit and what Alberto had to say regarding his departure from the series.
What happened to Gallo on ‘Chicago Fire’?
Fans were introduced to Gallo in Season 8, but had to say goodbye to him after the Season 12 premiere. After having lost his family to a house fire when he was only a child, Gallo was presented with an opportunity in Season 12 he couldn’t pass up — to spend time with the extended family members he learned he had in Season 11.
Gallo left Chicago Fire so that he could go and live with his distant aunt, Lacey Hoffman, in Detroit and meet the distant family he recently discovered he had. While Randy “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) and the rest of the Firehouse 51 gang were sad to see Gallo go, Boden (Eamonn Walker) assured him that the Detroit station would welcome him with open arms.
Before making his unexpected departure, Gallo admitted to his colleagues that leaving was the “hardest decision of [his] life,” but that he wanted to explore what life would be like with the family he never knew he had. Of course, Gallo also expressed to them that he would “miss [his] family at 51 like hell.”
Why did Alberto Rosende leave ‘Chicago Fire’?
Although Alberto didn’t specify why he was leaving Chicago Fire, he did leave fans with somewhat of a farewell note that touched on his departure. “When I decided to end my time with Chicago, it wasn’t easy. 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,” Alberto wrote in an Instagram Story, per Deadline.
He added, “Can’t wait to see what else is in store and I wish everyone the best in shooting the rest of the season.” It appears Alberto might have left the show to explore other opportunities and expand on his career.
Here’s why fans thought Gallo was leaving in Season 11.
Season 11 of Chicago Fire showed another character not impressed with Gallo’s daredevil nature. Gallo and recurring character Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) butted heads in Season 11, Episode 8, “A Beautiful Life.” The two ended up fighting after Sam disagreed with Gallo when he pulled off another unexpected, possibly dangerous move to get an unconscious man out of the bus and to safety.
Sam and Gallo’s fight could’ve been the end for the rebellious firefighter, as fans worried the brawl, plus his past actions, would be enough to get him fired from Firehouse 51. Fortunately, Gallo kept his job, and the argument was just a tense moment between colleagues.
‘Chicago Fire’ fans warned NBC not to get rid of Gallo after a Season 11 promo. It seems they listened.
While Gallo skipped being let go from Firehouse 51 in “A Beautiful Life,” another episode from Chicago Fire Season 11 had fans worried that Gallo would not see the end of the season after all.
In a trailer for Episode 15, “Damage Control,” Gallo talks to Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith), who he reunited with after the death of her boyfriend, Hawkins, earlier in the season.
Following Violet and Gallo’s conversation, the camera turns to Violet with a tense, concerned face. Then, the words “Will it happen again?” appear on the screen, referencing Violet losing Hawkins in the same season.
The clip worried fans on Twitter that Gallo may have a similar fate as Hawkins, who died while on duty. The thought of Violet losing another love interest on Chicago Fire was too much for some of the audience to bear. On Twitter, several Chicago Fire watchers vehemently warned the show’s writers to keep Gallo alive.
“I SWEAR IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MY GALLO CHICAGO FIRE WRITERS, YOU’D BETTER WATCH YOUR BACKS YOU CANNOT KEEP DOING THIS TO ME. GET BEHIND ME, GALLO. I WILL PROTECT YOU. I’M SO MF SERIOUS ABSOLUTELY TF NOT NOPE,” one user wrote.
Although Gallo is indeed a troublemaker, his character’s journey on the show seems to have reached its final stop (unless the producers decide to give him a surprise comeback in future seasons).
