‘General Hospital’ Legend Dies at 79 After Short but Fierce Illness

Tristan Rogers, the beloved soap star who played Robert Scorpio on General Hospital, has died at the age of 79. His manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed to People that Rogers passed away on Friday, August 15, after a short battle with lung cancer.

Rogers was only diagnosed in July, just weeks before his death. He had never been a smoker, which made the news even more shocking to fans who knew him as someone who lived a healthy lifestyle. The illness moved very quickly, and his condition worsened in just a month.

The Australian actor first stepped onto the set of General Hospital in 1980 for what was supposed to be a one-day part. That changed almost instantly when his character, spy Robert Scorpio, struck a chord with viewers. He became a major figure in the show’s storylines, including the hugely popular 1981 wedding of Luke and Laura, which remains one of the most watched episodes in daytime history.

Over the years, Rogers appeared in more than 1,400 episodes of the series. Even after his character was written out in 1992, he returned several times, including on the spin-off General Hospital: Night Shift. His last appearances came shortly before his diagnosis, closing out an impressive era in soap history.

Rogers’ career stretched far beyond Port Charles. According to Fox News, he also held roles on The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. Younger audiences might remember his voice as Jake the kangaroo in Disney’s The Rescuers Down Under. He also won a Daytime Emmy for his role in the digital drama Studio City and later picked up another nomination for his work in The Bay.

After news of his passing broke, tributes poured in from friends, co-stars, and fans. Genie Francis, who played Laura Spencer, wrote, “My heart is heavy. Goodbye my spectacular friend. Tristan Rogers was a very bright light, as an actor and a person.”

Emma Samms, who starred opposite him as Holly Sutton, said she loved working with him and would miss him dearly.

General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini also shared his sadness: “The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken. Port Charles will not be the same without him or Robert Scorpio.”

Fans quickly filled social media with old clips and memories of Rogers’ most memorable scenes, celebrating the life and career of a man who became one of soap opera’s true icons.

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