What To Know
- If you’ve ever tuned into “General Hospital” during its heyday in the 1980s—or caught reruns on streaming services like Hulu—you likely remember Rogers as the quick-witted Robert Scorpio, a character who first burst onto the scene in 1980.
- Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1946, he kicked off his acting career in the 1960s with roles in British TV before crossing the pond to Hollywood.
- , where the show has been a staple since 1963, drawing millions of viewers and even earning a spot in the Guinness World Records as the longest-running American soap opera still in production.
Fans of daytime television are mourning today after reports confirmed the passing of Tristan Rogers, the charismatic Australian actor beloved for his long-running role as the suave super spy Robert Scorpio on ABC’s “General Hospital.” Rogers died Friday at age 79 following a battle with lung cancer, leaving behind a legacy that spanned decades in one of America’s most enduring soap operas.
If you’ve ever tuned into “General Hospital” during its heyday in the 1980s—or caught reruns on streaming services like Hulu—you likely remember Rogers as the quick-witted Robert Scorpio, a character who first burst onto the scene in 1980. With his thick Aussie accent and undeniable charm, Rogers turned Scorpio into a fan favorite, blending high-stakes adventure with heartfelt drama. Think James Bond meets family man: Scorpio wasn’t just chasing villains; he was navigating complex relationships, including his on-again, off-again romance with Holly Sutton, played by Emma Samms, and his deep bond with daughter Robin, portrayed by Kimberly McCullough.
Rogers’ journey to Port Charles, the fictional New York town at the heart of “General Hospital,” started far from American shores. Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1946, he kicked off his acting career in the 1960s with roles in British TV before crossing the pond to Hollywood. But it was “General Hospital” that made him a household name here in the U.S., where the show has been a staple since 1963, drawing millions of viewers and even earning a spot in the Guinness World Records as the longest-running American soap opera still in production. Over his 45-year run on the series, Rogers appeared in more than 1,400 episodes, popping in and out as storylines demanded, right up until recent years.
His manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed the news of his death, which came less than a month after Rogers publicly shared his cancer diagnosis in July. Tributes poured in quickly from co-stars and fans alike. Genie Francis, who plays the iconic Laura Spencer on the show, shared a touching post on X: “My heart is heavy. Goodbye, my spectacular friend. My deepest condolences to his wife,e Teresa, and their children. Tristan Rogers was a very bright light, as an actor and a person. I was so lucky to have known him.” Executive producer Frank Valentini echoed the sentiment, calling Rogers a “true icon of daytime TV.”
For many Americans, “General Hospital” isn’t just entertainment—it’s a cultural touchstone. Remember the Luke and Laura wedding in 1981? It drew over 30 million viewers, the highest-rated hour in daytime TV history. Rogers’ Scorpio added to that magic, especially during epic arcs like the Ice Princess storyline, where he teamed up with Luke (Anthony Geary) to thwart global threats. It’s the kind of escapist fun that kept families glued to their sets before streaming changed everything.
Rogers leaves behind his wife, Teresa Parkerson, whom he married in 1995, and their two children. While his battle with lung cancer—a disease that claims about 127,000 lives in the U.S. each year, according to the American Cancer Society—was brief and public, his impact on soap fans will endure. As one viewer posted on X, “Rest in peace, Tristan. You brought so much joy to our living rooms.” In a world of fleeting fame, Rogers proved that great characters, like great stories, stick around forever.
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