Anthony Geary, ‘General Hospital’ legend and 8-time Daytime Emmy winner, dies at 78

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Anthony Geary, the Emmy-winning actor best known for playing Luke Spencer on “General Hospital,” has passed away at the age of 78. He and his co-star created one of daytime television’s most beloved couples, Luke and Laura.

Everyone at General Hospital is deeply saddened by the loss of Tony Geary. Frank Valentini, the show’s executive producer, shared on Monday that Tony was a remarkably talented actor who inspired everyone around him. His impact, and that of his iconic character Luke Spencer, will continue to be felt by current and future cast members. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his husband, Claudio, and all of his family and friends. May he rest peacefully.

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Rob Reiner, the acclaimed director of films like ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and ‘The Princess Bride,’ passed away Sunday at his home in Brentwood at the age of 78. His wife was also found deceased.

According to Soap Opera Digest, the actor passed away a few days after undergoing scheduled surgery in Amsterdam, where he lived with his husband, Claudio Gama.

Gama shared with TV Insider that the news came as a shock to him, his family, and friends. He explained that he and Geary had been close friends for over thirty years, and partners for the last six years, having been married for that time.

Geary appeared in nearly 2,000 episodes of “General Hospital,” beginning his role in 1978. He took several breaks during his time on the show before finally leaving in 2015.

I was always amazed by how consistently Tony Geary was recognized for his work. Despite taking some time away, Emmy voters nominated him for Lead Actor a phenomenal 17 times! And he actually won eight times – in 1982, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, and finally in 2015. It’s a truly incredible record.

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Nick Reiner has been arrested after the killing of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.

In the early 1980s, the soap opera saw a surge in popularity thanks to the controversial and ultimately successful love story between Luke and Laura. The storyline began with a disturbing act – Luke drunkenly assaulting Laura – but surprisingly led to a romance that captivated a younger audience and rescued the show from being canceled. Their wedding, broadcast over two days in November 1981, drew an astounding 30 million viewers, making it the most-watched event in soap opera history.

I’ve always been fascinated by Tony Geary! Born in Coalville, Utah, back in 1947, he grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He caught the acting bug at the University of Utah, and I loved seeing him pop up in shows like “Room 222,” “All in the Family,” and even “The Partridge Family” in the early 70s. But it was when he joined “General Hospital” in 1978 that he really became a star – though he’d already built up a great list of credits with shows like “Barnaby Jones” and “The Streets of San Francisco.” He worked on so many projects throughout his career, but “GH” was the one that truly made him famous, and I can definitely see why!

After Geary departed from “General Hospital” in 2015, several of his previous coworkers spoke with The Times about their experiences working with him.

In 2015, actress Jane Elliot, who played Tracy Quartermaine and was a love interest for Spencer, remembered working with Geary when he initially auditioned for a role that was only intended to last for thirteen weeks.

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Nick Reiner, the son of director Rob Reiner, was arrested Sunday after his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead at their home in Brentwood. Authorities suspect him of murder.

She explained to The Times that meeting a new actor can be uncomfortable. She recalled walking down some stairs and spotting Tony sketching on a piece of paper – he was playing tic-tac-toe. That moment instantly showed her what kind of actor he was – someone who could stay grounded even in a fantastical environment. She joined his game, adding her ‘O’ to his ‘X’, and felt an immediate connection with him.

Actor Jonathan Jackson, who began his role as Lucky Spencer on the soap opera at age 11, shared that Tony’s friendship and mentorship were incredibly meaningful to him. He described Tony as consistently kind, attentive, and respectful, never talking down to him. They connected immediately and formed a strong bond.

The actor from ‘Nashville’ came back to the show after a long absence to assist Geary in finishing the storyline for the Spencer family.

Jackson explained that when he learned the actor was departing, he immediately decided to return to the project. He described the actor as wonderful and said sharing those final scenes together was exactly what he’d envisioned.

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Anthony Geary, best known for his role as the popular and complex Luke Spencer on “General Hospital,” will appear for the last time on the show this Monday.

On Monday, Genie Francis, who still appears on “General Hospital,” shared a remembrance of her former on-screen romantic partner on social media.

I woke up this morning and held my husband, having just experienced frighteningly vivid dreams about my own mortality. An hour later, I learned from producer Valentini that actor Geary had passed away.

I was immediately filled with regret, as I hadn’t spoken to him in years. I actually felt his passing in a dream last night, and it felt like a part of me went with him. He was an incredibly powerful actor, right up there with the best. No one shone brighter than Tony Geary – he was truly unique. As an artist, he was driven by a passion for honesty, even if it was delivered bluntly or a little rudely, but he always had a hilarious side. He often played the rebellious character, always challenging conventions, but even those with traditional values couldn’t help but smile. Working with him was always a thrill – you never knew what he’d do next.

He set such a high standard that no other man will ever measure up. I’m heartbroken and will miss him deeply, but I feel incredibly fortunate to have shared a relationship with him. I felt his passing last night – we had a connection that transcends everything. Farewell, my beloved.

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2025-12-16 01:32