Anthony Geary, best known for playing Luke Spencer on General Hospital throughout the 1970s and ’80s, has died at the age of 78.
ABC released a statement that confirmed the actor’s passing. It read: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Anthony Geary, whose portrayal of Luke Spencer helped define General Hospital and daytime television.”
According to reports, Geary died in Amsterdam from complications related to a planned surgical procedure he had undergone three days prior.
During the course of his more than 40-year career, Geary earned eight Daytime Emmy awards as Luke on the aforementioned General Hospital, after first joining the soap in 1978.
Having been paired on-screen with Genie Francis’ Laura Webber Baldwin, the pair surged to popularity – when Luke and Laura got married in 1981, over 30 million people tuned in for the TV nuptials. Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor — said to be a huge fan of the show — even made a cameo.
“He was a powerhouse as an actor. Shoulder to shoulder with the greats,” Francis said in a statement of her former co-star’s passing.
“No star burned brighter than Tony Geary. He was one of a kind. As an artist, he was filled with a passion for the truth, no matter how blunt, or even a little rude it might be, but always hilariously funny.”
Aside from his role as Luke, Geary boasted numerous other TV and stage credits, including stints on other soaps: The Young and the Restless and Bright Promise.
Geary played Luke on and off until 2015, though he returned for a cameo in 2017.
On playing his iconic character, he said in 1993: “I felt like I had to be Luke 24 hours a day or people would be disappointed.
“As far as I’m concerned, they are mythic creatures. They come from two sides of the universe together and have a mutual connection, which is basically lust and appreciation for individuality. They love the eccentricity in each other.”
Rest in peace, Anthony Geary
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