Anthony Geary, acclaimed for his groundbreaking role as Luke Spencer on “General Hospital,” has died at 78. Geary passed away Sunday in Amsterdam due to complications from a surgical procedure, as confirmed by ABC.
Spanning more than four decades, Geary’s career was defined by his eight Daytime Emmy wins and his unforgettable portrayal of Luke Spencer, a character who became synonymous with daytime television drama. Joining “General Hospital” in 1978, Geary’s on-screen pairing with Genie Francis’s Laura Webber Baldwin captivated millions. Their 1981 wedding episode drew a record 30 million viewers and became a landmark moment in television history, even featuring a guest appearance by Elizabeth Taylor.
Genie Francis remembered Geary as “a powerhouse as an actor… 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.”
Throughout his run on “General Hospital,” Geary’s character evolved from a small-time hitman to a complicated anti-hero, reflecting Geary’s own approach to complex storytelling. He explained in a 2015 interview, “He’s not a white hat or a black hat, he’s all shades of grey. And that has been the saving grace of playing him all these years.”
Outside of “General Hospital,” Geary appeared on other soaps such as “The Young and the Restless” and “Bright Promise,” and made guest appearances on numerous television shows including “All in the Family,” “The Partridge Family,” “The Mod Squad,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” and “The Streets of San Francisco.”
Born in Coalville, Utah, to Mormon parents, Geary’s career began on stage before he moved to Los Angeles, eventually finding his lifelong calling in television. He spent his later years living quietly in Amsterdam with his husband, Claudio Gama.
Anthony Geary’s legacy endures as a transformative figure in the world of daytime television, remembered for his dynamic performances and profound influence on the genre.