Tristan Rogers, longtime 'General Hospital' star and soap opera veteran, dead at 79

Fox News ^ | August 15, 2025 | Ashley Hume

[fidelis]

Tristan Rogers, best known for starring as Robert Scorpio in the long-running soap opera "General Hospital," has died. He was 79.

"General Hospital" Executive Producer Frank Valentini announced Rogers' death in a personal statement shared on the ABC TV series' official Instagram page Friday. Last month, Rogers' representative confirmed to Fox News Digital that the actor had been diagnosed with cancer.

"The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers’ passing," Valentini wrote alongside a photo of Rogers.

"General Hospital" star Tristan Rogers has died at the age of 79 after a battle with cancer. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

"Tristan has captivated our fans for more than 50 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio)," he continued. "I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time. Tristan was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace."

Rogers appeared in more than 1,400 episodes of "General Hospital" over more than four decades.

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TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: celebritydeaths; generalhospital; hollywood; soapoperas

[fidelis]

For those of you who watched (or whose moms watched) "General Hospital" back in the day.

[angcat]

I remember he was a hunk

[BradyLS]

“Have you heard the news about Robert?”

“…No. Has a learned…about us?”

“I…don’t know…”

“??? …Then what…?”

“His yacht didn’t return to the marina last night. There was a storm at sea. And…”

“….Yes?”

“Your wife filed a missing person’s report with the police. For…your daughter. You should talk to her…”

[Exchange worried looks and mental math. Cue ominous music. Cut to credits.]

[End card:] Rest in peace Tristan Rogers. 1946-2025.

[mowowie]

The mysterious Robert Scorpio who appeared during the Australian accent craze.
RIP

[dfwgator]

The mysterious Robert Scorpio who appeared during the Australian accent craze.
RIP

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Then why did Mel Gibson and Rick Springfield ditch their Aussie accents?

[mowowie]

I dunno...

[No name given]

Rest In Peace, Tristan.

[NavyShoe]

I was a Guiding Light fan.

[Macho MAGA Man]

What gets me is Aussie George Lazenby who played 007 never sounded Australian when he spoke, even in his Kung Fu movies made in Australia and China in the 70s.

[ansel12]

Soap Opera news?

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Back in the day, I would stop by to see my mother and she would say "Sssshhhh! I'm watching my story!" LOL, General Hospital.

I was surprised to find that Anna Lee had a recurring role as Lila Quartermaine in that show. In the 1940s Ann Lee starred in the Val Lewton chiller "Bedlam", and many many other British films. She was quite the looker in those days.

[onona]

LOL Gov, same here with my mum

[TalBlack]

I cannot believe that the show that was on right before Dark Shadows IS STILL ON THE AIR!

[Vendome]

I wanted to be Scorpio and on team Interpol

Make General Hospital Great Again

[real saxophonist]

I remember the character's name, but General Hospital wasn't really a thing in our house, I know "Luke and Laura" were something.

Anyway, not too long ago, I had the TV on, waiting for the noon news. I saw the last few minutes of The Young And The Restless.

Nothing "Young" about them, they were the same actors from when I was a kid, and my mom was watching.

[real saxophonist]

I just remembered, I met Kim Zimmer, who I think was on GH, character named Reva. Sure, I could look up what show she was on, but it's more fun to see how bad ny memory is.

She was at some event I played in Savannah. We heard there was some famous actress there, and that's who it was. She was really pretty, I spoke to her briefly, got her autograph, in case my mom was interested.

[mac_truck]

I know "Luke and Laura" were something.

That's my wife you're talking about!

[Albion Wilde]

Tristan was on the Young and Restless for a couple of years playing a villain, Colin Atkinson. He was great in the role.

1982:

More recently:

[1ScrappyArmyMom]

I was one of those teenagers who skipped high school to watch Luke and Laura get married.
However, my fave was Robert Scorpio and Anna with their daughter Robin.
When Robin got HIV from her boyfriend, that was ground breaking, heart wrenching storytelling.
Good times, then GH became all about mobsters and I lost interest.
He was a good actor, may he RIP

[fidelis]

I was never a regular watcher of the show, but my Mom was so when I was living at home I caught a lot of it just by osmosis and the general buzz about certain episodes that everyone was talking about at school, work, or parties. I remember the whole thread about Luke and Laura and the their wedding of course, but by the time of the Robin episode of which you speak, I might have been out out the house by then.

Yeah, the whole mobster thing was annoying, especially how Luke and Scorpio became almost superheroes.