Beloved 80s Actor Passes Away At 79

Actor Tristan Rogers, most well known for the role of Robert Scorpio on the popular long-running soap opera, “General Hospital,” which he played for 45 years, passed away last week. He was 79 years old.

Meryl Soodak, the soap star’s manager, issued a statement to the media, confirming Rogers’s death. The cause of his untimely passing was a short battle with lung cancer.

“He loved being Scorpio, and he created that role from nothing,” Soodak said in her statement. “He was supposed to work a day, and he ended up making it into something huge. He was just a genuinely loyal, kind human being, and he loved his family.”

Frank Valentini, the executive producer of the soap opera, released a truly touching statement after the news of Rogers broke.

“The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers’ passing,” Valentini said to People. “Tristan has captivated our fans for 45 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio).”

“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,” Valentini continued. “May he rest in peace.”’

Rogers, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1946, moved to the United States in 1980. He was cast as Robert Scorpio on “General Hospital” the very same year.

“I didn’t know at the time the importance of General Hospital; it was just one more job for me,” he said to Soap Opera Digest during an interview from 2020. “But it was really exciting, to be fresh off the boat and walk into this role.”

“Of course, after that, everywhere I went, people would go, ‘You’re on General Hospital? That’s the hottest thing in the country! You’re working with Luke and Laura? Oh, my God!’” he added. “I got caught up in the General Hospital tidal wave and just got swept away by it.”

His character was, seemingly, killed off the program back in 1992. However, in 2006, Scorpio returned in a storyline that revealed he had been alive the entire time.

“I think this character will follow me to my grave,” the actor said in an interview two decades before he died. Rogers made his final appearance on the soap in July, returning to say goodbye to onscreen daughter Sasha Gilmore.

According to Rogers’ publicist, Anthony Turk, an official announcement about the actor’s lung cancer was made the very same day his final appearance on “General Hospital” aired on television.

“Beloved Emmy-winning actor Tristan Rogers, best known for his role as Robert Scorpio on the daytime drama, ‘General Hospital,’ revealed to his fans that he has been diagnosed with cancer,” Turk revealed in his statement released on July 17.

“While he remains hopeful and is working closely with his medical team on a treatment plan, this is a challenging time for Tristan and his family,” he explained. “As they face both the emotional and physical burdens that come with this diagnosis, the family kindly asks for privacy and understanding.”

Rogers is survived by his bride, Teresa Parkerson, and his two children, Sara and Cale, and one grandchild.