JUST IN So Sad! Tristan Rogers, longtime ‘General Hospital’ actor, dies at 79!
Tristan Rogers, the actor whose career spanned decades and was marked by his well-known portrayal of Robert Scorpio on ABC’s daytime television soap opera “General Hospital,” has died. He was 79.
Rogers’ death was confirmed by his longtime manager, Meryl Soodak, who said the actor passed away Friday morning after a battle with lung cancer. Soodak noted that Rogers had never been a smoker.
The actor’s role on “General Hospital” “meant everything to him,” his manager said. “He loved being Scorpio and he created that role from nothing. 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.”
Rogers portrayed Scorpio on the soap opera intermittently over the course of 45 years.
He is survived by his wife, two children and a grandchild.
Disney is the parent company of this station.
Veteran “General Hospital” Star Tristan Rogers Has Died at 79
Tristan Rogers, the beloved actor who brought the iconic role of Robert Scorpio to life on General Hospital, passed away on the morning of Friday, August 15, 2025, after a brave battle with lung cancer. He was 79 years old.
Rogers’ death was confirmed by his longtime manager, Meryl Soodak, who revealed that although he never smoked, he succumbed to the disease that morning ABC7 Los Angeles. In her heartfelt words, she emphasized how much the role meant to him: “He loved being Scorpio and he created that role from nothing. 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”
Over the past 45 years, Rogers made an incomparable impact on daytime television through his portrayal of Robert Scorpio. Introduced in December 1980, his character became a fan favourite—especially intertwined with the legendary “supercouple” Luke and Laura, whose 1981 wedding remains Hollywood’s single most-watched hour of television. Though he first departed in 1992, Scorpio came back many times, including dramatic returns in 1995, 2006, and frequently from 2018 to November 12, 2024, when the character left Port Charles once again
In a poignant turn, July 17, 2025, Rogers surprised fans with a cameo return on General Hospital—the same day he publicly announced his cancer diagnosis. In that touching episode, Scorpio reunited with his daughter Sasha Gilmore, her newborn daughter, Daisy, and longtime character Jason Morgan
His representative, Anthony Turk, had shared in a statement that Rogers was “working closely with his medical team on a treatment plan” and remained hopeful, though acknowledging the profound emotional and physical toll on him and his loved ones. The family also requested privacy and expressed deep appreciation for the outpouring of fan support
A native of Melbourne, Australia, Rogers began his career in the 1970s in Australian television before moving to the US, where he developed a celebrated soap opera legacy. Beyond General Hospital, he also appeared on The Young and the Restless, the web-series The Bay, and the Amazon drama Studio City, for which he even earned a Daytime Emmy Award.
He is survived by his wife, their two children, and a grandchild, who, alongside millions of fans, mourn his passing .
Rogers’ portrayal of Robert Scorpio shaped the landscape of daytime drama, leaving behind a legacy of charm, adventure, heart, and unwavering dedication. His absence is deeply felt by the General Hospital community and beyond.
